Leatherman Free T4 knife oriented multitool

[parnass]

I received a Leatherman Free T4 knife/multitool today.   It has a file which is single cut on one side and double cut on the other.  The single cut file feels about the same as the one on my Rebar, but the double cut side feels sharper than that of the Rebar.

[gerleatherberman]

 

Same one that is on the P2/P4. Short file, but extremely well made.

[Top-Gear-24]

I would love to see more pics of it 

 

I like what I see so far, this might get a top spot on my "wanted tools" list   .

I've read that it might cost around 80 Euro over here, but the Crater and Expanse knives were also not the cheapest knives over here, and I love those.

[genevabuck]

Need more pics!

[Wessaen]

 

Waiting on mine to arrive, might be here Saturday if the postal gods are on my side.

-Wes.

[powernoodle]

IPT (Initial Powernoodle Thoughts):

- solid, well-made, good quality MT
- I prefer the "thumb hole" deployment of the main blade over the "thumb roll?" deployment of the other tools.  Not a huge fan of the thumb roll thing, but I knew what I was buying.
- its a little thick to use with the pocket clip, but that's not a deal breaker.  The deep carry clip is nice.
- it has the basic tool set that I like.  I don't really need pliers or a cork screw
- scissors are of good quality, but nothing comes close to Victorinox
- main blade locks up rock solid, and is very sharp.
- took me a while to find the tweezer, but its on top near the file
- the file is short but very well machined; its a real file

With the caveat that I have not carried or used the T4 yet - and I really hate when Youtube guys do that - my initial impression is that this is well-made and useful MT with the right tool set.  Priced at $59.95 shipped on Amazon Prime, I think it is reasonably priced.  Much better value for the money than the P4.  I could see the T4 being the only knife/MT/SAK that you carry.  I'll be carrying this one exclusively until the totally awesome Leatherman Leap Challenge begins on July 1.

[parnass]

Yes, the T4 is "chunky" when carried in a jeans pocket using the pocket clip.  The screws holding the clip on my T4 can interfere when clipping the tool onto thick material.

I am left-handed so one hand opening of the knife with the left hand isn't much of an option.  I could not open the knife with my right hand until I applied light sewing machine oil to the blade hinge (and other implements, too).  The extra lubrication makes all the implements open more easily.

Limited testing shows the Phillips and slotted screwdrivers worked well when driving wood screws into a pine 2x4.

The scissors cuts paper well.  It cuts paracord, too, but not as well as a SAK scissors.

Overall, the T4 is solidly built and I've not detected any defects.

Check out diezelle57's lengthy T4 video on Youtube:

[Happy Gilmore]

Is the weight correct? 6ish oz? I was really surprised to find it was so heavy. Only 1 oz less than P2.

Never mind 122grams. Or 4.3 oz

Way way more 3xcited about it now. That must have been weight with packaging.
 Also...I am imagining this tool at only $49.99 ( a likely eventual price and it's way way way worth that.

Holy crap, can u imagine this thing with the exchanger thats being developed here on mt.org?   

[powernoodle]

4 3/8 ounces, or 125 grams on the Powernoodle Industrial Scale.

[Happy Gilmore]

4 3/8 ounces, or 125 grams on the Powernoodle Industrial Scale.

Do I dare to hope for a flat grind on the blade?? Not deal breaker but would be nice.

[Faddy Daddy]

Thanks for the great review and pics!
It does look like a very well made MT, and one I might have to get as I'm just not a fan of carrying large, heavy pliers.
Though honestly, how does it measure up to a SAK with similar tools? Would you prefer one over the other?
Currently I've been carrying two Leathermans: a Skeletool KB, (super light knife with a very sharp blade) and a squirt PS4. Both of those are still lighter but ... I have to fish around in my pocket to retrieve the one I want.

[Faddy Daddy]

Yeah, just for reference, the Skeletool KB is 1.3 oz (per Leatherman website), and the Squirt PS4 is 2 oz, so that combination is a whole ounce lighter. I will say I also like the scissors on the Squirt, I mean they do fine for occasional busted fingernail etc though I seldom if ever use the other tools. So, looks like for 1 oz more I could get some more substantial tools and just a single tool, hmmmm.

[powernoodle]

Do I dare to hope for a flat grind on the blade?? Not deal breaker but would be nice.

Its a hollow grind.

[gerleatherberman]

Thanks for taking the time to do the initial thoughts, gentlemen!

Look like I need to order a T4 this weekend.

[ReamerPunch]

One blade, but it's not a combo blade!

[Blackbeard]

big hunking plastic inserts seems like a waste of space, sure they are serving some purpose but this thing very thick for the amount of tools.

[powernoodle]

big hunking plastic inserts seems like a waste of space, sure they are serving some purpose

They just prevent tools from the opposite side from being seen or accessed.  So that you can't touch the sharpened edge of the closed blade, for example.  Sort of.  I think.

[gerleatherberman]

Edit: Didn't realize PN had replied before me. Sorry.
Insert is a cover for the other side's tool pivot.

[Blackbeard]

Didn't know Darth Vader was a Leatherman Fan

[Aloha]

This looks very cool.   

[SurgeUk]

I would love to see more pics of it 

 

I like what I see so far, this might get a top spot on my "wanted tools" list   .

I've read that it might cost around 80 Euro over here, but the Crater and Expanse knives were also not the cheapest knives over here, and I love those.

I've just found the T4 for £74.95 GBP which is, $83.75 EU or $95.25 USD. They are shown as in stock, with free delivery (presumably UK only) at

https://www.cyclaireshop.co.uk/swiss-army-knives/leatherman-free-t4-multi-tool?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1pa81cCJ4wIVxrTtCh1SVQRUEAYYASABEgL0hfD_BwE

However, on other websites they are shown at £89.95 which is, $100.46 EU or $114.26 USD but are on back-order? We really do get ripped off by LM here 

The link I posted (if it works) also seems to offer the P2/4 at about £20 GBP cheaper than elsewhere 

Might be worth a look if you're UK based (or here on holiday) 

[Happy Gilmore]

Pocket clip
One hand opening blade
Locking tools
No nail Nick's
Full metal construction

These are just the biggest differences between it and SAK.

Oh and also in line awl, in line Philips, which is kind of a big deal.

closest thing I can think of:



the tools on the T4 are set up kind of like a keybar. By having tools on the opposite side, this make its thicker in the plane perpendicular to the clip. The tool is much flatter in the pocket. Well done Leatherman! I always thought a bigger Sak would look awesome if they made it twice as thick by putting tools on opposite sides (like a manager) for bigger tools. It would make them both more ergonomic and easier to pocket carry.

Also just realized...no combo blade or can opener! WELL DONE LEATHERMAN! 

Edit:
Last note, I feel like more than usual...the $20 price difference is definitely justified over the T2, a second full locking mechanism, 2 extra tools and different frame shape. Also, fitting it all in that size is actually quite difficult. I feel like it might also be one of the most secure locking mechanisms in any multitool of this size. Yes the P series has it too and the statement applies to those tools as well.

Cheers,
H.G.

[powernoodle]

The screws holding the clip on my T4 can interfere when clipping the tool onto thick material.

Yeah, I am definitely agreeing with this.  They should be inset into the clip so there is nothing grabbing the pant material.  Those screws will eat your pocket over time. 

[powernoodle]

I am finding it better to carry the T4 in the bottom of the pocket rather than clipped on the pocket.  It is pretty much the same same size as an Explorer, though thinner and 0.5 ounce heavier.  So about the same really.  It makes it easier to get the hand in the pocket, and eliminates the minor issue of the clip screws ripping across your pant.

But in the end, I will always return to my true love - the Explorer Plus.  It lacks the T4's file, pocket clip and locking tools, but in all other respects packs more utility into the same form factor.  The T4 is superior if you employ the file regularly, like the locking tools (which is no small benefit) or the clip.

[Happy Gilmore]

I am finding it better to carry the T4 in the bottom of the pocket rather than clipped on the pocket.  It is pretty much the same same size as an Explorer, though thinner and 0.5 ounce heavier.  So about the same really.  It makes it easier to get the hand in the pocket, and eliminates the minor issue of the clip screws ripping across your pant.

But in the end, I will always return to my true love - the Explorer Plus.  It lacks the T4's file, pocket clip and locking tools, but in all other respects packs more utility into the same form factor.

(Image removed from quote.)

A little confused, what do you mean by more utility?

[powernoodle]

A little confused, what do you mean by more utility?

What I mean by that is that the Explorer Plus has "better" scissors (though that is subjective), magnifier, extra blade, pen, pin, toothpick, eyeglass driver, hook and awl - in about the same size and form factor of the T4.

[Happy Gilmore]

What I mean by that is that the Explorer Plus has "better" scissors (though that is subjective), magnifier, extra blade, pen, pin, toothpick, eyeglass driver, hook and awl - in about the same size and form factor of the T4.

Sounds like both have their merits, but mostly I don't see them as being comparable in toolset.

One handed opening and locking make using these tools quite a bit safer. I've got some really bad cuts from a Vic awl because of the T orientation.  Good info on the clip though.

[gerleatherberman]

Wowza. I'm looking forward to the T4 big time!

Same size as the explorer is impressive. I had assumed it was notably larger. The Explorer is a fairly small SAK(for the non-minimal crowd), so that is a good thing.

[Happy Gilmore]

Wowza. I'm looking forward to the T4 big time!

Same size as the explorer is impressive. I had assumed it was notably larger. The Explorer is a fairly small SAK(for the non-minimal crowd), so that is a good thing.

Is the flat driver more than 2x as thick as the Vic one? That's a pry bar imo, vn vn. And I was worried it would be too big as well. More excited now.

[gerleatherberman]

Is the flat driver more than 2x as thick as the Vic one? That's a pry bar imo, vn vn. And I was worried it would be too big as well. More excited now.

I am not sure, without checking with calipers this evening, if it is that much thicker, but I pry with the big flat on the P4 often and it works like a charm.
The only thing I dislike about the big flat/pry tool on the Free series is the package opener grind. It interferes with using the flat driver on quite large screws(like the ones in antique furniture). The sharp opener grind gets messed up when using it as a driver on big screws and has to be touched up with a pocket stone. I'd prefer the tip to be for driving and prying only.
Probably note a common preference though, since most people don't deal with large antique wood screws on a daily basis.