Leatherman FREE T4 Multi-tool Review

The Leatherman FREE multi-tool collection offers innovative magnetic architecture and a unique locking system that provides a one-handed ability to open and close every feature on the device. The FREE T4 is packed with 12 tools, including a knife, scissors, pry lever, package opener, awl, bottle opener, file, four screwdrivers, and tweezers. The 3.6-inch long body is made from 420HC Stainless Steel and Glass-filled Nylon, has a 2.2-inch long knife blade, weighs 4.3 ounces, and retails for $59.95.

The new collection is made in the USA in Leatherman’s factory in Portland, OR, and comes with Leatherman’s inspiring 25-year guarantee.

For further information, refer to leatherman.com.

Features

Each side of the FREE T4 has a lock-release thumb switch to release opened tools, while the back has a removable pocket clip with a lanyard loop integrated into the clip.  Inside the multi-tool body, it features a unique magnetic architecture that allows each tool to open and close seamlessly, effortlessly, and smoothly.

The top side includes the tweezers, knife, file/small flat screwdriver, and pry/opener/medium flat screwdriver, while the bottom has the scissors, Phillips screwdriver/bottle opener, and awl/small flat screwdriver.

The tweezers can be removed by pushing them out of their repository with your thumbnail. To place them back, insert them with the curled end pointing upward.

Opening the knife blade from the body was simple: press and hold your thumb on the blade’s outer slot and rotate it outward until it’s straight and securely locked down. To close the blade: press down on the release lever to unlock the blade and using your finger, push the blade back into its closed position.

I did notice that when opening the blade, it was somewhat stiff when overcoming the magnetic locking system, and my arthritic thumb wasn’t happy, though it’s only about 10° of rotation that’s problematic.

The other tools are opened differently: at the end of either side’s body, push your thumb outward on the small levers until the set of tools pops out, choose the one you want, and rotate it outward until it’s straight and securely locked down. To close the tool: press down on the release lever to unlock the tool and using your finger, push the tool back into its closed position.

The scissors are an odd one since the cutters need to be open for the tool to lock into position. Depending on which set of tools you’re opening, the release lever might be on the front or back.

Impressions

The well built FREE T4 feels excellent in hand and has a super-solid feel, without tactility being overly hefty. When any of the tools are opened and locked into their straight position, they have a stable and secure fit without any slop. This security offers excellent usage of the tools, making cutting, prying, driving, etc., efficient and functional.

Their magnetic locking mechanism makes for a silky smooth opening and closing of the individual tools. It was simple and easy to pry the tools open to their locked position, and then push the thumb releases to unlock the tool and swing them back to their stored position. All accomplished with one hand!

The FREE T4 offers a straightforward and minimalistic multi-tool design that features the typical Leatherman build quality, craft ship, features, and functionality.

It has 12 sturdy and useful tools packed into a small and lightweight package, with just enough tool variety to be helpful, without it becoming heavy and cumbersome. I liked the tweezers, as it was highly valuable for pulling out cactus, burrs, and wood splinters that I tended to get while out in the field, including hiking, camping, trail building, biking, and climbing. The knife blade was plenty sharp, and it made cutting anything from salami to rope easy and straightforward.

It comes with a clip that offers attachment to pockets, belts, packs, etc., providing easy access to the tool. It fit fine on my pants and belt and offered a secure hold. The clip was also handy when it was in my hydration pack since it kept it from bouncing around in the pockets.

Bottom Line

The 12-tool Leatherman FREE T4 Multi-tool includes a 2.2-inch carbon-stainless knife blade, scissors, package opener, awl, bottle opener, pry lever, four types of screwdrivers, a metal/wood file, and a set of tweezers. This multi-tool has a tool for just about anything you might run into, making it useful for working around the house, the shop, and in the field. It has a buttery smooth opening and closing action, with one-handed operation and a positive locking mechanism. The innovative architecture uses integrated magnets, making it easier to open, handle, and close the individual tools.

The Leatherman FREE T4 has a solid design, high-quality materials, 12 functional tools, and an innovative smooth one-handed opening system.