Product test

Only useful when the exceptional case occurs: the Leatherman multifunctional tool in test

Claudio Viecelli

22-11-2022

Translation: machine translated

Pictures: Claudio Viecelli

Support: Patrick Bardelli

The Leatherman is multifunctional, but it's no good for hunting. My hunting knife is enough.

When I was asked by Galaxus if I wanted to test outdoor products, I stupidly gave an undifferentiated answer. I said: "Anything useful for hunting". Poof, a Leatherman Surge multifunctional tool ended up at my house.

Still sceptical

For years I have had a packing list for hunting that has stood the test of time. Among them: Nasties, lip balm, a Victorinox hunting knife - and the new multitool: the Leatherman. And that, although every gram counts. At 350 grams, this is more than twice as heavy as the hunting knife.

I unpack the Leatherman, unwrap it from the plastic packaging and am curious about the tools the thing has built in. According to the manufacturer, the Surge contains 21 tools. Starting with the pliers, which are in the middle and can be used as normal or needle-nose pliers. Also:

Wire cutters
Cable cutter
Abisolating blade
knife
Saw
Awl
19 centimetre long ruler
Can opener and a wood and metal file

A diamond-coated file and a large and small screwdriver are also included. Of course, a small pair of scissors is not missing either.

I admit I am a little overwhelmed as to where I should even use the tools on the hunt. What is the point of a ruler or a file? All I need on my stalk is a knife. That's it. Besides, the Leatherman is extremely greased. That protects the tool, but it turns my hands black. Which is very unpleasant.

The Leatherman does well

Checking the rifle is a standard routine before every hunting day. I check the barrel, the scope and also the rifle sling. This is fixed to the butt with a small screw that has a bit too much play. Normally I use a small screwdriver. But now the Leatherman is being used for the first time. It works wonderfully with the small screwdriver. I'm glad I found a use for the tool at all.

One more time the thing comes into use when I notice one morning at one of our seats that a small branch in the field of fire is annoying me. As I remember that I have a saw in my Leatherman, the branch is cut through without further ado. So the saw is useful. Another time I'm annoyed by my fingernail, which I cut while I'm on the shooting range. Thanks to the pliers of the multitool, I can also bend a nail that is sticking out of the wood of the stand and could lead to injuries, so that it cannot hurt anyone else.

First impression: I was not convinced by the Leatherman

The Leatherman offers many tools that can be very useful in the corresponding application. It has been of service to me a few times while hunting. However, I remain sceptical about taking it with me again, as my hunting knife has similar tools, such as a saw. Often I couldn't use it because I don't have a torn fingernail every day and at some point all dangerous screws or nails are removed. If the Leatherman were perhaps more hunting-specific and less greasy, I would be convinced. But as it is, I'll stick with my hunting knife for now.

At Galaxus you'll find a large selection of outdoor products: from headlamps to climbing ropes, from chainsaws to hiking boots. But what are these products good for? We want to find out and therefore equip three hunters with hiking boots and the like.

Claudio, Marco and Marc have their hunting lodge in the remote Calanca Valley at around 1500 metres above sea level. There, the three of them go hunting in the Grisons. With them are the Galaxus products, which they test for their suitability under extreme conditions.

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