Leatherman Arc worth $230 ?? (One big issue, one perfect fix)  

According to the product page (I'm still waiting mind to be sent while ordered just in the morning on 17th !!!) the included bit kit is weird mix - only metric Hexes and two square Robertson (one of which looks unique). The latter I suppose widely used only in the US and Canada. As the bit set does not differ across the ocean, that looks like "here is the bit kit for free tha half of which you won't ever use" ;))) ARC: #1 Torx #10 & #15, #1 1 Torx #20 & #25 #1 Pozi #2 & #1 #2 Hex 1.5mm & 2mm #2 Hex 2.5mm & 3mm #2 Hex 4mm & 5mm #1 Screwdriver 3/32" & 1/8" #1 Robertson #1 & 2 NONE Robertson #2 & 3 #1 + Square Drive #1 & #2 + Torx #10 & #15 + Torx #20 & #25 Torx #27 & #30 Eyeglass Screwdriver + Pozi #2 & #1 Phillips #1 & #2 Phillips #0 & #3 + Screwdriver 3/32" & 1/8" Screwdriver 5/32" & 3/16" Screwdriver 7/32" & 1/4" #2 Torx #6 & #8 + Hex 1.5mm & 2mm + Hex 2.5mm & 3mm + Hex 4mm & 5mm Hex 6mm & 1/4" Hex 7/32" & 3/16" Hex 5/32 & 9/64" Hex 1/8" & 7/64" Hex 3/32" & 5/64" Hex 1/16" & .050"

Leatherman must really be terrified of people modifying their tools. I can’t believe they’d go so far as to leave out the T8 from the set.

Adding this bit driver does not void the entire warranty. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act explicitly states that no warrantor of a consumer product may condition the warranty on using any specific brand's parts. They would need to prove that your new part directly caused the failure to deny your claim. Warranties are one of the few areas where the USA actually has consumer protection.

Hey, thanks for mentioning my holsters. The Garage 005 holster does fit the ARC, but I still will be making a perfect fit version just for the ARC. Even though it isn't mine, even I am tempted by that bit holder. Too bad I don't have easy access to low-cost machining like they do overseas.

I definitely like the mod you did here. I wish Leatherman would offer that mod on their other models. I’m not a guy who’d pay the $230 plus for the Ark just because of a better blade steel. My Leatherman blade is a backup for my pocket knife anyway and that’s where I invest in a quality blade steel. To be able to use three different styles of drivers with that modification is sweet.

In the Leatherman Q&A on reddit, one of the designers said they didn't put a hole in the awl because they view the implement as a pry/scrape/poke tool and the hole would decrease the overall strength.

I just recently bought a new leatherman and I was torn from the surge or the arc. I decided to go with the surge just because I feel value for what you get is better then the arc. Plus being able to remove the file/saw and either get aftermarket bosh ones or just oem replacements is great, add the benefit of using the diamond file to sharpen the blade on the surge in a pinch is great as well.

I'm a mechatronics technician, and this Leatherman Arc multi-tool is literally what I need. I'm from Europe, and despite the high price of €300+, I definitely find it worth the effort.

I feel like this issue wouldn't be one if they sold each bit individually, I'd pay $5 per bit if they'd sell the t6/t8 bits separately 😪

for years steel snobs have been crying that Leatherman does not have "premium" blade steels.... now Leatherman made one with an upgraded steel.. and the same people are crying about how much it costs. I like the tool set on this, and would like to at least try one, for a review. but I am happy with my 440 blades on my wave and surge.

That is crappy of Leatherman to leave out one bit forcing you to buy a redundant bit kit to get all the bits. Leatherman doesn't even disclose this fact on their Arc web page.

Love the idea of modifying it but I’m gonna keep mine how it is, the flat ones are more portable if I need anything more robust chances are I have my tools anyways

I kinda like the Leatherman bit kit system better. Just for its carry ability. I can carry the tool and the full bit kit in the sheath plus the bit extender in those stretchy pockets on the outside. Absolutely perfect for edc.

It would be really nice if they had a "build your own tool" type of program so you can make a tool with the bit driver you installed, theres a handful of tools included on this that I have no use for and it would be nice to swap them out

If they made that bit holder slightly longer to allow more reach for regular 4mm bits. Then it would have been perfect. I love your channel, thank you for sharing all the mod videos. I really enjoyed watching them, and I learned a lot of new potentials to make my multitool better.

full-size 1/4" hex drive is absolutely amazing. for most people, the can opener is the one tool they don't use. truly the perfect mod.

I actually like the flat bits because they take up less space. I usually carry a bit elder anyway so I can use 1/4” bits with that. I heard that the reason the bit kits were out of stock was because they needed to use another supplier and the new supplier increased the hardness of the bits. I’m not sure that true though it would be interesting to test that comment.

Leatherman is creating the luxury multitool brand with the arc. In the pocketknife world, $230 is not that expensive really. Especially considering magnacut. Add the excellent toolset and I think this is the perfect pocket knife/multitool bridge.

As a casual user I literally could not care less about the bits and I don't think I've had any issues with the bits in my skeletool during the 7 plus years I've had it..

Thank you for this video, as well as the others you produce. I always look forward to seeing what you’re introducing next. As far as the Arc is concerned, Leatherman has priced itself out of my market. I bought a Wave+ earlier this year and added the bit kit & an bit extension. I was $150+ into a Leatherman EDC kit at that point. I won’t spend the extra for the Arc, especially since I bought the ByBury clone of the Surge, which is a really great tool. Unexpectedly, I bought the Gerber Dual Force (I think you informed us of the sale), and I use it more than any multitool I own. The chisel and pliers are fantastic. Thanks, again for your service.

I agree with you 100% about getting whatever works for you in this tool. I still think the ARC is excessively overpriced for the features it is offering

I bought a Free P4 last year and that was pretty much the max I would spend on a multitool. This is just too expensive for me, and they do not even give you the full bit kit. Is the sheath leather? Maybe they should make a version with standard 420 steel. That would fine for my needs! I may scour Ebay later on for one!

On one hand, the ARC has continued to trend of Leatherman annoying me. Throwing a bunch of collector's items at us for a year and then finally giving us a new tool, that includes everything the FREE series should have but put at an absurd price point due to blade steel. On the other hand, it has got me to revisit my FREE P2 and I've grown to appreciate it more despite it's issues. I'm saving my money for a GOAT.

The best thing there is your mod! (Really, where can I get one? You've mentioned this before I think) I seriously doubt knife lovers will generally consider the blade worth it For this price you can get wayyyyy better handling knives. For most knife people, ergonomics is a major factor. Which is why every one of them carries a multitool for anything but the blade, excepting as a backup option. For non-knife people, they will only carr for the steel if they are the type to buy into "x says this is the best". Leatherman is approaching Gerber levels of frustrating for me. But somehow from the exact opposite direction. Every Gerber tool has one or two good ideas but cheaps out so much on the rest the tool itself becomes pointless. Leatherman has one or two decent ideas snd continues to price themselves out of the user-consumer market straight into the lifestyle and collector segment. So nah, they don't pay for that Bruce Springsteen stamp. You do.

My King Surge will remain my go to multi tool for work. I will replace the Wave+ with the ARC for my edc.

And ruler, and the ruler. I will be etching my own in to the Arc

$230 & no serrated knife blade is ludicrous to me. Just got a Wave+ & I paid $120 & the complete bit kits for $30 from my local Sportsmans. I know it's the better deal for me as I still have my original Wave, 20+ years old, in my truck and it gets used almost daily. The new Wave+, my now EDC, is already seeing ample useage and so far I'm very happy with it. Great video, thanks.

Really appreciate your video! I have the skeletool and missing scissors and need better bits. After a summer of use, I'm now 100% attached to edc of a multi tool. This mod now sold me on the ARC. Thanks!

Love your videos and how in depth you go with details and your thoughts! I bought the arc today for one because I’m a knife guy “to your point” and I’ve been using the Free P2 as my harder use EDC multitool and with the tool set on the Arc it looks like those will be solved for me! I plan on making a video on my perspective of why I bought it when it arrives!

What matters more is its functionality when required. It's not compromise mate, it's an improvement. The reason Leatherman left out the two most useful bit is just sales & marketing. The Arc is quite expensive and to get one into Australia will be a fortune due to tax & exchange. FYI we've made mods to our generics that it would be able to utilise different/multiple bits from almost all makers. Who needs warranty when we have MaxLvlEDC to show us what to do to make our tools much more useful. Cheers maestro from Australia.

Love Leatherman-bit concept, however hate how soft they are and how fast they wear down. Wish some company produce that bits with different technology so they would last.

I just got my charge plus tti about 2 months ago, I’ll keep my charge for edc and I was between the arc and surge for work, I’m still leaning definitely more towards the Surge now

Great video and modification. Thanks for the headsup about the missing bit. Im a little less excited because of that. Leatherman, have to find a way to mess something up!

Just got my Arc today. Replacing my Surge as my EDC since I really don't use it every day for hard work like the surge is really made for. Prefer the lighter weight and all tools on the outside. Love the channel! Thanks for all the great information!

When you consider how long people keep and use these tools- even a full $100 price difference is insignificant. Everyone has their own budget and priorities. I consider $230 for a tool I will use daily for 10 years to be perfectly fair.

i wish they could have the T shank from the surge i like having a few back up files laying around so i dont need to send in the tool for a new file everytime i wear it out

I don't see the "bit driver" at the ebay link provided for same--instead, it lists "Scalpel Blade Bit Holders Saw T-Shank for the Leatherman Free P2 P4 Series." If the original link is outdated, can you please supply an updated one? If you sell the bit driver through your affiliated links, I'll gladly buy one from there/you. Thanks--and great video!

Nice. Not for the steep price and loss of the warranty though. I think I'll stick with my Surge (or even my Wave+ for a lighter carry) and save the money to put toward a folding knife with a Magnacut blade. I was excited for something new, but the more I see about the Arc the more disappointed I become.

I saw images of a brand new broken pliers on a Leatherman Surge on Amazon and what's become very clear is Leatherman's of today are not even remotely close to the quality of Leatherman's of the past .

Great job, man! I must say that Arc looks interesting.. BUT.. In Sweden it costs 3999 kr = 330 € for this money you can buy Surge/Charge/Wave or Free and for example Deka in Magnacut (if it is important to have a magnacut blade) and a few beers or some accessories. I plan on hunting for good sales and maybe then...

While I do love the idea of using standard 1/4" bits in theory, I'm not sure if it's actually better in practice. You lose another tool, and it's not a useless one - that flat driver is the prying tool as well, something you really shouldn't do with a bit driver. Plus, the way the Leatherman bit driver handles bit retention is (albeit only slightly) better than what these aftermarket parts offer. The 4mm bit holder is also really neat, but even a 4mm bit is wider than a Leatherman bit, so they would be hard pressed to include such a tool without taking up more space, compromising on strength, or creating proprietary precision bits that are as thin as their larger bits. And in the end, you still need to carry extra bits for it to even matter. The Leatherman bits are double sided, so in many cases it's just two tools in one, but you still have the pry tool. With the aftermarket, you can still have that two in one, but you lost the pry tool... I really don't think they are just trying to sell proprietary bits. I think most Wave owners probably don't buy a bit kit to start with, and probably only ever consider buying a replacement of the standard one it comes with if they break it. The Leatherman design allows them to fit more into one tool, while still giving you a two-in one with the option of swapping to other bit types, and the ability to replace broken bits. It isn't universal, but I think that it does what most users really need without wasting space. That's not to say that there aren't downsides to the way Leatherman does it, and they could certainly charge less for the replacements. And it isn't to say that this sort of upgrade doesn't make sense for some users, but I don't think I would agree that the standard bit driver is a "big issue" or that this is a "perfect fix" for it. I think there are much more frustrating issues that are much harder to solve with this and other Leatherman tools (not to mention other stuff that the company does).

Just carry the bit extender. I like LM solution much better, their bits are optimized for portability and it is compatible with the full 1/4 bits. The other way around does not work.

YES! That mod is a must have. Bottle openers and can openers make no sense on multitools, full sized bit drivers are way way better.

Ironically you could've saved more money if you just bought the magnacut blade then swaped the pre existing blade from a free P2.

I have bought the Arc in Australia for $500 and i didn't even think about the bit kit. I have my wave+ on a pocket clip as I choose it for casual carry, you mentioned this is a wave+ upgrade. I have the heavier tools with a packed stealth as my EDC.

This might be a basic question-why do so many multitool manufacturers include a bottle opener and/or can opener on almost every make/model/unit/tool? Wouldn’t it be better to have the tools most people would actually use the most or need? Instead of a can opener or bottle opener, they could redesign the multitool with a much more useful pry bar, knife/blade, possibly include a razor knife, pliers, wire stripper, cutters, a well designed bit holder that can use a huge range of the most popular bits that most tradesmen etc use, of course all the tolls would need to have a lock, and make the tool capable of customization while being covered by a decent warranty? It doesn’t make sense but it seems to me they can make a good tool without the mostly unused can opener and bottle opener.

Awesome modification! Great video! Yes! Leatherman should have integrated the 1/4 bit driver into the ARC! I have been saying it for years…. The Leatherman proprietary bits are crap! The ARC would have been the perfect tool to make the switch over to a standard 1/4 inch bit driver. What is the deal with Leatherman for not including the T6 / T8 bit? It costs pennies for them to make! They should have included the entire bit kit in with the ARC! What’s Leatherman thinking? Their still out to lunch! In a recent video that Leatherman released …. They stated that, they spent the last five years developing the ARC and listening to customer feedback on the feature set to design into the ARC. The video is full of BS. Why would Leatherman spend the extra money to coat the Magnacut Blade? It doesn’t make sense at all! Why add the extra cost? I really wish Leatherman would have added a standard T-Shank to the ARC platform! Why is Leatherman constantly out of stock on so many items? I just scratch my head…… Wondering what in the heck is going on at Leatherman. The ARC with a standard 1/4 bit driver, serrated blade, and standard T-Shank would have really been awesome! 😎👍🏻

That little modification would be a HUGE sell point for me. In fact I probably wouldn't even think about the price if that was an option.

Be nice if they had a custom platform where you could order the tool with the tools you want built by them and still under warranty

Waiting for my ARC. Ordered one yesterday. Have been using a wave for probably 10 years. Then I got a Swisstool which I love. But I decided to pull the trigger for some magnacut and the free form factor I’ve been wanting to try. Love the content brother!!

Nope. Leave it as is. The Leatherman extension works well with regular bits. Especially since its loose and blocks the function of the pliers. That will get annoying really fast. The missig T6/T8 bit is bogus.

Whats your take…swapping out the saw for the serrated blade? Thats a complaint I’ve seen a lot for surge/charge users

Could you please link the manufacturer of that mod you put in? İm looking for something similar for my wave and this seems to be just the ticket.

I’ve wanted a p4 with bit driver for a while… considering that it cost me $160 with a student discount I got it seems reasonable

So where do I buy the 1/4” bit driver like you just installed!!???

5:05 Seriously what is the big deal with the price? Any tool that will be used daily, AND lasts for 20 years?? is a bargain at under $400 ! .. Didn't like the spring pliers, HATE serrated blades (just keep the regular blade sharp) ... and HATE bottle openers you can open a bottle 1000 ways

I've been using the wave since before it picked up the + and have never seen a reason to upgrade it. I see a multi tool as kind of a jack of all trades master of non option. When I need better more specialized tools for something, I have those, know what I mean?

I use the wave/charge can opener all the time. I do not like the can opener design on this Arc/P4 free series. Also, the wire stripper notch is to small on the Arc.

You wouldn’t happen to have a part number for the pice you put in would you? I just ordered on and that bit would be the perfect addition to the tool!

I have been eyeing the Surge. I really like the features of the Surge. Then, the Arc came out. Made in USA. Awesome. Your showing us, the viewers, this new product, the Arc, with owner's insights allows me to believe that there was not much courtesy to future potential buyers, omitting that one bit that normally comes with the Leatherman bits. Especially with the much higher price tag. Full disclosure report is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Got mine for Christmas and am super stoaked! Don't miss the lacking bit yet but will keep it in consideration. Have had a surge for the past 3 years but it is so heavy that it lives in my backpack that I bring to work every day (pharmacist). I am also a knife nerd who has carried his spydiechef every day while not working. Now that I have the arc, I have a consolidated edc. All that aside, I can't get on board with losing the can opener--I use one almost every week

I‘m a knife guy and use several Leatherman tools. But the Magnacut blade does not justify the value for me. I live in Europe where knife laws are quite limiting for one hand opening tools. The mod is supercool.

Leatherman put the scissors on the outside, and got it made enough in the USA to say it on the product. Comparing the cost to the wave and charge, while keeping in mind other costs that have gone up, the ark really is not that much. My problem is my pay not keeping pace. With all that I plan to get the leatherman ark, it might be next year and use the rei %20 off coupon.

I was ready to buy the arc until they omitted the spring loaded pliers. With the cluster that was the 005 launch I twice had the payment processing only to have it bomb out and now the one thing I was waiting for I could only get by spending hundreds from one of the scalpers. The T6/T8 bit is just icing on the cake for my reasons to only touch leatherman through ebay auctions.

Great explanation, plus the after market replacement driver on the ARC was stellar. Surge or Wave + will be my go-to.

I see what they did here, using premium materials to deter copycat brands from taking Leatherman's market share. I'd personally wait and let the price fall before pulling the trigger.

I edc a Swisstool Spirit with ratchet and 4mm adapter. I did buy Arc today because I will carry it with Swiss ratchet because Leatherman one is way too expensive in secondary market. Very well done and thought out video.

WOW!! Beautiful, the one with runes is amazing!!

On the site, it lists type A, B, C, D, E. I didn't quite understand

How does this void your warranty, couldn’t you just put the original tool back in there before you send it off?

Get the bit extender and just use regular bits, that’s what I do, best option is obviously replace the bit holder like you say.

I think it would have been a good idea to have something like that on the arc. Would have made it more versatile than their bits. And from my experience using them they are not that great and have damaged several of them because they couldn't handle the work. Looks easy enough to install though.

I wish this came with the attachment for the part that utilizes the jig saw blades instead of the fixed saw and I think this would be my perfect tool

Wow. I’d really love those full sized bits Thank you very much Hey leatherman. Do what’s right

Yes, this 100% should have been an option, I'm drooling a bit right now.

My only criticism on the arc is the bit holder is tough to open up solo. I have to open the entire side to get the driver out. On the surge it has a finger notch so you can open up solo

I think my perfect tool, would be a Garage #005 and Arc combo. Swap all the Arc tool except the pry tool into the #005 handles, keeping the package opener/pry combo and the spring loaded pliers in the white grips, but with the black Arc blade, Arc awl, the slightly longer Arc file, and the slightly more refined designs of the bit drivers they put on the Arc. I think the saws are actually identical, and so are the scissors.

Such a great modification. Awesome tip.

1/4” driver and 4mm driver is awesome… great upgrade.

230usd is not expensive, in UK arc costs 260gbp, which is almost 328usd!

Great video! I like the 1/4" + 4mm bit holder you installed replacing the proprietary Letherman bit holder. Are you aware of a replacement that would work with the Surge? Thanks!

Man, the full 1/4” bit driver is what I want!

$230 is a very reasonable price for a tool like this made in the USA. If 230 is too much for you, you need to find a way to make more money

If the small bit screwdriver was removed, put the can opener in its place, bit driver like you added and I would have purchased this in a heartbeat. It would finally be the perfect leatherman for me. I refuse to buy any leatherman with those dang proprietary bits.

I’m just waiting for the Magnacut blade to get Rockwell tested and have it come back at 57 HRC 😆 Leatherman has a very soft heat treat. Even on the S30V it doesn’t sharpen well and I’m led to believe it’s just soft The material means nothing if it’s not processed properly

i bet the t8 bit wasn't able to be made in their US factory without defects bc it's so fragile and they haven't had much time to adjust the tooling here

I've seen the cutters fail multiple times on cutting coat hanger type or softer wire. There's a flaw in the cutters. They chip when used to cut harder things towards the bottom.

So this one or the surge?

It does look like a great tool! That said for the MASSIVE price hike, my Wave seems just as practical.

I love magnacut, but it needs to be great treated correctly. I've been looking at this and we'll it works with one hand. My left arm is paralyzed and I just started living full time in my van... down by the river! So, currently I need a good, one handed multi-tool. Like you in pretty disappointed that the blade is coated. I imagine it's coated for a specific reason and I wouldn't be surprised to find out it's because there are some problems with the magnacut

if you were to put it back together exactly as it was before sending it in for warranty repair, how would leatherman know if it was modified or not? i dont see any security tape or anything.

I was on the fence due to the price. Ive had a wave plus for over a year. I think the resell on it, being lightly used would be around $80. Then.... I saw they offer an educator 30% off discount. My wife is a teacher! Pulled the trigger.

I gave up on Leatherman when they never updated the crunch. Electricians and locksmiths all over used that thing. Mine is from 2013. It is so worn i cannot use it anymore. They made magnetic toys but still havent updated the crunch.

That replacement bit driver costs $62, which is quite enough to deter me from doing the modification, regardless of warranty issues.

I personally don’t EDC any I’d or full-size Leatherman because of the weight…I prefer an 84mm Victorinox instead. That said, I have a Charge TTi and I honestly don’t see enough advancements in the Arc over the Charge to justify the added cost. The magnetized design doesn’t work for me because I wear mechanical watches and try not to hang around heavily magnetized objects… plus the whole metal shavings thing (but in my world that’s not really an issue). The one-handed operation is nice, I suppose, but seriously… I’d save what? Literally 2 seconds compared to the 2-handed operation of the Charge? If I don’t have 2 seconds to spare, something very wrong has happened to my life. Finally, the Magnacut inclusion is great, but I too am a knife guy. I’d rather have a separate EDC knife with Magnacut (e.g., Hogue Deka) than be saddled with the weight of a multitool if I want that steel. So am I saying the Arc is a bust? Absolutely not. If I didn’t already change the Charge Tati, I would absolutely consider it. But since I already have the Charge… this just doesn’t offer enough to warrant a purchase. At least not at the current price. Curious if anyone else shares my views.

Im fortunate enough as a "knife guy" that I already have some wiha bit drivers and kits with t6 t8 ect. As someone else said in the coments its not as if you can use the leatherman tool to disassemble itself and it itself is not the best bit driver for things like pocket knife disassembly anyways. Still i agree its weird it isnt there.

I feel like the emphasis on voiding the warranty is a little overblown here. The simple solution is put the parts in the baggy your aftermarket part came in and stick it in your toolbox, sock drawer etc. If you ever need to send it in, just reassemble.

Looking for that exact bit driver does not seem to be at the Url

Nice mod Dom, a lot will be interested in this 👍

Just ordered the Arc. The price tag here in The Netherlands is 300 euro's, 70 euro's more expensive than in America where this Leatherman has a price tag of 230 dollars......