Leatherman Garage #5 

This is why we need you. The things you caught I never noticed!

this is hands down the best review of this tool by a huge margin. not just the typical “it’s so pretty and has magnacut wow” but I actually learned a lot about this tool (and hopefully the same features on the upcoming arc) from your video. subscribed.

Ben I love your videos. Unfortunately this batch ended up mostly on Ebay scalpers’ hands, leaving the collectors empty handed. Will wait for the “commercial mass production version”.

I’m not exactly sure why, but I felt compelled to comment, I’m new to the multitool space and have been doing a lot of research on them and picking up my first one. I went with the free P2. I know a lot of people don’t seem to like the loose action as you mentioned in this video, but I thought I would share a different perspective. I have cerebral palsy and my left side is very dominant compared to my right, so much so that my right hand in some cases can be useless, depending on what I’m doing. The fact that the P2 exists, and everything can be done with one hand because of its “looseness“ is a major upside. I’m sure that I’m not the only one, but I thought I would share as somebody that’s part of the disabled community. Great video. Nonetheless, you seem very knowledgeable in this space and I very much enjoy your videos. Please keep it up.

It would off been nice to see the eyeglass tool be able to hold an exacto blade, even if proprietary blades were needed. Great video as always

This is a fantastic in-depth analysis, thank you! Even for people who missed out on the Garage 5 like myself, this is really good info for those considering buying the ARC when it arrives. I use a serrated blade too, so if I got the ARC I'd probably carry a separate serrated pocket knife. The leaked Korean market 3D render we've seen of the ARC shows a longer file, shaped more like the wood saw instead of having a flat tip. No idea why the Garage 5 doesn't have that, maybe the pointed tip was somehow annoying to use. I do really enjoy the chisel tip on the Gerber Dual Force's file, surprised we don't see that more often. The 3D render also shows a properly pointy awl. Of course those are just renders, not the finished product. We might have to stick with the Free series awl but I'd prefer something pointy. Zapwizard made some additional fan-made renders but even the original showed what I'm talking about.

Great review. That point of how they have the ingenuity to intergrate the micro driver and bit driver together is a great point. The Arc is definetly that way the Free series should have been.

I agree with everything you put out there. I put the Chisel edge into the "FREE Z1" rendering I posted on Reddit a year ago, and I plan on adding that feature myself with a grinder. Otherwise it's the perfect tool for myself. Also I loosened my hinges to match the P4, and I bent the bit driver spring to hold the bit stronger.

@Leatherman, you need to reimburse this guy for releasing a limited product, especially since he says alot of good things about your products. I hope they see this, especially since you had to pay scalper price for this. As soon as I heard you say that you paid after market price for this, I had to write this. I can't wait to see what you say about this multi tool. Your awesome for doing this.

Hello Ben,congratulations, sorry you had to pay a higher price, bit at least you got one,I'm waiting for the Arc to come out, thank you an in depth review of this tool,there's only a few videos of this at the moment, I definitely love that new blade an thumb stud,an exactly, I won't replace my surge,but both them combined as a duo,oh man awesomeness, I'd love too see if Leatherman offers that blade sold separately for people who want to add it to their other favorite multitools if they have a version for each model or make a premium version that this new upgrade blade steel is on all Leatherman tools here on out,I personally think it was a grest idea an about time,I hope they keep going this route on their future tools an continue to get even better,maybe pricey but worth it in the long run because you'll have a grest quality dependable tool.

Looks nice. But still I like my old Surge better

So…. The main reason to get this (or the upcoming Arc) if you already own a Charge is because you really like having all the tools on the outside of the frame. Is that it? They seem to have nearly the same toolset (this has the combo box opener flathead/cap lifter, while the Charge has a serrated blade). Any comments on why someone might buy this or an Arc over a Charge?

Why feature a tool that you can't buy?

I’d never use this, be to sorry for it, it’s a safe queen for sure… I really hope the ARC also gets the spring loaded plier mechanism.

I've been waiting on this review, etsy sells a adapter for the micro driver to fit in thr bit driver

Looking forward to the arc, I hope it gets the pivot screw, it'd be a gamechanger. But I'm not looking forward to its price. I also agree with the chisel grind on the file, it's the only thing this configuration is missing in my eyes. Could have put a small ruler surface on one of the frame sides too, I guess.

The Free P4 is my favorite multitool, as it is fantastic for outdoors bushcraft and emergency situations, given the one-hand operation. In the woods, there are no metal shavings, and there is no need to have dozens of scredriver bits (in fact, it's the most useless tool in the woods).

You mention the tool is generally tighter, is there play in any of the implements aside from the pliers?

I missed out and I'm ROYALLY pissed off about it. Leatherman might know how to build tools but they have NO idea how to run a sale! With over 125 tools in my collection I doubt I ever buy a new Leatherman tool ever again.

Not a fan to how the bit driver sits and how lose it is. If not for that this would be the best LM tool.

+1 for actually using the can opener tool on more than one occasion.

Why are they still putting “can openers” on multi tools?

I should also add that Leatherman could do so much more on this tool (and others) with the same thoughtful application of the approach used on the pry bar/package opener - adding the cap lifter to the same blank. It's the same principle in adding a chisel to the file. Or your suggestion to combine the bit drivers. Why not put a wire stripper on the base of aul... and make it a depth gauge too? I have to believe a combined can opener/cap lifter is possible with some savvy thinking. Space is at an extreme premium in these tools, the blanks should get a major TLC overhaul to each serve two or three purposes. One last item in the off chance Leatherman reads these comments; can we get a combined Torx/Robertson bit option please? :)

*ITS NOT BECAUSE "THE PIVOT IS TIGHTER".* *IF YOU LOOK CLOSE THEY ADDED RUBBER PIECES THERE PURPOSLY TO REMOVE THE BUTTERFLY ASPECT.* *ITS NOT HIDDEN EITHER.*

I just really hope the Arc won't sell out in a matter of hours , not to reappear in stock for another 6 months or so ...

I miss the serrated blade knife!

I would never buy a multitool without checking to see if TTC reviewed it. Not saying I wouldn't but it, just that I would make sure I saw his review if there was one. Sorta like I turn to Project Farm reviews for just about everything else.

I think they're calling it a striking surface for the garage release because the warranty isn't as all inclusive for those. It's definitely not good for the mechanism to be whacked right at the pivot.

Great video brotha 🤙🏽I just picked up my ARC from Bass Pro Shop this morning in the rain. Only ARC within 100 mile radius

This and the Air Force, style multi tools, are right up my alley. Despite all the tools I own (which are actually few), I had a girlfriend, for a few months and forgot how expensive, that was (not joking, in the slightest). Now that she’s flown, the coop, hopefully, in 3 or 4 months, I’ll be able to afford something like this, again. I forgot how good it feels and how rich you feel, when you’re, your only dependent. Also, I’m not in the Air Force, before anyone chews my ass 😅

I always enjoy that you go into detail about the form and function of each tool. As well as their practical applications. Nice work, as always. Thank you

Victorinox Spirit X , still the best! Last Leatherman that I liked, even though it,s quality was junk,was the Wingman. Leatherman has gone downhill a long time ago. Victorinox on the other hand, always offers more utility and WAY higher quality.

Wonderful review Ben. Thank you

Why does Leatherman do their best multitools in limited runs?! If we want to give them our money, why won't they take it? The comercial multitool world has been stuck with 420HC blades for decades, whereas in the knife world, 420HC steel is considered a joke (rightly so: no powder metalurgy process, low hardness, etc). What does a guy need to do to not get the same old sub-par materials in a multitool, without having to be selected via Leatherman's artificial scarcity "Aniversary Editions"? At this point I'm convinced that Leatherman got too comfortable with the relatively low competition, they stopped caring about providing the best tool for their customers a long time ago, instead just providing "a tool". A 420HC-level tool, to be exact. So they can keep their unfair exclusive stuff. Soon new companies will refine their own offerings, and when Leatherman realize it's time to step it up, they will be too far behind. A good example is the GOAT Multitool brand: they focus on modular multitools where the user picks exactly the tools they want, even allowing users to get an S35VN blade without any sort of exclusivity BS. Their multitools are still somewhat behind in terms of overall features and refinement, but that will improve over time as they gain experience. And once they reach the same quality and refinement than Leatherman, but with their modular concept, Leatherman will be in trouble. People won't need to pick one or two models for their combinations of tools, they will just buy what they need, not more and not less. And we'll remember how Leatherman tried to sell us more tools by creating specific, non-modular models.

I don't think we should give all our hopes on the A.R.C. Especially if we think it will fix every flaw in every LM model😅. Regarding this one, it is inadmissible at this price to have such imperfections, and the choice and design of each tools is really questionable. The SURGE v2 remains the best for its file/saw modularity which allows you to have a serrated blade at the same time!!!. Better do a Surge v3 more modular as the GOAT. LM will be eaten by competitors at this rate. Just my 2cents.

LM can keep this. This is outdated design. They are a dinosaur of an era long gone. Instead of allowing customers to fully customize their mt's they output a short cosmetic update every 10 years. It's a ridiculous company with bad product, way overpriced and completely useless.

The other thing is wood/plastic saw. LM is completely inferior to those from Vic. They cut only one direction, but they are short and stiff enave to cut both directions. In my opinion LM cheat people. Swiss made means 70% parts are made in Switzerland. I think that 90% of LM products are made in China and mounted in USA.

For those of you who have tightened up your P2/P4, ARC or Garage 5 handles, does Leatherman apply any loctite to these out of the factory? Just curious before I dig into mine to try and tighten them a bit. Thanks!

Very well reviewed sir its just another simple lleatherman tool the only upgrade is the magnacut knife blade........

I wish that they put in the tee shank adapter then you would have it all!

Send it back for warranty repair you have fautly hardwire cutters. You should NOT have any gap at the bottom!!

They need to take the little file on the P4 and turn it into a small hooked serrated blade. Would be great for rope and cordage to save the edge on your main blade. They could put it on the ARC in place of the micro driver.

Leatherman’s weak point for me has been the 420hc steel. It’s 2023, upgrade it.

The knife for multi-millionaires. How to afford it, in 2 easy steps. 1) Become a multi-millionaire 2) Buy the knife.

Your special limited edition has a fatal flaw, you have a gap in the hardwire cutters, at the base of the tool and the pliers base. If you cut a coat hanger, your limited edition tool is trash. It will chip, you have the gap. Same as my Arc and nearly everyone else. Leatherman has fallen!

I still prefer my blackened Leatherman Surge. 👍

No bit holder is the reason i never picked up a P4 and never will. The fact they finally put it in, but in an extremely limited edition seems like a further slap in the face.

You have such good ideas but there is no way leatherman can integrate those within the arc given that they are probably already producing them to be ready for the October launch. Such a pity.

Hopefully the arc isnt spring loaded and has a 420 hc blade

prying tool / chisel end on a file is a bad idea. files are rigid and shatter. you dont wanna apply bending force to it

Painted frame and Cerakoted blade = damaged after a day in the pocket, and same with the blade for anything more than cutting an Amazon envelope. So it's just a "collector" item meant to stay in its box (or to be shown by influencers for that FOMO moment).

Looks like the same knife shape as the Signal just not serrated

I was hoping you would get one!

I replaced a lost P4 6 months ago and the new tool has clearly been built to higher tolerances. It's very similar to the Garage you're presenting now.

if i had to guess that is not stamped is laser engraved

Damn I was all hyped for the new bit exchanger, but seems the new design is inferior to older designs. 2 steps forward, 1 step back.

This might be my next tool!! It has a lot of the same tools I like in my EDC, Charge+. The scissors on anything but the Surge and Micra made by Leatherman is just not very good. I'm not sure how even the smallest Victorinox can make a sharp pair of scissors....

Finally

Wish I could have snagged one of these

Thanks for showing the bent piece, holding the bit in place. That’s going to be especially helpful when using the hammer surface. A design flaw of the GOAT tool is that the bit comes loose any time you hammer. Glad to see LM thought of this for the Arc!

Late but solid review.

Hey brother what's going on! How yall!! Doing?? I am happy for you that you were able to get your hands on one of those Leatherman multi tools i am sorry that you had to pay a pretty penny! Now with that being said! Will you be using this tool as a EDC tool once in a while? Or are you going to just put it away for safe keeping?? Since it did cost you a lot of money¡!

Why did they not add a chisel to the end of this file ? Just like Gerber did with there Dual force multi tool . That to me is a big miss . The chisel is very popular on the Victorinox Swiss tool as well. Heck ! They even had a chisel at the end of the serrated blade of free p4 . 😤 big mistake .

As much as I want to watch the review, I cannot. I like many others would like one, same as two of the four previous releases, but the stupid number they make just makes it nigh on impossible for many to get. So we go without (like me) or others pay asinine amounts from ePray. It infuriates me they do shit like this.

I hope with the arc has the adjustable plier head and hopefully that fixes the lock up issue. I hate using my free p4 pliers. With that thing costing as much as a surge I shouldn't have to tinker or fix after every use.

can't wait to see the Arc, hopefully they some of the improvements you suggest. Wonder if a regular bit driver would fit in the space currently used by the micro driver and their proprietary driver?

I find you comments regarding the metal filings, but I'm sure you don't but the tools away covered in grease, oil and others work area residues that are not magnetic

Awesome video! As a guy that only used a Fuse and a Wingman for work its amazing to see the new premium designs from them. The Arc is gonna be awesome if it has these features.

Isn't this thing just the Leatherman Arc? With an additional price tag because it's super special edition (tm)

Gkup

Great overview! I agree with your improvements! I would love to see those improvements implemented! Thank you!

I've never seen the Free series in person so I didn't know it had that pummel function on the end. I've done a little "tap tap" with my mt's over the years but don't like doing it for fear of ruining them. I hope that will be included with the Arc. Great review as always.

What a great review! I subscribed after seeing it. I am one of the lucky ones to get this tool directly from Leatherman, and it’s a keeper!! 😊 After manipulating everything about hundred times to break it in, I used fine Arkansas stones to smooth out the locking notches for the plier heads and the oval opening cutouts for the file and saw. (I do this to all my Leathermans to take the bite out of opening them.) One change I would like to do is replace the micro screwdriver with a lanyard ring like the one on my Wave 1st gen. A paracord loop makes the tool easier to grab out of a pouch without interfering with the pliers, and I can easily lock the loop to a carabiner. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos! Oh yeah, the blade is SHARP, Spyderco sharp! It took a trip to urgent care to finally stop the bleeding from my finger tip. 😂😂😂

So jealous!

This is the way

With the micro driver, they can also just make a bit that has a 1/4" base and a micro tip.

I cant wait for the arc, i love my p4, but i would like an upgrade to the old gal.

I'm not a big commenter on this platform but HAD to come out of lurker mode for this. +1 on the following, which I noticed early and can't believe they didn't do (chalked it up to them using bins of parts cut for previous gen tools): - Longer file (with chisel, why wouldn't they?) - Longer scissors - Pointed aul (but with an eye please) SO much was done right with this one, it's damn near perfect. Now just make a mini version on this same platform to fill the void left by retiring the Squirt and Style (outside accessible tools)!

Looking forward to your Arc review when it comes out.

Thanks very much for this very detailed review. Take care and Cheers!

Despite it's flaws, it's a pretty cool looking multi tool.

On the Leatherman Tool User group on facebook, I speculated that Leatherman included that little L shaped piece of metal because they were having trouble with the bit falling out if the tool was dropped. Someone else said they thought it was there because it might fall off if you used the back of the pliers as a hammer. Then a Leatherman engineer piped up and told us we were both right! I wonder why they redesigned the bit holder. Perhaps so it's easier to change one handed?

Have you tried after-market thumb studs for the surge and charge? There's a few options for sale or you can even 3d print your own.

This a great comeback from Leatherman. They just showed that they still got It.

So glad to see you back, your analysis are always objective and fair. Thanks for the video have a nice day

Do the internal tools pop out when you snap the pliers into the open position? If not, do they pop out if you use the wire cutters?

I remembered the Alamo, so here I am.

Thought you didn’t get one! I’ll wait for the arc!

A way to long,…..

The GOAT of leatherman reviewers

It's nice to see you got that one in your in your collection 🤗

I really like mine! I don’t ever really have a need for a saw, so a serrated blade would have better, in my opinion. That being said I get why there’s a saw on it. If it wasn’t a special tool, I’d switch the saw with a P4 serrated blade

A5D9 - is it #1549?

Leatherman made the Garage series for this exact feedback. And with the Arc coming soon and being very similar to this tool, I wouldn’t be too surprised if they incorporated some of this ideas into the new tool. I thank you for getting your ideas voiced and experience behind your thoughts on each little detail.

They should have dumped the scissors for the file. Serrated blade is far too useful to not have on a multitool

Should have integrated the eyeglass with the bit holder. Locking bit holder no spring. Old school can opener. Should have ruler on outside.

I will say, to my fellow leatherman users who don’t use the serrated blade, O used to be like you, but if you rly use it and know when to use it, it is extremely useful. I use my surges serrated blade more than the standard blade. Perfect for man made materials.

Its more or less just a white free p4 with a magnacut blade. Not to be a party pooper, but its not exactly revolutionary.

Totally agree with the micro driver observation. I don't see the need for it to be in the tool permanently. The small amount of torque you need means a plastic bit with a hole that fits in the normal bit exchanger should be plenty strong enough. You could even use it on its own. I have drilled a hole in the bit card down through the handle tab at the top to accept the micro driver, as I too use the Surge and it doesn't have the holder in the tool. I know there are a few tricks to insert it into nooks here and there but I think they are cumbersome and remove the precision feel by saddling it to the big heavy tool

The only people that get Leatherman tools now are reviewers.😅 No disrespect to our current reviewer.