new Leatherman Freestyle multitool shown at 2007 SHOT show

parnass · **on:** January 13, 2007, 07:44:15 PM

Here is a new Leatherman Freestyle multitool shown at 2007 SHOT show:

http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/hunting/news/story?id=2730032

There will be 3 versions.

J-sews · **Reply #1 on:** January 13, 2007, 08:24:52 PM

Whoa! That is one radical looking device! Thanks for finding that one parnass!

I like the minimalist concept.

I like the carabiner.

I don't like that it won't be available until November.

~Bob

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #2 on:** January 14, 2007, 12:35:15 AM

Uhhh... $50-100 for a plier, blade and screwdriver? Did I miss something? Has Leatherman put all their money into stock at SOG and Victorinox?

Or just too many stops at the local pub?

Def

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** January 14, 2007, 01:16:57 AM

Could be. On the other hand, it seems like "suggested retail price" doesn't mean too much. I think they purposely make the MSRP high, so that you think you are getting a great deal when you find the actual price is so much less.

Splat · **Reply #4 on:** January 14, 2007, 02:38:55 AM

If they make the screwdrivers as big as the Phillips harpoon on my LM Core than I'll definitely check into it. I like the minimalist selection of knife, pliers, and screwdrivers. That's all I really use anyway. Cool!

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** January 14, 2007, 02:43:22 AM

Quote from: J-sews on January 14, 2007, 01:16:57 AM

Could be. On the other hand, it seems like "suggested retail price" doesn't mean too much. I think they purposely make the MSRP high, so that you think you are getting a great deal when you find the actual price is so much less.

That's it exactly. I spent enough time working retail and sales jobs to know that. But even considering 20% less, at $40, it's still pretty hefty for very little.

I'd rather spend $50 on another Spirit and pretend it doesn't have the saw, file, bottle opener, can opener, hook etc...

Def

supratentorial · **Reply #6 on:** January 14, 2007, 07:49:21 AM

It's a little too fancy for my tastes. Carrying anything that's prettier than a SwissTool Spirit would make me feel like I'm carrying a purse. Maybe one of the other two variations will look a little bit less like a diamond bracelet. Anyone know if it uses a standard hex driver or those Leatherman specials?

J-sews · **Reply #7 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:12:23 AM

In a way, the new Freestyle is sort of like an enhanced Leatherman e307 knife. (Carabiner, knife blade and bit driver only.)

Except that the Freestyle adds pliers, of course.

bobofish · **Reply #8 on:** January 23, 2007, 08:24:36 AM

A couple of you guys are missing the point; this is a multitool for people who don't want to be carrying a multitool. This is a carry in your suit jacket pocket kind of dealybob. Like a slim folder, but with a couple extra things. Frankly I think it's a great idea. I probablly won't get it because I like my Charge, but if I find myself wearing slacks more often, I'll definitely consider it.

supratentorial · **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:14:23 AM

I usually wear slacks--except when I'm not wearing pants.

For me the SwissTool Spirit is perfect for pocket carry--even in dress pants. The Charge pocket clip is convenient for pocket carry when I'm wearing casual pants during the weekend.

I like the minimalist concept of the Leatherman Freestyle but not it's design. It looks like it should come in a gift tin with some diamond cuff links. O0 I haven't seen the other two versions yet. Maybe I'll like them better. But I'm pretty sure that I'd prefer that Leatherman just continue manufacturing the SideClip.

damota · **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2007, 10:03:17 PM

When you enlarge that photo it looks pretty good to me. As Bob said it looks more like a knife than a multi when closed. It has a bit driver rather than a separate screw driver so any extended bit could be used to get a longer reach. It seems to have a carabiner type design that will act as a cap lifter like the one on their knives. I think it would be ideal for someone who needed a knife and screw drivers with occasional need for pliers. If I am right carrying any extra driver bits would be a problem though.

Dave

J-sews · **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2007, 04:47:25 AM

It looks like they should have named it the Leatherman Swisscheese.

(although Vic probably already has a copyright on any name with a "swiss" prefix)

J-sews · **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2007, 04:27:59 AM

I finally found a better picture of the Freestyle. Pliers, knife, bit driver, carabiner. Only the bare essentials.

David Bowen · **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2007, 05:28:21 AM

Ahhh nice, very nice....

but does it have a pocket clip? They include one and I am so there...if not, I'll stick to my Wave or Charge.

David

damota · **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2007, 02:49:05 PM

I must say that for a butterfly design I really like it. Like David, just have to find out if it has a clip and also what the blade size is and I may retire my EDC Spyderco and carry one of those instead.

Dave

Tsquare · **Reply #15 on:** February 10, 2007, 03:45:55 PM

J-sews where did you find such a good picture of the tool? There's not a site pre-ordering this tool is there? I must agree though a clip would finish the package off right. The knives they make have a clip and carabiner so maybe there is hope.

J-sews · **Reply #16 on:** February 10, 2007, 06:57:10 PM

Quote from: Tsquare on February 10, 2007, 03:45:55 PM

J-sews where did you find such a good picture of the tool? There's not a site pre-ordering this tool is there? I must agree though a clip would finish the package off right. The knives they make have a clip and carabiner so maybe there is hope.

Sounds like we are all hoping for a pocket clip on this one. (Hopefully Leatherman marketing people are listening!)

I combed the internet last night, looking for any info at all on the Freestyle. Leatherman is being annoyingly tight-lipped about this one. Other than the little blurb at the ESPN Shot Show report, there was no information to be found. The picture came from a guy in Japan who was visiting the Show.

I'll continue searching for more......

J-sews · **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:46:44 AM

Hmmm, no mention of a pocket clip in Doug Ritter's Shot Show report.

Nice to hear that it has a liner-locking knife blade.

Too bad the bit driver is for flattened Leatherman bits.

But at least there is room to store a spare bit in the other handle.

prime77 · **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:50:42 AM

Another bad thing is it looks like we have to wait to November to see the final product.

damota · **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:55:57 PM

Quote from: J-sews on February 12, 2007, 02:46:44 AM

Hmmm, no mention of a pocket clip in Doug Ritter's Shot Show report.
Nice to hear that it has a liner-locking knife blade.
Too bad the bit driver is for flattened Leatherman bits.
But at least there is room to store a spare bit in the other handle.

They do emphasize that it is not the final design so if they get enough feedback we may get a clip.
A removable clip would be nice even if sold as an extra.

Dave

Tom Munch · **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:34:00 PM

I vote for the pocket clip. The integral biner is nice, but I'd rather see design without it that has a clip. they could even have a fold-out biner like the knives have if they really like that.

J-sews · **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2007, 06:25:25 PM

Quote from: damota on February 12, 2007, 02:55:57 PM

They do emphasize that it is not the final design so if they get enough feedback we may get a clip.....

I motion that we all keep nagging them until they add a clip to the design.

(I should be quite good at nagging. I've been living with an expert on the subject for over twenty years!)

Tom Munch · **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2007, 06:39:45 PM

Quote from: J-sews on February 12, 2007, 06:25:25 PM

(I should be quite good at nagging. I've been living with an expert on the subject for over twenty years!)

Ouch! I guess she never looks over your shoulder.

J-sews · **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:52:22 AM

I copied this picture from the ETS website. Looking at it closely, I can see the extra bit stored in the near handle.

On the far handle, it appears as if the bit driver is a solid (non-folding) device attached to the base.

damota · **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:50:58 PM

If you size that tool using the bit you can see in that photo it is about 4¹/₄" with a blade having just about a 2" cutting edge, maybe you are just supposed to carry it as a pocket knife and hang it by the carabiner before use.

Anyhow I have emailed them about a pocket clip, if I get a reply I will post it.

Dave

J-sews · **Reply #25 on:** February 25, 2007, 04:57:39 PM

Myself and at least two other members have emailed Leatherman about the Freestyle. We've suggested they include a pocket clip on the design, as well as a few frame material suggestions.

(So far there has only been one reply from Leatherman, the content of which left me wondering if the person had even heard of the Freestyle.)

I don't know if we'll have any effect on the final design, but it can't hurt to try!

~Bob

Tsquare · **Reply #26 on:** February 25, 2007, 09:06:58 PM

Sometimes I wonder if only the designers even know about the new tools ahead of time. I have had similiar bewildering answers about new tools in the past.

Gryffin · **Reply #27 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:38:08 AM

Quote from: J-sews on February 13, 2007, 01:52:22 AM

On the far handle, it appears as if the bit driver is a solid (non-folding) device attached to the base.

The clever part is that the carabiner shrouds the bit in the bitholder when closed, so you can leave a bit mounted without puncturing anything. Nice!

J-sews · **Reply #28 on:** March 13, 2007, 02:49:49 AM

Hey Gryffin, glad you can join us!

Do you have any new info on the Freestyle?

Gryffin · **Reply #29 on:** March 14, 2007, 03:22:23 AM

Quote from: J-sews on March 13, 2007, 02:49:49 AM

Hey Gryffin, glad you can join us!

Glad to be here!

Quote from: J-sews on March 13, 2007, 02:49:49 AM

Do you have any new info on the Freestyle?

Nope, just what you folks have already seen at ETS and such. I've offered my services (numerous times!) to LM as a tester/reviewer, but they haven't called me back yet.

Gotta admit, I'm excited about the Freestyle. That's the first multitool knife blade that looks like it could replace a folding knife.

I'm *really* curious about what variations they'll offer. I read somwhere there would be three models, $60-$100. I'm hoping one of those will include an extra "survival" implement, like scissors (suburban survival) or a saw (wilderness survival).

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

new Leatherman Freestyle multitool shown at 2007 SHOT show

Donations

Community Links