Leatherman E33L First Impressions

[lovenhim]

Hello everyone.  I just received a Leatherman E33L as a gift and I wanted to share my thoughts on the knife.  First things first, I liked the packaging simply because you can see what you are buying compared to the knife being packaged in a box.  I prefer simple packaging and that is what you get with this knife.



Once I had the knife in my hand I noticed that it is smaller than my other folding knives and it is also lighter.  This is a $30 knife and I think it is a good value, however for $35 you can purchase the Kershaw Skyline, which is more knife for the money.  The Leatherman E33L seems to be well made but the handles on it are somewhat slick compared to my Spyderco Tenacious which is also around the $30 price point. 



This is a rather nice looking knife with its black and brushed look. 



The clip and bottle opener is a neat little feature and nice to have on the knife, though I am not sure how much use it would see.



I like the way the knife looks when open and also the blade shape looks nice.  It is nothing fancy, just a simple design that works.



There is a bit of jimping on the top of the blade and I am glad to see that it is there as it does help give a little bit more traction and control.  It is not as pronounced as it is on the Spyderco Tenacious.



The knife does have a pocket clip which can be removed, so that is a nice feature.  However it is not adjustable, so you can not choose tip up or tip down carry nor left or right hand use. The knife also has a "blade launcher" which to me is a nice feature to have, however the piece of metal for the blade launcher is smaller than on the Kershaw Skyline.  Over all this is a nice knife for the money and it certainly is a fantastic gift.  It is smaller than the Spyderco Tenacious and the Kershaw Skyline and all three can be had between $30-$35.  It is nice to have choices. 

[jekostas]

The advantage that the Leatherman has over the Tenacious and Skyline is better steel.  154CM is around the same hardness as 14C28N and 8Cr13MoV (at least as Spyderco does it), but it'll be tougher, have better corrosion resistance and better wear resistance (and thus, at least slightly better edge retention).

[lovenhim]

I think that Leatherman is a great value and I like it.  It is a good little knife.  To me that Leatherman knife does not feel as well made as the Spyderco, but it could just be me.  It is a slippery little knife ....I feel like it can come out of your hand, yet I just like the knife.  It just works and is a great value.  I like the fact it is using 154CM and that it is made in the USA.

[trey]

Is this really made in the USA?  I thought there was some doubt as to where
Leathermans (Leathermen?) are made.

[asupernothing]

Is this really made in the USA?  I thought there was some doubt as to where
Leathermans (Leathermen?) are made.

Leatherman tools are made in the USA any doubt regarding that was cleared up sometime ago.
Lovenhim, glad you like the knife 154CM is a very good steel and will likely last you a long time before sharpening is needed. IIRC its supposed to have 3x the edge retention of 440C.

[lovenhim]

I realize that this is a poor way of looking at a product, but I figure that Leatherman makes a good multi, so why wouldn't they make a good knife?  LOL   

[jekostas]

I realize that this is a poor way of looking at a product, but I figure that Leatherman makes a good multi, so why wouldn't they make a good knife?  LOL

Knife making is a bit more of an art than multitool making, which I personally think is more engineering.  The first set of Leatherman knives I was pretty unimpressed with from a fit and finish perspective.  This second generation is better, but I still think there's room for improvement.  I mean, you said it yourself - the Leatherman somehow just doesn't feel as solid as the Spyderco.

As Leatherman brings out more knives, I expect they'll get better.

[lovenhim]

No, the Leatherman knife just does not seem as well made as my Spyderco Tenacious, Kershaw Skyline, or Kershaw Groove.  I still like it and I am glad that I have it and am thankful for the gift.   

[asupernothing]

Thats why I only have one Leatherman knife...

[trey]

I'm not trying to be inflammatory or bring up something that everybody is tired of but how is
it settled that Leatherman products are made in the USA?  I've seen nothing to that effect
and they aren't marked.  I've heard the parts are made elsewhere and assembled here.
I'm just trying to gain knowledge, not dispute anybody.

[jekostas]

I'm not trying to be inflammatory or bring up something that everybody is tired of but how is
it settled that Leatherman products are made in the USA?  I've seen nothing to that effect
and they aren't marked.  I've heard the parts are made elsewhere and assembled here.
I'm just trying to gain knowledge, not dispute anybody.

It's marked on the packaging as made in the US.

[airballrad]

I'm not trying to be inflammatory or bring up something that everybody is tired of but how is
it settled that Leatherman products are made in the USA?  I've seen nothing to that effect
and they aren't marked.  I've heard the parts are made elsewhere and assembled here.
I'm just trying to gain knowledge, not dispute anybody.

This press release from Leatherman is old, but sums things up well. Certain parts of the multitools are sourced from Western Europe, Mexico, and Canada, but the tools are assembled and finished in the USA. Their knives are USA-made.

[turnsouth]

No, the Leatherman knife just does not seem as well made as my Spyderco Tenacious, Kershaw Skyline, or Kershaw Groove.  I still like it and I am glad that I have it and am thankful for the gift. 

I like your attitude. It seemed that when Schrade went "belly-up", knife choices came down to cheap crap, or expensive quality. Leatherman (as well as Gerber, Vic, and Kershaw with their less expensive line) have really picked up the baton, making it still possible to run down to your local hardware, or "big box" store and get a good quality, inexpensive knife that you can rely on.

[powernoodle]

How long have you had a small dog?  I'm guessing something like a Jack Russell terrier. 

[turnsouth]

How long have you had a small dog?  I'm guessing something like a Jack Russell terrier. 

Actually my dog is a medium sized one. A mix of Springer and Britney Spaniel, good retriever, and a great herder.

I've always been equipped in my life where I don't need to overcome any shortcomings with the size of the tools or knives I purchase...

  

[jekostas]

I like your attitude. It seemed that when Schrade went "belly-up", knife choices came down to cheap crap, or expensive quality. Leatherman (as well as Gerber, Vic, and Kershaw with their less expensive line) have really picked up the baton, making it still possible to run down to your local hardware, or "big box" store and get a good quality, inexpensive knife that you can rely on.

Kerhaw, Spyderco, Leatherman?  Yes.

Gerber?  Sorry, have to disagree.  I haven't yet met a Gerber knife I liked in *years*.  I've said it before, but when a company doesn't have the stones to even tell you what kind of knife steel their using in their knives it's not a company I can trust.

[dks]

I've always been equipped in my life where I don't need to overcome any shortcomings with the size of the tools or knives I purchase...

  

  ....thats why I carry a Micra, sometimes not even that 

[turnsouth]

Kerhaw, Spyderco, Leatherman?  Yes.

Gerber?  Sorry, have to disagree.  I haven't yet met a Gerber knife I liked in *years*.  I've said it before, but when a company doesn't have the stones to even tell you what kind of knife steel their using in their knives it's not a company I can trust.

Good point 

Although they do come in handy if you are Bear Grylls trying to survive next to a busy highway in Hawaii...