My review and comparison of Leatherman OHT

[polak187]

So I got the Leatherman OHT. I just couldn’t wait any longer and decided to purchase one as my primary multitool for fire/rescue/ems work.  Up to date my tools were Supertool 300, Gerber Diesel and SOG Assist. I understand that there is no one tool fits all scenarios type of the deal but I wanted something close.


Size comparizon between different multitools (yeah I have a problem)
 
Straight out of the box OHT feels like any other Gerber tool I owned. I can’t seem to understand why would company like Leatherman go with Gerber design after all these years. In my opinion Leatherman OHT is what Gerber should have been/made long time ago. I’m going to compare the features of OHT to other tools as I go along just to get you guys the idea of superior and short falls of the tool.
 
I think the biggest selling point of OHT is one hand opening everything. It works great, tools pop out as advertised and since my OHT is new I won’t complain about the stiffness of the tools. OHT is thicker/wider that Supertool 300 with about the same length. You would think that that would give you bigger components inside but that’s not true. Knives are shorter to the point that I would call them barely usable. Screwdrivers are short as well and since they can only be utilized with tool folded/closed forget about doing any screw work in tight spaces (problem well known to Gerber users).

 
Features as per manufactures sheet are as follows:
•   Spring-action Needlenose/Regular Pliers – loved them ever since I got my Wingman, great for gloved work. Smaller that ones found on Supertool 300. Problem? Not really althou for tool that is bigger in dimensions than beefy flagship of Leatherman line (Supertool 300) I expected the same size.


•   Spring-action 154CM Replaceable Wire/Hard-wire Cutters – cut wire and they work.
 
•   420HC Knife – short blade in comparison to other tools. Even Wingman has a longer blade.


•   420HC Serrated Knife – short blade in comparison to other tools. Nice blunt tip that can be used for cutting clothes on the scene of trauma.
 
•   Phillips Screwdriver – like any other screwdriver. Nothing to see here.
 
•   Medium Screwdriver – strap cutter is shaped to form a medium sized flat head at the end.
 
•   Small/Large Screwdriver – works but like I mentioned OHT is 1.5 inches wide and screwdriver function is 1 inch long. So if your screw is 1 inch deep into a hole you need at least 3 inches in diameter of space to make it work.  Same goes for small flat head. Philips is little longer.

•   Saw – short saw
 
•   Strap Cutter – works great on seatbelts. Not a dedicated hook like one made by Benchmade. Straps only althou you can get creative.

 
•   Can/Bottle Opener – yup opens cans and bottles
 
•   Oxygen Tank Wrench– redundant with one hand pliers and hole is too small for tanks that has been abused at the valve.
 
•   #8-32 Cleaning Rod Attachment – Yup is there.
 

I managed to take an OHT to an extrication training yesterday as an idea of breaking it in. I left my other tools at the station not to be tempted to use something else. Right off the bat I missed window punch. Than I tried to work the tool with firefighting gloves which was a hard thing to do. Hatch gloves and extrication gloves make it little easier. Closing the components with gloves on wasn’t a problem. Opening and closing of the pliers with any gloves on was also a breeze. I loved the spring opening, which made it easier to operate. Handles were comfortable and sat nicely in my hand without a pinch that I found with other tools. I’m going to put it thru the paces as time goes by and will see how it works.
 
In conclusion I like it but I’m not in love with it. I’m not very fond of the case which is typical molle attachment case. I prefer the old leather or thick nylon cases which made it easier to get tool in and out. Now this tool is about $70 which is reasonably priced for quality piece of equipment. I don’t like the fact that it can’t be fixed in the field if something goes wrong with the pliers (at least I can’t see it). Now is there an alternative? Yup. It’s called Gerber Flik. About half the price on Ebay with longer blades, same hand opening for blades, scissors and saw. Problem with the Flik is that screwdrivers and bottle opener is hard to get to and there is no strap cutter (use the serrated blade).

Size comparison between OHT and Gerber Flik:






Field repair if needed if I have right sized wrench:


Cases for MUT and OHT (smaller):




Lockout featur that allows you to keep pliers locket by turning a small knob.



 

[kirk13]

Thanks for the review,very thorough!

Looks like another maybe tool from the company that should'nt miss!

[colt 1911]

Nice review, going to pass on that one.

[Gareth]

Great review.   I'd not thought of the Flik as an alternative, that's on that is still on my wish-list though.

It's this line that definitely puts me off the OHT a bit:

OHT is thicker/wider that Supertool 300

The ST300 is a real handful in the first place so a MT that is even bigger is not going to work for me I suspect.

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks for the review and comparison. It looks way too big and delivers way too little for my own taste in tools, but I'm not a guy who needs to be trying to access tools one handed with gloves on.

I had very poor experience with my Flik, and though I found the majority of the tool to be OK (I have a review kicking around here somewhere), the drivers were just way too short and the ratchet and pawl mechanism on the pliers was very poor.

[Syph007]

Thanks for the pics and review.  I think I've made up my mind to skip this one.  Im not a sliding pliers fan anyhow though, since I can open any MT with one hand, I dont see the fuss in sliding pliers.  This one just looks too big for pocket clip or lanyard carry which is how I prefer to carry an MT.

[Beerplumber]

Well I'm still going to get one. It doesn't fit the usual edc needs but I have use for it in a bag or camping edc. Although I had not realized how ridiculously short the main blade is.

I look at the OHT as a sub-par LM but the Gerber I've always wanted.


Keep calm and jeep on

[django.cj]

Ugh stubby little tools like that are part of the reason I don't like Gerbers.  I can flick open a regular LM one handed when it's broken in.

[Monrogue]

Yeah, I pass as well.  For one, it's too heavy and bulky for my taste.  Also, I don't find myself in many situations where I would need speedy, one hand deployment of the tools.  I prefer the Rebar and the Vic Spirit layouts.  I know, they're quite opposite.  I like having tools all on the outside as that's convenient, but I also like the security of the tools being protected in the body, as well as the look of the Rebar. 

[Nhoj]

Wow that main blade is tiny! I was considering this but now that I see that I think I will skip this one. I was already a little bit on the side of not getting this as the tool selection is really limited. (And no scissors!) Thanks for a helpful review!

[Heirphoto]

I still have not decided whether I like these or not. They look fairly large and bulky given the size of the tools but it is a clever mechanism to fiddle with. The spring loaded pliers are a good thing and even though the knife is small I would really only use less than half of it for openning boxes, cutting straps and other utility work.

I actually got one as a gift at Christmas. Looked at it for a week and a half without ever opening the clamshell pack them sold it on ebay. Still curious though and I'd love to handle one first though.

Well, maybe when REI has their spring 20% off sale or my dividend comes through......of course there is that Suunto Core begging to come home with me when that happens....

Tony

[nuphoria]

Thanks for the write up and the pics - very useful info

[recklesstryg]

Kydex holster

Used a Constant Force Spring to hold the head back in the closed position.

Used the threaded hole on the opposite side of the lock as the mounting point.
McMaster Part: 9293K42   
http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/1213/=m9wgsv

As for the Reason that Leatherman has not done an out the head designed tool is that fact that Gerber had a Patent on the design. Patents have a 25 year life so now others have a chance to play with teh design.

[Gareth]

That's a very clever sheath for it, very neat.