Got an ARC when they 1st dropped and had a bit of buyers remorse. However after using it these past months that regret is 100% gone, the ARC is without question a great multitool. Zero regrets owning and worth the money.
Ebay and etsy is how up graded my wave to s30v. Etsy has a shop "austinschoolhouse" and a guy from Ukraine I can't remember his shop but he has awesome customer service. Usps lost a package and he sent me a new blade 3 days later.
That would be pretty cool. I upgraded the blade on my free p2 by purchasing a non-serated blade on eBay and swapping out the stock partial serrated blade. I think the blade I got came from a free t4 (one of their knife based tools)
Wife got me the arc as a Christmas gift. I will not leave my bedroom without that thing in my pocket. I’ve owned many multi-tools this in my opinion was the best one ever made.
carried a leatherman, every single day of my life since my first one, bought on a visit to the US in 1984 carried one ever since. at home at work. have the original, wave, supertool and surge, and MUTnever seen the need to replace the surge still use it daily
Probably the most thoughtful, thorough, and honest review on the ARC. On another note, you are a little heavy-handed and overdramatic on the whole “you MUST carry this on your person” for it to be worth it. Really? People buy art that just sits on their walls and can cost thousands of dollars. We all do this with certain kinds of purchases, even the most no-nonsense blue-collar worker does this in their own way. There’s more to life than just pure function and value. Sometimes just fit and finish and the beauty of an object is enough to justify the price. $230? Literally just go out to eat two times less this year and you’ve paid for it. Now I agree that if a persons goal is pure value-to-usage ratio than you 100% correct. But as I said, that’s not the only factor that’s important when making a purchase. Also, “expensive” is completely relative and subjective based on a number of factors. Expensive compared to what? Many of the reviewers who balk at the ARC’s price have no problem dropping $200+ for a single fixed blade. I think we need to keep things in perspective.
Most of the people I talk to feel that $230 is massively expensive..but like you I think amortization, and If I use it regularly..I can probably justify it.
Can confirm the left handed swap works perfect. First thing i did when i got it. The pivots are two screws in the barrel. If you can get the correct screw to loosen, you dont need to remove every implement to swap the saw and knife.
I've had countless Leathermans and this is by far my favorite. Rides clipped in my pocket, Bark River Bushcraft Scout on the hip. All my bases are covered. Worth every penny
You're exactly right Dominic. I lost the micro bit from just using the pliers fencing. Also just like you said the new cutters are awful, when I'm cutting electric wire multiple times I don't want to waste time looking at where to position the wire in the cutters. I'm back to carrying the Spirit MX Clip, it's hard to beat and is my favorite.
Agreed! Surge is king I don’t see what all the hype is about for this arc. I can do all this and more with my surge. I don’t care about having a magnacut blade on my multi tool. I have premium blade steel on my edc knives
@@HorsepowerHeaven the Surge is awesome. I think the only tool that can say they're on par with is the SpiritX. But I don't have a Spirit X so i can't compare
@@jarvisskooge8602 i just keep it as part of my MT collection since its the silver+black version but i am not going to use it. A disappointment i would say
Now after 3 years as the owner of a Leatherman, I have to say that the alloy of the metal used there is really inferior because after breaking the pliers several times, regardless of the model, I am not convinced of the quality of these multitools! I will buy and use Victorinox again in the future because their quality is much better.
@ngwithipad : The last thing I wore was the Wave, where one of the jaws broke off the third time, even after the free repair from Leatherman Germany. Three times in a row doesn't speak for quality.Now I prefer the Victorinox Spirit X Plus.
I think whatever your doing requires a forged plier. You may be one of the people that would be better served carrying a dedicated plier like knipex 125 cobra.
I find it wild that you keep breaking the pliers. I own many leatherman multitools and I have never broken the pliers on any of them which makes me think that you are probably using it well beyond its intended purpose and should be using full size pliers. On the other hand I have a spirit x that I like but the handles flex way to much, and I permanently damaged the wire cutter with usage I routinely give my leathermans. So even though I liked the spirit, I will not be buying victorinox multitools again.
@@stevenm4743ничего дикого в этом нет. В интернете полно фото сломанных пассатижей Leatherman .. Их огромное количество, как и сломанных рам.. А сломанный Victorinox надо еще поискать. И да, надо было брать "старший" Swisstool, а не Spirit, он как полированный танк
Great video, I carry a multitool on my hip every day at work . I have carried a Gerber Diesel for almost 8 years before the plier tip broke, I filled out the warranty page on the website but have heard nothing back. The price has gone up a great deal , so before I just instantly replaced it I started shopping around for newer better options. 200+$ seems high until you look at 5 work days a week times 52 weeks= 260. So it is less than a dollar a day , the first year. After that it is paid for. as long as the warranty holds. As a Technician/mechanic I have spent far more on tools I have used twice. I am concerned about the cutters as I don't need a notch to properly strip wire. Thanks, for your video.
My first leatherman was a wave. The old one, without the bit driver. I upgraded to a surge. The old wave compared to the surge looks like a toy, the surge is meant for working. If you actually use the saw a lot, the surge is king because you can change to any t-shaft saw blade. Also to the hss blades vor cutting metal. This is a feature the arc doesn´t have. I put some hss saws in the holster. I have no idea if the magna cut is so much better than the blade steel used by the surge, but if it starts to become dull, i just sharpen it. Yes, the arc is lighter, but i dont care. Got used to the weight of the surge on my belt and feel naked without it.
I’m starting to think the exact same thing considering it’s been out of stock on their website since before Christmas and hasn’t be in stock since and even stores that would sell them are out of stock
Went with the Garage 005 for the color scheme mostly. Do not like the gold colored blade, nor the stupid can opener. Everything else is decent, although to get a freely opening toolset one must keep the dust, grime, and stuff out of the channels and keep it oiled up or the toolsets do not freely rotate out. More so for those of us with wider fingers.
Most likely. The Arc's not worth the extra. I had one, used it for a week, and then sold it for the $120 they should be selling it for. I'd rather just get a Surge or something that doesn't flex like an Ozark Trail tool and break wire cutters on easy wire and have a custom blade maker make me Magnacut blades at 64+ HRC for it
I have 5 Leatherman multi tools and you just saved me over 200 bucks on getting my 6th. I'm a collector of knives and tools but only if I really love them do I buy them. When a company drops the ball on design, I let them know it by not giving them my money. I love my Titanium Charge with s30v blade that is thin and works great, has great cutters, use them all the time and the bad ass saw and serrated blade with the hook cutter, I keep one in each vehicle and one here at my desk. I love well made stuff not just good looking stuff but this video has shown me that this has an up graded price but is not very upgraded in quality and I want quality if I'm going to get a replacement Leatherman.
Thanks very complete. Ive carrird a leatherman in my pocket every day for years. Kids got it for me for fathersday. Recently misplaced. Just cant be without. Just orderd mine luckily my son in college & 30% discount was awesome. Cant wait. Start every day with surefire in left pocket & leatherman in right picket.
I own almost every leatherman multi tool, some in duplicate. They will forever be shelved after receiving the arc as a gift from my wife for Christmas. Absolutely love it. But yes I agree, you have to be a person that carries a leatherman tool every day to appreciate it. I cannot say enough about the blades edge retention compared to the regular 420c. Even far superior to leathermans 154cm that's on my skelatool cx.
I’ve been carrying a multitool on my belt since 1995, almost 30 years. I agree, if you aren’t going to carry this tool and use it everyday, don’t buy it. For me, it is everything I ever wanted in a Leatherman tool.
The bits/holder complaint frustrates me. Normally, if you get a tool that comes with bits whether it's a drill, a driver, or a socket set, it will come with storage for those bits. And the storage is always able to hold ALL the bits, not all minus one that needs to be kept in the tool, ALL. The Leatherman Arc is not an exception, the holder has space for all 10 bits the tool comes with INCLUDING the standard #1/#2/Flat bit that comes pre-installed in the tool, and the precision bit that is also already in the tool. This means that if you take a bit out, it has its own slot to go into in the holder, it doesn't need to be put in the slot that belongs to another bit in a game of "musical bit holders" - each bit has its own designated slot, even if one of them rarely lives there it should have that slot available. It comes with a holder for 10 bits and a precision bit, and it comes with ten bits and a precision bit - exactly correct. Bit kits only come with no open slots because they can't make assumptions about what you do/don't already have, the kit needs to be a complete stand-alone product. Also I don't buy the argument of needing a spare precision bit, idk what you're planning to do with it that might bend/break it but you probably shouldn't have been doing it. By the same argument, it should come with a spare set of wire cutters but none of them do. I somewhat understand the complaint about the kit being a mix of bits between the two normal kits, but we have to assume Leatherman chose what they thought was the most useful assortment without assuming the customer is going to buy additional accessories to "complete" the set. If all you ever bought was this tool with those bits, is it a good set? That's the question to ask. It might not be the best set for a given user, but it's probably supposed to be "best over all" but that's very subjective. Honestly, the better argument is that they shouldn't have included the bits at all. Just sell the tool for less money, and let the customer buy a bit kit if I want it.
I'm glad the knife is thick. You can actually use it outdoors without fear of bending it, or the blade skipping. You want a slim knife, buy a slim knife. Multitool should be something that works when it needs and that you don't need to have silk gloves to fiddle with it. Works well on the northern side of arctic circle year round.
I have carried a leatherman daily for the last 20 years. Wave, Charge, Charge Ti, Free P4, and now the Arc. I say I love the Arc. It reminds me of why I loved the Charge so much. The tool set. I have moved my P4 to my EDC bag so it's available but my Arc is my new daily.
Great review! And just sharing some thoughts! 16:22 I would just flip open the two screw driver when use the hammer for extended period. 17:28 fortunately, they do sell the precision bit set of 3 separately, as of now at least, lol!
Thanks for the video! I love my P4 and would like to buy the Arc but with all my other Leatherman tools this is gonna wait…..but probably not for very long.
Hello. Really enjoying your videos. To me as a Canadian this is way too expensive. It is listed at $299.00 Cad and with taxes it would be $338.00 Cad. As a Canadian I would have to earn $500 at work to get enough after tax dollars to pay for this. I could buy a lot of tools for that kind of money. Who cares about Magnacut. To me it means nothing. A regular blade steel will last me a week of work and then sharpen the damn thing. No way I would pay that kind of money for a tool to perhaps be lost or stolen at work. Shelf Queen only if your a collector.
Go buy them tools then, any of them come with a 25 year warranty? When you break it down it's costing less than 15 a year. For a tool that's going to.last and has a great warranty. Sorry your comment doesn't make sense, if it wasnt for the warranty I would agree with you.
I bought 2 the day they were released and fidgeted with one I opened quite a bit. The biggest issue keeping me from carrying it around was the heavy weight. It’s excessive unless you wear a belt, and I never do. I sold one and the other sits on the shelf. The crappy cutters definitely helped take the fun out too. Nice vid covering extended use.
I’ve had a leatherman for years 20 plus but can not take it out side in the UK as it safety feature (locking blade) makes it illegal. I apparently need a REALLY good reason lol.
Right my Wave is a beast I replaced the pliers for the Rebar pliers and it's unstoppable. Also I bought the s30v blade from a guy on esty and leathermans s30v is better than my Benchmade's
I work as a mine fleet IT tech maintaining and repairing various systems on haul trucks, dozers, shovels, etc. and the Arc is the number one most-used tool in my inventory. It's come in clutch so many times I don't even know. Even at home I use it all the time
Amen regarding your comment about high cost multitools being only worth it if they’re carried on person. Sure, there may be some edge cases to the contrary, but your point is valid. I’ve been carrying a multitool since 1984 or so, and that was the very first Leatherman multitool. I was in the Air Force back then and even carried it when I worked on F-16s, which was a no-no, but I did it anyway. I just had to ensure I was hyper diligent with how I carried and used it. It actually got us out of a number of pinches when we had to air up landing gear struts or whatever on a jet that was waiting to take off at the “end-of-runway”, and we didn’t have a tool box in the truck. Regardless, I’ve had a multitool in my pocket nearly everyday for the past 40 years, and I feel naked with out it. I’m well known for being the go-to guy who can and does fix almost anything, and my trusty Charge TTi is a big part of that. There’s not a day that my Leatherman does not make an appearance on some task. I’ve only met one other person who also carries a multitool for EDC. I’m sure there’s more of us out there, but it’s definitely a small club. Kudos to you for seeing the utility in carrying a multitool. While the Arc does have some nice features, I’m still not certain that it will replace my Charge TTi, which has had a home in my pocket for almost 15 years now.
Great review, the part where the wire cutters don’t completely cut through. Maybe it’s made to score the wire then complete the cut. That way you don’t ruin the cutters?
Here is my idea for Leatherman that would change EVERYTHING. Instead of a micro bit driver, a bit driver, and a t-shank holder, just make the t-shank holder one of the outside tools. Then make the bit driver and micro bit driver in a t-shank form. Also you could make all the more secondary used tools in this format. This would free up tool slots for so many other possibilities. Or even heaven forbid, loose a layer in the with. Yes I said it. Think of all the possibilities you could do with this. Any new tools you wanted to come out with could be in a t-shank format. Making your tool “ modular “. Without taking the tool apart. Without voiding warranties. And for me, IF I’m spending that kind of cash on an Arch, it better be my last tool I have to buy for myself for the next 10 years. You could keep releasing new stuff in t-shank form and keep your tools relevant. And at the same time not have to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Why hasn’t someone done this and made the pattens.
I am so happy with my 2nd gen Wave for edc. I also use the st300 for work(got the bad cutters and replaced them for the good ones and now it cuts welding wire like a dream). I was tempted by this tool, but honestly, a magnacut blade is not justification enough for me to replace my Wave as my edc. I'll stick to 420hc since is just so easy to sharpen back to shaving sharp. I don't need such an overkill steel for cutting open silly stuf like small boxes or packages. For outdooring I have my F1x in Elmax and my freep4 so... yeah, no reason for me to spend 300€ in this tool.
I’ve had a Leatherman Wave on my belt for years. I even took up leather working to make my own Sheaths, one that held one of the bit kits, a Flashlight and a pen. Issue is I’ve had one stolen and I’ve miss placed another.(work hazard) Replacing them becomes quite costly. I don’t even want to think about how pissed I’d be if a $200+ dollar tool was lost or stolen. I just got a previously owned Free P2… I wish it were an Arc. I miss my bits. Still on the fence.😊
Ive replaced my Charge TTI with the ARC a few months ago. My only complaint is the pocket clip is weak. I broke 2 by snagging it on something while just walking around. Im now belt carrying it with a lanyard. Still annoyed about the clip, though.
@16:53...it almost sounds like leatherman wants you to store the bit and the micro bit in the bit kit, and install when you use them. Since the included bit kit has an empty slot for each of the included bits. Not ideal, but I can understand their logic.
So I'm definitely going to start out with the Harbor Freight 20 in one multi tool to see if it's even something I stick with. The problem with the cutters really sucks and I hope they dial in the heat treatment of the magnacut blade by the time I decide to upgrade or get a replacement.
I’ve got no problems with my ARC. I have so few problems that I bought the obsidian for me, and then 2 more regular ones as gifts for my brother and father. It’s a fantastic knife and tool. I use it everyday as a tradesman (plumbing/hvac) and it’s never let me down. Just now sharpening it after 14 months.
Victorinox swiss champ with knipex pliers all I need. I bought so many different multi tools but when I got a Victorinox the rest seemed not worth it. I still like them though and do carry them. Just not as much as my Victorinox. Still waiting for roxon flex though to try it out.
They're still selling the Free K2 series of knives, so it's not the only LM that's made in the USA. Oddly enough, LM is selling their Free P2 & P4 on Amazon Canada as I write this, may 22nd/'24.
I know a lot of people will complain about that gap on the bottom of the cutters but honestly I think it's some type of wire stripper I use it all the time for stripping wire and it's the easiest way to take the plastic off the wire
I see that the P2 and P4 are zvailable on amazon canada at least. Great review of the pros and cons! For the bit kit (this is just a thought/guess), i wonder if only some of the bits are made in USA which is why theyre not a full half of the set.
If the ARC want to be the Charge of Free platform and leave the Wave platform in the past, Leatherman needs to get Wave and Surge substitutes in Free platform.
The opening at the bottom of the pliers is actually a wire stripper i believe or at least it's what i use it for on my LM charge tti. the round shape make it easy to strip many different size wire.
I work in the firearms industry and having the swappable bit kit and being able to operate one handed is a life saver. Ive been rocking with this since its launch and I love it. Also I have bad ADHD and having something to occupy my hands and swing open and close is a plus if anyone cares
@@alexanderrebielak9974 needed a more generalized tool. I did originally want the MUT. The Mut is amazing and ill definitely be picking one up but to start I went with the arc
Overall I’m very pleased with my arc. Initially I had buyers remorse because it was so expensive but I use it everyday and I haven’t bought a new tool since because well I have the arc it’s got everything I want. Prior I was getting a new tool every month because I was never 100% happy with the tool load out there was always a compromise. I did buy aftermarket cutters and Thumb studs for the saw and file so that was an additional cost to the tool
Not sure about the 230$ "anywhere". It's 300€ here in Germany. I'm a mechanic and I need a multitool to wear on my belt everyday, so I'd be getting my money's worth no matter how much i pay for a multitool. Thing is there's no real alternative to what the Arc offers. Half of the Leatherman tools have serrated blades or two blades, and being a hobbyist knifemaker myself thats a dealbreaker for me. I will also need a lot of versatility with the bits, and the exchangeable bits and precision bits are what I want on a multitool. Of course, something like the sharpener or whistle on the Signal is absolutely useless to me. Made in USA is also really cool to have. I also like the size and weight of the Arc, it's pretty much the sweet spot imo. Now in Germany I'd be paying more than twice of what a Wave+ would cost me, and that's hard to swallow. I've been looking at the MUT as well but I don't like the blade, ans that too costs beyond 240€. So yeah. I'll make a decision soon on which tool to get and there are so many options but all come with their own downsides. I've been focusing on Leatherman just to keep the options in check. Good video, so thank you, but I'm still on the edge, its just that I haven't really found anything with a toolset as useful as the Arcs. Two more questions: where did you get the custom scales for your EDC Arc, and would happen to know if there are Four-Wing leatherman bits? I'm in aircraft maintenance and Four-Wing are the most common screws I'll be working with.
@@warrenstanford7240 Thanks for explaining how all professional mechanics work. It's wrong though. Aircrafts MROs usually have centralized tool cribs with tracked and serialized tooling to minimize the risk of foreign objects remaining in the aircraft. As such, if we come across a small issue that needs a tool, such as a stuck latch or particularly stubborn packaging, we would have to go to the tool crib and either check out a toolset or take out a single tool for the job, and as you can imagine, hangars can be pretty big. Or maybe you're on a ladder, a dock or a crane platform, maybe just far away from your tools. You can save some minutes and a lot of steps if you just have the most commonly needed tools in a nice and compact form on your belt. A multitool doesn't replace a quality tool set, that was never the point. You're not gonna change an engine with just a Leatherman. You just save some time and hassle if you need a basic tool on the go. So why don't you let me do the worrying about what I "need"?
@@slothworks7032 Don’t work for Boeing do you? As the local Airbus wing manufacturing plant wouldn’t allow anyone to wear a non compliant tool never mind use. 🤔
@@warrenstanford7240 I don't work for Boeing, no. We're allowed to have certain personal tools such as a Leatherman, personal flashlights and headlamps, small Cobras are also pretty common. A lot of people carry a ratcheting screwdriver with a bit kit in the handle. You definitely shouldn't turn bolts with a Multitool but there's dozens of small tasks everyday where a multitool comes in handy and running to get the full kit just isn't convenient. Not just on the aircraft itself, also with tooling, machinery, lots of things you come across on the go. All personal tools we bring in have to be registered with the tooling department, it's then engraved with a tracking number and you have to do inspections before and after every job as well as present it to your foremen on occasion to uphold the foreign object safety regulations. Bits are to be stored in bit kits or boxes, and every slot in a bit holder has to be taken when the work's finished or you're dealing with a lost tool, which could result in an aircraft being grounded. Pliers and Bit drivers on a leatherman are still pliers and bit drivers, so in that sense, as long as we get it registered with our tooling department, that makes it approved and compliant, thus we can use them.
I have a shelf queen P4 and one I've used 4 years. The ARC is EVERYTHING I ever wanted in the P4. Except, as you said, the cutters. Why pull the notch in? Anyway, the cutters on my P4 were perfect and apparently a stellar batch. Cut thousands of hard wire and welding wire rods with them. Anyway, I took them out and gently wire wheeled with my dremel to make them cleaner, then took them off, took the ARC cuts off, and swapped them. After? The ARC is absolutely perfection. LM, put P4 2019/2020 era cutters on the ARC. Once swapped? Fine copper strand to hard welding rod wire cutting became as nice as the 2019/2020 P2/P4 cutters. On the P4? Somehow the cutters close over a bit better than on the ARC. likely the screw holes are 1/100" off a bit. The ARC is perfect now. Absolutely perfect. I don't use as a hammer end on. I do it on the side of the pliers mounting. No issues doing that on the P4, and the ARC seems to be built that way too. I am immensely happy with it now. And have my P4 if the ARC goes out for repair. Find cutters from 2019/2020 LMs to install. Then flawless.
I've had my arc about as long as you have, and I carry it every day, though in my bag. maybe that doesn't count, I don't care. I didn't even realize the problem with the wire cutters because I hardly ever use them, but I now know I've got the bad ones and will replace them. I haven't needed to use the hammer end, but I'll definitely be wary of the bits coming out. overall very helpful review even for someone already carrying one
I hadn't carried a multi-tool in over 20 years and back then it was a Gerber.I kept seeing ads for the Arc on Facebook and decided to take the plunge. With the 30% discount Leatherman offers for first responders/teachers/military/medical staff it brought the cost down to about $170. Without the discount after tax is closer to $250. So far I love the Arc and how easy it is to open the pliers and tools. What I hate is the sheath......well all of their sheaths. I want to carry the Arc horizontal/scout vs vertical. I ordered the XL molle sheath and it arrived today which I thought would work but the molle straps are just too narrow to fit a 1.5" belt through the loops. Also the elastic on the sides is so big you can't fit the bit extender into it. It's like tossing a hot dog down a hallway (I heard that from a comedian about a different subject years ago hehehe). I tried using velcro belt keepers but they're so flimsy I'm about to try and make my own from thicker nylon and actual Velcro brand hook & loop to go through the belt loop on the original sheath and attach it to mt belt. I forgot to mention that I had signed up for the Leatherman Insider Rewards so that gets me the 40 year warranty vs the 25 year warranty. 40 years from today I'd be 92 years old so this Arc may very well outlast me.
I've never owned a Leatherman in my life but I've been carrying a multitool on my belt every day since 1995 and can't imagine a day without one on my person. The first five years it was a SOG Paratool that had a good plier and knife but not much else. And since 2000 it's been my trusty Victorinox Swisstool Plus since it came on the market. It's good and I like the tools, lock system and the bit set with it's separate wrench. I was tempted by the Wave when it came out but I felt that my Swisstool still was a better tool despite it's weight and rather stubby plier head. Fast forward to now and I must say that the Arc is tempting but I've not had the chance to handle one yet. We'll see how it turns out in the future but one thing is certain and that is that I'll never leave my home without a trusty multitool in my belt.
My initial impression when I bought this was "it feels like it's worth the price" similar to Custom Shop "tool" (PewPew) - for many it won't be worth the bump in price but if you can swing it - it's indeed nice. When my son looked at it and opened the tools he smiled from ear to ear not really saying anything - I said "well I guess I'll have to buy you one or I'll constantly be looking for mine in your room...." For both of the ones I purchased I added a full bit kit and bit extender. For mine I went with a leather holster as I typically don't need the extras every day (and I like the look)....
I am a hard leatherman wingman fan. Honestly it's the lack of spring action pliers that stops me from upgrading. 10/10 i would upgrade if the higher end tools had that feature.
FYI I have the original Wave (not the +), and it is made in USA. It's nice to see stuff stamped with USA on it. =) Thank you for providing this video. I am contemplating on getting this. Currently have 3 Leathermans: Supertool (original), Supertool 200, and Wave (original). Personally none of my 3 tools can be considered one-handed. Even my Wave is difficult for 1-handed operation. ST 200 and it's unlocking mechanism is something to be desired. Original ST is rough on the hands when using the pliers. Of my 3, Wave is my favorite, and maybe adding the Arc may change my mind.
I just had a thought. What if you could get an arch with two blade. One in the magna cut and another in the regular steel but in a different shape like a tonto or another shape. And add the hook on top like the charge. That hook is such a good package opener.
So haunt a wire stripper at the base of the pliers is a downvote? Don’t get me wrong, I’m just a bond owner with a belt clip after having an original for years. I just don’t understand the lanyard loop as a fold out option when I could have a wood saw instead. Anyone got a solution for perhaps replacing the file with a saw and not using the lanyard loop as a tensioner from what I can gather because it’s almost half as thick as the tools!
I love the free series. I have the wave, surge and other variants. Once I put the free series in hand I loved it. I’ve been considering upgrading to the ARC, but I don’t know if it’s worth the cost of 2 free P2/P4’s. lol. However I really do miss the bit drivers (used to on the wave/surge. I would love to have that again with the free series.
Can we just talk about for a second, and please share input on the reoccurring "gap" issue. The most common point in every review is the revised REPLACEABLE wire cutters that now feature a gap compared to the old style. No one seems to touch on, this is not a revised hard wire cutter, this is a revised wire stripper!. Anyone that has tried to strip multicore thinner gauge wire knows the old style just mash it! You have to use a supporting finger to brace not fully closing the tool and just cutting through your strip point. My arc is on order, but i know from my surge, rebar and MUT , fine wire stripping takes some finesse. Yes the downside is when making a hard wire cut, coathanger test etc we know have to lift the material up and line it within the now smaller jaws. Pros and cons there. But i feel most these reviews on the subject is not the tools fault but operator error.... thoughts?
I definitely was eager to purchase one, but they appear to be out of stock everywhere online, dunno why. I reverted to the Signal model, hope i did not made a mistake here 🤔
I have the P4 and I hate how the unlock tabs rub on my leg when it’s in my pocket. I wonder if they changed the unlock tabs on this version so they aren’t so sharp.
once bought compact leatherman made compact scissor ,thought USA made but it doesn't cut & the joint is weak . Sadly another tweeter also broken while has been generally used , also the wave piler joint also twisted while using . Luckily there are plenty of quality alternative without stuck at the name & sadly USA made. I just got the nextool pioneer tool, which is a good & very versatile .thanks for this channel
Or if that doesn’t work make everything in a bit form including the t-shank. Either way you could eliminate the thickest slots, and the need for dedicated slots.
You mentioned that you had 2 frustrations, that sound like they might solve each other. 1st, the bits fall out if you use the impact surface. 2nd, there are empty spots in the extra tool kit. To me it feels intentional, so you can take the bits out of the Arc and store them in the empty slots of the accessory toolkit if you're using the impact surface so you don't lose them.
Here is another thought, I like the fact that you can use a bit in the plier head on the sog power pint. What if Leatherman made it so you could just use the bits and the extension in this way and put the t shank holder in it instead. Now that would be a game changer.
I found an inexpensive (~$40) Chinese multitool that had a hammerhead and a small axe head. It just has a basic tool set but when I know I might need to pound something it is good enough to bring with. Using an expensive multitool as a hammer does not feel right.
My homemade multiplier uses standard driver bits from any hardware store. Is big enough for my hands , has excellent leverage with the full size pliers to easily use any socket set to drive 3 to 6 inch lag bolts into wall studs. I find i slightly larger homemade multiplier is much better than multipliers made smaller that are the whole market
I love my Arc, been carrying it every day, but I've been having nitpicks with the blade ever since messing around with it. Like you said, since it's Magnacut it does not need to be nearly as thick as it is, but I feel like they could also lop off a huge portion of the spine so it's not sticking out of the handle so much. The thumbstud also feels like it should be way closer to the pivot to get a more consistent action when flicking the blade open, as opposed to slow-rolling it. Everything else about the Arc's tools I've been able to enjoy, but the blade right now is just a shoddy backup for my primary blade 😅
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank you for mentioning the left handed point of view! ❤
Got an ARC when they 1st dropped and had a bit of buyers remorse. However after using it these past months that regret is 100% gone, the ARC is without question a great multitool. Zero regrets owning and worth the money.
I don't see any actual test videos. Have you put it through its paces pretty good?
Leatherman blade upgrade kits would be amazing for existing tools.
Ebay and etsy is how up graded my wave to s30v. Etsy has a shop "austinschoolhouse" and a guy from Ukraine I can't remember his shop but he has awesome customer service. Usps lost a package and he sent me a new blade 3 days later.
That would be pretty cool. I upgraded the blade on my free p2 by purchasing a non-serated blade on eBay and swapping out the stock partial serrated blade. I think the blade I got came from a free t4 (one of their knife based tools)
@@jon27d very cool
What are those, do you have a link?
@@deniznarin Like I said WOULD. They don't have them
Wife got me the arc as a Christmas gift. I will not leave my bedroom without that thing in my pocket. I’ve owned many multi-tools this in my opinion was the best one ever made.
carried a leatherman, every single day of my life since my first one, bought on a visit to the US in 1984 carried one ever since. at home at work. have the original, wave, supertool and surge, and MUTnever seen the need to replace the surge still use it daily
Probably the most thoughtful, thorough, and honest review on the ARC. On another note, you are a little heavy-handed and overdramatic on the whole “you MUST carry this on your person” for it to be worth it. Really? People buy art that just sits on their walls and can cost thousands of dollars. We all do this with certain kinds of purchases, even the most no-nonsense blue-collar worker does this in their own way. There’s more to life than just pure function and value. Sometimes just fit and finish and the beauty of an object is enough to justify the price. $230? Literally just go out to eat two times less this year and you’ve paid for it. Now I agree that if a persons goal is pure value-to-usage ratio than you 100% correct. But as I said, that’s not the only factor that’s important when making a purchase. Also, “expensive” is completely relative and subjective based on a number of factors. Expensive compared to what? Many of the reviewers who balk at the ARC’s price have no problem dropping $200+ for a single fixed blade. I think we need to keep things in perspective.
Most of the people I talk to feel that $230 is massively expensive..but like you I think amortization, and If I use it regularly..I can probably justify it.
Can confirm the left handed swap works perfect. First thing i did when i got it. The pivots are two screws in the barrel. If you can get the correct screw to loosen, you dont need to remove every implement to swap the saw and knife.
Speaking as a man with an arc on his hip most of the time, I dont regret my purchase
i second this, i keep an arc on me for work at all times and its an absolute life saver
I third this. I use the Arc at work, I honestly don't think I can go back to my other plier multitools.
I agree. I had a hard time giving up my tti, but the Arc has found a home on my hip as well.
Have you been able to really test it since you've had it?
@@tophr2710 test? I use it daily
I enjoy wearing this every day clipped to my kilt straps. No worries about pocket space and equally easy to grab at a moment's notice!
I reckon with a kilt all your tools are easy grab... lmao.. sorry couldn't resist the lob
@@ORVONTON64 lol I appreciate it, but I wear underwear at all times because I don't need HR on my ass lol
@@Hexsyn Just tell women not to look like they do to men.
Truly honest long term review, thank you!
I've had countless Leathermans and this is by far my favorite. Rides clipped in my pocket, Bark River Bushcraft Scout on the hip. All my bases are covered. Worth every penny
You're exactly right Dominic. I lost the micro bit from just using the pliers fencing. Also just like you said the new cutters are awful, when I'm cutting electric wire multiple times I don't want to waste time looking at where to position the wire in the cutters. I'm back to carrying the Spirit MX Clip, it's hard to beat and is my favorite.
It may be nice, shiny, new, latest & greatest… but it’ll never replace my Surge(s).
Agreed! Surge is king I don’t see what all the hype is about for this arc. I can do all this and more with my surge. I don’t care about having a magnacut blade on my multi tool. I have premium blade steel on my edc knives
@@HorsepowerHeaven the Surge is awesome. I think the only tool that can say they're on par with is the SpiritX. But I don't have a Spirit X so i can't compare
my surge is collecting dust in the drawer. i use my arc & free p4 way more than it but my spirits are still the best
@@nitric75 - send it to me if you don’t want it!
@@jarvisskooge8602 i just keep it as part of my MT collection since its the silver+black version but i am not going to use it. A disappointment i would say
Now after 3 years as the owner of a Leatherman, I have to say that the alloy of the metal used there is really inferior because after breaking the pliers several times, regardless of the model, I am not convinced of the quality of these multitools! I will buy and use Victorinox again in the future because their quality is much better.
which pliers vic u carry?
@ngwithipad : The last thing I wore was the Wave, where one of the jaws broke off the third time, even after the free repair from Leatherman Germany. Three times in a row doesn't speak for quality.Now I prefer the Victorinox Spirit X Plus.
I think whatever your doing requires a forged plier. You may be one of the people that would be better served carrying a dedicated plier like knipex 125 cobra.
I find it wild that you keep breaking the pliers. I own many leatherman multitools and I have never broken the pliers on any of them which makes me think that you are probably using it well beyond its intended purpose and should be using full size pliers. On the other hand I have a spirit x that I like but the handles flex way to much, and I permanently damaged the wire cutter with usage I routinely give my leathermans. So even though I liked the spirit, I will not be buying victorinox multitools again.
@@stevenm4743ничего дикого в этом нет. В интернете полно фото сломанных пассатижей Leatherman .. Их огромное количество, как и сломанных рам.. А сломанный Victorinox надо еще поискать. И да, надо было брать "старший" Swisstool, а не Spirit, он как полированный танк
Thanks for making this! Really appreciate the pros and cons. Too expensive and not enough of an improvement over my well worn Wave.
Thanks for this review. It helped me to decide to wait on the arc, and hopefully in a year or two they will have worked some of the bugs out!
My guess is they left those slots in the bit kit empty so you can put the bits that are on the tool in there before using the tool as a hammer 😅
Hold on you just cooked😂🧠
Thanks for the video Dominic! Personally the single handed deployment and the tool range did it for me.
Great video, I carry a multitool on my hip every day at work . I have carried a Gerber Diesel for almost 8 years before the plier tip broke, I filled out the warranty page on the website but have heard nothing back. The price has gone up a great deal , so before I just instantly replaced it I started shopping around for newer better options. 200+$ seems high until you look at 5 work days a week times 52 weeks= 260. So it is less than a dollar a day , the first year. After that it is paid for. as long as the warranty holds. As a Technician/mechanic I have spent far more on tools I have used twice. I am concerned about the cutters as I don't need a notch to properly strip wire. Thanks, for your video.
My first leatherman was a wave. The old one, without the bit driver. I upgraded to a surge. The old wave compared to the surge looks like a toy, the surge is meant for working.
If you actually use the saw a lot, the surge is king because you can change to any t-shaft saw blade. Also to the hss blades vor cutting metal. This is a feature the arc doesn´t have. I put some hss saws in the holster.
I have no idea if the magna cut is so much better than the blade steel used by the surge, but if it starts to become dull, i just sharpen it.
Yes, the arc is lighter, but i dont care. Got used to the weight of the surge on my belt and feel naked without it.
I feel like they had to discontinue the free p4 and p2 just so that people have to buy the 100 more arc
I’m starting to think the exact same thing considering it’s been out of stock on their website since before Christmas and hasn’t be in stock since and even stores that would sell them are out of stock
Went with the Garage 005 for the color scheme mostly. Do not like the gold colored blade, nor the stupid can opener. Everything else is decent, although to get a freely opening toolset one must keep the dust, grime, and stuff out of the channels and keep it oiled up or the toolsets do not freely rotate out. More so for those of us with wider fingers.
Most likely. The Arc's not worth the extra. I had one, used it for a week, and then sold it for the $120 they should be selling it for. I'd rather just get a Surge or something that doesn't flex like an Ozark Trail tool and break wire cutters on easy wire and have a custom blade maker make me Magnacut blades at 64+ HRC for it
Not buying the arc. The Surge blows it out of the water
Yes exactly this lol they just filling markets at this point
I have 5 Leatherman multi tools and you just saved me over 200 bucks on getting my 6th. I'm a collector of knives and tools but only if I really love them do I buy them. When a company drops the ball on design, I let them know it by not giving them my money. I love my Titanium Charge with s30v blade that is thin and works great, has great cutters, use them all the time and the bad ass saw and serrated blade with the hook cutter, I keep one in each vehicle and one here at my desk. I love well made stuff not just good looking stuff but this video has shown me that this has an up graded price but is not very upgraded in quality and I want quality if I'm going to get a replacement Leatherman.
Just orders the charge tti I cannot wait 💪
Thanks very complete. Ive carrird a leatherman in my pocket every day for years. Kids got it for me for fathersday. Recently misplaced. Just cant be without. Just orderd mine luckily my son in college & 30% discount was awesome. Cant wait. Start every day with surefire in left pocket & leatherman in right picket.
I own almost every leatherman multi tool, some in duplicate. They will forever be shelved after receiving the arc as a gift from my wife for Christmas. Absolutely love it. But yes I agree, you have to be a person that carries a leatherman tool every day to appreciate it. I cannot say enough about the blades edge retention compared to the regular 420c. Even far superior to leathermans 154cm that's on my skelatool cx.
How does the blade compare to a charge tti?
I’ve been carrying a multitool on my belt since 1995, almost 30 years. I agree, if you aren’t going to carry this tool and use it everyday, don’t buy it. For me, it is everything I ever wanted in a Leatherman tool.
The bits/holder complaint frustrates me. Normally, if you get a tool that comes with bits whether it's a drill, a driver, or a socket set, it will come with storage for those bits. And the storage is always able to hold ALL the bits, not all minus one that needs to be kept in the tool, ALL. The Leatherman Arc is not an exception, the holder has space for all 10 bits the tool comes with INCLUDING the standard #1/#2/Flat bit that comes pre-installed in the tool, and the precision bit that is also already in the tool. This means that if you take a bit out, it has its own slot to go into in the holder, it doesn't need to be put in the slot that belongs to another bit in a game of "musical bit holders" - each bit has its own designated slot, even if one of them rarely lives there it should have that slot available. It comes with a holder for 10 bits and a precision bit, and it comes with ten bits and a precision bit - exactly correct. Bit kits only come with no open slots because they can't make assumptions about what you do/don't already have, the kit needs to be a complete stand-alone product.
Also I don't buy the argument of needing a spare precision bit, idk what you're planning to do with it that might bend/break it but you probably shouldn't have been doing it. By the same argument, it should come with a spare set of wire cutters but none of them do.
I somewhat understand the complaint about the kit being a mix of bits between the two normal kits, but we have to assume Leatherman chose what they thought was the most useful assortment without assuming the customer is going to buy additional accessories to "complete" the set. If all you ever bought was this tool with those bits, is it a good set? That's the question to ask. It might not be the best set for a given user, but it's probably supposed to be "best over all" but that's very subjective.
Honestly, the better argument is that they shouldn't have included the bits at all. Just sell the tool for less money, and let the customer buy a bit kit if I want it.
You’re opinion is not gooder than his one.
17:30 think the idea was to let you keep all the bits off the multi tool and in the bit holder if you preferred
Came here to say this.
I'm glad the knife is thick. You can actually use it outdoors without fear of bending it, or the blade skipping. You want a slim knife, buy a slim knife. Multitool should be something that works when it needs and that you don't need to have silk gloves to fiddle with it. Works well on the northern side of arctic circle year round.
I thought this was really fair and balanced. The section on the pricing at the very end was well thought out. Nice done.
I have carried a leatherman daily for the last 20 years. Wave, Charge, Charge Ti, Free P4, and now the Arc. I say I love the Arc. It reminds me of why I loved the Charge so much. The tool set. I have moved my P4 to my EDC bag so it's available but my Arc is my new daily.
Have been owning charge all the time. First TTI and now the orange one. Perfect tool
fantastic. you helped me dodge a bullet. the cutters and Txx bits are among my most used tools. i'll pass until Leatherman gets this sorted.
Great review! And just sharing some thoughts!
16:22 I would just flip open the two screw driver when use the hammer for extended period.
17:28 fortunately, they do sell the precision bit set of 3 separately, as of now at least, lol!
Thanks for the video! I love my P4 and would like to buy the Arc but with all my other Leatherman tools this is gonna wait…..but probably not for very long.
Hello. Really enjoying your videos. To me as a Canadian this is way too expensive. It is listed at $299.00 Cad and with taxes it would be $338.00 Cad. As a Canadian I would have to earn $500 at work to get enough after tax dollars to pay for this. I could buy a lot of tools for that kind of money. Who cares about Magnacut. To me it means nothing. A regular blade steel will last me a week of work and then sharpen the damn thing. No way I would pay that kind of money for a tool to perhaps be lost or stolen at work. Shelf Queen only if your a collector.
Go buy them tools then, any of them come with a 25 year warranty?
When you break it down it's costing less than 15 a year. For a tool that's going to.last and has a great warranty. Sorry your comment doesn't make sense, if it wasnt for the warranty I would agree with you.
Some tools at crappytire have lifetime warranty. You can exchange broken tools without a receipt for a new one in stock at any location.
@@xzx31 ex crappy tire employee here, if it’s a hand tool and it’s Mastercraft or maximum it was lifetime😎
lol take off ya hoser. Canada is a godless desert. 🇺🇸
I bought 2 the day they were released and fidgeted with one I opened quite a bit. The biggest issue keeping me from carrying it around was the heavy weight. It’s excessive unless you wear a belt, and I never do. I sold one and the other sits on the shelf. The crappy cutters definitely helped take the fun out too. Nice vid covering extended use.
You never wear a belt???? Lol, even my bathing suit has a belt lol.
I’ve had a leatherman for years 20 plus but can not take it out side in the UK as it safety feature (locking blade) makes it illegal. I apparently need a REALLY good reason lol.
The missing bits are the ones that are in the multi tool when you get it
I’ll stick with my Wave+ and Swisstool Spirit X. Both together including a Rebar bit kit that works with both, cost me less than the Arc.
Right my Wave is a beast I replaced the pliers for the Rebar pliers and it's unstoppable. Also I bought the s30v blade from a guy on esty and leathermans s30v is better than my Benchmade's
I work as a mine fleet IT tech maintaining and repairing various systems on haul trucks, dozers, shovels, etc. and the Arc is the number one most-used tool in my inventory. It's come in clutch so many times I don't even know. Even at home I use it all the time
Amen regarding your comment about high cost multitools being only worth it if they’re carried on person. Sure, there may be some edge cases to the contrary, but your point is valid. I’ve been carrying a multitool since 1984 or so, and that was the very first Leatherman multitool. I was in the Air Force back then and even carried it when I worked on F-16s, which was a no-no, but I did it anyway. I just had to ensure I was hyper diligent with how I carried and used it. It actually got us out of a number of pinches when we had to air up landing gear struts or whatever on a jet that was waiting to take off at the “end-of-runway”, and we didn’t have a tool box in the truck. Regardless, I’ve had a multitool in my pocket nearly everyday for the past 40 years, and I feel naked with out it. I’m well known for being the go-to guy who can and does fix almost anything, and my trusty Charge TTi is a big part of that. There’s not a day that my Leatherman does not make an appearance on some task. I’ve only met one other person who also carries a multitool for EDC. I’m sure there’s more of us out there, but it’s definitely a small club. Kudos to you for seeing the utility in carrying a multitool. While the Arc does have some nice features, I’m still not certain that it will replace my Charge TTi, which has had a home in my pocket for almost 15 years now.
Great review, the part where the wire cutters don’t completely cut through. Maybe it’s made to score the wire then complete the cut. That way you don’t ruin the cutters?
Here is my idea for Leatherman that would change EVERYTHING. Instead of a micro bit driver, a bit driver, and a t-shank holder, just make the t-shank holder one of the outside tools. Then make the bit driver and micro bit driver in a t-shank form. Also you could make all the more secondary used tools in this format. This would free up tool slots for so many other possibilities. Or even heaven forbid, loose a layer in the with. Yes I said it. Think of all the possibilities you could do with this. Any new tools you wanted to come out with could be in a t-shank format. Making your tool “ modular “. Without taking the tool apart. Without voiding warranties. And for me, IF I’m spending that kind of cash on an Arch, it better be my last tool I have to buy for myself for the next 10 years. You could keep releasing new stuff in t-shank form and keep your tools relevant. And at the same time not have to reinvent the wheel so to speak. Why hasn’t someone done this and made the pattens.
Unless I'm mistaken, the gap at the bottom edge of the cutters (in the pliers) is designed to be a wire stripper?
Im staying with my Surge, Knipex set and Esee Fixed blades.
I am so happy with my 2nd gen Wave for edc. I also use the st300 for work(got the bad cutters and replaced them for the good ones and now it cuts welding wire like a dream).
I was tempted by this tool, but honestly, a magnacut blade is not justification enough for me to replace my Wave as my edc. I'll stick to 420hc since is just so easy to sharpen back to shaving sharp. I don't need such an overkill steel for cutting open silly stuf like small boxes or packages.
For outdooring I have my F1x in Elmax and my freep4 so... yeah, no reason for me to spend 300€ in this tool.
I’ve had a Leatherman Wave on my belt for years. I even took up leather working to make my own Sheaths, one that held one of the bit kits, a Flashlight and a pen. Issue is I’ve had one stolen and I’ve miss placed another.(work hazard) Replacing them becomes quite costly. I don’t even want to think about how pissed I’d be if a $200+ dollar tool was lost or stolen. I just got a previously owned Free P2… I wish it were an Arc. I miss my bits. Still on the fence.😊
Ive replaced my Charge TTI with the ARC a few months ago. My only complaint is the pocket clip is weak. I broke 2 by snagging it on something while just walking around. Im now belt carrying it with a lanyard. Still annoyed about the clip, though.
This just happened to me but the clip on the Free P4. I 95% love my Charge TTI, but have been looking at selling and upgrading to the ARC.
@16:53...it almost sounds like leatherman wants you to store the bit and the micro bit in the bit kit, and install when you use them. Since the included bit kit has an empty slot for each of the included bits. Not ideal, but I can understand their logic.
Then they should convey that somewhere before someone loses a bit.
I'll wait to see what Roxon has next before swiping my card
So I'm definitely going to start out with the Harbor Freight 20 in one multi tool to see if it's even something I stick with. The problem with the cutters really sucks and I hope they dial in the heat treatment of the magnacut blade by the time I decide to upgrade or get a replacement.
I’ve got no problems with my ARC. I have so few problems that I bought the obsidian for me, and then 2 more regular ones as gifts for my brother and father.
It’s a fantastic knife and tool. I use it everyday as a tradesman (plumbing/hvac) and it’s never let me down. Just now sharpening it after 14 months.
Victorinox swiss champ with knipex pliers all I need.
I bought so many different multi tools but when I got a Victorinox the rest seemed not worth it. I still like them though and do carry them. Just not as much as my Victorinox.
Still waiting for roxon flex though to try it out.
They're still selling the Free K2 series of knives, so it's not the only LM that's made in the USA. Oddly enough, LM is selling their Free P2 & P4 on Amazon Canada as I write this, may 22nd/'24.
I know a lot of people will complain about that gap on the bottom of the cutters but honestly I think it's some type of wire stripper I use it all the time for stripping wire and it's the easiest way to take the plastic off the wire
Sorry, not letting them off the hook for bad design.
If that was their intent, they'd be bragging about how the Arc has 21 tools instead of 20.
I see that the P2 and P4 are zvailable on amazon canada at least.
Great review of the pros and cons!
For the bit kit (this is just a thought/guess), i wonder if only some of the bits are made in USA which is why theyre not a full half of the set.
The tool set and the one handed access is what does it for me. If it was $100 cheaper and it had the regular steel blade that would be even better❤
If the ARC want to be the Charge of Free platform and leave the Wave platform in the past, Leatherman needs to get Wave and Surge substitutes in Free platform.
The opening at the bottom of the pliers is actually a wire stripper i believe or at least it's what i use it for on my LM charge tti. the round shape make it easy to strip many different size wire.
I have one
Using it at work and its bloody awesome.
I have a terrible habit of loosing my leather man multis.
I bloody hope i dont loose this one!
I work in the firearms industry and having the swappable bit kit and being able to operate one handed is a life saver. Ive been rocking with this since its launch and I love it. Also I have bad ADHD and having something to occupy my hands and swing open and close is a plus if anyone cares
@Itznotretro4522 Why not the MUT?
@@alexanderrebielak9974 needed a more generalized tool. I did originally want the MUT. The Mut is amazing and ill definitely be picking one up but to start I went with the arc
Overall I’m very pleased with my arc. Initially I had buyers remorse because it was so expensive but I use it everyday and I haven’t bought a new tool since because well I have the arc it’s got everything I want. Prior I was getting a new tool every month because I was never 100% happy with the tool load out there was always a compromise.
I did buy aftermarket cutters and
Thumb studs for the saw and file so that was an additional cost to the tool
Where did you get the cutters?
@@stephenbayley1441 Ali express. It’s a little sad I needed to do that to get good cutters. BudgetHVAC did a video on them.
The Wave is the best. I’ve had it for 15 years and sent it back twice for warranty. They sent me back a new one.
Not sure about the 230$ "anywhere". It's 300€ here in Germany.
I'm a mechanic and I need a multitool to wear on my belt everyday, so I'd be getting my money's worth no matter how much i pay for a multitool.
Thing is there's no real alternative to what the Arc offers. Half of the Leatherman tools have serrated blades or two blades, and being a hobbyist knifemaker myself thats a dealbreaker for me. I will also need a lot of versatility with the bits, and the exchangeable bits and precision bits are what I want on a multitool. Of course, something like the sharpener or whistle on the Signal is absolutely useless to me. Made in USA is also really cool to have.
I also like the size and weight of the Arc, it's pretty much the sweet spot imo.
Now in Germany I'd be paying more than twice of what a Wave+ would cost me, and that's hard to swallow. I've been looking at the MUT as well but I don't like the blade, ans that too costs beyond 240€.
So yeah. I'll make a decision soon on which tool to get and there are so many options but all come with their own downsides. I've been focusing on Leatherman just to keep the options in check.
Good video, so thank you, but I'm still on the edge, its just that I haven't really found anything with a toolset as useful as the Arcs.
Two more questions: where did you get the custom scales for your EDC Arc, and would happen to know if there are Four-Wing leatherman bits? I'm in aircraft maintenance and Four-Wing are the most common screws I'll be working with.
Sadly there are no 4 wing, and the link to the sticker scales are below
A professional mechanic doesn’t need a multi tool they work out of a workshop or mobile van tooled out with Snap-On and other precision equipment. 🤔🤫
@@warrenstanford7240 Thanks for explaining how all professional mechanics work. It's wrong though. Aircrafts MROs usually have centralized tool cribs with tracked and serialized tooling to minimize the risk of foreign objects remaining in the aircraft. As such, if we come across a small issue that needs a tool, such as a stuck latch or particularly stubborn packaging, we would have to go to the tool crib and either check out a toolset or take out a single tool for the job, and as you can imagine, hangars can be pretty big. Or maybe you're on a ladder, a dock or a crane platform, maybe just far away from your tools. You can save some minutes and a lot of steps if you just have the most commonly needed tools in a nice and compact form on your belt. A multitool doesn't replace a quality tool set, that was never the point. You're not gonna change an engine with just a Leatherman. You just save some time and hassle if you need a basic tool on the go. So why don't you let me do the worrying about what I "need"?
@@slothworks7032 Don’t work for Boeing do you? As the local Airbus wing manufacturing plant wouldn’t allow anyone to wear a non compliant tool never mind use. 🤔
@@warrenstanford7240 I don't work for Boeing, no.
We're allowed to have certain personal tools such as a Leatherman, personal flashlights and headlamps, small Cobras are also pretty common. A lot of people carry a ratcheting screwdriver with a bit kit in the handle. You definitely shouldn't turn bolts with a Multitool but there's dozens of small tasks everyday where a multitool comes in handy and running to get the full kit just isn't convenient. Not just on the aircraft itself, also with tooling, machinery, lots of things you come across on the go.
All personal tools we bring in have to be registered with the tooling department, it's then engraved with a tracking number and you have to do inspections before and after every job as well as present it to your foremen on occasion to uphold the foreign object safety regulations. Bits are to be stored in bit kits or boxes, and every slot in a bit holder has to be taken when the work's finished or you're dealing with a lost tool, which could result in an aircraft being grounded.
Pliers and Bit drivers on a leatherman are still pliers and bit drivers, so in that sense, as long as we get it registered with our tooling department, that makes it approved and compliant, thus we can use them.
I have a shelf queen P4 and one I've used 4 years. The ARC is EVERYTHING I ever wanted in the P4. Except, as you said, the cutters. Why pull the notch in? Anyway, the cutters on my P4 were perfect and apparently a stellar batch. Cut thousands of hard wire and welding wire rods with them. Anyway, I took them out and gently wire wheeled with my dremel to make them cleaner, then took them off, took the ARC cuts off, and swapped them. After? The ARC is absolutely perfection. LM, put P4 2019/2020 era cutters on the ARC. Once swapped? Fine copper strand to hard welding rod wire cutting became as nice as the 2019/2020 P2/P4 cutters. On the P4? Somehow the cutters close over a bit better than on the ARC. likely the screw holes are 1/100" off a bit. The ARC is perfect now. Absolutely perfect. I don't use as a hammer end on. I do it on the side of the pliers mounting. No issues doing that on the P4, and the ARC seems to be built that way too.
I am immensely happy with it now. And have my P4 if the ARC goes out for repair. Find cutters from 2019/2020 LMs to install. Then flawless.
I've had my arc about as long as you have, and I carry it every day, though in my bag. maybe that doesn't count, I don't care. I didn't even realize the problem with the wire cutters because I hardly ever use them, but I now know I've got the bad ones and will replace them. I haven't needed to use the hammer end, but I'll definitely be wary of the bits coming out. overall very helpful review even for someone already carrying one
The slot at the bottom of cutters is for stripping wire. This is a feature not a bug.
Thumbstud was my reason to buy it... magna cut was the bonus... because i was very happy for a long time with the 134cm from the skeletool...
I hadn't carried a multi-tool in over 20 years and back then it was a Gerber.I kept seeing ads for the Arc on Facebook and decided to take the plunge. With the 30% discount Leatherman offers for first responders/teachers/military/medical staff it brought the cost down to about $170. Without the discount after tax is closer to $250. So far I love the Arc and how easy it is to open the pliers and tools. What I hate is the sheath......well all of their sheaths. I want to carry the Arc horizontal/scout vs vertical. I ordered the XL molle sheath and it arrived today which I thought would work but the molle straps are just too narrow to fit a 1.5" belt through the loops. Also the elastic on the sides is so big you can't fit the bit extender into it. It's like tossing a hot dog down a hallway (I heard that from a comedian about a different subject years ago hehehe). I tried using velcro belt keepers but they're so flimsy I'm about to try and make my own from thicker nylon and actual Velcro brand hook & loop to go through the belt loop on the original sheath and attach it to mt belt.
I forgot to mention that I had signed up for the Leatherman Insider Rewards so that gets me the 40 year warranty vs the 25 year warranty. 40 years from today I'd be 92 years old so this Arc may very well outlast me.
Nice! And yea, the sheaths are trash
well done, very in-depth review
I've never owned a Leatherman in my life but I've been carrying a multitool on my belt every day since 1995 and can't imagine a day without one on my person. The first five years it was a SOG Paratool that had a good plier and knife but not much else. And since 2000 it's been my trusty Victorinox Swisstool Plus since it came on the market. It's good and I like the tools, lock system and the bit set with it's separate wrench. I was tempted by the Wave when it came out but I felt that my Swisstool still was a better tool despite it's weight and rather stubby plier head. Fast forward to now and I must say that the Arc is tempting but I've not had the chance to handle one yet. We'll see how it turns out in the future but one thing is certain and that is that I'll never leave my home without a trusty multitool in my belt.
Was much as I misplace my Leatherman by leaving it in ceilings, etc, I don't know if I want to pluck down $200
My initial impression when I bought this was "it feels like it's worth the price" similar to Custom Shop "tool" (PewPew) - for many it won't be worth the bump in price but if you can swing it - it's indeed nice. When my son looked at it and opened the tools he smiled from ear to ear not really saying anything - I said "well I guess I'll have to buy you one or I'll constantly be looking for mine in your room...." For both of the ones I purchased I added a full bit kit and bit extender. For mine I went with a leather holster as I typically don't need the extras every day (and I like the look)....
It may be nice, shiny, new, latest & greatest… but it’ll never replace my Wawe(s).
I am a hard leatherman wingman fan. Honestly it's the lack of spring action pliers that stops me from upgrading. 10/10 i would upgrade if the higher end tools had that feature.
FYI I have the original Wave (not the +), and it is made in USA. It's nice to see stuff stamped with USA on it. =) Thank you for providing this video. I am contemplating on getting this. Currently have 3 Leathermans: Supertool (original), Supertool 200, and Wave (original). Personally none of my 3 tools can be considered one-handed. Even my Wave is difficult for 1-handed operation. ST 200 and it's unlocking mechanism is something to be desired. Original ST is rough on the hands when using the pliers. Of my 3, Wave is my favorite, and maybe adding the Arc may change my mind.
I just had a thought. What if you could get an arch with two blade. One in the magna cut and another in the regular steel but in a different shape like a tonto or another shape. And add the hook on top like the charge. That hook is such a good package opener.
So haunt a wire stripper at the base of the pliers is a downvote? Don’t get me wrong, I’m just a bond owner with a belt clip after having an original for years. I just don’t understand the lanyard loop as a fold out option when I could have a wood saw instead. Anyone got a solution for perhaps replacing the file with a saw and not using the lanyard loop as a tensioner from what I can gather because it’s almost half as thick as the tools!
Are those custom plates that you have on the outside that are camouflage? Where did you find those? Super cool.
I love the free series. I have the wave, surge and other variants. Once I put the free series in hand I loved it. I’ve been considering upgrading to the ARC, but I don’t know if it’s worth the cost of 2 free P2/P4’s. lol. However I really do miss the bit drivers (used to on the wave/surge. I would love to have that again with the free series.
Can we just talk about for a second, and please share input on the reoccurring "gap" issue. The most common point in every review is the revised REPLACEABLE wire cutters that now feature a gap compared to the old style. No one seems to touch on, this is not a revised hard wire cutter, this is a revised wire stripper!. Anyone that has tried to strip multicore thinner gauge wire knows the old style just mash it! You have to use a supporting finger to brace not fully closing the tool and just cutting through your strip point. My arc is on order, but i know from my surge, rebar and MUT , fine wire stripping takes some finesse. Yes the downside is when making a hard wire cut, coathanger test etc we know have to lift the material up and line it within the now smaller jaws. Pros and cons there. But i feel most these reviews on the subject is not the tools fault but operator error.... thoughts?
Great review. Between my surge, wave, P4, Rebar, MUT, 3 different Juices’…i think i got it covered.
I definitely was eager to purchase one, but they appear to be out of stock everywhere online, dunno why. I reverted to the Signal model, hope i did not made a mistake here 🤔
I want the Arc for the thumb stud on the blade. Finally they made a tool where it's easy to open the blade.
I have the P4 and I hate how the unlock tabs rub on my leg when it’s in my pocket. I wonder if they changed the unlock tabs on this version so they aren’t so sharp.
Great video, thank you for your time.
once bought compact leatherman made compact scissor ,thought USA made but it doesn't cut & the joint is weak . Sadly another tweeter also broken while has been generally used , also the wave piler joint also twisted while using . Luckily there are plenty of quality alternative without stuck at the name & sadly USA made. I just got the nextool pioneer tool, which is a good & very versatile .thanks for this channel
Or if that doesn’t work make everything in a bit form including the t-shank. Either way you could eliminate the thickest slots, and the need for dedicated slots.
The bottom of the cutter is supposed to be a wire stripper that is why it don't cut all the way thru
You mentioned that you had 2 frustrations, that sound like they might solve each other. 1st, the bits fall out if you use the impact surface. 2nd, there are empty spots in the extra tool kit. To me it feels intentional, so you can take the bits out of the Arc and store them in the empty slots of the accessory toolkit if you're using the impact surface so you don't lose them.
You know....they never mentioned it...and that's very logical...but I have my doubts they thought it through that well.
Here is another thought, I like the fact that you can use a bit in the plier head on the sog power pint. What if Leatherman made it so you could just use the bits and the extension in this way and put the t shank holder in it instead. Now that would be a game changer.
Had to double check, got my rebar at the end of 2020, If I ever need a replacement cutter I hope it’s not the worse one
The Leatherman warranty is now 40 years!
Aren’t the bits missing from the bit kit already on the tool…?
Great video, all true for me too and still my favorite EDC multi tool.
I found an inexpensive (~$40) Chinese multitool that had a hammerhead and a small axe head. It just has a basic tool set but when I know I might need to pound something it is good enough to bring with. Using an expensive multitool as a hammer does not feel right.
My homemade multiplier uses standard driver bits from any hardware store. Is big enough for my hands , has excellent leverage with the full size pliers to easily use any socket set to drive 3 to 6 inch lag bolts into wall studs. I find i slightly larger homemade multiplier is much better than multipliers made smaller that are the whole market
You would love the gap in the cutter if you strip wire (removing insulation)
It has a separate wire stripper already
10:50 Couldn't that space be a wire stripper?
I love my Arc, been carrying it every day, but I've been having nitpicks with the blade ever since messing around with it. Like you said, since it's Magnacut it does not need to be nearly as thick as it is, but I feel like they could also lop off a huge portion of the spine so it's not sticking out of the handle so much. The thumbstud also feels like it should be way closer to the pivot to get a more consistent action when flicking the blade open, as opposed to slow-rolling it. Everything else about the Arc's tools I've been able to enjoy, but the blade right now is just a shoddy backup for my primary blade 😅
The hole in the cutters is a good wire stripper and I think that's what it's actually intended for.😊