Leatherman ARC Multi-Tool | Joint Forces News

Leatherman ARC showing what you get ~ ARC Multi-Tool, Nylon Belt Sheath and set of 18 alternative Driver Bits [© Mike Gormley]

The Leatherman ARC is perhaps the best in a long line of multi-tools from the Oregon-based company and is a really great evolution, writes Mike Gormley.

The Leatherman engineers are extremely good at reinventing a perfectly good wheel. They have been doing this for years, ever since in 1975 Tim Leatherman came up with his original design for the Leatherman PST (Pocket Survival Tool) and it went into production in 1983.

The boxed Leatherman ARC Multi-Tool as it arrives [©MG]

Now over lots of years I have been lucky enough to try many of these, and to twice meet Tim who started it all, so I have been able to gauge the progress and improvement. This is not to say that every new Leatherman introduced is an improved version of the last. It isn’t. Many of the tools are their own in design, size and end use, plus some such as the MUTT are quite specific. So it’s good to have a few from the range to best suit what you are doing and where you are going; and yes, you can tell my wife (Jean) that from me! There are people out there who collect them all, so no need to be shy about owning a few. [Guilty as charged, Ed.]

When spread out there is a lot packed into the one multi-tool ~ here the many very useful features that are contained in the ARC [©MG]

A Leatherman such as this full-size ARC model, introduced last year, will have a selection of in-built tools, which we expect and have probably become accustomed to use on a daily basis on this type of multi-tool. They fold up, they have the ever-important pliers and, of course, a primary cutting blade. Over time these base elements have improved and hence my opening comment here. The tools these days feel better in the hand, especially when pressure is applied, but this review is about the ARC which has a very comprehensive selection of features.

As ever with a Leatherman the saw blade is a very useable tool [©MG]

Leatherman quote 20 tools for the ARC, but add to that the ‘bit kit’ of 18 drivers and this multiplies significantly. However, even the core items of this Leatherman have once again been improved. To me Leatherman have always had the keenest blade you can find anywhere. I just hate it when the time comes to sharpen it as it never seems to be quite the same. The ARC now has a premium CPM MagnaCut blade which has a DLC treatment; i.e. standing for a ‘Diamond Like Coating’ which endeavours to replicate the hardness of diamonds. This gives the primary blade improved corrosion resistance and the ability to keep its ultra-keen edge.

The primary cutting blade, open and locked, really is as sharp as it looks ~ note also the thumb operated locks to enable the blades and tools to be folded into the main handles [©MG]

The main blade is a single-handed operation, which is really handy on those tricky jobs where the other hand is busy holding the thing you are working on. Leatherman say all tools are single-handed operable. I would say yes; perhaps, if you really have to but, on the whole, most are not so easy with one hand. Some assistance from another part of the body or a ‘thing’ makes life a good bit easier.

The replaceable hard wire cutters are very effective and capable ~ pliers are needlenose [©MG]

The ARC has all of the features / tools that you would typically require and expect from a premium Leatherman and they all work, and are fully fit for purpose, as ever. All tools that access from the unfolded tool are self-locking; a very good safety feature and it makes them much more useable. Usefully they can be unlocked both left- and right-handed. As a principally left-handed person, a thanks to Leatherman for this. This is a point often forgotten with many things.

The main cutting blade is quite easy to deploy using one hand ~ you can also see the ‘hammer’ at the base of the ARC [©MG]

The ‘impact surface’ or hammer, seen here loosening a sticky pin, has very many uses and does away with the need to improvise [©MG]

As with most Leatherman tools there are a few less obvious features. One such feature on the ARC is an ‘impact surface’ – AKA a hammer. I will confess in the past to using various parts of a Leatherman to hit things with. Seems a bit rude really, but often needs must. So with the ARC we have an official multi-tool part to persuade things into place. My very old, battered and now sadly discontinued OHT (One Handed Tool) model had a hammer fitted and often used. I think the OHT is the only Leatherman I have had which I more or less wore out from long hard use.

The ARC has several options when it comes to driving screws ~ this tool has interchangeable ends and also accepts bits from the supplied set [©MG]

Looking forward, the ARC has many features and some perhaps less obvious like FREE technology. This basically means it is easy to operate and it is what they say it is. However, rather than being all floppy when closed it isn’t as it has magnets which click it closed and hold it so when not in use. These magnets offer slight resistance to opening but then it’s easy going.

With an ARC there is no need to ‘improvise’ when it comes to taking a bottle top off [©MG]

The sheath is the now commonly used Leatherman design made from nylon. This is very robust and has an easy to use and secure press stud closure. It has sections for the accessory driver bit strip as well as the ARC and an open base to allow water to drain out.