In 2017, I was tasked with responding to a situation that terrified me. I needed a small tool I could carry and do just about anything with. The tool had to be practical, offer some means of defense, and be helpful in a survival scenario. After over five years of ownership here’s my Leatherman Signal review.
The Leatherman Signal multi-tool checked more boxes than I thought possible in such a small package. It’s still holding up well after years of use, and maybe a bit of abuse.
*This page uses affiliate links. If you purchase the item by clicking our affiliate link, a portion of the sale will go to Red Sky Ready. This is our honest review and I carry this tool with me every time I respond to disasters.
Leatherman signal Features
The Leatherman Signal is one of the most feature-packed multi-tools on the market. It has 19 features, all listed below.
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Regular Pliers
- Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
- Wire Strippers
- 420HC Combo Knife (The primary blade)
- Saw
- Hammer
- Awl with Thread Loop
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- ¼” Hex Bit Drive
- Bit Driver
- ¼” Box Wrench
- Carabiner
- 3/16” Box Wrench
- Safety Whistle
- Ferrocerium Rod
- Diamond-coated Sharpener
Pros
Quality
Of all the multi-tools I looked at carrying, this was the one that kept its practicality while adding extensive options. There are much cheaper multi-tools, but this was a lifetime investment. Leatherman stands by their products and designs them to last. Their product quality is solid.
More features
The Leatherman Signal has dozens of functions. It’s been great to always have a Phillips and flathead screwdriver on me! The included belt carrying case works very well. The carabiner works wonderfully as well. It outlasted several belt loops! I eventually gave up on the belt loops and switched over to the belt carrying case.
Easy to use, simple to maintain
Maintaining your Leatherman Signal is also simple. The Leatherman website has a guide for keeping your tool in the best shape possible.
It’s compact
The Signal packs all of its features in a small package. It is well built and skillfully designed!
Cons
Blade durability
I have first-hand experience with making a warranty claim with them. A tiny part on the tip of the primary knife chipped off while slicing open packages of bottled water during a hurricane relief deployment. Cutting through the plastic wrapping became noticeably different after the tip broke off.
Snagging belt clip
Previously, the belt clip had also gotten caught on something and snapped off. Leatherman replaced the blade and belt clip and returned it. The knife looked brand new when they returned it. They had polished and oiled the whole knife!
Twisted flathead
The only other complaint I have is that the flat head screwdriver is now twisted slightly. You can pick up replacements for it online, or I’m sure Leatherman would be happy to repair that too.
Favorite Leatherman Signal Features
Whistle
The whistle is one of the more unique features of this multi-tool. It’s both loud and shrill, exactly what you need if you ever get lost in the woods.
Fire
The ferrocerium rod is great for entertaining small crowds! OOoooh, sparkles! While I haven’t had the need or desperation to start a fire with this, it’s nice knowing it’s there.
Hammer
The hammer is actually useful. True, you won’t be framing a house with the Signal, but the hammer is more than capable of tapping a few nails into drywall or pounding loose nails back into your deck.
Fidgeting
Sure, you wouldn’t spend all that money on a fidget toy, but there are a few fun parts to play with. Sliding the locking mechanism can be rather satisfying. Mindlessly opening and closing the pliers is also a boredom buster if your hands need something to do.
Leatherman Signal Warranty
Leatherman backs their products with an impressive 25-year warranty. If a problem develops with their product, they will repair it for you. Just fill out the form online, pay to ship it to them, and you’ll get it back shortly.
Leatherman knows some tools are worth more than just the value of their functionality. The online warranty form will ask if you want the product replaced or if you want to keep the original (for sentimental reasons) if the damage is too extensive to repair.
Conclusion
Leatherman is known for making tools that endure for ages. The Leatherman Signal offers the functionality needed for an endless list of activities. If you have money to invest in a long-term multi-tool, this is an excellent choice! If anything goes wrong, know that they will cover their product for the next 25 years that you own it!
You can purchase the Leatherman Signal from Bass Pro here.
Looking for more great reviews? Check out our favorite water bottles for disaster relief.
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