Leatherman has introduced two new snowboard-centric tools – the Rime and Hail.
Leatherman has integrated pictograms into the design so that you know the function of each tool. Both have a flat #3 screwdriver heads as well as wax scrapers for the board. Additionally, both can store your headphones as well as bottle openers and lace pullers.
The Hail also has a 10mm wrench for the bolts on straps and bindings. Additionally, you can nest a Style PS tool into the body of the Hail.
The new Leatherman Raptor was designed specifically for medical personnel. It is a compact, folding shear.
It integrates a one hand opening strap cutter with an integrated oxygen tank wrench. Flip to around and there’s a carbide tip glass breaker as well as a lanyard attachment.
Once opened the shear’s 420 high carbon steel blades feature a metric scale ruler for measuring ECG strips and the shears themselves feature a unique grind that doesn’t shed material into wounds and allows you to rip cut. Additionally, there is a ring cutter function at the back of the blades.
In addition to a pocket clip which will also fit a single PALS bar. Additionally, there is an ambidextrous injection molded holster that allows for angled carry. The holster allows for open or closed carry of the Raptor.
Don’t blink…
Short, sweet, and to the point, it’s nice to see that Leatherman acknowledges their military customer.
About two years ago, Leatherman was approached by two SFCs from the Army Marksmanship Unit at Ft Benning about creating a tool for everyday utility use in addition to weapons maintenance. During the two-year development period, they tested (in Iraq and Afghanistan and bases here in the US) and refined the tool with the official unveiling of the resulting Military Utility Tool at this year’s SHOT show. The product that Leatherman developed is available in both Utility and EOD models. Other than intended use, the major differences between the two are inclusion of a blasting cap crimper and C4 punch (replaces weapons punch) on the EOD model. Obviously, the Utility MUT will suffice for the vast majority of users and that is one of the things that really attracts me to the MUT. It is designed for use by Military, LE, as well as civilian shooters. As you can see from the brochure from Leatherman, a lot of thought went into the development of the MUT.
I had a chance to handle a MUT last week and some of the features that really stick out for me are the bolt override tool, the inclusion of a wrench that ingeniously stores in the sheath’s MOLLE webbing, the replaceable bronze scraping tool for removing carbon buildup from the weapon, and compatibility with OTIS cleaning kit tool heads. This video gives you a great idea of how the MUT works. This is the EOD variant so the remember that the EOD-specific tools will not be on the Utility model.
The MUT is made in the USA and comes with a MOLLE compatible sheath in Coyote. If there is any drawback to the MUT it is that it is not available in FDE. Black is just so passe. I am really looking forward to this hitting the street later this summer as it offers a couple of features not found anywhere else.
