Leatherman Signal - is LM making a survival multi?

[Sea Monster]

I do not hate it.

As always, price point is a big factor, but this is kinda neat, just little things let it down.

(I did not watch the whole UP review, but got through a few minutes to get a good look at the beastie)

Yeah yeah, plain blade would be nice, but it is the whistle and sharpener that get me.

Is that thing going to do much? I have not had much joy with those sorts of small "survival" sharpeners. I carry a stone, and it does me well enough (and can do my axe in a pinch). I guess a sharpener is better than no sharpener, so if for some mysterious reason the ONLY survival item you have is the Signal, then sure. But how likely is that? If you are the sort of person who plans, and buys tools, you should know better.

Whistle is much the same to me, and that space could have something far more utilitarian in it.

I like the ferrorod, and why not? but spacewise on a multi, I suppose I would rather it on a lanyard / keychain or something, but It is probably the least offensive of the removable features.

I like the lightweight handles, and the MUT-ish clip/gentle persuader device, so that is a win.

[Obi1shinobee]

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[AlephZero]

Given all the bashing, I think i'm going to get one just to spite the haters

Besides, I know it's going to be a great tool and I would have gotten one anyways...


 

[cody6268]

Plastic frame and limited toolset coupled with the high price means I'll pass.   Based on the plastic frame, I'll probably be redeeming the warranty the first week.


I have an $20 Super Tool and an $16 PST II I can choose from.   A whistle is a buck or less (more for a good one).  A fire striker is a couple dollars at most stores.  All in total, I can make my own version, putting the other items in an $5 sheath for about $25--much less than the Signal's $120 price tag.

If it were half the price or so, I'd buy it.

[Obi1shinobee]

 

[AlephZero]

Plastic frame and limited toolset coupled with the high price means I'll pass.   Based on the plastic frame, I'll probably be redeeming the warranty the first week.


I have an $20 Super Tool and an $16 PST II I can choose from.   A whistle is a buck or less (more for a good one).  A fire striker is a couple dollars at most stores.  All in total, I can make my own version, putting the other items in an $5 sheath for about $25--much less than the Signal's $120 price tag.

If it were half the price or so, I'd buy it.

What is this plastic frame you talk about? Plastic scales like in so many other tools? *sighs*

[rishardh]

Remember the movie 127 Hours... if he had this he would have been able to sharpen the knife to self amputate his hand. The knock off Leatherman he had was blunt to begin with.  He said he bought a real Leatherman after he survived and carries it with him on his adventures. I can see taking this on day hikes if you can carry the weight.

[Kampfer]

When I arrived at leatherman's retail store last week, first thing I asked for was the Signal.
Luckily they just received one as sale floor sample, not suppose to show it yet but since I ask for it straight up, they brought it out to show me.

In my hand, first thing I noticed was how light it is given its size, it is a thin tool because it only has two outside tool slot instead of 4 like Wave. The knife blade is thick and could be longer IMO. The awl has weird shape and it is not sharp. The handle is steel with DLC coating. Handle lock is integrated in hammer head, easy to lock and unlock. Overall feel like a nice tool up to leatherman's standard, but doesn't feel as nice in hand as Skeletool.

That is all based on the few minutes I got to play with it.

[babola]

When I arrived at leatherman's retail store last week, first thing I asked for was the Signal.
Luckily they just received one as sale floor sample, not suppose to show it yet but since I ask for it straight up, they brought it out to show me.

In my hand, first thing I noticed was how light it is given its size, it is a thin tool because it only has two outside tool slot instead of 4 like Wave. The knife blade is thick and could be longer IMO. The awl has weird shape and it is not sharp. The handle is steel with DLC coating. Handle lock is integrated in hammer head, easy to lock and unlock. Overall feel like a nice tool up to leatherman's standard, but doesn't feel as nice in hand as Skeletool.

That is all based on the few minutes I got to play with it.
(Image removed from quote.)

That handle lock looks like an afterthought fix for an unfortunate design oversight. Real frankenstein.

I wonder what the V2 will look like in few months.

[Kampfer]

Release day would be in Sept, so what I played would be the final version.

[captain spaulding]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

[sawman]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

[Obi1shinobee]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

hahahhaa

[captain spaulding]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

I forgot to mention the price has to be right as well. I would not spend over $50 for one in my desired configuration.

[sawman]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

hahahhaa

While I applaud LM for cranking out something new, I don't see many of these selling.

Place your bets!

[captain spaulding]

If they make different attachments that are useful to me I would consider a Signal, but as it sits I would never buy one.

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

hahahhaa

While I applaud LM for cranking out something new, I don't see many of these selling.

Place your bets!

I think they will do alright on them. They will sell more than the Skeletool SX, Juice SX, and Tread. I still can't believe the Skeletool SX and Juice SX. There is literally one or two people (that I know of) on the forum with the Skeletool SX and one or two with the Juice SX. I have never seen ANYONE else with wither of those tools. Like I said I think the Signal will do decent as (for some reason I do not understand) people like plastic gimmicky crap on their multitools and its on the MUT's platform which people like.

[Kampfer]

LM posts lots Skeletool SX pictures on their fackbook page, really trying to push it.

[Obi1shinobee]

I will buy when they go down 60 bucks 

[Kampfer]

If i could fit a 3" blade and external scissors on it, and reshape its awl, ditch the yellow gadgets, it might be my idle EDC tool.

[captain spaulding]

LM posts lots Skeletool SX pictures on their fackbook page, really trying to push it.

I don't have FB so I would not know, but it shows how desperate they are to move some product. They have been on the market for a year or two now if I remember correctly. They have probably sold a total of 12 of them worldwide. 

[Kampfer]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

[captain spaulding]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

Same as I mentioned the MUT owners will like it as its the same platform but smaller. I only mentioned the Skeletool as the SX version is a flop.

[Obi1shinobee]

If i could fit a 3" blade and external scissors on it, and reshape its awl, ditch the yellow gadgets, it might be my idle EDC tool.

 

[Sea Monster]

Thanks for the pic, nice comparison.

If anyone else gets close to one, could we get a profile shot to see the slimness?

Twice the price of a Rebar yet half the tool. No thanks

And there is the rub, and why most people§ carry Waves/Blasts/Rebars than anything else in the lineup.

§Normal people. not you lot.

[sawman]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

Same as I mentioned the MUT owners will like it as its the same platform but smaller. I only mentioned the Skeletool as the SX version is a flop.

I'd MUCH rather have an actual MUT and have the long drivers

[babola]

Release day would be in Sept, so what I played would be the final version.

It's too late for any changes now, my guess is few tweaks  to it around Christmas time.

The more I look at it the more reasons I find against acquiring one. Maybe some day in the future.

[babola]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

Same as I mentioned the MUT owners will like it as its the same platform but smaller. I only mentioned the Skeletool as the SX version is a flop.

I'd MUCH rather have an actual MUT and have the long drivers

Agree. I personally place MUT in a whole different category. That's a real tool with full sized implements.

[Obi1shinobee]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

I know Kampferman will buy two Signal . Send me one please 

[captain spaulding]

BTW, I feel Signal is a Mini-MUT, not a large Skeletool.

Same as I mentioned the MUT owners will like it as its the same platform but smaller. I only mentioned the Skeletool as the SX version is a flop.

I'd MUCH rather have an actual MUT and have the long drivers

I agree with the long drivers, but I rather have a Skeletool. I don't like the MUT very much.

[Kampfer]

If you want long driver, why not just carry the long bit? It will work will many MT's.
That is what I do, for Mini-Surge or Skulltool.