In this instructable I focus on 4 common problems and their solutions - these are problems I've had with my Leatherman as well as friends' multitools, and problems I see often on online forums. As they're used and abused, they require proper cleaning and lubrication and as well as possibly requiring you pull a few tricks from your sleeve to keep every single steel part moving - or not - as it should. These defects caused my Leatherman to be basically useless which was quite disappointing to me after I had spent almost $100 on it.Īdditionally, Leathermen multitools aren't immune to wear and tear. The feeling of the tool overall was gritty and couldn't be used with one hand. One "arm" was loose and wouldn't lock and the pliers were so stiff I couldn't open them. Mine, however, arrived with 2 defects out of the box, as many of them do. It has every tool I need without sacrificing compactness which is why I carry it with me everywhere I go. The handles are more comfortable to use than one of the classic Leatherman designs, although I'd be tempted to remove the belt-clip because it gets in the way when using the pliers.Īverage price online for the Sidekick seems to be about £40 (significantly more expensive than Leatherman's US pricing of $39), but it can be found for £27 which is more like it, and a bit of a bargain at that price.My Leatherman Wave+ multitool is by far my most used tool - as an avid DIYer and as a soldier out in the field it saves me on a daily basis. ![]() ![]() The whole assembly feels reassuringly well made, for what Leatherman describe as their budget tool. They also manage to shoe-horn in a couple of wire strippers. You get a large straight and cross-head screwdriver, an inch-long serrated blade (which I just cut my finger on), a can opener, small straight screwdriver, file, ruler and lanyard eyelet. Other tools nestled in the handles of the Sidekick are easily accessed with a fingernail. The quality of finish of the needle-nose part seems better than the Wingman, although you have to squeeze quite hard to get the wire-cutter to close fully. Opening up the Sidekick, you see the familiar Leatherman pliers, which in this case are sprung so they open up easily. The carabiner itself features a bottle opener and hex-driver socket (although no hex heads are supplied). It's made from 100% Stainless steel, and as well as the aforementioned leather pouch, also comes with a belt clip and a carabiner. The Sidekick is shorter than a classic Leatherman, at around 3.5in long and it feels 'dense' like they've really packed in as much as possible. Reciprocal to the blade is a very sharp 1.5in locking saw, which will rip its way through a tree branch in no time. The blade is sharp and useful since it's on the outside of the Sidekick and quickly accessed with one hand. I keep it inside its leather pouch, tucked into a pocket of my backpack so that there's no question of it being able to be quickly accessible as an offensive weapon. However, this is the tool which I carry when hiking. Unlike the Wingman though, the Sidekick is designed more for outdoors use than indoors.įirst off, I have to say that the Sidekick features a 2.3in long locking blade which, whilst undeniably safer to use than a non-locking blade, is illegal to carry in the UK unless you have a lawful reason (your job, a hobby you're engaged in etc. This is the second new tool from Leatherman which we've reviewed this year, and like the Wingman, the Sidekick is designed as a pocket-sized always-with-you accessory tool.
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