Middling Multitool: Leatherman Free P2 review

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[@JACathcart5181]

I own a Skeletool CX, Supertool 300, Wave + and the Free P2. I love the Skeletool, but hate the ergonomics when bearing down with the pliers. My Wave + is so tight, I can't get any of the tools out without breaking my fingernails. Seriously, it's ridiculous. Yes, I can soak it in oil and perform surgery on it to get it loosened up, but I resent having to jimmy a tool to get it to work right. I bought the Supertool in 1996 and that sucker is great, but too heavy for EDC. I absolutely love the Free magnetic closure system. It is most definitely not a fun gimmick to me. It's the difference between using the tool and saying "forget it, it's not worth making my nails bleed." I do agree with you on many of your criticisms about the tools. The file is not that helpful, the ruler is all but useless and I'm not a fan of partially serrated blades, but out of all the Leathermans I have owned and/or used, I use the P2 the most.

[@Rangefindergeneral]

Lets face it the bar was high going in for leatherman to do something different with a pair of pliers. I've had so many LM tools but find myself reaching for the Rebar the most.

[@BrentonCarr]

Every multi tool should have 17 flatheads!

[@Nthamix88]

Just got the P2 and I love it.

[@livingsurvival]

Great video. At the end of the day it’s a multitool. Kudos to them for trying something new and I’m overall happy with the tool. For someone that requires something more specific there are many options out there but for a general item you can easily keep in a pocket or kit I like it.

[@eachday9538]

I was like: "oh a review, that's a nice change, there's been lots of knife lab lately". But then: "oh damn it, no knife lab intro"

[@YungSteambuns]

I do work in attics and the free series are perfect for when you need to have one hand on a rafter to keep balance

[@daeholm]

When do we get a review on the new washing machine?

[@davidkurle5418]

I usually carry a Supertool 300 on my belt while at work, and a Wave in my pocket for travelling or around the yard. I have been on the fence with this one since it came out, but after seeing your review I think I prefer the tools on the Wave over this one. Thank you very much for this video, I think its the best review of the Free that I've seen so far.

[@davidaxman]

Woah now, easy there with the flicking bali-boy!

[@richarda3764]

Great review. I almost bought this since I often can't get stiff tools of knives out by nailnick alone as mine are very short and I guess wimpy compared to other people's. Add to that the fact that it's a Leatherman and I figured it would be great. Nice to see you point out all the shortcomings and the high price really confirmed that it was a no go. Having said that, I don't know what multitool to get where I can get the tools out without using my fingernails.

[@raphaelbeinhauer9242]

While I think the magnet system is really cool, nothing beats the Wave/ Charge TTi for me. The tools are pretty much perfect, I love the bit driver (including the small one). I also really like having a plain and a serrated blade, instead of only one of the two or a combination. I use the can opener quite a bit, it is the best one of all the multitools I've used. I'm not a fan of the push types. I do wish the pocket clip had more of a ramp and had more tension. I also like that the black wave (besides looking awesome) comes with a molle sheath, that allows me to keep the sheath on my climbing harness.

[@cwsmith17]

Leatherman Wave or Skeletool CX anyday over the Free series

[@notkingcharlemagne9282]

Thx Pete, I'm trailing edge most times to save a buck, so your "old" review was just in time for me. Standardized on Charge's which have 154CM and s30 knife's, and allow disassembly for maintenance and modifying. No one has ever had a problem with any of em.

[@neknim]

I agree with your review...I think if they improved the implements, perhaps including the bit tool from the wave, it would win me over.

[@BossPenguin]

I'd say that the small ruler on the wire stripper is for measuring the length you need to strip the isolation off. Not too practical for the diy guy probably but in more specialised uses for professionals, it helps a lot. Source: I'm a master electrician in Germany and have found myself loving that they thought of the feature more than once.

[@BradGryphonn]

I think I'll stick with my Rebar. It has all the tools I need for small jobs on a daily basis. It's unfortunate that the Free tools are not quite there yet.

[@jmdudley3859]

Beautiful and ingenious design 👍

[@LTT.Official]

It's nice, but I still stand by my decision for a skeletool as my edc, nice pliers and a real bit driver and a decent size blade to open and cut random stuff.

[@J.sh_CDN]

Skeletool is my only multitool that I use all the time. Awesome little useful thing! I would love a newer version with the free technology, but the same idea, a one hand open knife, with simple minimal tools, and a nice weight. Plus the skeletool had the best bottle opener that I have ever ever used

[@Mikkemeister]

Good review. When I saw the videos from Shot Show I thought it looked really interesting, but I totally understand your gripes. Think I'll stick with my old Victorinox SwissTool (and the different Leathermans I have but I prefer the Victorinox in most things except weight).

[@soloman01uk]

Great honest review. I agree on pretty much everything you say. In the UK it's double the price too, so completely not worth it. P2 is £165 and the P4 is £190, which is ridiculous. I'll stick with my Wave, Charge, Rebar, Crunch, Skeletool and Surge. Yes I own a lot of Leatherman's but I think they really screwed up here. If the P2 was £90, I probably would have bit the bullet and bought one but not at £165. I'm just hoping the other Free tools aren't as stupidly priced as I'm really interested in the T and K series. Only time will tell I guess.

[@RonHicks]

I agree don't expect the Leatherman tool to be full torque pipe wrench😆

[@richsnyder]

Any chance of the magnets screwing with credit card stripes if you carry it in a front pocket with a front pocket wallet?

[@gambet0007]

Rebar is fantastic, it absolutely nails 3D Philip as well. I do think it would be cooler if they had knife of it outside, but it not being so doesn't really effect any of my uses, it is not defense tool and no one really cares about me being able to open it one hand haha. Best thing about it? Its seriously compact and easy to maintain.

[@jxcellent790]

I got brake fluid in my Leatherman and apparently didn't clean under the retention clips...they rusted out and now I have the Wave Free haha... However after being in my pocket for 10+ years, I can open the Wave with one hand by now no matter what. Don't think the magnetic thing is gonna push me over the edge, P4 doesn't really seem to be much better either.

[@jobujaffa5529]

Good review very informative

[@tonycanniffe2360]

Rebar or Wave is the sweet spot.

[@mojaal]

Pull tabs aren’t as common in the US as it’s in Australia and Europe. Leatherman could make a non-US version without the can opener.

[@garethbaus5471]

I live in the us and can attest that I use a can opener on a roughly daily basis.

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

If you drink real beer and not cheap swill or piss then you may want a bottle opener.

[@blizzbee]

After I hands-on this P2, I say LM should price it the same as the Rebar or, at most, the ST300 and not more.

[@CM-bj8hr]

Yeah I miss the eagle claw (can/ bottle opener).

[@Nyall]

Regarding one handed opening, I don't have to push on the tabs. I just wedge my thumbnail (trimmed very short) between the two halves. That pops the magnetic hold open.

[@zacknicholson3693]

I picked a like new one up today for $40 at a pawn shop, so I can look past the short comings and beat on it!

[@garethbaus5471]

I think the design is intriguing, but the ergonomic issue with the locks seems like a moderate issue that makes me somewhat less likely to purchase one.

[@quewerty8401]

As soon as I saw the wingman like tools My heart fell. And I am not the biggest fan of the bit holder, its just the quality is much better on the wave/charge I need to get a knifeless rebar, and hope they make a pocket clip for it and i will be set.

[@tumblingdown8612]

Never got caught up in the hype for these, people have been asking for something new but this isn't really what i was hoping for.

[@bilakos1987]

You hit the nail on the head with this one. The Free multi-tools are a mixed bag. Less functionality of a Wave Plus or Surge, but higher price. Good plierhead, nice looks, cool fidget factor, cheap and awkward short implements. I remember back when the only criticism on the Wave was lack of a reamer, and the possibility that it could pinch your palm when using the pliers. Lots of people considered it almost the perfect multi-tool. And then the Free tools came, and people seem to forgive the abundance of problems, in favor of the balisong action. Even when the implements deploy accidentally in the process. "It's not that bad," they say, trying to justify to themselves the expense. Suddenly, Leatherman decided to promote this overpriced Wingman by crapping all over the Wave, presenting its features like terrible shortcomings, which were solved by the Free. "No nailnicks! Outside scissors! Magnets! One-hand everything!" Of course, the shortcomings of the Free tools had to be masked. Clumping is good again, because that's the only way to deploy those awkward short implements. Magnets hold the handles together, because that was the quick way to do it, while the 'older generation' of tools had no issue with that. Having a Wave/Charge/Surge and switching to a Free is a big downgrade. I also find it funny how everyone was stunned at the balisong action. wtf. Even the PST was called a "butterfly" multi-tool. You can open any one of those with one hand. The difference is that you will not look tacticool, and that no implements will deploy by accident.

[@Shithappenswhenu]

what do you think of victorinox multitools like the swisstool and spirit? my leatherman charge is in boot of my car, and skeletool with mtb kit. but i carry the spirit as my edc. I seen advertising for the free p2 and i thought it would bring me back to leatherman for my edc, but now i don't think it's even worth the purchase.

[@petelopez5826]

Shithappenswhenu I got rid of all my leatherman tools for victorinox. Love the quality and smoothness of the tool. All tools are accessible from the outside. I have the swisstool spirit x and the larger swisstool with all the accessories with it. Just give them a try and you’ll never look back.

[@gammarayburst4763]

I wish they made the wav in the free series. That would have been a home run. I’ll pass on that one now. Great honest review.

[@BlueGearReviews]

Can Openers are still needed in other parts of the World. Besides the plier head of the Free, im not a fan of the inner tools or the handle. Will stick with the Rebar and other Leatherman Classics- Wave, Charge, Surge etc

[@IamTheInsideOutsider]

I actually prefer to always have a can opener on me. I rarely use it, but when picking tools I tend to think about how easy it is to come up with something on the spot as well as how often it's used.

[@mjnz]

Coming from a 7 yr old Victorinox Spirit XC, I wanted to give Leatherman a fair shake so I bought the P2. Being returned after one day. I cannot stand the tools flopping out. We've been conditioned to accept flaws from a $20 Walmart tool, but for this much money I want something to work correctly on principal alone. It's very annoying to think we should ignore it as the apologists suggest. Plus I`m still pretty darn happy with my old beat up Spirit that works exactly as it should.

[@ericmiller254]

Try the wave I've never held a P2 but no one doesn't like a wave

[@mjnz]

@@ericmiller254 Years ago I tried both the Wave and Charge alongside the Spirit. The Spirit won out over them both due to external tools and better selection of tools (without carrying extra). More recently I bought the P4, really trying hard to like it but... Idk. Maybe it'll grow on me.

[@slick_slicers]

So, I stick with my Wave then!

[@doohresarf321]

Cat in thumbnail. No cat in video. Betrayed once again. :'(

[@G11354]

The FREE tools seem more about "flash" than function. The tool loadout is meh and the price is far to high for what you are getting.

[@curtisjohnson944]

I bought one for my wife so I could see if I would like it :-). I don’t think it’s going to replace my wave or my charge.

[@conductorcammon]

Still gonna get a p4....so THERE!

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

Is anyone going to say anything about the Ugg boots?

[@CedricAda]

Jeff did

[@RobertWilliams-ox4hz]

@@CedricAda solid review though

[@jfnurod]

We werent upset most of us think its shit and piss....mostly shit. I mean personally I care more about having a multi tool than a balisong

[@lenzielenski3276]

great objective review but where is the batoning?

[@simonkelly1958]

new p2 will be bit driver in couple of years

[@shawnlavigne9069]

Thanks for the review. I was excited, but the tool set is anemic and the hot spots using the pliers are not good. Disappointed. I'm set on the swisstool.

[@danielfigueroa6294]

Skeletool had a bottle opener

[@redastrachan8978]

"These ones"?

[@TacticalBunnyCA]

The SOG tools are bad! With exception to one critical and key fact which is they actually have the best designed pliers heads on the market. I love the compound pressure that you can apply through their geared pliers. But that’s it! With no replaceable wire cutter jaws, lousy designed side tool with poor steel quality in all of the handle tools, they’re almost complete throwaways. I keep a SOG powerassist right next to my Robo grip and my Leatherman wave in my glove compartment. Just to use those amazing pliers head! I use wave for all of the internal tools and for a second set of pliers if need be.

[@Sugardaddy501]

I would rather just a ganzo 302h/mp600 bladeless over the free series; shame the tools on the free series are so wierdly small/awkward.

[@RedSpartan-104]

Bring back the Juice S2 Leatherman!!!!

[@TheStoyanbahchevanov]

I will disagree. I'm very happy with my P2, I prefer it. I'm regretting buying the Wave+, it's good tool, but the tool set it's not for me, and it's bit heavier. Cheers mate 👍

[@kevola5739]

I feel real disappointment when I reach for my multitool and realize I forgot to bring it. I feel major frustration when I draw out the multitool I’ve been carrying around all day and it is not up to the task. This Free series hits rock bottom with me.

[@sebgro]

You have two kinds of people in this world my friend; those who can be occupied with 1 hand and still fix something sudden - and those who are packing a ton of bits and need 2 free hands

[@DeeDee-be1mo]

I have been using the p4 and also the t4 for the last 3 weeks. I think they are ok but not worthy all the hypes. To me the smaller tools from the p4 look much better on the smaller t4.

[@mdgleber561]

Nice Uggs

[@mungo75]

Oh well, back to my twenty odd year old wave...

[@johnbrunetto]

Pocket clip is not secure.

[@eachday9538]

Free balling

[@mikee4993]

What’s up with those Uggs? Lol.....

[@jalilleland]

Surge all the way.

[@conductorcammon]

I too think can openers are not needed. Bottle openers as well.

[@nunyafuckinbizniz]

If you drink real high class beer and not cheap swill or piss water then you would see the point of a bottle opener. .. now go drink your garbage beer made with rice and other shit that isnt supposed to be in beer.

[@georgioskarakassopoulos9818]

Sooo... grew up in Germany. Beer decent. Screw caps not a thing. Carrying a bottle opener? Nah.. use the butt of a lighter, a knife, really any object that can create leverage. Bottle openers are overrated.

[@Surago]

I was really on board with this at first from their booth at shot show but this things turned out to be a shit show

[@augustus63]

mate are you wearing uggs for real?

[@mickkeim4142]

I have never understood why anyone would wand to carry a muti-tool. I bought one of the very first Leatherman many years ago and found I never had an occasion to use it. I do own many real tools and find that they always, always work better than any multi-tool.

[@LTT.Official]

Clearly you've never been in a bind where all you had was a Leatherman, if you're a tradesman who always has his tools in car/truck yeah you'll never use it but I find it indispensable. The skeletool is a good balance, size, weight and tool selection.

[@BradGryphonn]

I use the pliers and screwdriver heads on a daily basis. The other tools (on my Rebar) I use occasionally. I don't use the knife much as I usually have one in my pocket but have used it when I've somehow forgotten my knife. It's a handy tool for me in my job.

[@jimmygrey6848]

Well I don't about you but I cant fit my tool box in my pocket...

[@BornIn1500]

LMAO you can't seriously be comparing a multi-tool to a full toolbox. I used to work on a farm and a multi-tool was essential everywhere I went. Clearly you don't use tools often, so why did you even buy a multi-tool in the first place? It's hilarious hearing city boys telling people a multi-tool is useless.

[@Oozy9Millimeetah]

Well i use variety of "real" tools at work everyday too, but have always a Leatherman in pocket. Usually it's a time saver, nothing sucks more than climbing on top of machine or what ever then realized you need to get back down just for a screwdriver or pliers just because something is stuck etc.. some people like to take their time and walk back and forth of the tool box, not me im super impatient.

[@jeffsnyder5456]

Are those your boyfriend's boots?

[@CedricAda]

yeah, we’d been up all night having really really gay sex, and I couldnt find my high heels

[@livefree1030]

@@CedricAda My ass hurts

[@richarda3764]

@@CedricAda Lol

[@ChaplainDaveSparks]

Cool ... so a balisong multitool? Forget I said that, or the nanny wannabes here in the People's Republic of Mexifornia will want to ban it...

[@reedwhisenant7788]

The review is a downer

[@CedricAda]

the tool is a downer

[@reedwhisenant7788]

@@CedricAda True. I think the tool is very much made for a specific user who really wants that one handed operation.

[@reedwhisenant7788]

The review was very high quality and in depth!