New Leatherman Bond: First Look

[@nebuQloud]

I’m super excited about this budget offering from Leatherman! It’s going to be my next pocket knife!

[@nebuQloud]

Thank you so much for this review!

[@DaveLikesKnives]

"So you like our old popular design? Well how about... A BIT CHEAPER?!" *crowd goes wild*

[@_proex]

I have the original super tool I bought decades ago. Still working perfectly.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

I'm actually working on a SuperTool Family video at the moment. Tell me some of your pro and con points and I'll see if I can include them. I've got a bunch of old discontinued tools and I want to talk about them more.

[@_proex]

@@DaveLikesKnives cool I will look for that video. The pros are, it’s impossible to kill it. It’s been through nearly 3 decades of hiking and camping. Saw and serrated blade are still sharp. The cons are, hard to open the tools and using the pliers is not to comfortable because of gouging into your hands.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

@@_proex the best thing they did on the second one is rounding those handles.

[@jeremyspaulding7735]

This one has my interest. Very reminiscent of my original pst which I loved and carried for well over 10 years. Replaced about 6 years ago with the supertool 300. Cool to see Leatherman offering some new budget options. Great video 👍

[@DaveLikesKnives]

The PST comparison is definitely one I should have brought up and will in the future.

[@Knifeguy1a]

Thanks for the peek! The pocket clip is the same one that fits the Free series. Nine bucks! (An 18% increase over the price of the tool.) If you get one, I hope you'll let us know what you think of it!

[@DaveLikesKnives]

Good to know. For some reason I had it in my head that there were two sizes, but I ordered it today. We'll see how it works out.

[@K0LLYW00D]

Are they individually serialized on the inside of the handle? Mine is 0221

[@Knifeguy1a]

I believe that's the month & year of manufacture.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

I agree with knifeguy. My handles are stamped “0121” and “1020,” so date of manufacture makes more sense. Woulda been wildly cool though.

[@GarrettRockey]

Maxlvledc says the hole provides a stop for the knife - so the blade edge doesn’t make contact with the handle when closed.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

That looks to be correct, I can now see the little tab that got bent back into the handle to serve as a rest. Thanks for the info!

[@joesmulti-edc890]

After using the free series , the only reason I can think of to ever own this model is for legal purposes. The Acts and Statutes here in Canada have become overly strict, some would say Draconian . I cannot support this tool by purchasing it for those reasons. Thanks for reviewing it though👍

[@GarrettRockey]

Smaller, thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the P series, with a better Phillips driver, file and awl - and bit adapter compatible. Really, a different tool for a different buyer. It appeals to the traditionalist in me.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

While I don't feel comfortable commenting on your situation, I would say that not liking the thing is simply reason enough to not buy it. Yea, a big selling point of this tool is legality and I probably spent too much time talking about that. But some people, like myself, still carry and love the original PST. I prefer locking blades and tools, but there's nothing wrong with more simple stuff. The Spyderco Roadie is literally my most carried knife and it was born of terrible knife laws. Makes it darn carrible though.

[@harrydaniels2788]

The Leatherman Rebar is a better multi tool

[@DaveLikesKnives]

The Leatherman Rebar is a different multi tool.

[@harrydaniels2788]

@@DaveLikesKnives - I know that. I said that the Leatherman Rebar is a better multi tool. I have over 70 multi tools. I have been collecting them for over 20 years. I should know about them. You should have read my comment before responding to it. I know it's different. I said the Rebar is better.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

@@harrydaniels2788 My intent was to emphasize that I don't believe these two can be judged on the grounds of quality, since they both are fine. Obviously there are some major differences but I think that fit and finish or design execution aren't one of them. I'm glad the Rebar works better for you though, why do you think that is? Personally, I also prefer the locking blade and additional serrated.

[@harrydaniels2788]

@@DaveLikesKnives - The Rebar has locking blades and replaceable wire cutters and a wood saw. It's just a better multi tool in my opinion.

[@DaveLikesKnives]

That makes sense, the wood saw specifically isn’t useful to me but the rest I can track with.

[@vladspb_]

Let's forget about European knife laws and let's say that Rebar and Bond have the same price, what would you choose?

[@Gogogordy1]

No contest. I have a longtime Rebar, and ordered a Bond as well hoping for a smaller but similar more pocketable MT. Knew within moments the Bond was going back. It actually looks similar, but it isn’t even close (felt junktastic, actually) and the well-documented knifepoint “creep” issue hasn’t been remedied and does not occur on my Rebar. Spend the extra few bucks and get the Rebar, unless that is the knife laws impact your carry. If thats the case there is always the Knifeless Rebar and a separate legal pocket knife….

[@vladspb_]

@@Gogogordy1 agree...

[@DaveLikesKnives]

The rebar is one of my very favorite tools and i think what i recommend the most. Not everybody prefers locking tools, but if you do then there isn't much of a comparison. The bond gets used around the house but the rebar travels with me.

[@jakefromohiostate]

It’s cool....probably not cool enough for me to buy🤷🏼‍♂️ but cool

[@DaveLikesKnives]

That’s fair. I haven’t decided what I think the commercial future of this will be. I think it’s in a good position to be a huge seller, or just a niche product and I’m not sure which prediction I like yet.

[@jakefromohiostate]

@@DaveLikesKnives hmmmm....yeah man I’d probably lean towards big seller. It has a terrific nostalgic look/feel, handy tool set and a compact size. The addition of the (optional) pocket clip is cool. Personally I don’t see that it would suit me any better than the Wingman/Sidekick.