Leatherman joins the survival craze with a new tool incorporating 19 features including:
Safety Whistle, Ferrocerium Rod, Diamond Sharpener. Made from 420HC Stainless Steel and featuring DLC (diamomd like coating), the Signal’s survival features may seem like afterthoughts, but this is a great multi-tool for keeping in the trunk for emergencies.
Tags: Leatherman
Glad to see they’re sticking with the knife on the outside.
Yes, all bells and whistles but no cigar. Not that great in real life outdoor use. It has so many little issues I simply got fed up with in the end. Purchased directly from Leatherman website store, eventually returned back for a refund.
Will get either Wave or Rebar, instead.
I was looking forward to this design. What did you not like about it? Currently, I don’t leave home without my Wave clipped in my pocket.
The survival tools are really more last ditch stuff than tools you’d regularly use.
SSD got it, CB.
It’s more of a stripped down ‘standard’ MT to accommodate specific bits you may need in a survival situation. But alas, none of them do their intended job well.
As a long term user of the full-size ‘survival’ tools LM included as yellow plastic bits all I could summarize them as – fiddly to use, small too handle and under-performing.
Whistle isn’t loud enough, ferrocerium rod (firesteel) is too small for it use and it sits inside whistle plastic, close to your mouth…WTF Leatherman? LM designers – back to drawing board, and think this one through a little more this time, please.
Knife sharpener is again too small to use. I have to remember when was the last time I needed to sharpen my MT knife while trekking, MTB-ing, camping etc – basically never. I sharpen my knives and MTs at home either pre-trip or on my return. The saw was also shorter than I found comfortable.
Skeletonised DLC coated handles (scales) are a nice touch and add to overall lightweight-ness. But the tool load is sub par.
Younger folk and tender female crowd will most likely like the tool, as an extra assurance along their outdoor escapades, it’s a nice boy-scout tool to be honest. But it stops there and falls short of being something you can depend on in survival situations. Only as a very last resort.
I have to say I liked the hammer, though and the 2-sizes hex bit driver at the bottom. Bottle opener works fantastic too…umm, yeah…see where I’m going with this?
Thanks for the detailed review. I haven’t seen one at my local store yet. Your advice saves me time and money. This confirms that I need to continue carrying the Leatherman Wave and reading SSD.
I’ll stick with my MultiTasker…
I’ve handled it. I like the ferr rod but that’s about it. Nothing ground breaking. I’m sticking with the wave. It’s very very hard to best.
Yeah, handled it too. And put it back on shop shelf, with a thank you, but no – thank you.
I am a long time user of a Leatherman MUT, this Signal tool tries to emulate in a smaller, lighter civilian version.
For me, LM Surge at home and LM MUT dowrange and out there in the field.
LM Signal is nothing more than a toy, great concept but poor execution.