Leatherman Ratchet Driver Testing - What I have learned so far.

I have spent the last several days testing out the new Ratchet Driver from Leatherman. I have used this driver in various Leatherman multi tools and on various types of fasteners to get a better idea of how it performed overall, and with each multi tool. In this video I'll go over what I have discovered and my overall impression of this new offering from Leatherman.
Leatherman Ratchet Driver - amzn.to/3f99Uh6
Wilton 6" ATV Vise - amzn.to/2P0mSD8

[@txtoolcrib]

Leatherman Ratchet Driver - amzn.to/3f99Uh6 Wilton 6" ATV Vise - amzn.to/2P0mSD8

[@bobgartin4165]

Great review! Just notified that my ratchet shipped today!

[@txtoolcrib]

Excellent!

[@HughPecon]

So far I'm liking this Ratchet Driver a lot. I've used it with my Wave+, Rebar and Supertool 300. It works very well with all 3. All in all I think its worth the slightly high price. Now I'm just looking forward to your stress tests for this tool. Thanks for all the time and effort you put in making these very informative videos.

[@txtoolcrib]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for taking the time to watch.

[@baileyhatfield4273]

I just got a Wave + and i'm thinking i'd really like this. Whenever i grab those 11 in 1 or 9 in 1 screwdrivers (cheap ones of course) they're just cheap, big and don't feel good. I've loved my wave plus so far and i think this and the double bit kit would be amazing.

[@HughPecon]

@@baileyhatfield4273 I think you're going to like it a lot. So far I'm really liking it.

[@Castleknight]

That is one serious trailer hitch vise!

[@txtoolcrib]

What I love most about it is that I can transfer it from my workbench, to my mechanics box, and to my truck. Wherever I need it, it goes. Well worth the money!

[@MIIIB]

What we the LM community will do without Ben!🙂 Thanks for this incredible review. I was very concerned about the st300 and medium size models. This clarify a lot. You think the rachet will need some lubrication as maintenance? I wonder if it's safe to open. I do Maintenance each 4-6 months in all my ratchets. New grease. Im LM tools too. Ballistol to clean and lubricate each 6 months in general or as need it. LM is taking a new path with this accessories. I like it.

[@txtoolcrib]

That I don’t know. My guess would be that the ratchet mechanism is liking using a graphite lube.

[@InsAznKlown3]

Love these videos, this has been the most complete review of this accessory. I have a Surge so I have been quite interested in this. Thanks for the series! Now subscribed

[@txtoolcrib]

Well I very much appreciate your subscription. Thank you.

[@InsAznKlown3]

@@txtoolcrib Thanks for the reply. Your channel is perfect for a guy like me who loves tools and gadgets and edc things of use

[@bubba7626]

My surge works well with it. Drills holes like a champ!

[@brianleinfuss315]

Great video! You should revisit using the ratchet with the skeletool. Open the tool up a little bit and insert the ratchet bit into that large hole and close the tool so it clamps down and holds the ratchet in place. You now have an offset to handle!!!

[@My03Tundra]

I wanted to get one of these, and missed the first run. Then, Amazon showed it available as soon as next week. However, money is tight usually this time of the month, so I’m back to waiting until Leatherman has it back in stock on their site. As for the SuperTool 300? My 300M has the bit exchanger, so it sounds like a good fit. It will work with my Surge, Wave and Charge, and my Rebar tools, so that is awesome. But, I may have to get two of them, one of them to keep with my Surge that is my go-to tool for around-the-house jobs, now combined with my Crunch. I used my Surge to put in a new lock recently, and wish I had the ratchet tool. Thank you for showing how this works with the square driver adapter. That is greatly appreciated.

[@teapeabartle4046]

Looking forward to getting one myself. Hope you do a torque limit test as it would be interesting to see what it’s breaking point is. Great content as always Ben.

[@txtoolcrib]

If it will stop raining where I am, I intend to do just that.

[@Jonegal]

Been looking at these videos for years and finally got myself a surge the other day and wish I got it straight away now it is a handy bit of kit

[@daletaylor9547]

Great videos. This bit driver CAN be used on all the Leatherman FREE Series as well. Would love to see your review of that.

[@bubba7626]

I have been using it on a surge and worked great. I like bush crafting stuff and it drills holes!

[@leealtmansr.3811]

Thank you. Great review. I'll be getting one.

[@txtoolcrib]

Thank you very much.

[@maxlvledc]

did you get a chamce to try the signal in the 1/4 inch hole?

[@txtoolcrib]

No I didn’t. I really should have.

[@maxlvledc]

@@txtoolcrib I'll give it a shot tomorrow

[@malverdetx8582]

Once again, great video. Leatherman really missed the mark with the skeletool, signal and mut and the bit extender and ratchet adapter. They would need to make specialized ones for those three tools to maximize their utility, so it will never happen. But, if they just made the male end on the extender and adapter long enough to clear the carabiner, you could use them with the tools in the closed position. The skeletool would be the most comfortable because of it’s curve on the non-blade side. It fits naturally onto the palm.

[@txtoolcrib]

One thing that Maxlvledc caught, the Signal can utilize the side hex driver for accepting this driver. I need to try that out, but it looks like it would make it much more comfortable to use than with the bit exchanger.

[@jeffslaven]

I knew that I could trust you for a totally in-depth and un-biased review! Appreciate the disclaimer about the Surge, because we all know that's your baby. Look forward to seeing how far you're going to challenge this new product. I will reserve on purchase until such time as you give your final conclusions on it. As always great video Ben!

[@txtoolcrib]

Thank you again sir.

[@survivalofthefittest409]

This is probably something no one really cares about right now, but I did talk to LM, and they said they didn't have any plans on releasing a black oxide version right now, but maybe in the future. My question is, do you think I could "blu" it, to achieve that matching look to my black oxide tools? Also, I've been watching your videos to see if I should get one, and you've made me feel pretty good about it, so thank you, you're in-depth reviews help alot in my purchasing decisions. I decided against the 5.11 TKO ratchet after watching your video, which saved me some money!

[@baileyhatfield4273]

I think you could try anyways, i know some people who work on custom cars or classics use some type of black oxide dip chemical crap which does that ''blueing'' to the steel or iron whatever it is. Not sure if it would give the same results, but it would be worth it to try. Might have to be careful with the plastic and the insides of the mechanism though.

[@survivalofthefittest409]

@@baileyhatfield4273 I was just gonna grab a little bottle of that "blu" stuff at walmart or wherever. You just dab it on and it turns really dark blue, pretty much black, in a couple seconds

[@robertmills4980]

Try it with the Gerber Center drive. I have leatherman and center drive so very curious

[@garygrinkevich6971]

Pretty neat i would love to see a tool built around this rachet driver hardware equipped as a retractable tool someday, maybe with a reversable philips flathead combo as a defualt bit. I never have extra bits when i need them, maybe magnetized slots for holding the bits inside the tool rather than the sheath.

[@oddsavage]

Good vid and good knowledge! Thanks for that.

[@txtoolcrib]

Absolutely, thank you for watching.

[@Genesis992]

I’ve also been playing around with it. Using the adapter on one of my Juice Pros with the ratchet was almost comical. This has to be my absolute favorite thing Leatherman has done in a while. It’s pretty darn convenient, especially when using it with my Surges

[@txtoolcrib]

I have been fairly impressed with this thing so far. I agree, it’s one of the best things Leatherman has put out in quite some time.

[@chepo1956]

Hi Ben, Jose from Puerto Rico. Great review. I bought the Surge just before the pandemic and it's good to know that this new ratcheting accessory works well with it. In my view the Surge is a powerhouse and now with this new accessory, It'll take it up another level. I think I"ll buy one and keep it in my pouch. I carry my Surge everywhere I go. Thanks again.

[@txtoolcrib]

You’re very welcome.

[@jesseallen4184]

This still isn’t available in Australia, ridiculous! It would cost me $80-$100 AUD to import the ratchet driver.

[@PiLLO360]

You ever get one?

[@yutaja]

Any aftermarket ratchet drivers that work with the Leathermans?

[@tarsicioamaral1356]

ITS A BEAUTIFUL DELICATE TOOL, MINE BROKE IT´S SELF, THE SPRING ON THE FORWARD AND REVERSE SELECTOR IS TOO STRONG, IT JUST BROKE TJE PLASTIC, YES PLASTIC COVER OF THE GEARS INSIDE; I BEARLY USED TWO TIMES, ON THE THIRD, THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE MIDLE OF THE SELECTOR, WHEN I DECIDE TO SELECT REVERSE MOVEMENT, THE BEARING JUST JUMPED AWAY ALONE WITH THE INNER SPRING, LEAVING MY BEAUTIFUL TOOL COMPLETELY USLESS AND WITH NO WARRANTY HERE IN FU**ING MEXICO. I DONT RECOMMEND BUYING ONE UNTIL LEATHERMAN REPLACES THE PLASTIC PART WITH SOMETHING STRONGER.

[@kevola5739]

The curved handle of the Skeletool seems to make the tool off centred and therefore unable to bear down on the driver effectively. I would assume most people buy the size of multitool that fits their needs so the ratchet driver should be well suited for most applications.

[@txtoolcrib]

I think you’re right. That curved handle felt unnatural when comparing it to some of the other multi tools. I suppose it is something you get accustomed to though.

[@mikecallahan7659]

Excellent video

[@txtoolcrib]

Thank you very much.

[@makapaka7159]

Nice! I was hoping for this test. Can't wait when it will be available in Poland. Your videos are blessing! Thank you for your hard work.

[@txtoolcrib]

You’re very welcome. Thank you for watching.

[@geraldreynolds9650]

Me too.Im also in Poland

[@baileyhatfield4273]

I've only just gotten a Wave + a bit ago and i've loved it so far...i do need to get myself a bit kit or well both of the kids. Nice to be able to go from anything from the flats, phillips, to more exotic torx bits to ''square'' or robertson (Canadian type screw heads) The multi screwdrivers i've used in the past are just big and junky. Gonna love this ratchet type deal and the bit kit for sure.

[@txtoolcrib]

Leatherman is definitely a step up from the cheaper version around, no doubt.

[@TommiHonkonen]

yes well skeletool is weird anyway, i dont like the curves

[@mackenzieperrault7382]

Thanks for the update, Ben! Been watching your channel for a while now and really appreciate the depth of your reviews. Would you say that the Charge + and the Wave + are basically the exact same in that any results of experimentation/performance using the Wave + could also be applied to the Charge+ and vice-versa? Also, if you know anything regarding when these Ratchet drivers might make their way to Canada, would love to know so I can pick one up.

[@txtoolcrib]

They are in Canada, in fact the one that got out early was from Canada. The retailer mistakenly offered these for sale before their initial release date. You should ask over at Gear N Tools, Adam will probably be able to direct you to a Canadian retailer. As for testing this driver with the Wave, the Charge will be pretty much on par with it. Though, I would think that the scales on the Charge models might even make this a slight bit more comfortable to use than even the Wave.

[@phillipanythinguk1122]

Ben mate have you any ideas on our surge & st300 pliers it's driving me nuts watched lots of vidz.. Pliers jam when closed tight I tried twisting wracking pin with a hammer every one I get back from warenty are tight as hell tried wd40 grease when twist them work loose for a min then start again 😂😂 thanks 👍

[@Zerog461]

Do you feel it’s bulkier to carry the ratchet compared to the standard extension. I like less bulk with the standard extension.

[@robertmills4980]

It would be better to have the larger sheath. I got that one for my leatherman core and it has the bigger sleeve on side for storage

[@robertmills4980]

Sorry meant ti mention the sheath for the surge 4 1/2"

[@Zerog461]

@@robertmills4980 I have the large one just like the standard one I guess.

[@Phlfwlr]

My Leatherman is the Signal. Excited to try it out for myself.

[@txtoolcrib]

Let us know what you think when you get yours.

[@heyspookyboogie644]

It will forever bug me that they didn’t make the micro driver on the wave compatible with standard mini bits and instead you just get this one double sided stick thing and that’s it. I’ve measured it before and they could have made it work.

[@watchncarry9593]

Great comparison. Just picked my adapter up from REI thanks to your video. Im curious if the inherent wobble of the adapter is designed on purpose?? Seems like something Leatherman wouldnt miss, and makes me wonder if the wobble prevents the adapter from snapping due to stiffness when being strained on a task.

[@txtoolcrib]

That would be a question for Leatherman. Though getting them to answer a question is like getting blood from a turnip.

[@wesleemiller]

Cool.

[@wesleemiller]

Great video.

[@redplague76]

Used mine for the first time today with my Surge on a couple of different projects. So far impressed.

[@pedronegueruelasanchez6681]

Que diferencia hay en la ltg 831439 y la sidekick

[@gonzaley999]

This adapter is pretty weird

[@txtoolcrib]

It can be a little more cumbersome than the exchanger for sure.

[@haywoodf]

Thanks for the informative heads up vids on the new Leatherman ratchet. Have you tried it with a PST / PST II / SuperTool Universal Tool AdapterTM / Tool AdapterTM - Maybe a future vid?

[@txtoolcrib]

I don’t own the tool adapters, but I will try it in the first two multi tools for sure.

[@kipwebb558]

Go to the hardware store & pick up a set of nut driver bits They fit right in the ratchet tool & you have extended your Leatherman tool kit.

[@txtoolcrib]

That’s a good idea.

[@gearstuffs8007]

Hi, I can't recall have u review 'juice XE6 yet? Ya the not so popular I guessed due to its thickness etc...

[@txtoolcrib]

That is one I don’t own unfortunately.

[@superflashshazam1896]

Rachet vs bit extender what your take for survival homebag or edc.

[@txtoolcrib]

I would go with the regular bit extender. No moving parts and a simplified design will hold up better in an emergency.

[@one-of-us9939]

Good job bro... Thx

[@txtoolcrib]

No problem 👍

[@GabeMacDonnell]

Awesome! Do you notice if the Skeletool's locking bit holder works any better than the Wave friction fit style?

[@txtoolcrib]

It does work slightly better because of the spring hold back.

[@Traderjoe]

Wondering if this fits the Victorinox Swiss Tool Spirit

[@txtoolcrib]

You know, I don’t know. I’ve never tried it.

[@kipwebb558]

works great with the CHARGE

[@gearstuffs8007]

Yeah, always provided useful tips& details......Keep it up the work bro!

[@txtoolcrib]

I appreciate that, thank you.

[@roluvanbecker]

Very good and informative video as usual... it seems to be a pretty serviceable tool even if it looked kinda iffy in the first look

[@txtoolcrib]

It’s actually pretty good so far, more so in Leatherman tools with the bit exchanger as they are a bit more stable.

[@daxprata3716]

The signal seems rather disappointing since the clip/pommel gets directly in the way

[@txtoolcrib]

One thing I didn’t try was putting it into the quarter inch adapter on the signal.

[@anthonymelillo1291]

Great video! going to subscribe and follow!

[@txtoolcrib]

Welcome aboard!

[@urjnlegend]

Thanks for making this video, very helpful indeed

[@txtoolcrib]

You’re very welcome.

[@ozzy904]

Thanks for good test, hello from Ukraine.

[@txtoolcrib]

You're quite welcome, thank you for tuning in.

[@yashas38]

How it works with Crunch Sir.. good or not?

[@txtoolcrib]

I haven’t tried it in the Crunch yet.

[@Ayrton4everrr]

Excellent video. Thanks

[@txtoolcrib]

You’re very welcome.

[@nberry324]

Awesome review thanks your my go to for tools before I buy

[@txtoolcrib]

Thank you sir. I appreciate you taking the time to watch.

[@ashsmall8103]

please do a video on the best bits to add to the victorinox bit kit from the swisstool

[@txtoolcrib]

I will try to do just that.

[@ashsmall8103]

@@txtoolcrib also please do a vid on the best standard double ended bits. MORE IMPORTANTLY KEEP THE GREAT CONTENT UP

[@dorothy59funlove]

sir Where could I buy this?

[@txtoolcrib]

It is available through several retailers for Leatherman Tools, at Leatherman’s website, or through the Amazon link in the description.

[@matusknives]

I am new to multitools - just got my first (Skeletool RX) recently. Adding the ratchet makes it into fantastic screwdriver. I have used it side-by-side my Wera with build in ratchet today while taking some bolts out of concrete wall - it worked on par with the Wera. Very, very useful.

[@cudan2941]

Subbed

[@txtoolcrib]

Hey I appreciate that, thank you.

[@daxprata3716]

Also the adapter and tool looks ridiculous because all the play

[@txtoolcrib]

There is an excessive amount of play. However, when you are exerting down pressure, it becomes a bit less noticeable.

[@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743]

I'm not sure about the physics, or if it's true, but a lot of woodworkers that drive screws by hand say that a longer screwdriver gives you more torque. From what I've read it's probably due to biomechanics.

[@theomnipresent1]

Sounds a little sus...

[@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743]

@@theomnipresent1 It sounds sus, until you get a 22inch screwdriver and it feels easier to turn. The body mechanic theory is that the length puts it closer to the center of your chest, so you are using your bigger muscles to turn the screwdriver, or it puts your arms/hands in a more efficient place to turn the screwdriver. I'm not sure, was never interested enough to do further research on it.

[@erwinabelmann]

Wera is better 👌👌