So you like Leatherman multi-tools and you like your multi-tools to have a pocket clip. Me too. Leatherman make some of the best multi-tools you can buy and unless I can easily drop my multi-tool into my pocket or hook it to my keychain, I’m going to want my multi-tool to have a pocket clip or at least be able to buy one for it. But not all Leatherman multi-tools come standard with a pocket clip or even the option of buying one to fit.
What is the best Leatherman multi-tool with a pocket clip?
The best Leatherman multi-tool that comes standard with a pocket clip is the Skeletool range of multi-tools. Choose the knife blade you want from the CX, RX or the standard versions of the Skeletool. It’s not a tool monster with a tool for every possible job but it does have a minimalist and usable set of tools for everyday carry. Besides the standard pocket clip, there’s also a built in carabiner to give other options for carry and at only 5 oz (142 gms), the Skeletool isn’t going to weigh you down.
The Other Best – If you’re prepared to buy the optional quick release pocket clip, my choice of best Leatherman with a pocket clip is different. Leatherman sells a pocket clip for all the versions of the Wave that you can attach in seconds when you need it. There’s a good reason the Wave is Leatherman’s most popular multi-tool. It has a great quality toolset, with a fantastic selection of usable tools and it’s size fits well between being too compact or too bulky. With the upgraded Wave+, you also get my preferred replaceable wire cutters. It’s an easy recommendation.
Skeletool’s – CX, RX and the standard Skeletool
There are numerous versions of the Leatherman Skeletool – each with a different knife style to appeal to different Multi-Tool MacGyvers. What they all have in common is that they are lightweight, weighing in around 5 oz (142 gms). Leatherman have skeletonized the handles and the tools by cutting holes or taking metal out wherever possible to reduce weight. That’s where the “skele” part of it’s name comes from.
The Skeletool range also includes the KB and the KBX but these aren’t what I call multi-tools. They’re really just a lightweight knife with a bottle opener on the pocket clip. The KB has a straight edge blade while the KBX has a combo half serrated, half straight edge knife.
The rest of the Skeletool range have some common features. All of them have a bit driver that holds a double ended bit – Philips one end, flathead the other. They all store another longer bit in the handle which I find can be a little fiddly to remove and stow. If you want different bits, you need to buy Leatherman’s bit kit because standard 1/4″ bits won’t fit.
The Skeletools have a good set of needlenose pliers with bolt grippers and non-replaceable wire cutters. The blade type is where the Skeletool’s differ – choose from the standard version with its combo serrated/straight knife, the CX with its straight blade or the RX with serrated blade. They all have a carabiner which gives you another option for carry besides the pocket clip. The carabiner doubles as a bottle opener – nice.
The pocket clip is a good one. It follows the curve of the handle and is low profile. Importantly it’s a deep carry clip so sits low in your pocket and little of the Skeletal appears above your pocket line.
Signal
The Signal is Leatherman’s survivalist multi-tool. That’s because it has a few tools that will help you out when you find yourself dealing with the great outdoors or the apocalypse. A whistle to attract attention,
But there’s some of the multi-tool usual suspects here too – pliers of course and with replaceable wire cutters, a combo serrated/straight edge knife, wood saw, bit driver, bottle and can opener. All good tools to make the Signal a worthy contender for best Leatherman with a pocket clip. The pocket clip itself is styled to fit the handles shape and attaches securely to your pocket but it’s easy enough to extract when you need it.
MUT & MUT EOD
The MUT and the EOD version (Explosives Ordnance Disposal) of the MUT are Leatherman’s main weapon’s maintenance multi-tools. That means you’ll get tools such as a firearm disassembly punch, cleaning rod, a pin punch, carbon scraper and a cleaning rod specific to weapon’s maintenance. If you’re looking for a Leatherman with a pocket clip and you have weapon’s maintenance duties in mind, you can’t go past the MUT or MUT EOD.
But if you have other general tasks in mind for your multi-tool, the MUT offers a few good tools – a great pair of needlenose pliers with what I consider as almost compulsory – wire cutter with blades you can easily replace. The knife is a combo half serrated half straight edge blade. There’s a bit driver as well which accepts Leatherman’s own bits. Make the most of it with the optional 22 bit kit.
Not a common feature of multi-tools but very useful to have around is the hammer. If you don’t want to carry the MUT with the very secure pocket clip, you can hang it off your belt loop or your pack with the carabiner which doubles as a bottle opener. Either way you want to carry the MUT, it’s a great choice for pocket clip carry, specially for weapons maintenance.
Freestyle
The Freestyle is a simple multi-tool, in fact, it’s hardly a multi-tool at all with just a couple of main tools. There are combo serrated/straight edge knife and a pair of needle-nose pliers.
The pliers have the usual wire cutters and bolt grippers but that’s all there is. If you want a straight edge knife rather than a combo, choose the CX version. Both versions are lightweight at 4.5 oz (128 gms) and come with a deep carry pocket clip. Being so light, the Freestyle is a perfect tool for the Multi-Tool MacGyver who only wants basic tools and doesn’t want to be weighed down.
Raptor
The Raptor isn’t designed for everyone. The main customer is going to be First Responders because the Raptor’s main tool is a big pair of foldout scissors with rounded tips (so you don’t poke your patient in the eye!). The Raptor also sports a belt cutter for slicing through seat belts and ropes, a glass breaker for smashing vehicle windows and an oxygen tank wrench. A toolset made for rescuers.
So it’s not for everyone but if you’re after a high quality tough pair of scissors that can be kept at your side by clipping to your pocket or in the standard plastic holster, there isn’t anything else around that can beat the Raptor.
Leatherman’s that don’t come standard with a pocket clip
Leatherman offers a number of pocket clips as optional accessories for most of their multi-tools that don’t include a pocket clip as standard. Although the Wave is Leatherman’s most popular model and has been for years, it doesn’t come with a pocket clip as standard. Neither does any version of the Charge or the Surge. For these models, you can buy a quick release pocket clip and separate lanyard ring.
The quick release mechanism works really easily. You simply slid the clip into the slot and it locks into place. Remove it by depressing the usual locking tab and slid it out. It really is a quick release pocket clip. The lanyard ring works the same way. Choose which one you want to load because you can’t load both. The great thing about this as an optional attachment versus a Leatherman model that has one as standard is that, for a small cost, you can decide when you want to have a pocket clip on your multi-tool.
If you buy one of these models and you’re not sure if you need a pocket clip or lanyard ring, it’s probably worth the modest additional cost of adding one to your purchase so you have it around if you need it.
Other options
What if you want to clip your favourite Leatherman multi-tool to yourself but it doesn’t come standard with a pocket clip and you can’t buy an optional pocket clip? Do you need to choose something else. Not necessarily.
Leatherman sells a few multi-tools with a built-in carabiner which could be an answer for you. The Style, Freestyle, Skeletool, Signal and MUT models all have a carabiner. It’s obviously not the same as a pocket clip built-in but at least you can attach it to something to make it easy to carry.
Conclusion
So Leatherman has given you a few good options if you want to clip your multi-tool to yourself. The best multi-tool that comes standard with a pocket clip is the Skeletool – whatever version you choose. But if you’re happy to purchase the optional quick-release pocket clip and lanyard ring pack from Leatherman, then my favorite multi-tool is the Wave+ for everyday carry and the Surge for heavy duty jobs.