Leatherman K4?

Max Stone · **on:** February 09, 2020, 11:24:12 PM

Had a chance to see the Free K4 today in a shop. So used to carrying a MT with pliers, just seems strange to see a full sized MT without one.

Have a P2 but not convinced about the design. OHO blade is difficult to deploy, the awl that thinks it’s a screwdriver already cut me, and there are nasty hotspots on the handle ends when using the pliers.

So wondering what opinion people have of the K4? And why carry this over a T2 or T4 if you don’t need pliers?

Poncho65 · **Reply #1 on:** February 10, 2020, 01:23:40 AM

I like the T4 and

that I don't believe people would carry the K4 over it

It is a very nice knife and that may be the draw for some though

but if I am. carrying something that big then I want pliers as well

tango44 · **Reply #2 on:** February 10, 2020, 02:30:48 AM

Two different things! One is no substitute of the other!.
The way I see it it's that the K4 it's a bulky pocket knive with screwdrivers.
The P2 it's a VERY LIGHT DUTY MULTITOOL.
For me it's impossible to carry both at the same time!

Max Stone · **Reply #3 on:** February 10, 2020, 08:42:45 PM

I do agree that the K4 is probably a little lost between the versatility of the P series and the pocketable of the T series.

I wonder if LM are just capitalizing on Free’s technical features to push out a design to see if it sticks?

BTW tango44, don’t tell LM the P2 is a very light duty MT...their launch marketing guy made a big song and dance about the pliers being the strongest they’ve ever made...

tango44 · **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2020, 09:28:28 PM

Haha; the pliers rivet on my P2 was stucked by only cutting a hanger por a school project of my son!

parnass · **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2020, 12:50:05 AM

I have both the Free T4 and K4. I carry the T4 daily. I use the K4 when going to do outdoor yard work. In that case, the K4's longer blade easier to use if I have to cut an errant weed or something in my field.

A dedicated pliers carried in a jacket pocket supplements the T4 and K4.

Max Stone · **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2020, 10:38:19 PM

...so K4 not a preferred EDC for you? More an “at home” tool?

BTW, the grind looks kinda rough and uneven on you K4 pic?

gtownboy · **Reply #7 on:** February 11, 2020, 10:42:55 PM

I just got my K4 today and have been playing with it for a few hours, and here are my conclusions:

It's thicker than I thought it would be.
But it feels very nice in my grip...much like a Buck 112.
Very comfortable!

I really like the hollow ground blade.
It's length is perfect and it's easy to open with one hand.
The blade shape is very nice too...basically a Wharncliffe profile.

The locks seem to work just fine and are easy to manipulate.
And they don't interfere with the grip in the hand.

The tools:
Deploying the tools with a thumb flick is kinda weird, but it works.
All of the tools deploy at the same time (clump), so you have to separate the one you want to use.
Not elegant, but I can tolerate it.

Yeah, it is bulky. And some would say for that size they could carry a multi-tool with pliers.
But pliers also means more weight.
The K4 is definitely lighter weight than my Wave.

This one just might kick my Victorinox SAKs out of the EDC belt pouch.

parnass · **Reply #8 on:** February 11, 2020, 10:44:24 PM

Quote from: Max Stone on February 11, 2020, 10:38:19 PM

...so K4 not a preferred EDC for you? More an “at home” tool?

Right, though I have carried the K4 a few times away from home.

If you need a large blade, get the K4. Otherwise, get the T4. The T4 has more tools. It includes a tweezers and small file/medium slotted screwdriver which are lacking from the K4.

Screwdriver · **Reply #9 on:** February 11, 2020, 11:10:57 PM

Quote from: Poncho65 on February 10, 2020, 01:23:40 AM

I like the T4 and that I don't believe people would carry the K4 over it It is a very nice knife and that may be the draw for some though but if I am. carrying something that big then I want pliers as well

I agree

. The T4 has turned into my everyday MT. I was looking at the K4 and while I still might get one, I think the T4 is a better idea unless one needs a large blade.

stugumby · **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2020, 10:25:46 PM

Im carrying a K2 same thing except for the scissors, decent tool, good sized blade, pocket clip etc. takes some getting used to going up in size from e33 series crater knives. Balances well and has a comfortable grip and minimal hot spots when tightly holding it from the pocket clip. The 111mm swiss knives never have pocket clips so this might make victorinox raise an eyebrow.

Max Stone · **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2020, 10:36:03 PM

K2 May make more sense if people are commenting on the thickness of the K4. Victorinox do pocket clips on 111mm, but only on a few of the single layer models.

Good comments from everyone, and generally confirms that K4 is not high on my list.

comis · **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2020, 10:50:03 AM

Max, I might be a little late to this, but I got a chance to play with both T4 and K4 in the store and finally walk about with the K4.

Personally, the way I see it is T4 is just a Wenger/Delemont "wannabe" with locking implements, and less tool density and bulkier in pocket. In some awkward sense, I even felt like it is as if someone torn a handle off Free P4 and try to make something out of it. If you don't like P4 OHO blade, same thing probably may apply to T4 as well.

I choose K4 in the end, because I mostly see it as a larger folding knife, with the added bonus of few useful tools. The opening geometry works probably slightly better than T4, and given it's and aluminium body with tools, the weight penalty is acceptable to me. But comparing it to SAK 111mm OHO Trekker or the likes, then I probably would pick SAK Trekker for the ergo and OHO blade.

Max Stone · **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2020, 11:19:16 AM

Thanks Comis. I do like my SAKs, and I can see your perspective. I just find I often need pliers for unexpected requirements (just yesterday had a jammed crum tray on a toaster that needed freeing and today needed to snip some wire and a cable tie).

I guess in the end, neither the T4 nor K4 give me any real advantage for my needs. If I felt I needed a longer blade, I’d be carrying one of my 111 or 130mm SAKs. And I normally have a full-sized MT on me for EDC.

Maybe one option would be to switch things around. Carry a Squirt for pliers and K4 for a good blade and larger tools. Would give me an excuse to get a K4.

genevabuck · **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2020, 10:47:09 PM

If I am going to carry something that big it might as well have pliers on it.

Max Stone · **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2020, 11:20:25 PM

Good point.

I’m going to rotate and try my P2 for a while. Was not very exited about this tool when it arrived, so it’s been languishing in my draw for a few weeks. Maybe time to try it for EDC for a while. I think I’ll end up passing on the K4.

Time22 · **Reply #16 on:** April 11, 2020, 12:53:11 AM

Any Leatherman K4, K2, K2x, K4x series vs 111 OHO SAKs (e.g Trekker, Soldier) comparisons?

And anyone that would have bought the Kx series instead?

Poncho65 · **Reply #17 on:** April 12, 2020, 04:41:08 PM

I am thinking I saw a comparison of them somewhere on here

but can't remember where

Time22 · **Reply #18 on:** April 13, 2020, 01:41:20 AM

Perhaps it’s not a fair comparison

ElevenBlade · **Reply #19 on:** April 13, 2020, 01:54:08 AM

Quote from: Time22 on April 11, 2020, 12:53:11 AM

Any Leatherman K4, K2, K2x, K4x series vs 111 OHO SAKs (e.g Trekker, Soldier) comparisons?

And anyone that would have bought the Kx series instead?

I recently started this thread on the General forum to hopefully shed some light on this sort of question, from LM and SAK experts alike There hasn't been any discussion, and I'd be grateful if you would post this question there. I hope that some SAK enthusiasts that don't normally hang out here can weigh in.

https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,84310.0.html

my guess is that the knife blade may be easier to open on a Leatherman, but the ancillary tools may be better on a 111mm SAK

tango44 · **Reply #20 on:** April 13, 2020, 05:31:33 PM

I only have the K2 and K4 and both are bulky!
I preferr to carry a pocket knife instead!

Sea Monster · **Reply #21 on:** June 10, 2021, 09:34:48 AM

K4s on clearance for $100 off....I guess they didn't sell well, and no plans to restock....

(around here, $100 off still means $130 on....)

Chako · **Reply #22 on:** June 10, 2021, 11:04:06 AM

Here are some photos for your discussion.

From top to bottom: Free P4, Free T4, Free T2, Free K2, Free K4, Victorinox Atlas, Victorinox Year of the Rabbit Climber.

The Climber is iconic for 91mm SAKs. I chose the Atlas because it is a big 5 layer 111mm model. It is not OHO, but should serve as a good reference in both mass and size.

20210610_042831A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043025A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043431A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043158A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043215A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043225A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043243A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043254A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043308A by Chako, on Flickr

20210610_043318A by Chako, on Flickr