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Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024

Farmer X · 394 · 12779

us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #360 on: October 28, 2024, 11:32:47 PM
@Rich_SD: there are some of those in my house, too.

@m47mu74nt: duly noted. Guess the Torx bit for the 2D driver is subpar. (Surprisingly, I have seen very few Torx screws at work.)

@Juan el Boricua: basic black, eh? And the croissanwich sounds good!

Day 28

There has heretofore been no saw usage from me in this challenge. Let's fix that. :woohoo:

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The Signal saw at worst met my expectations. It got through this "log" in less than two minutes.

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USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


us Offline JonesE

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #361 on: October 29, 2024, 01:18:59 AM
Day 28



Picked up a new to me red and back Signal today. Used the green topo to free it from the shipping box.

JonesE


Offline Cypren

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #362 on: October 29, 2024, 06:16:00 AM
Day 28

Put together some shelving units to start taming some of the clutter strewn around from miscellaneous moving boxes.

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us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #363 on: October 29, 2024, 03:59:46 PM
Day 29


Using my Signal to do a load of laundry  :rofl:




us Offline JonesE

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #364 on: October 29, 2024, 04:14:14 PM
Rich,

I have heard of emotional support animals before. Not sure if a Leatherman would count.  :think:

Love the blue color Signals.

JonesE


us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #365 on: October 29, 2024, 04:37:21 PM
I have heard of emotional support animals before. Not sure if a Leatherman would count.  :think:

 :rofl: 


Love the blue color Signals.

And I was just thinking how much I liked your red Signal... this is how we end up with too many tools  :rofl:


pr Offline Juan el Boricua

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #366 on: October 29, 2024, 10:00:20 PM
Day 29

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us Offline JonesE

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #367 on: October 30, 2024, 12:25:52 AM
Day 29



Used the red and black Signal to free a new Coyote Rebar and a couple of sheaths from Leatherman this afternoon. Other than that been stuck at my desk all day.

JonesE


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #368 on: October 30, 2024, 01:11:08 AM
@JonesE: you've been on a roll lately! :like:

@Cypren: organization is awlways a good thing. :tu:

@Rich_SD: hope you don't have a huge backlog of laundry. And you may or may not like the post I have planned for tomorrow. :think:

@Juan el Boricua: I agree with the sentiment on your mug! :cheers:

Day 29

I hadn't tested the hammer yet. Let's get on it.

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Most of the damage was done with the first strike. I did about 20 strikes total (split roughly evenly between front and back), which was about 15 too many. The hammer is seriously uncomfortable to use with the hot spots created by the ferro rod and sharpener. For me, that's the worst aspect of the Signal...it's in dire need of a rethink.

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To make matters worse, the Signal lost some of its paint with all those strikes. Everything still opens and closes well, though.
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


Offline Cypren

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #369 on: October 30, 2024, 04:11:21 AM
Day 29

Putting up more pegboard in the garage and starting to get more stuff out of boxes and off the floor and up onto the walls. The Signal did duty as package opener, staple remover and screwdriver throughout the day.

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Offline grouch

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #370 on: October 30, 2024, 05:42:19 AM
I really should have joined this challenge lol. Thanks for all the pictures. Here's part of my Signal collection


fr Offline m47mu74nt

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #371 on: October 30, 2024, 06:33:25 AM
Day 29:
(Again I fell asleep before I could post the picture..)
Tried to open canned beef without the dedicated key, and without a can opener (because I don't have one on this Signal).
Was an epic fail, the can tore appart very badly: the strip that is meant to peal off broke...
I could eat eventually, but it was a pain to get to it.

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Conclusion : use dedicated tools as much as possible. Note that it is not against the Signal specifically, would have turned out as bad with any multitool assuming I had also removed the can opener
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fr Offline m47mu74nt

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #372 on: October 30, 2024, 06:34:02 AM
I really should have joined this challenge lol. Thanks for all the pictures. Here's part of my Signal collection


Very nice team!
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us Offline Sos24

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #373 on: October 30, 2024, 07:24:15 AM
Day 28
I thought I posted yesterday, but I must have not it post

Open some mail containing gifts for the wife.

Day 29
Spent the day out hiking.  No use, so glamour shot


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #374 on: October 30, 2024, 11:29:54 AM
@Cypren: good to see that things are falling into place!

@grouch: quite the group you have there!

@m47mu74nt: agreed on the proper tool, but your determination is admirable!

@Sos24: looks like a nice place to spend a day!

Now it's time for some thoughts on the Signal. I prefer a plain edge blade, and the flat bit driver isn't the greatest. The pliers, saw, opener, and awl are great. Tools that are specific to the Signal leave a little to a lot to be desired. While the pop-out tools are a little small, they at least lend themselves to customization. Far and away the worst feature is the hammer thing: it's too small and uncomfortable to use effectively, and it eliminates a spot for other, more useful tools. I'd like to see a New Signal with the hammer eliminated, some outdoors-oriented tool that's exclusive to the Signal added, and the sharpener and ferro rod carried in loops on the sheath. Though I enjoyed putting it through its paces, and will keep it in my camping kit, the spiffy colors aren't enough to make me want to buy more of the current iteration.

Day 30

Finishing the challenge with another Signal and coffee photo, this time featuring my new mug.

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Rich_SD might not be overly fond of the mug, but I know Sos24 will love it. :cheers:

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It has been great having y'awl along for this challenge. Thanks for making it great, and don't forget to request your badges!
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


us Offline LoopCutter

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #375 on: October 30, 2024, 01:46:14 PM
 :cheers:

I like your new mug!

 :like:
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #376 on: October 30, 2024, 03:18:41 PM

I hadn't tested the hammer yet. Let's get on it.
 

 :o    :ahhh :ahhh


I really should have joined this challenge lol. Thanks for all the pictures. Here's part of my Signal collection

What, no coyote tan?   :pok:

Great collection!


us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #377 on: October 30, 2024, 03:22:27 PM
Rich_SD might not be overly fond of the mug, but I know Sos24 will love it. :cheers:


Even though I am an Air Force veteran, I have been working for the Navy as a civilian for much longer.  I think they adopted me, so I like the cup too  :tu:


Great end-of-challenge write up  :like:


us Offline Rich_SD

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #378 on: October 30, 2024, 04:45:19 PM
Day 30


Let it be known that even a major medical issue can’t keep me away from a MTO challenge.  I didn’t get to use my tool as much as other challenges, but I finished!  :tu:

For what it is, the Signal is an excellent tool, and I can see why it is so popular with the camping/outdoors niche market.  I really like its size, form factor, and the feel in my hand.  That said, the Signal is not for me – most of its tools are not useful to me (ferro rod, signal whistle, mini-sharpener, saw, and can opener).  I also prefer plain edge blades over partially serrated blades because plain edge is much easier to sharpen.

Modifying my Signal during this challenge has made it perfect for me.  Now it has all of the tools I use the most, and none that I don’t need.  After a challenge, I normally clean up my knife/tool and store it away in my collection, but my modified Signal has definitely earned a place in my frequently carried pile.





us Offline JonesE

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #379 on: October 30, 2024, 04:54:40 PM
Day 30



Thanks for having me along on the challenge. It was a great opportunity to get to use the Signal more frequently than I would have used it. I truly enjoyed everyone’s posts. Especially the discussion about what has worked for them and what hasn’t. I really liked seeing all of the mods that were done to the platform. I limited myself on a few to the printed parts. That helped, but I felt changed the whole aspect of the design. For me, I am more of what you would call an urban carry. I prefer tools that more closely match my lifestyle. The Signal is clearly more focused at the outdoor/camping community. I am glad Leatherman made the tool. Options are great to have.

JonesE


pr Offline Juan el Boricua

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #380 on: October 30, 2024, 10:07:57 PM
Day 30

The Signal is a pretty robust, well-layed out tool but, not an EDC one for me. Although I appreciate having  the Rebar's pliers head, sturdy and robust knife, such a compact and easy to work with chassis and "the basics" (I saw the Signal as a Skeletool on steroids), I found that the blade, having the plain edge so far from my hand, and the harsh ergonomics (to my small-mediumish ungloved hand) made whittling and precision cuts difficult; being unable to use the driver without splaying handles or attaching an extension reduced minimalism, and (a BIG surprise to me, as I thought differently before the challenge!) having to pick either a file or saw but not have both, was cumbersome. I still love its form factor and  utility, and will still carry them occasionally but, found out that Blue will never replace the Bladed Bladeless MP as my EDC of choice. Thank you Farmer and all participants for a gratifying experience. See you in the threads!  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  


fr Offline m47mu74nt

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #381 on: October 30, 2024, 11:59:03 PM
Day 30:
Found my coyote Signal flirting with a Fox Zero  :pok:

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fr Offline m47mu74nt

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #382 on: October 31, 2024, 12:06:24 AM
Well the month was pretty fun, Signal was also already my go-to EDC so it wasn't much different, but it did force me to try before reaching for a dedicated tool
Meet me also on youtube & instagram for mostly knives (and multitools) content


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #383 on: October 31, 2024, 12:29:39 AM
Thank you again to awl who made this a great challenge! :salute: It was particularly interesting reading everyone's thoughts on the Signal after 30 days. Opinions weren't as polarizing as I thought they might have been. Stay tuned, as I have a little bonus cooking up. :popcorn:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


Offline Cypren

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #384 on: October 31, 2024, 05:23:32 AM
Day 30

Last day with the Signal. It served duty today mostly as a box cutter and wire snips.

After a month of using it, I can't say I'll be sorry to be sending this one back into the depths of the collection cabinet. Maybe, as others have said, it's just that this is a bad fit for me and my "urban carry" lifestyle, but would be great for frequent campers and backpackers, but there are certain decisions they made (like the bit driver) that I'm pretty comfortable just saying are objectively badly designed.

Anyway, here's a sendoff photo of the Signal surrounded by the knives I'll be carrying for next month's challenge and the Arc I'll be relieved to be carrying again for the one-day gap in between.

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us Offline Sos24

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #385 on: October 31, 2024, 06:41:14 AM
Day 30
Just some box opening and outdoor coffee, but no picture.  So you get a picture of the Signal and a notebook

It was a fun challenge but I am glad it is done, because I just prefer my SAKs.

The Signal is a unique tool and has some use, but for outdoors I prefer an Outrider or Farmer X.  I find the mods that make it more an urban tool interesting.


pr Offline Juan el Boricua

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #386 on: October 31, 2024, 10:19:22 PM
Epilogue

Thank you again, Farmer, for the iniative, and to all participants for their inspiration; see you in the threads!  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]  


us Offline Farmer X

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #387 on: November 01, 2024, 12:33:32 AM
And here is that bonus action...

Day 31

Popped one last top with the Signal. Please excuse the grimy thumbnail.

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Time for the Signal to rotate out and the JPST to take center stage.

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It's been fun, and I hope to see y'awl in future challenges! :cheers:
USN 2000-2006

Culling of the knife and multi herds in progress...

If I pay five figures for something, it better have wings or a foundation!


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #388 on: November 01, 2024, 01:55:39 AM
An excellent Challenge,  all :woohoo: :like: :like:


us Offline BPRoberts

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Re: Leatherman Signal challenge: October 2024
Reply #389 on: November 01, 2024, 06:40:46 PM
My dad would say that fingernail has "honest patina"  :drink:


 

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