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Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal

Offline Kenobi1

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Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
on: July 18, 2024, 03:14:39 PM
I've always been a sceptic of the Free series. Didn't care much for my Free T2 that gathered dust in a drawer for the last few years, and just didn't see the value in the P2/4 without the bit driver at a price exceeding that of the Wave+.

But on Amazon Prime Day Leatherman offered the Free P4 for $105 which I finally thought justified the downgrade of losing the bit driver from the Wave+ , so I went ahead and bought one to see if I liked the new Free style (pun) Leathermans.

I have had it for a day now and really do like the feel and features of the P4. I also like the added functionality of being able to access all the tools externally. It doesn't feel quite as robust as the Wave/Surge series but that's entirely subjective. It also tends to snag in my pocket less than the Wave when I'm using the pocket clip. I also like the overall rectangular aesthetic of the P4 reminding me of the original Super Tools I grew up with.  I think as a daily carry I'll actually carry it more than my other multitools, the Roxon Flex coming a close second, and will reserve my Wave, Surge,SOGs and Gerbers for heavy duty or specialized situations for which they are particularly suited.

Offering the P4 at such a low price has me thinking Leatherman must be cooking something up for a new release very soon; something that actually competes with the Wave in features but that pulls back somewhat from the prium features of the ARC.

I'm hoping they simply take the ARC, give it a 154CM blade, ditch the micro bit driver (since there are ways to adapt the regular driver for micro bits) and add back an extra tool where the micro bit driver took up 2 slots. Then they could just give us choices of different versions that offered different combinations of external tools to choose between the Scissors, Saw, Serrated Blade, ARC style diamond file, and could offer special versions with an external rescue hook, wire stripper, blade exchanger, etc., for different trades....all based on the same basic tool.

Sitting somewhere around the $150-170 mark I think that would be the ideal Free style Leatherman for the masses and I'd probably grab one too.

It would also be interesting to see what Leatherman could do with the Free concept if they enlarge it like they did the Surge. Sometimes my Surge is my preferred tool due to its extra capability and size. Does anyone have any insider knowledge on what Leatherman has in store for us later this year?


Offline Kenobi1

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #1 on: July 19, 2024, 08:37:09 PM
Here's a pic for fun

* 17214141710096637136190275829138.jpg (Filesize: 180.84 KB)


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #2 on: July 19, 2024, 08:51:33 PM
Not a bad deal at all :salute: :like: :like:

I would like to see something a bit more like the ARC but more price friendly as well :whistle: :salute: :like:


Offline MrToolJunkie

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #3 on: July 20, 2024, 12:29:00 AM
 :woohoo:

Your summary of the P4 is similar to my thoughts. Mine just arrived today, but so far I am impressed and with a companion knife with a file or additional implements, I think it covers all the bases nicely. I was surprised how robust the Phillips driver is. I purchased an aftermarket bit extension to fit the Phillips head so that I can incorporate 1/4 inch bits and I think that will be very useful. I have an ARC, but somehow like this one ( maybe even better)? :dunno:

Personally I like and use serrated blades and must have a saw. The awl is interesting, and mine is super sharp. I am looking forward to using the package opener. I think the file is small - probably perfect for grooming and small tasks and I will likely add the Surge DC file or carry a SAK with a file, to cover that need.  The other implements seem useful, even if a little redundant with the multiple slotted drivers.


us Offline powernoodle

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #4 on: July 20, 2024, 07:03:49 PM
I'm not a fan of the Free series generally, nor the P4 specifically.  Even so, I own 3 of them - 2 remaining chaste and unsullied by man hands - for the historical and collectability aspect.  I get a bad feeling in my loins when a Leatherman, Victorinox, etc. is discontinued forever, and I don't have a few of them in my special reserve collection.  #sickness

 :tu:
:doggy: :doggy: :doggy:

“Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real. If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.”
― Niels Bohr


Offline MrToolJunkie

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #5 on: July 21, 2024, 06:57:03 AM
I'm not a fan of the Free series generally, nor the P4 specifically.  Even so, I own 3 of them - 2 remaining chaste and unsullied by man hands - for the historical and collectability aspect.  I get a bad feeling in my loins when a Leatherman, Victorinox, etc. is discontinued forever, and I don't have a few of them in my special reserve collection.  #sickness

 :tu:

I am kind of the same way....


us Offline powernoodle

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #6 on: July 22, 2024, 01:01:21 AM
:doggy: :doggy: :doggy:

“Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real. If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.”
― Niels Bohr


Offline Mook

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #7 on: July 25, 2024, 06:04:45 PM
Hi, all - new here - took advantage of exactly this deal.  I've had a couple Leatherman tools and others in the past but never been a heavy carrier or user - this one I plan to actually carry and use, however.  This thing is buttery smooth!  For my purposes, I'll plan to swap in the flat bit driver and and likely T-Shank blade holder - looks like ZapWizard's site is out of stock and Shapeways' site isn't cooperating with me for some reason, so I'll have to do some digging.

 :cheers:


us Offline Poncho65

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #8 on: July 26, 2024, 12:18:52 AM
Welcome to :MTO:  :cheers: and congrats on getting a P4 :woohoo:

I have heard the Shape ways may be filing for bankruptcy and possibly shutting down :facepalm:

Zapwizard is a member here and you might be able to message him and get a response on the parts from him :tu:

You do have to have 5 posts to be able to do that though :oops: so just 4 more posts and you can message him :D


Offline Mook

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #9 on: July 26, 2024, 03:50:52 PM
Thanks for that idea, Poncho, guess it makes sense that Zapwizard would be on here lol. 

I had never heard of Shapeways before stumbling across them looking for mod parts - they have some other interesting items on there, too bad they are going south.  I was able to search and add things to my cart, but when I went to check out it was just not working.  Knew something had to be going on there!


us Offline Outback in Idaho

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #10 on: July 27, 2024, 09:30:21 PM
  Shapeways went bankrupt. That was posted by Zap Wizard on his page. He is looking for a reliable 3D Printing company.
¬ Outback Idaho

Behind every mask there is a face, behind that a story.


Offline Kenobi1

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #11 on: September 01, 2024, 06:47:41 PM
After owning the P4 for a little over a month it has actually gotten a lot mor pucker time than my Wave or Wave clones. Unexpectedly it really does come down to the ease of accessing things like the scissors and driver with one hand whereas it would take 2 hands with the Wave. Once I got used to it, it really is hard and off putting to go back to opening the tool to get to implements like the driver.

I didn’t miss the replaceable bits because I felt like the P4 substitutes them with more useful implements. Leatherman’s replaceable bits usually frustrate me anyway because of how soft they are. They usually just end up rounding off and camming out of whatever screw I’m working on anyway. Not having torx bits doesn’t bother me anyway because that’s an unusual use case and I have a micro/edc tool pouch in my vehicle  if I’m ever away from the house and I need any special drivers like that anyway. Lastly, I feel more confident with the P4s driver than the replaceable ones because it’s simply made out of more durable material

I feel like Leatherman took a page out of Gerber’s book from when they were developing the center drive. They asked “what tools are our users actually deploying the majority of the time?” And then they designed the tool around making those implements easily accessible. Now the center drive is a great tool if I’m helping a friend frame or finish a building or if I’m doing electrical work, but for my daily needs it’s both too large and it presents the wrong tool set.

What the P4 NAILS is providing the right set of tools that I need for 99% of my daily needs (tightening a loose screw, opening kids popsicle wrappers, cutting open a mulch bag, loosening a stuck garden hose, prying a plastic  cover, cutting and cleaning my nails).  All the tools I need for that are on the same side of the tool and I can get them all out easily with one hand, and without having to open the tool, except for the pliers). The tools on the off side of the tool get a lot less use so it’s statistically appropriate that they are all grouped there together.

What would I change? I’ve thought about getting an arc, but the only reason is the blade steel, but I still prefer the geometry of the  P4 blade because it looks like the thumb stud on the ARC could interfere with slicing (cheese or sausage most likely🤣) and  the grind looks like it gets thicker behind the edge as it tapers toward the choil. I’m not sure I’d  trade the replaceable drivers on the strong side of the tool because I’d lose at least one implement (admittedly I don’t use the driver package opener much anyway) when I like the P4 driver pretty well anyway. Again, if I need special or replaceable bits which is less than 1% of the time, I alwayse have a Surge  or Sog Powerlock in my EDC tool pouch in my truck. If it gets that involved I’m probably going to need some of the extra tools in that kit anyway so it’s worth it to go get it.  Really the only thing I want is the same tool, no changes to blade shape, but with a slightly better blade steel like 154CM. That might make it worth the $150 original asking price. For  the $105 that  I paid, the p4 is perfect for me.

Does it compete with or replace the wave? Not really. I think it actually restructures the Leatherman lineup so it’s really the Wave competing with the Surge now, wherein the Surge wins every time. But the P4/P2 together finally create a new  category of  EDC tools that provide so much practicality and ease of use that it’s actually worth it to stop carrying a pocket knife and start carrying a multi tool instead.

It didn’t cost anybody anything  so sake it for what it’s worth.




* image.jpg (Filesize: 274.23 KB)


us Offline powernoodle

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Re: Leatherman Free P4 $105 Prime Day Deal
Reply #12 on: September 01, 2024, 07:17:46 PM
Good stuff, Obi-Wan.   :tu:

Not that it matters, but one of the contestants on "Alone" season 10, who made it most of the way to the finish line, used a P4.   :salute:
:doggy: :doggy: :doggy:

“Everything we call real is made of things that cannot be regarded as real. If quantum mechanics hasn't profoundly shocked you, you haven't understood it yet.”
― Niels Bohr


 

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