#LEATHERMAN SIGNAL PORTABLE#
#LEATHERMAN SIGNAL SERIES#

It only has a blade and the needle-nose pliers (with the standard wirecutters built in). Frankly, I’m not sure if I like it or not. The Leatherman Freestyle Topo is one of the more curious Leatherman multi-tools. It’s really a great design and a decent compromise multi-tool. You can open the blade one-handed, which helps make the Skeletool become a decent Everyday Carry (EDC) knife. I can clip the Leatherman Skeletool to a backpack or a fly fishing sling pack or use the pocket clip to pocket it and keep it handy. I like the Skeletool Topo for its better pocketability over the Signal when wearing lightweight shorts because the Skeletool weighs in at a reasonable 5 ounces. The Leatherman Skeletool Multi-Tool is one of Leatherman’s more popular models, and for good reason: It’s lightweight, has a handy carabiner clip, and it has the core tools that you need most: A blade, screwdriver, needle-nose pliers and bottle opener. Leatherman Skeletool Topo Review Leatherman Skeletool Topo Multi-Tool is a versatile REI exclusive. The bottom line is, get the Leatherman Signal if you want a survival-oriented multi-tool that can do most everything well.

#LEATHERMAN SIGNAL PORTABLE#

If you’ve never forgotten matches on any trip, bravo to you, but it has happened to me on those impromptu sorts of trips where hey, a fire on the beach is still legal or the portable barbecue igniter failed. The fire-starter ferro rod is also small, but again, the key is always having it ready. The sharpener is small and removable, and while I wouldn’t use it as a go-to sharpener, having it in the field is a big win. The saw blade is a bit more flexible - but still plenty suitable for sawing branches to make a shelter or spear or whatever. The needle-nose pliers are well-machined with zero side-to-side play in the joint. You can open the saw blade one-handed, too (but it wasn’t designed for one-handed opening). You can open and close the blade one-handed. The Leatherman Signal is well-balanced in your hand, giving you a decent grip when it’s closed. As for the signal whistle, it’s small but surprisingly loud and shrill. In fact, I just gave a Signal as a gift for this very reason - if the new owner ever does get lost, at least he’ll have a chance at starting a fire. Being able to start a fire is a lifesaver, no doubt about it. If I were lost in the woods, I would want the Leatherman Signal with me. And yet, it has a saw, knife sharpener, emergency whistle and a built-in fire-starting ferro rod. On one hand it’s beefy and strong and on the other hand, it’s a bit heavier for backpacking than we’d like (7.5 ounces). The Leatherman Signal ‘Topo’ Multi-Tool is one of our favorite Leatherman multi-tools.

Leatherman Signal Topo Review The Leather Signal Topo Multi-Tool has a built-in a fire-starting ferro rod and a knife sharpener.

odds are, those kinds of people will appreciate the laser etching. If you’re looking for a special gift for a backpacker, hiker, camper, climber, hunter or fisher. The REI ‘Topo’ versions cost about $10 more than the non-topo versions, which REI also sells. Count us in.īefore we take a closer look at each multi-tool, you should know that Leatherman pricing overall is pretty stable across most retail outlets - not a lot of variation. Of course, the laser etchings really are just some fancy styling that will get nicked up with use, but if the photos of this review caught your attention, well, you’re the kind of person Leatherman and REI designed these variants for. The Skeletool and Freestyle share the same blade with the same laser etching while the survival-oriented Signal uses a different blade with a different set of topo lines. Leatherman Signal, Skeletool & Freestyle Topo Multi-Tool Review The REI exclusive Leatherman Freestyle, Signal and Skeletool ‘Topo’ Multi-Tools come with laser-etched blades.Īt the core, these three Leatherman variants are essentially the same as their standard counterparts - the primary difference is the topographical line laser-etched blades, along with an added black or green finish. To get us a closer look, REI sent Man Makes Fire three review units: The Leatherman Signal, Skeletool and Freestyle. Of course, if you’re cynical, the laser etchings are just a cool new decoration.Įither way, the exclusive new REI ‘Topo’ Leatherman variants are aimed at REI’s outdoor-loving audience. The result is simple but it manages to evoke a sense of the outdoors.

#LEATHERMAN SIGNAL SERIES#

The Leatherman and REI-exclusive ‘Topo’ multi-tool series amps up Leatherman designs with laser-etched topographical map lines.