The Leatherman Arc Obsidian: Is It Worth It?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 13 ต.ค. 2024
- The latest "release" from Leatherman doesn't invoke any excitement for me personally. Yes it has a new color scheme, a better sheath, and a pocket clip. Beyond those points though, it doesn't do anything better or different than the previous model. It's all flash and no substance. Leatherman can do better. What are your thoughts?
The Leatherman arc came with a pocket clip
Now that I think about it, I’m certain that you are correct. I always take mine off so I can never quite remember if they came with them or not.
@@txtoolcrib yeah just different color from the obsidian lol
Yup, the OG Arc absolutely comes with a pocket clip.
@@txtoolcrib I bet you where thinking of the Free P2 (or was it the P4?). Originally one of them came with only the pocket clip, one came only with the lanyard loop. It was dumb, I'm glad Leatherman changed that.
It was the P2 and P4. I remember being pretty upset that they were charging 200+ dollars and not including a pocket clip for that kind of price. You’re absolutely correct. That’s what I was thinking.
Where is the adjustable pivot and spring loaded plier from 40th Anniversary?? That alone i would have paid an additional $20 for.
You are a youtuber / collector not a professional tool user man. [every] Leatherman Arc is an overpriced BS and then you come here say you'd pay extra $20. You're so out of touch.
@D2G10 i take it, you didn't watch my arc review. I specifically said, don't buy it.
I wasn't referring to a $20 over the $275, I'm talking about a base model arc(no stupid coatings, just functional).
It will still be way way too expensive for more people. But at least the justification will be better.
What I want them to make is a $160 version, all stainless, all 420HC, basic sheath, no bits, with spring loaded plier and adjustable pivots.
At that price it should have snap on stamped on it.
😂
LOL
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Leatherman keeps releasing tools for collectors and scalpers.
Yep
👍
The Spyderco sprint run model of business.
My regular Arc came with a pocket clip. So they must be including it now.
The Arc did include a Pocket Clip from the getgo
Definitely not worth the price.
Imagine you lose the tool or somebody asks to borrow it and abuses it…
I don’t mind the price of either Arc, it’s a great multitool with a costly blade. The price difference does mean if you don’t use a sheath, you still have to pay $50 for one to get the obsidian color. The problem with that is Leatherman established a precedent of black tools costing the same as stainless, setting people up for disappointment. I think this is how it’s going to be now, Leatherman decided their coatings were better than black oxide, invested money in the spray booth/oven, and now they are releasing new colors to make back their investment.
Black oxide doesn’t sell as well as stainless, and they don’t charge extra. If the bright colors bring in new customers, and they can use the same process to make black, then it is good long term strategy. Time will tell!
I'm sorry, but 0:41
Good for collectors but not for daily carry. Leatherman is more and more drifting away from the real users and becoming a brand for niche products…
it is $100 more than it should be
I feel like Leatherman is going in a direction aimed more at knife collectors and less aimed at Tradesmen. I get that company's have to update and sometimes change direction. I just don't know how I personally feel about this direction.
I think you’re absolutely correct. My opinion mirrors yours exactly.
@@txtoolcrib I recently noticed that my local lowe's and home depot don't carry leatherman tools on their shelves. They had some gerber multi tools but no leatherman. I asked an employee and they said it was only available online. I think that says quite a bit.
Yeah, I can honestly say the direction they have chosen is leading them further and further away from me as a customer. They are becoming that knife shop in the mall that sells dragon slayer swords.
It is a lovely looking bit of kit, But I just have a problem with using a magnet based multitool , How much debris do the magnets collect. I think I will stick with my Surge, Rebar, Wave when at work or off roading and camping. Being in the UK a bond is my daily carry. Really enjoy the videos.
I worked a ton around metal shavings. And never once found the magnets to be a problem. I would just once in awhile clean the multitool with alcohol and then relube it afterwards. This was more so to clean the nasty junk off than the metal shavings. People are overreacting regarding the magnets imo.
@@braixeninfection6312 Good info thanks.
Nearly $400 over here in Norway for the Leaterman ARC. I am a big fan of Leaterman, but no.
Hi Ben, are you still as anti-magnet as your were initially when the Free P2/P4 were released? As a welder and millwright by trade, you were saying that ferrous dust and shavings were going to pose a problem. Especially with the file tool. What are your feelings now?
I haven’t strayed from that opinion for my job. I try to stay as open in my opinions as possible. To that end, I enjoy using the Arc away from work. It is very user friendly, with a good selection of tools. Sometimes I let my personal experience as a tradesman influence my opinions to far in one direction. That’s something I’m working on.
@@txtoolcrib Thanks
Leatherman use to make tools for blue collar tradesmen to use them put food on table, now they just make overpriced trendy gadgets for Instagram phots.
I mean my arc has gotten me out of a ton of binds at work
They still do. One expensive multitool doesn’t make the other ones in their lineups go away. Lol
Oh so they don't make rebars and supertools n whatnot anymore? That's news to me... Did you know you can have products in multiple price categories?
Lot of fan boys here. If you are paying $300 for a multitool you have more money than sense. Congratulations.
I’m a blue collar tradesman who uses a wave to put food on the table. Pretty sure they still make em’ and at least I haven’t found a tool that’s superior in every way for less money.
Thanks for covering the arc tx i always like to see your reveiw before purchasing a multitool... I know what you mean by the magnacut being maybe too much, however after 420hc i dont think anyone" needs" a better steel for their job. I think they should maybe drop the p4/p2 and make a budget arc with all 420hc blade for $175 with the medium shealth and bit kit or 150 with only the pocket clip no accessories... I just feel like the the free can be great but they are not capitalizing on it. Enough. Where is my "free surge" or free k4 in either s30v, 154cm or magnacut.? Where is the bit adapter for the free series? Different colored pocket clips?. Lanyards ? And when are we going to get decent led rechargeable flashlight on these?. Can you imagine if they made a 12.5 ounce free surge. Thats a good size hammer. And they really could put much bigger tools in these things if they curved the handles like victorinox swisstool.
I use my multitools. They are on my body every day. If i want a premium version i dont see a problem with that. I use my supertool 300 for hard use at work and a designated premium knife( spyderco ) . People collect these things to use and to just collect. I was actually under the impression this version was a limited edition and not going to be their standard issue black oxide finish.
"A lot of people are not buying this for how pretty it is, they are buying it for functionality." I'm not sure I agree with the statement. The arc (and this variant) is a fancy Charge+ with a significant upcharge. If I want just functionality I'll just stick to the classic Wave+/Charge+/Surge
That would've made a great model name. The Upcharge, lol!
Very true, personally I have always preferred the one handed operability so the P4 was worth the price and my favorite. The premium they're charging for the ARC however is eyewatering.
They’re going to have to do something different. I don’t see how they can keep going in this direction and stay in business. But what do I know lol. I think it would be awesome If they had a few different tools you could choose from to customize their main big sellers. A premium Surge would be awesome too
Next year we will see a “blacked out” version with a black blade, pocket clip and hardware (kinda like the wave) 😑
I am pretty confident that nothing will ever replace my Surge…
I like my ARC but I'm neutral on the obsidian edition.
I have a Leatherman MUT that is blacked and it's fine, I like it but as for the ARC, I prefer the original ARC appearance personally and I don't care for the leather sheath.
I don't really see a problem with the Obsidian edition especially if someone hasn't picked up one yet and they want a special model or maybe they just like the blacked-out appearance.
A serrated blade would be nice, I use it more than anything else on my Surge but it's not a deal breaker.
People complain about Leatherman prices but I'm just happy that they are still making their products in the USA.
$200 today just isn't what it used to be before the lockdowns and out of control government spending/money printing.
People can still buy a Surge for $150 if they are on a budget. They act like the ARC replaced everything else.
The ARC probably isn't for you if you're on a budget and a MagnaCut blade doesn't mean much to you. IMO
All excellent points, but couldn’t they change the blade steel and make an all stainless version of the Arc? That would allow people to get the “newest” style in a more budget friendly model?
@@txtoolcrib
But why? Just get a Surge. More tools anyway...
The only reason I purchased the ARC was for the MagnaCut blade. That's the whole appeal of the ARC. IMO
@@txtoolcrib you dont really see the benefits on magnacut in a folder like this anyway compared to something like 20cv or m390 and coating it doesn't really serve a purpose with magnacut. Its mainly just steel hype. I'm not a fan of the magnets becuase of work but if they dropped a 420hc stainless version if the price was right I would pick it up.
Tale of Knives sells a leather bit kit holder with a belt clip. It can hold the full bit kit plus bit extension.
Very nice indeed thanks for sharing with us 👍
I like it for sure...but there is no way I am paying that much for a multitool...nor the $200+ for the regular Arc. Worth/value is an individual choice, but I'll pass on this one too. The Charge+ is my fav for the full size MT.
IMO ths second generation Charge, was the best and usefull multitool that Leatherman made ever.
My wife was asking me to give her some suggestions for an anniversary gift for me. I’m thinking of suggesting this but I already have a Surge and a Spirit X. Not sure if this would add much
I've had the ARC for over a year now and I have a pocket clip. Check youtube movies from 11months ago. All ARC have pocket clips.
My only complaint with my Arc is that while the bit driver has that bent piece retaining the bit if you use the hammering surface the micro bit tool doesn't have it. I lost the micro bit almost immediately.
They didn't even bother to round the edges to make it more comfortable 🤦♂
I’ve just used my rebar in black and coyote. Works just as well.
Without a serrated blade (for me) it's basically usless.
@@chefsean1Of course! Like I said: It's useless FOR ME. I use the serrated blade everyday. I can't justify that price for something missing a critical tool for my applications.
My edc arc has the saw and can opener deleted in favor of a serrated blade. I need to get another serrated blade and send it out to get coated to match for my obsidian
I got one of these to replace a lost surge and I’m gonna get my moneys worth, the magnets did get some chips stuck to it but its easy to clean. I do like the color alot
yeah it's kind of disappointing that the arc doesn't come with the two bits needed to service the tool, and that the leather sheath is so limited so as to not include options for their upgrades. Not very well thought out despite the tool being awesome.
I know in knives a dlc coating can add extra cost but its usually never more than $15-$20 but $50 seems extremely high even with the inclusion of the leather sheath. If the leather sheath is made in usa it might justify it but its probably not and it doesnt look like its the higher quality leather either
The Arc came with a pocket clip. I believe the P2 and P4 did not originally come with one.
I just got the ark and the obsidian version just came out. I did not pay more money for the color change.
It is REALLY nice! But multitools are beaters, not collectors like knives can be. If you're collecting multitools, fair enough. But I can't imagine having a "collection" of multitools in a display cabinet. I have 4 and they are users. So I don't know about spending this much on a tool. But it is really nice. I just don't want the headache of using it but worrying about keeping it pristine because it cost's so much. It's just stressy, I think.
Is the Leatherman holder a full grain vegetable tan leather?
I'd rather buy a Surge...
imho they should bring back the PST II along with a pricetag from, let's say, 1998 or so.
My Arc I ordered around my birthday did come with pocket clip on it an plus I paid more for engraving on it with my name and Kool design an there was a second box in the big box it came in with two bit kits
Would you mod the Arc like you did with your leatherman Surge?
I don't even have words to describe the feeling this makes me feel, when a company blatantly and openly does this and people still buy into it! The normal version is still too overpriced!
At this point it's just a fancy collectors item! Why would you pay 50$ more for a fancy color? Do you think your coworkers will drop their jaws when you take it out? Do you think your boss will promote you seeing your fancy multi tool?
I'm even more flabbergasted by the people who already have the normal version and still get this one! Excluding the youtubers who review it, at least they have a justification to get it!
Why do you care so much what other people do with their money lol?
And this thing looks worse than the original Arc.
OMG you're right!
By all means people should buy like 3 each, you never know when one will break, you don't want to be Arc-less while you send one for repairs!
@@DanielDan-rg9zw OMG you're right!
It's just not logical! It makes me so ANGRY now, because everything I do is LOGICAL and SMART, like getting heated and visibly upset over what other adults do with the money they earned.
Jokes aside, I respect anyone's opinion as long as it doesn't affect me, your money you choose what to buy, your company you choose what to make!
But at this point even the majority of youtubers I've seen, aren't happy with the product just being a different color...
But then again that's why there's tons of other companies that range from budget to whatever you're willing to pay!
So each can choose what works for them and everyone can live happily with their decisions!
I'm confused, my leatherman arc I purchased a year ago came with a pocket clip? Is this not standard
They’re going to have to do something different. I don’t see how they can keep going in this direction and stay in business. But what do I know lol. I think it would be awesome If they had a few different tools you could choose from to customize their main big sellers. A premium Surge would be awesome too. A really good move for them would be to hire you as a consultant! You can get them to blow up again! 😂
carrying a nextool w2 until a cheaper crunch comes out. lm crunch is strangely in collector territory now, nothing else on the market thats like it
My leatherman free p4 has almost all that for a quarter the price. Or a surge for half the price is way tougher
that part that is wider on on the cutters, is a wire stripper, IMO.
It is not. I could understand why someone might think that, but it simply is not the case. Wire strippers have a sharp edged in order to cut through the jacketing of a copper wire. If you look closely at those cutters, they have a blunt edge.
Why are you saying that there is no pocket clip with the ARC when every single one has always has a pocket clip ?
No T-Shank + bit driver, no purchase 🙂
The leatherman obscene!
Missed your videos
If the pliers are still bending and unsafe to operate, I'll stick to my 15 year old MUT.
I noticed that your bottle opener looks like they didn't finish machining it. My Arc isn't rounded like the Obsidian opener you have. Looks like it would slip off the cap. Must have slipped by the Quality control guy. Thank you for the great videos. I watch these along with triangle 26s SKS videos when the wife gets stuck on the ID channel
8:47 ... It feels good ...
Ridiculous price. I just don't see the Value. Ive had loads of leatherman. I stopped when the proprietary bits we're all too soft.
I actually stayed away from Letterman for years and only recently got a bibury 19-1. It's definitely worth the $29. I can't say that about any leatherman
the wear suggests it's not actually DLC
The original was over priced and my first one was a dud. It took a long time to get a replacement. I won’t be purchasing another
They didnt blacked out the clip and didnt got the black knife 😫😩😂😭🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️🤦🏻♂️
not worth the price
I do love my arc, and carry it everyday. But I definitely won’t be buying this version.
This limited edition/collectors item direction the company is headed in is a bad development.
It's a sign when a brand name gets too big and loose sights of it's original mission.
@@chefsean1 It means quality will go down and prices up. It also means less innovation in product design.
@@chefsean1 Because they're taking the uninspired lazy route to profit.
@@chefsean1 it isn't the same stuff nor the same prices. Quality is more hit or miss And prices are increasing. Did you not watch the video?
My arc has a clip
It's nice it doesn't waste space with two blades .. I wish someone as brave enough to make a multi tool with NO bottle opener .. it's 100% useless wasted space, anything can open a bottle.
Super fancy steels on a multitool are silly. You know who doesn't use a super steel? Victorinox. The most amazeballs steel is great until it gets dull, and it will get dull even if takes longer, then it's hard to sharpen. This is a tool for gadget junkies and people who treat their knives like art to keep at home in a frame, not a tool that is going to get used in mud, oil, get paint on it, and get dirty. And magnets... On a tool when I'm working around filings and shavings... Still an idea that aspires to be moronic.
I have the arc and I don’t see anything worth the extra $50 dollars for this one.
6:02 uggggh they still haven't fix that issue? Pathetic.
Woohoo. $50 extra on the price of their lowest quality tool for a paint job and a leather sheath. They should have fixed the horrible frame flex and wire cutter issue and then heat treated the blade to a usable HRC (63 minimum for Magnacut) because the Arc's blade has worse edge retention than even the Charge's 154CM. Leatherman has become such a joke
35 year collector and user and i am fed up and done with them . Price points on their tools have gone through the roof . They are eliminating the core value of Tim leathermans idea of getting affordable tools in their hands . Magnacut is not that great of a blade if one does not
know how to sharpen or hone the steel. I own the arc and i take my charge g10 or tti over my arc anyday . They are losing the core buyers and people are speaking their minds with their wallet
and comments .
I mean... if I was gifted it.
still rounded wire cutters? no thanks. Price is also too high.
Obsidian seems like a cash grab
It's way too much money. This is a $150 multi tool at best and that's only because it's USA made, with an upgraded blade that does not justify the $80 increase in cost and then another $45 increase to make the whole thing black is just insane, it's at least $100 over priced. Leatherman have lost their minds with their pricing and are banking that guys are so into their tools that they'll pay what is basically tool + knife money. Besides the blade steel, the Arc doesn't do anything more than bring the tool layout that everyone wants and why should that cost so much money? They're already losing a ton of money to GOAT and Roxon and a slew off really good Wave clones.
I can't say that I've ever been impressed with the Leatherman Ark I think it's overrated And it's definitely not worth Almost $300
$275 wut?
STAY AWAY. Paid Leatherman extra to engrave the item and did a horrible job and wouldn’t fix it. Horrible service
Short answer, no.
I would not buy it at that price
In fairness to Leatherman with Chinese crap factories churning our Leatherman surges with 3d bits for $30 what are they supposed to do? Yeah the Leatherman's are better but they aren't $100-$200 better.
from dlc to pvd is such a downgrade