Can it replace your EDC? Leatherman FREE K4 Review

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[@buckaroobunnyslippers]

5:45 😆I really hope this video is someone's first time checking out the channel and they are met with egg scissoring.

[@jeroen1111]

You cutting the egg had me giggling. Never change, you magnificent weirdo! 🤘🏻

[@billbush1270]

I agree with the chickens in their evident skeptical take on that 420 blade.

[@RobBernhard]

Slipping that bit with the egg in there was amazingly unhinged. Loved it.

[@maxlvledc]

K2, K4 in 154cm would be compelling

[@charlescollier7217]

Completely agree with the conclusion, Pete. The cost of S30V wouldn't break them, but it would make the tool a serious EDC contender.

[@shroomsrus5116]

And then there’s magnacut

[@charlescollier7217]

@@shroomsrus5116That would take it to a whole 'nother level!

[@ergezinger]

I've always liked the toolset on the K4 and T4, and if Leatherman puts a Magnacut blade on them, they would fly off the shelves.

[@mikeboyce21]

I don't understand why Leatherman would make a blade centric multitool and not give it a better steel than 420. The base model should be 154cm and the upgraded one should be magnacut. And if they wanted a middle ground go for s35vn.

[@paullambert4445]

Thanks Peter. 420HC is the same steel that Buck uses on their knives. I have a Buck 110 from 1975 with 420. That’s how old that steel is. Even older. Time for an upgrade. 🔪🎸

[@sswwooppee]

If Leatherman partnered with a real knife company to produce the blade in a better steel, they could sell a lot of these things.

[@zoiders]

To be competitive price wise they would have to outsource to China. Triggering the America First asshats who won't buy it. If it were made in the US then it doubles in price and no one buys them again. 420HC works fine for this type of tool. Just what do you think you will be doing with it?

[@Muscovy7]

They don’t need a partnership. The Arc has a good magnacut blade. They just need to re-release the series.

[@quickcuts3000]

how can you say that for sure? wouldn't better steel raise the price? things sell because that are affordable.

[@sswwooppee]

@@quickcuts3000 I know everything there is to know about the marketing and manufacturing knives and Leatherman branded multi tools. I invented the term knife-or-Leathermanomics in my doctoral thesis. I own the patent on “metal object used to manipulate things with human hand”. Would you prefer to see my résumé to confirm these credentials or speak to my proctologist?

[@nvalley]

Let's remember that the multitool market is substantially larger than the specialty knife nerd market and the reason they don't do this is because it isn't worth the effort to release exclusives for the marginal sales bump

[@bernardweaver2416]

You hit the nail on the head. There have been a bunch of great knife and multi-tool designs I haven't bothered with because of low quality steel. This design is awesome and is fully ambidextrous which is hard to find in multi-tools. Give me better steel and I'm sold.

[@PMCKnivesAndTools]

Riddled with flu today and really needed a new C&A video to cheer me up.

[@MrProctitus]

Feel better soon

[@corymoore2292]

I thought using my leatherman scissors to cut eggs made me strange. Thank you for being relatable.

[@Tony42Rivers]

For quick work around the house or for work, this thing is great. Glad I got one

[@calebmorse]

Loving all the content lately. Hopefully Leatherman takes notice and gets you an Arc ahead of schedule.

[@jondrew1]

With the success of the Arc, I’m expecting to see these and the T2/T4 with mangacut blades in the future

[@stephendinicola5678]

Dude, your channel deserves to be more highly viewed than you currently are excellent work. Keep it up love you

[@daeholm]

It just seems too bulky and heavy for it's capabilities. If I'm going to lug around a boat anchor in my pocket it has to have pliers.

[@kyklain86]

If you're gonna carry a thick knife like that, might aswell pocket a Leatherman Bond or Curl

[@CitizenO741]

I've owned this knife since 2019, the 420 HC steel is easy to sharpen. It's my main EDC tool.

[@cwsmith17]

Such a great EDC! I like the K2 even more.

[@journeyfortwo5211]

Your animals are so good on camera! Impeccable comdic timing

[@primeministersinister625]

I discovered recently that the absolute best multitool for my purposes is the diminutive gerber Dime, really all i want in a multitool is a pair of scissors, either twizers or pliers (preferably pliers), and a screwdriver of each type. the Dime has all of them. they arent great or large but they are functional. honestly if gerber made a dime with a refillable ballpoint pen instead of the stupid box opener, and beefed up the philips head, I dont think Id ever shop for a other multitool.

[@jeremywilson15147]

My Dime doesn't have anything that could be called a Phillips head. Are there different versions? The package opener is probably the tool I use the most out of all of them.

[@primeministersinister625]

@@jeremywilson15147 no it’s the file point supposedly it can be used as a Phillips but it sucks

[@usernameisusername]

I sure wish Leatherman would hire you as a designer

[@joe_a_photo]

In some ways it’s better for the wider audience to have a softer steel. In my life, I don’t many people who know how to sharpen a knife. Most people never sharpen their knives and when they do, it’s will a basic pull through sharpener. Imagine sharpening K390 with a $5 pull through sharpener. I wouldn’t want to do that lol. Great video as always

[@BrentonCarr]

I gave one of these to my brother-in-law (landscaper) and he loves it! It would be so much better in even 154cm

[@werrrp]

Every video with a beardie gets my upvote

[@clowntrooper1]

the k4 x varient is my go to EDC Knife, i dont need plyers nearly as often as i need a good blade and a screwdriver, the scissors are also very good.

[@tylerthomas546]

Crushing the uploads brother

[@thechugdude]

I love all the multi-tool videos. Any plans on reviewing the new Leatherman Arc?

[@JohnFrumFromAmerica]

He would need to remortgage the house first.

[@maxlvledc]

The placement of the pocket clip kills me..

[@repairmanlevi9656]

Needs an aftermarket clip for sure!

[@tombrown4683]

Decent multi-tool review with a touch of manical egg sissor cutting thrown in so we don't forget we are on C&A channel. Personally IDC if Leatherman puts a 5 inch bowie blade on their tools. Im still gonna carry a folder of my choosing. I realize they are casting a wide net & many people will be happy with a more knife centric offering. But for me - stay in your lane ! A multi is for tossing in the vehicle or carrying on the job for just in case.

[@gabehcatalano]

The leatherman steel tests begin!

[@landscapingspecialist]

Pete, you get it. Both comedically and tool knowledge are deadass accurate 👌🏻🍻

[@Achielezz]

Love the B-Roll!!! You Sir are hilarious.

[@foamige]

The "Scissored Egg" was particularly amusing.

[@davidferguson1378]

I owned one of these breifly. I found that the tool lockup wasnt very good. I was very dissapointed and sent it back. Its a very cool design, and if the tolerances where a bit better i would have loved to keep it around.

[@landscapingspecialist]

I would want this in 154CM all day long. In fact if they offer it, I’ll buy it. I did order an ARC

[@zachorfe354]

A buck 110 thumb stud will fit on the k4. really helps opening the blade and it will go almost all the way up by the handle

[@kevinvogler2380]

Been watching the multi tool videos and trying to decide best bang for your buck to keep in a vehicle.

[@unfi6798]

Love the humour. Love the chickens. Hope that's not the chicken that you fed the cats with..!? Great reviews. Cheers mate.

[@gnomersy1087]

For me it's not that the blade steel is bad I buy plenty of knives with 8CR, 440C, D2, Aus 8, and 1070-1095 steel. The issue is both a budget steel and a premium price. This is a $100 knife. If it was 30-$50 and had budget steel okay sure but when you're crossing over to higher end knives in price it feels like penny pinching to throw on the kind of knife steel that you expect to see in a $20 knife.

[@jacobbeaupre3940]

Omg that stretch k390 has been LOVED and used 🤣🤣

[@zoiders]

This is not going to replace my numerous SAKs but I would like to try one.

[@HellGatefr2]

3:20 caught me off guard S30V would be nice

[@NMWanderings]

Love the blade shape, too bad about the steel choice. I personally would give up the scissors for a saw or a good file though.

[@kangsterizer]

nice timing on that chicken lol

[@jean-baptistedemets3477]

It'd be interesting to see how it compares to boker plus' specialist half tool, which also rocks crappy steal but has the same tools for a quarter (!) of the price

[@joemisak7925]

I pretty much only cut my nails with the scissors .. most used tool on my leathe man

[@CopyNPasteComments]

Ah yes the black sheep of Leathermans

[@fathersonsurvival]

Funny, I use buck 124, its one of my all time favorites. And I love case knives, similar steel. After 80 cuts yeah its dull. But after about 10 passes each side on a super fine diamond stone she's as sharp as I started. and I can do that anywhere by hand.

[@leokonge4624]

Honestly yeah buck and case generally have good heat treatment and geometry which definitely do help them but the ability to touch up my edge on my belt is a big advantage for me

[@axion8788]

Can't understand why they don't offer a version with a super-steel like Magnacut or at least, M390. My current solution is a locking, super-steel folder with a pocket clip and a SOG PowerPint as this provides decent pliers and drivers and will fit in my watch pocket. Lizard, chicken and cat approved, this is the world's best knife channel!

[@repairmanlevi9656]

Need this in a Magnacut run!

[@naturecalls3465]

I loved your chickens so and I wanted to ask what kind of a waterer do you use? Also that maniac part with the egg and scissors was a bit too much. Just like how to basic

[@travisbentz5680]

The part with commentary about tiny cat mouths is amazing. I laughed uncontrollably and had to show my daughter who also loved it. Perfect level of cringe. Chef kiss.

[@kvernesdotten]

Been on the fence about this one, if they make a magnacut version im getting it for sure

[@eyeofthetiger4184]

G'day Pete, yep up the steel. Not sure why any multitool has scissors, (and mini ones at that), when you have a knife blade ; ) Cheers Duke.

[@tigerpisces5506]

This knife is a revisit to the old boy scout knife before the Victorinox stole the idea. Now Leatherman wants to invade Victorinox territory.

[@destro6971]

Thank you for the graphs, I appreciate the brain candy

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

Cru-Wear! S30V for sure would be a great blade steel. I do think with a slightly wider angle on the 420HC would give it a more robust cutting edge that could last longer - say a 20 degree angle instead.

[@Robert_Thomas832]

Lazy 🦎 nice animals, mostly. Don't really get leatherman tool, SAK man generally. Thanks for sharing 🙏

[@EricBrownWins]

I know a lot of people seem to like having tiny scissors but I never saw the point. It rather have tiny pliers and a single bit driver that I can change bits in.

[@tigerpisces5506]

Leatherman has one they demonstrate that depoloys 1 blade at a time not all of them at one time? I don’t know how that demonstration occurs?

[@jimmyross1672]

awesome video brother cant wait till the next one keep on keepin on i wish i was living like you do but i live with my mom and she doesnt care about living healty and like you do lol i would love to so yeah owell not everyone can live a good normal life

[@thelred-ph3lq]

Moogle: "Hot Hot Hot!" "You bastards!!!" "Oh, I can move again! Thanks, Kupo!"

[@EvilOtto580]

He totally got attacked by those Chocobos.

[@joshchu]

Why can't we have a multitool that combines can opener, nail clippers, fur comb, diamond coated scratching strip and a laser pointer

[@T74V1N]

I swapped the file from my T4 into my K4, replacing the awl, made it the multitool it should have been. If they put the maxamet blade in one I would buy another.

[@archivist17]

Very interesting option if you don't need the pliers. However, the pliers is the only item not on my SAK.

[@Low-effort-individual]

The t4 would be my main carry if the steel was actually good great little tool but it just loves being sharpened more then it likes to cut

[@tigerpisces5506]

Chickens look worried 😟 😨 😳 Like this guy is chopping heads today😢

[@Alexander210]

Looking at the chickens are making me hone-gree. 😁🍗

[@cwsmith17]

The K4 is a great EDC. I like the K2 even more.

[@clowntrooper1]

also disengaging the lock while the knife is closed will let you swing the blade open

[@griff7749]

I will say, 420 is very very tough. It's super difficult to actually break or severly damage it. And the way most people use their knives, that's a plus. Us knife nerds sometimes become disconnected from the majority of knife users and their practices. That said, with the prybar and other tools, a more edge holding steel makes better sense here

[@ribstein7714]

I wonder if they'll do an "arc series" version of the "k series" knifes. something like magnacut steel and a bit driver instead of the phillips

[@mr.crumbles2557]

Would instabuy

[@krazmokramer]

Ain't no 420HC like a BOS 420HC!

[@BradGryphonn]

1:20 ...annnd..."I am a well-fed Bearded Dragon"...

[@andspeck]

Tell me more about those Mr. Sparkle socks.

[@vJaxz]

I’ve never pay any attention to the Leatherman Multi-knives series, I carry both a Wave/Surge + Spyderco If Leatherman can use better exotic steels for the blade itself then I think it’s going to worth my time. At least use steels like S110V. For budget maybe S30V or K390 I don’t think it’s compulsory that Leatherman kept focusing on Stainless rust-resistant steels like 420/440 etc.., I’m sure the owners will take good care of their knives, why not other exotic steels like the Rex121 , Maxamet?

[@HellGatefr2]

440C can be pretty decent if done properly, I'd prefer it over this 420HC at least S110V is not very tough, and can be nitpicky to sharpen (fracturing of carbide clusters weakening the edge etc), I wouldn't recommend it to the average guy... About exotic extremely hard steels like Maxamet, this level of abrasion resistance is not needed at all in pocket knives, and it can be counterproductive with huge downsides. Only Spyderco fans will accept that their $200+ knife breaks in half when they drop it, or having to repair chips which appear easily and can require a lot of work to fix ! Stuff like S30V is still exotic in my book, but way more balanced and imo more suitable for everyday tasks Magnacut would be suitable too imo, but at the moment it comes with a "hype-tax"

[@bakpakb]

Hell yeah brov 🎉🎉🎉

[@dougbotimer8005]

It’s already a hard sell at $100 with 420HC. It would be an even more difficult sell with better steel pricing.

[@joshalmighty1901]

No link to the tool? K see ya

[@slickheisenberg8208]

I haven’t seen any multi in this form factor that could compete with Victorinox SAKs.

[@rocksandrocks]

As long as the price is right i dont mind cheaper steels one bit. Sure they dont last as long as super steels, but man you can practically sharpen them with your jeans. No need to invest in crazy sharpening systems if you can get a razor edge with a rock! No hate on good steel though, love me some long lasting edges too

[@kevinAuman1]

Lol-ol-ol I love their flat lil faces sooo damn cute! Good on you for feeding them some healthy fresh chicken also

[@bokusimondesu]

Nice sideburns there. On the little fella 😅

[@bokusimondesu]

PS. Did your wife forget to pick up your meds? 😅

[@hificat101]

They always seem to throw one deal breaker into everything they make. With this, it's the 420HC knife blade. With the new ARC, it's the impossibility of buying their proprietary T6/T8 torx bit w/o buying an entire bit kit, and the fact I dont think the tool comes with it. Why do they always do this?

[@tigerpisces5506]

Chicken is pecking the reviewers pants like he is food? Maybe he is food?

[@jayramirez7827]

H2 steel review Pete please!

[@Haywoodjablomie100]

You didnt peck the ground with the scissors like a chicken beak, so not a proper test lol. Speaking of the chickens, can you use your sisal cuttings for their bedding? Great video Pete, dont stop doing Pete things.

[@JohnDoe-el5ir]

Few more iterations and LM will end up making SAK

[@joemisak7925]

I really can’t see a multi tool without plyers ever being on my hip .

[@mcsquirgle]

I agree 154cm would sufficiently elevate this tool, however I think it's shame that 440c is not used more in the knife market. In my opinion Leatherman, Buck, Case, Gerber and all the well known American Cutlery brands should upgrade from 420hc to 440c. 154cm gets all the attention even though metallurgists like Dr. Larrin Thomas tests have shown 440c to be a better steel in some respects and equivalent in the rest to 154cm

[@goncalovazpinto6261]

Why didn't they make the other three tools as long as the scissors? Or, they could make the phillips driver as long as the scissors and used some of the space above the two shorter tools to make the phillips head full size. Also, that fat handle with a clip on it doesn't look very comfortable...

[@paullmight42]

been a while since you have thrown a bin at anything....ijs

[@griff7749]

I own magnacut s30v/35vn, m390, 20cv, 3v, and some others.But my swiss army knife honestly cuts better because it's crazy thin bte and can be touched up so easily. And if you actually wear down the blade, it's 20 bucks for an entire new knife, cheaper than getting a reblade from any company (looking at you BM).

[@andrewb5415]

Make it magnacut and I would probably buy one

[@jimmyross1672]

lol we use to have a horned lizard like this one but my mom left it out in the sun and killed it lol

[@jooky5]

Short answer: yes. Longer answer is 3 words: mag na cut

[@nigelpronovost9186]

OMG... I had to make a KZbin Short to show you how to open and close the knife one-handed! (properly - IMO) kzbin.infoe1Oaoe0Sq_c My Review Below (tried to post to Leatherman's site, but was probably too much and too critical): Bought this in attempt to replace my beloved Crater c33Tx... though there were holes in the Crater's abilities that could be filled as well (it was far from "perfect"). That said, I'd be very tempted to buy another c33Tx at a reasonable price if still available, and am not going to be buying a "back up" for this one... it just falls a little short of my needs and expectations. The tool build and quality of this "FREE" series I have no issues with (five stars). I know other "knife enthusiast" types would like an option for more premium knife steels and whatnot, but that's not my major concern. Steel is always a compromise between edge retention, ease of sharpening, toughness, cost, etc. No "free" lunch there... though with having a serrated blade that's more difficult to sharpen (and I like combo/serrated, unlike most "enthusiast" types), a better edge retention steel would be preferred to a degree by myself. I did manage to acquire a small chip in the plain edge so far somehow too (now sharpened out). The knife has a unique and very good locking mechanism, ambidextrous, safer than a "plunge" or "button" lock style, safer than a liner or frame-lock, Very similar to an "Axis" style lock in a way, but release is in a much more natural direction to use and more ergonomic than releasing an Axis lock. Kudos on the lock design, should be licensed out, or Leatherman could make some premium "flipper" or enthusiast style knifes using this lock mechanism and do well with it, in my opinion. So six stars on the lock design. I actually think it's the best I've ever seen. Kudos for all locking tools. The awl / fine-tip screwdriver is fine. The main blade shape is good too, more utilitarian than most knife enthusiast blade shapes might be but works fine. I like the K2 but wouldn't want it thicker, and have never found a need for scissors when I have a sharp knife, so am happy to have a K2 over a K4 version. What I don't like is the "package opener" cut into the large flatblade. I use my large flatblade driver constantly for opening up large electrical cabinets and junction boxes, sometime for "prying" on stuff. The cutting edge is getting chewed up from use, and I don't see the need for the cutting edge on the flat driver when you have a real knife in hand. I understand that the small edge here is for opening boxes and clamshell style packaging with less risk of damaging contents... however, if you take care with the main blade, there's literally nothing the "package opener" can accomplish that the main blade can't. This is really the main reason I carry a Crater or the FREE, for the large flathead (and to "pry" with - general prying). I also prefer the proper 3D Phillips driver on the discontinued Crater... and I would let this go, except... There's more than enough room in the hollow of the "FREE" to fit a full 3D Phillips head in there, you'd move the awl / fine driver to one side of the stack (instead of the middle), leave the flat driver the same length and have the shorter flat driver beside the Phillips head, then would have space for a 3D Phillips head to fold into the space available above the shorter, large flat driver. The awl stock is thinner than both the other drivers, so this may have done for symmetry, or some sort of engineering reason, nonetheless there is definitely some "wasted space" in the tool storage area and no 3D Phillips - I can say that much for sure. There's got to be an opportunity here for Leatherman to do more. The Phillips driver did do fine when I did use it (only on brand new screws so far), comfort in hand is fine too. Deployment on blade one-hand flickable open and shut once you understand how to use the lock. Deployment of other tools can be trickier, but that doesn't bother me too much (it's do-able and workable), some notches in the knife handle and "nail nicks" may be an idea here. I also wish the K2X scales came in all available colours (Canadian spelling, deal with it). I'm sure there's few purchasers of the K2 that might prefer the silver as well, I saw someone comment on that somewhere (I'd trade scales). I'd take either blue or red to make more visible for myself, or orange, or yellow for that matter. Orange is best wooded areas to prevent loss, blue in desert I hear. The all silver and stainless look is just kind of "boring" to be honest (to me). It's a weird choice to lock the combo blade to a single colour and not have all available colours with all blades, just weird. As it is - I went to buy a backup to my Crater c33Tx, found it discontinued. Bought this FREE K2X to replace my Crater and then shortly after also bought my wife a very nice "rescue" knife as a gift (she's a Nurse and we've both been "first responders" on scenes before). Haven't ever needed one - but got jealous and interested in having a glass breaker on me at all times as well... So, I've also become interested in the idea of having a glass breaker on my knife. I also prefer tip-down carry (which makes me an oddball, but had to mention it). Knowing that not all folks like a proper carbide tipped glass breaker on their knife handles, make it thread-able and removable, or optional and done... now I'm carrying a Kershaw Blur Glassbreaker tip-down in my back right pocket (always keep blades against seams) and the FREE K2X in my front right pocket, but it's a little silly carrying two combo serrated knifes now - could probably change out the K2X for a plain edge K2, except I find these serrations on the K2X better for cutting zip-ties and not damaging wiring or cabling beneath than the weird (though very sharp) reverse-scallop serrations on the Kershaw (something I have to do all the time and why I carry combo blades) If Leatherman made the same knife - with more premium steels, made all scale colours available to plain and serrated edge versions, maybe found a way to make the Phillips a 3D driver (minor issue), got rid of the "package cutter" feature on the flat blade /pry tool (this really bothers me that I'm wrecking a cutting edge while using my tool like a tool), added a removable carbide tipped glassbreaker, or as an option. They should be able to add some sort of diamond file and ruler to the existing toolset easily. With the current design, or working from it, I don't see tip-down carry becoming an option so can let that go... Yeah, I'd be very interested - and always willing to pay a lot more for the right setup.

[@stuartb9194]

You missed the tool that was cutting the egg

[@weskeru2815]

I to open my eggs with scissors ✂️