Leatherman is now the distributor for snazzy German LED Lenser flashlights, and they’re showing off the new F1. You can see it’s tiny, but it cranks out 400 lumens for two hours using a single CR-123 battery. It has multiple modes (momentary/low/high/strobe) but very simple controls: a single press of the power button always gives you full power. Price: $80.

But there’s more…

Leatherman’s new OHT stands for ‘One Hand Tool’ because every gadget can be opened and used with a single hand. The plier tips snap out like a gravity knife, and the plier handles are sprung so they open themselves. It also sells for $80.

And one more thing:

 

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34 COMMENTS

  2. i have an old Gerber multi tool that spend time in my range box and my tackle box. I was hesitant to get one, i’m a swiss army knife guy, but after I tried it I wouldn’t be without it. A one handed model would be a good deal.

    • I have carried a Leatherman tool every day of the last ~20 years except when the TSA or the country I was in that day made carry illegal. And sometimes even then.

      Current everyday carry: Skeletool CX with Philips and Torx bits.

      • I carry a Leatherman CX quite a bit as well. I was never impressed by Swiss Army knives. The blades were weak, didn’t lock, and they never made a useable pliers.

        • Just be careful with the CX pliers — they can NOT withstand a lot of torque when you grab something like, say, a Euro style metal hose clamp and twist hard with your wrist. I am on replacement number 4.

          Non-locking blades are a deal breaker for me, and I don’t like my family using them either. Especially after I put a good working edge on whatever blade they’ve just acquired. Too many ways to end up with deep cuts on the back of your fingers.

        • In my previous life as a high school custodian I was constantly using my SAK. It always seemed to be on me and I wouldn’t have to go fetch a tool bag for a simple jobs. While it’s true the blades don’t lock and they’re not that sturdy they’re good enough for the 101 jobs around a public school that need a knife blade.

          My main reason for getting a Gerber multi tool was the pliers. That’s one point at which a SAK just doesn’t make it.

          A honking ring of keys, a mini mag light and either or both a SAK or Multi tool along with a sense of humor and a butt load of patience will get you thru a lot of years in a public high school.

        • You would have been even more effective with a tool you could draw without fishing around in your pocket (integral clip) and then open the blade one handed even if you had recently trimmed your fingernails. 🙂

        • Yeah, cause we all know how hard it is to reach into a pocket and pull out that heavy ol’ red handled knife and then open the blade. That adds what, 3-5 seconds to the average job?

          I just wished Gerber or somebody else would have come up with the”Plumbers Helper” model. Talk about effecient. Blades, screwdrivers, pliers and plunger all in one. That and a roll of duct tape would have handled just about all jobs.

        • In all seriousness, the one handed thing is a huge advantage when you’re up a ladder, on your back under a vehicle, or any other awkward situation.

          I have concerns that your plumber’s helper model would be difficult to fit in a standard pocket, even with 5.11 tac pants. 😉

        • I’ve used the Leatherman blast and the Leatherman wave. Buying either is money very well spent. I can’t speak to Victornox though. I’ve never had one but they look nice. I just wish they came with pliers.

        • The pliers are what sold me finally on a multi tool. I still have and occasionally carry a couple of SAK’s. They are easier to put in a pocket and will handle quite a few jobs on their own.

          I keep one SAK in my trunk emergency kit. I like the fact that it’s light weight and has a usuable can opener on it. After a major earthquake it might be handy to have a can opener.

          I’m adding a swedish mora knife to my trunk kit. It’s light, low priced and is much knife for the money. No one tool is perfect, so I mix and match.

  3. I have the Gerber Suspension, and love it. I like the idea of this new Leatherman, though, and may have to give it a try. I’m VERY intrigued by the F-1. I’ve been buying Fenix lights (have had numerous of them for several years with no issues at all), but if this F-1 can output that much light at that price point, gotta have one.

    • I prefer the Leathermans, but the Gerber is a great choice…especially when you consider that it costs like 40$ less.

  4. Pro-tip from an LED Lenser owner: make sure to pick the models with a constant-output option. They cost a little more because they have a DC-DC voltage stabilizer chip, but it’s worth it because the alternative is a light that’s visibly dimmer after as little as 15-20 minutes of use.

    I’m sure hoping the new Leatherman branded micro light is constant output, because I need to upgrade the light in my work bag and that one looks perfect for the job.

    • 400 lumens? Who needs that? There’s no reason to have more than 7….

      I’d love to see NY manufacturers move out and / or refuse to service government firearms.

      • Not to mention the crenellated Assault Bezel on that evil black flashlight. No private citizen needs to inflict the kind of horrific injuries you can cause with a bezel like that.

  7. “The plier handles are sprung” really…? Your comfortable writing this sentence without a Sir Mix-A-Lot reference? I fear for the future of Israeli models.

  8. I like leatherman but ill stick with my sunnywayman v11r 500 lumen burst cr123s rcr123s, Aa, or lion 1440 (Aa equiv) same size (with the cr123 or rcr123)

  9. A few years ago, I was still under the impression that LED flashlights were crap-ola. Basically, because all the ones I had seen were crap-ola and expensive, to boot. Until I bought a Leatherman SuperTool 300, which just happen to come with a free LED flashlight (as if I cared about that, but what the hey, it’s free).

    Well, this one is not crap-ola, by any means. I have it in front of me as I write. I EDC it in my day pack. It’s called Monarch 400, takes a single Al Kaline AA battery and I have yet to see another LED flashlight that’s as small and bright.

    I’ll have to take a closer look at what they offer in the flashlights. I happen to be a HUGE Leatherman fan. I have at least 6 of their tools, not counting dupes.

  10. I have a couple of Fenix flashlights and they are the shit. Quality of Surefire but half the price.

    Here’s the one I got myself for Xmas: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/s/ref=pd_sl_5zt88clo3n_e?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Afenix+pd32+ultimate+edition&keywords=fenix+pd32+ultimate+edition&ie=UTF8&hvnetw=g&tag=hydsma-20&hvadid=17554676274&hvptwo=&hvpone=&hvpos=1t2&hvrand=7335974871469562862&hvexid=&hvqmt=e

    740 lumens, and the color temp is closer to natural light than most LED’s.

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