The heart of any multi-tool is the pair of pliers at the core. If that's cheaply made, you'll break the tool and go on to something else. The original Leatherman Super Tool lasted many users for fifteen years or more, and the Super Tool 300 is even stronger with slim profile jaws that fit into tighter places. The stainless steel handles have contoured sides for a more comfortable and therefore more powerful grip, and the access cutouts in the handles are larger. Even with gloved hands, you can get the blades out. Tools and blades lock into working position for safe, controlled use.

The Leatherman Super-Tool 300 holds 19 tools including file, saw, flat and Phillips screwdrivers, crimpers, and insulation strippers. Also included are wire cutters for both stranded and solid wire, and in this model, the cutter blades are removable. If you've buggered them up on the job site, it's possible to remove the jaws and re-sharpen them on the spot with the file the same multi-tool provides.

Among the other tools in the Super-Tool 300 are the old standards of bottle opener, can opener, and awl -- seldom used today but always available in a pinch. The Leatherman Super-Tool 300 comes with a combination leather and nylon belt sheath, built in a pouch style with a snap-flap closure.

For a tactical style multi-tool built for heavy duty tasks, see the SOG Power Assist Multi-tool.

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LEATHERMAN SUPER TOOL 300 MULTI TOOL 831103 w SHEATH US $58.95   Auction Ends: 6d 23h 48m

Leatherman Super Tool 300 19 Tools Pocket Knife Camp US $22.22   11 Bids Auction Ends: 21h 29m

The Leatherman Core weighs 10.8 ounces but that extra weight means more strength and a tool set to depend on. This 4.5-inch (closed length) tool was the first Leatherman multitool to offer professional-quality, hollow-ground screwdriver blades and includes three common sizes of flathead bits and one Phillips. The Core pliers are also the heaviest and strongest Leatherman makes, with jaws designed for needle-nose and standard plier applications as well as wire cutting and wire stripping. The all-stainless steel tool also has an option for wire crimping. The individual tool blades lock open for safe use.

Although the Core contains both serrated and plain-edge knife blades, the companion C33LX Crater knife will definitely be easier to use. The Crater fits in the pocket with the handy stainless steel pocket clip, or attaches to a belt loop or other gear with the carabiner clip blade. The carabiner also opens bottle caps. The Crater's 420HC drop point knife blade features a thumb stud for one-handed opening and a combo-serrated edge for all sorts of handyman applications. This version of the Crater also allows opening through the Blade Launcher lever on the back of the knife. Just draw the lever back to open and lock the blade with no worries about hooking the knife's cutting edge with your thumb. The glass-filled nylon handle cuts weight to 2.38 ounces and provides a secure hold in all conditions.

Leatherman backs up both of these tools with a generous 25-year warranty.

See the Leatherman Fuse for a tough multi-tool without knife blades -- one you can carry anywhere.

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LEATHERMAN 945200 DISCONTINUED SHEATH FOR CORE SUPER TOOL 300 SURGE US $9.95   Auction Ends: 25d 21h 24m

Leatherman Nylon Sheath for Surge Core Super Tool 300 934890 US $7.95   Auction Ends: 5d 6h 17m

The Leatherman E55 Expanse is the basic knife in the series, with just one knife blade and a carabiner clip. The steel in the E55's 3.1-inch blade is a much better grade than the tough 440HC used in the Crater. According to Leatherman, the 154CM high carbon stainless steel of the E55's drop point holds an edge roughly three times as long as ordinary stainless steel. Hollow ground with a plain edge, the Expanse still hones easily with ordinary sharpening tools.

The liner lock design carries over basically unchanged from the Crater, but in a more rugged build. Nearly half the handle of the Expanse is stainless steel, and the remainder is weight-saving, glass-filled nylon. In that nylon section, a comfortable groove guides the thumb onto the thumb-stud opening system, reducing the chances of a slip onto the edge. One-handed opening action is smooth after a little practice and use, but keep the bearing clean and oiled.

The Expanse's second blade is a carabiner clip of stainless steel, large enough to hook onto belt loops, rope, gear straps, and pack loops. Fold the carabiner into the handle and use the second option, a strong stainless steel pocket clip -- or remove the pocket clip entirely to save a little weight. The extra size and strength of the Expanse raises the weight to 5.43 ounces.

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EXPANSE E33B LEATHERMAN STR BLADE KNIFE w BITS 861211 US $48.95   Auction Ends: 20d 10h 14m

EXPANSE E33B LEATHERMAN KNIFE w BITS SHEATH 861214 US $54.95   Auction Ends: 2d 5h 32m

Small details make all the difference here. The Crater's one-hand opening system uses a thumb-stud at the base of the blade for leverage, but you have access to it from a smooth thumb-sized groove shaped in the handle. After a short break-in period, the blade flips open and locks with a single smooth motion. The liner-lock system is simple but strong and releases with fingertip pressure. Since the lock release is near the blade's base, one-handed closure is also an option.

The Crater puts 2.6 inches of hollow-ground drop point blade into this small package. The 420HC high carbon stainless steel sharpens easily and is tempered to be tough. Both the blade and the handle are corrosion-resistant. The 60-percent glass-filled nylon handle cuts the weight to only 2.38 ounces. If you're an ultra-lite backpacker who treats ounces like pounds, the Crater makes every ounce count and is built for real work.

There's no sheath for the Crater, but you won't have to drop the knife in your pants pocket. The Leatherman Crater's tempered stainless steel pocket clip mounts to the very tip of the Crater's handle with three precision screws. That re-design places nearly all the knife below the level of the pocket seam for more security and less obvious pocket clip carry. The knife includes a stainless steel carabiner clip as a second folding blade. Opening from the butt of the handle, the carabiner latches onto any suitable line or strap and doubles as a bottle cap opener. If you don't need both clips, the pocket clip removes easily.

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LEATHERMAN Crater C33TX Combo Blade Knife 860221 US $30.95   Auction Ends: 27d 15h 31m

LEATHERMAN CRATER C33T STRAIGHT BLADE KNIFE 860211 US $30.90   Auction Ends: 6d 23h 1m

By itself, the Core version of the popular Leatherman handyman's multitool already offers an option for nearly any situation. Twelve foldout blades and the central pair of pliers feature the quality construction you should expect from Leatherman. The Core also has some new tricks to share which multitool users have wanted for years. Two knife blades -- one serrated and one plain-edged -- plus hollow ground screwdriver bits for precision screws and lockback on all blades in the kit. You'll also find the usual file blade, saw, and more of the familiar bits you always need.

Add to this the Crater pocket folding knife with 2.6-inch combo serrated blade of 420HC high carbon stainless steel, and you have a sound fundamental tool kit for pocket and belt. The Crater C33LX also has a couple of interesting features you'd not immediately spot. The lockback isn't a surprise, but the lightweight handle material resists most chemicals including DEET -- if your hand has ever stuck to your tools after putting on mosquito repellent, you'll appreciate this. The Crater offers more than one carrying system with a folding carabiner clip and an optional stainless steel pocket clip. With all that, the Crater still weighs only 2.36 ounces.

The Core Multitool comes with its own belt sheath of nylon fabric with Velcro flap closure.

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LT934880 Leatherman Core Nylon Sheath Knife Multi tool US $14.95   Auction Ends: 22d 1h 2m

Leatherman Core Multitool Knives Pliers Saw US $74.99   Auction Ends: 12d 43m

You'd expect the Steens to fold like a pocket clip knife, but this combination tool actually works more like a fixed blade. The Steens includes three tools -- the 3-3/4 inch drop point blade, gut hook tool, and bone saw. For extra strength, the drop point knife and gut hook have been machined from the same bar of S30V steel, which rotates on a central bearing. Pivoting the blade back into the handle swings out the gut hook, and vice versa. Each locks into open position and won't pivot unless released by a push on the safety lock button.

Only the bone saw is a separate blade, but the saw depends on the knife blade for support. The flats machined on the knife blade accept the sides of the bone saw blade's spine -- the two fit together precisely for use as one tool. The eight-ounce Steens hunter's multi-tool comes with a leather belt sheath designed to carry the knife with the drop point blade locked open.

You get one more important perk with the Steens. Any gut hook blade is going to be tough to sharpen without the right equipment, and to make sure you have one handy, the Steens comes with a fine grit diamond hone. There's also a convenient place to put it -- the hone fits in its own compartment in the sheath and rides alongside the blade.

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Leatherman Steens Fixed Blade Hunting knife US $159.99   Auction Ends: 28d 23h 26m

Leatherman Tools Steens Drop Point Blade Hunting Knife 830622 IS US $134.95   Auction Ends: 20d 22h 2m

Leatherman's C303 was built for utility use, but the 3.2-ounce knife is a good size for campers and other outdoorsmen also. At just over four inches closed, there's enough to grip securely, and the polished aluminum frame handle is comfortable in hand. The C303's stainless steel pocket clip might wear a few blisters during extended use, but it is removable -- and with this knife, there's an alternative: the carabiner clip.

The carabiner is high carbon stainless steel and ruggedly built, strong enough to do double duty as a bottle opener. Clip the C303 anywhere on your gear you find it handy, a great feature for backpackers who don't want a pocket folder crunching under the pack's waist belt all day. Both the carabiner and the 420HC three-inch drop point combo serrated blade fold into the skeletonized handle. You'd expect one-handed blade opening, and Leatherman provides that with a thumb stud system called Blade Launcher, easier to work than their earlier models. What might surprise you is that the carabiner clip also opens one-handed, and both carabiner and blade lock into a fully open position.

With all that, the Leatherman C303 looks like a great choice for anyone who works or plays where you need one hand just to hold onto something. If you fish or sail, hike or climb, the C303 fits right in. Leatherman guarantees it for 25 years.

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Brand New Leatherman c303 Folding Knife Lockback Locking Liner Sealed Package US $69.99   Auction Ends: 18d 18h 46m

Leatherman C303 climbing knife Imperial Ireland knife old rusty knife lot US $6.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 2d 20h 10m

The good news is that the Fuse is otherwise the same high quality Leatherman multi-tool with an improved blade locking system. Every blade locks into place for safe and secure use -- fifty percent stronger than the old locking mechanism. Blades open one at a time as well, so pulling one free of the handle does not pull out a rat's nest of options. You actually can select the one you need and get at it.

Like the more venerable Swiss Army knife, the serviceability of the individual blades can be marginal -- the scissors for example won't be much good for anything but trimming thread, and the can opener isn't likely to solve any emergencies in these days of pop-top containers. The tool does include a selection of things you'll actually need, like screwdriver bits and a decent pair of long-jaw pliers.

Pliers really are the heart of this tool, with everything else only a built-in emergency accessory. One of the best things about Leatherman multi-tools is that the pliers themselves are rugged. While not so bulletproof as a stand-alone pair, the Leatherman Fuse will get you by when a cheaper knock-off multi-tool only distorts into a useless mess.

Where pocket knives are still allowed, carry a pocket knife and the Leatherman Fuse. The Leatherman clip point blade was awkward anyway.

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Leatherman Fuse multi tool pocket knife US $25.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 3h 45m

Leatherman Fuse Stainless Multi Tool US $24.99   0 Bid Auction Ends: 10h

I understand that today, in America, Leatherman has become somewhat synonymous with pocket knives because they are an American company that makes high quality multi-tools which have a handy design. The fact that all the tools are stored within the handle means, when closed, there is a lesser likelihood of damage to the components, and, when in use, there is a smooth grip. The design, which is focused around the fold-out set of pliers, are a staple among fishermen.

The Kick has the pliers, dubbed as both needle nose and regular for the two variations of gripping jaws, and wire cutters/strippers. It holds only one size blade, a 420HC stainless steel, clip point, straight edge. As well, there are two sizes of flathead screwdrivers, a Phillips-head, bottle opener, can opener, and an 8 inch/19 cm ruler.

I found this a surprisingly light knife, compared to most Leatherman models of old, but perhaps that is because the Kick has a rather limited selection of tools. The handle is stainless steel and will assuredly take a beating. The Zytel Comfort-grip inserts were very nice for when the pliers are being used, a good improvement from the old style I remember as a kid.

But for me, and this is where my bias comes in, there has always been a lack of convenience to a Leatherman multi-tool. For one, to change tools I have to unfold the handle, which isn't complicated or costly in time, but just annoying because the tools always seem to stick difficultly together when I try to extract them, so if I want the large flathead screwdriver, I have to pull it out and then separate the small flathead and the Phillips-head and whatever else is on that side of the handle. These are complications which, for me, can be solved by purchasing another style of pocket knife.

But most other companies, because of the problems of incorporating pliers into the design, haven't come up with any other great ideas. Victorinox has the Swiss Tool, and Gerber has its own line of multi-tools, but no real improvement on the Leatherman. I like what Spyderco is coming out with. They have some interesting designs and approaches to the multi-tool. Their Byrdrench has it's own faults, but I expect to see some improvement in their future products.

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Leatherman 934860 Removable Pocket Clip Screw for Kick US $7.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 2h 16m

NEW LEATHERMAN KICK US $24.95   0 Bid Auction Ends: 7h 5m

How you ask? When this is a knife, the bone saw and gut hook components are hidden under the handle. When you need the bone saw, it unlocks from the handle and swings out to cover over the blade edge. When you need the gut hook, which is actually the hidden part of the tang, the blade actually rotates around from a pivot point and is tucked safely into the handle. It's difficult to visualize, but very easy to use. The Ukiah is a hunting man's dream.

The components of the blade, bone saw, and gut hook are 154cm stainless steel - American steel which is very hard with pretty good edge retention and decent stain resistance. The blade is a 3.75-inch, straight-edge, and the Ukiah comes with a diamond coated sharpening rod, as well as a full leather sheath. The handle is composed of glass-filled nylon.

This is really an awesome knife. It reminds me of some of the W.R. Case multi-use hunting knives I've seen, but of course the Ukiah is more for function in the field that for decoration in a display case.

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Leatherman Ukiah Fixed Blade Hunting knife US $139.99   Auction Ends: 28d 23h 26m

LEATHERMAN 830627 UKIAH FIXED BLADE RUBBER INLAY US $119.99   Auction Ends: 20h 10m