Ages ago, Leatherman changed the game for everyone panic-fixing something along the trail. You'd pick up a nail, find yourself with a backed-out nut or screw, needing to bodge an electrical fix, or any number of strange breaks that routinely occurs whenever you leave the safety of civilization. And for what felt like a millennia, if you wanted to do something about it, you had to bring along a tool chest the size of a medium-sized tacklebox to do so.
It took up space, it was a pain to find the right tool, and it weighed a metric ton. Then, Leatherman popularized the multitool, which basically turned that entire tool chest into something you could carry every day. I have a Leatherman stashed in my backpack at all times, and it's saved my bacon more times than I care to admit.
But there are situations where a multitool isn't the best tool for the job. Where a relatively heavy item weighs down your pockets. See, the thing I carry most often, though it's an oft-looked-over tool, is the simple pocket knife, as they're efficient things that can be utilized in a vast array of situations. And now Leatherman wants to dominate that game, too, with both fixed and folding knives.
I'm in, add them to my collection.
Leatherman is introducing a total of five knives, including three fixed blades and two folders. All five, however, feature MagnaCut steel, a semi-new steel within the industry that's rapidly taking over as it's tough, has solid edge retention, is more easily sharpened, and takes forever to corrode. You know the "Fast, good, cheap" triangle rule for a product, i.e. you can have it fast and good, but it ain't gonna be cheap, or you can have it cheap and good, but it ain't gonna be fast? Well, pocket knives have the same, but for the above metrics. MagnuCut breaks that rule.
As for the knives themselves, the three fixed-blade knives have fairly different personas, with the Pioneer taking on the mantle of heavy-duty use, the Trac looking to become the quintessential outdoor knife, and Rustle being what you use to get dinner ready by the campfire. All of the blades could be used for multiple purposes, though, as they're built to withstand some serious abuse.
The three fixed-blade knives also come with their own unique sheaths, as well as different handles. Both the Pioneer and Rustle get G10 handles with "hybrid" leather and Kydex sheaths, while the Trac gets the aforementioned G10 handle, but a pure leather sheath. Each also comes in a variety of colorways to suit your personal style.
But as much as I do love a fixed blade pocket knife, my heart belongs to folders. Luckily, there are two to choose from.
The two new knives are the Blazer and Glider, which, again, use the MagnaCut steel, while the handles are machined 416 stainless steel that's been done up in a way that keeps them light, but maintains rigidity and structure. There are some differences, though. According to Leatherman, the Blazer features a 3.15-inch hollow saber ground drop point blade, while the Glider has a 3-inch hollow saber ground modified sheepsfoot blade. While they're both designed for everyday use and carry, the Blazer aims to be more for adventure-type situations, while the Glider for utility. The two blades also have a few different colorways, just like the fixed knives, too.
We also have to talk price.
Good knives aren't cheap. Good knives with lifetime warranties are also few and far between. And few good knives are still built right here in the United States. These Leatherman's, however, are and seem to be built to last. As such, they aren't inexpensive, though neither are they outside the realm of others in the space. As for the fixed blades, the Pioneer and Trac have MSRPs of $299.95, and the Rustle will set you back $279.95. And the folders feature $299.95 price tags, too.
"For over 40 years, Leatherman has perfected our category-defining multi-tools, and now we’re bringing our unmatched expertise, focus, and obsession with detail into a new chapter that allows us to offer more utility products to our customers," said Ben Rivera, CEO of Leatherman Tool Group, adding, "We’ve been building knives for decades as part of our multi-tool designs, and our knife collection is more than just a new product. A Leatherman knife speaks to a user’s identity, about doing more with less. It’s about being built differently."
