Leatherman K500x

[DaveK]

I want to give this knife a little praise. It's a fantastic knife and seems to be completely over-looked by everyone!

Until I received this knife, I expected it to be like all of the many LM knives I already owned, pretty well made, decent, but ultimately another example of why Leatherman should stick to making multitools! My overall view of Leatherman's knives is probably similar to most people's, i.e. they are a bit gadgety with the caribiners, and the screw-drivers and so on, but if you really just want a knife, then there are many better options out there.

This one however, is different. I now have the similar h502, being the same knife with 420HC blade and the bit driver and flat screwdriver, and they could not be more different!

Unlike the H502, the K500x is comfortable, has absolutely solid lockup and opens incredibly smoothly. The 154CM blade steel tops off what is in fact, a very high quality knife, and a world apart from the other LM knives I have.



To be honest, whilst the materials are clearly not in the same league as the Sebenzas I've handled, in use this knife seems every bit as solid and reliable.

Discuss!

[Benner]

I think the reason I overlook them is a psychological thing.  Leatherman means "plier based multitool" to me and not "knife".  That and the fact that the few i saw at the UK meet didn't exactly blow me away.

[DaveK]

And I think that's a fair point Ben. This one however, is a bit different.

I'll show you at the next meet - you may be surprised! It's a world apart from the e306x!

[Benner]

If I was to buy one, this would be the one.  Am I fair to say this one is more solid than previous ones?  It certainly looks it.

[DaveK]

Oh yeah - very solid this one.

Other than by using some more "premium" materials, it's hard to see how it could be made "better" tbh.

There is still the niggle with the wobbly pocket clip however, but I'm about to sort that out with a bit of loctite, but as far as the blade lockup is concerned - it's awesome.

[DaveK]

Another pic

[ringzero]

Looks like a nice knife there, DaveK.  What are the grips made of?

I've never really considered buying a LM knife because there don't seem to be any models that really stand out as better than average to me personally.

In the low budget 'big bang for your buck' marketplace, there are just so many great knives available nowdays that none of the LM offerings impress me at all.  Also, I've read some disparaging comments about the cheaper LM knives durability over on Bladeforums.

And at more expensive price points, there are just so many great knives by well established makers that I'd much rather have than a Leatherman knife for the same money.

.


 

[DaveK]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that RZ, and amongst the 10 LM knives I have, I could identify irritations and weaknesses in 9 of them. This one is the exception!

The handles are described as "Glass-filled Nylon" on Leatherman's website, and they seem comfortable and durable, although it's the shaping of it that makes me like it so much. Fits like a glove to my hand!

[Sean]

Thanks for the report Dave.  I will check them out if they have any in stock locally.  I would consider buying one
on your recommendation here.  I would really like to add one to the collection of users.

I just noticed it under the retired section.  I might be out of luck.

[Magnus]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that RZ, and amongst the 10 LM knives I have, I could identify irritations and weaknesses in 9 of them. This one is the exception!

The handles are described as "Glass-filled Nylon" on Leatherman's website, and they seem comfortable and durable, although it's the shaping of it that makes me like it so much. Fits like a glove to my hand!

I guess that is what puts me off these knives, the handles are plastic

[DaveK]

Why does that put you off?

It's more like fibreglass than plastic anyway.

[Benner]

I wouldn't disagree with any of that RZ, and amongst the 10 LM knives I have, I could identify irritations and weaknesses in 9 of them. This one is the exception!

The handles are described as "Glass-filled Nylon" on Leatherman's website, and they seem comfortable and durable, although it's the shaping of it that makes me like it so much. Fits like a glove to my hand!

I guess that is what puts me off these knives, the handles are plastic

It's probably safe to say the majority are "plastic" of some sort these days. Nowt wrong with that though.

[Magnus]

Why does that put you off?

It's more like fibreglass than plastic anyway.

I just don't like the feel of plastic handled tools in my hand *shrug*

[Benner]

How about G10 and similar?

[DaveK]

Yeah that was my thinking. The vast majority of knives out there seem to be some sort of "plastic", whether it be the Celidor on SAKs, Zytel seems to be becoming increasingly popular, G10, FRN etc, etc.

In fact my three favourite knives all have "plastic" handles.

[Poncho65]

Thanks for the pics Dave May have to check out this knife as I like the h502 and if it is quite a bit better then I believe I would really like it

[Magnus]

How about G10 and similar?

they call it "glass reinforced plastic" for a reason? 

Its just a personal preference, I do have plastic/rubber handled tools, but I try to buy wood/metal/leather/etc handled tools when I can, hell, my only SAK has leather/metal scales.

Maybe it is just being bought up around so much plastic, I seem to have developed a aversion to it.

[DaveK]

Took these earlier to show the difference between the K500x and it's fat brother the h502:









And with the smaller c301 to give a sense of proportion: