![]() ![]() One of the features I know some will be excited over is spring loaded plier jaws, however I am not a fan as a big use for me is using the pliers as a third hand to hold a piece of wire for soldering or to tie a fly. For about the same size as a pocket knife, you have an entire tool package that still clips to your pocket and offered one-handed blade deployment.Īlso included with the Leatherman Sidekick is a slipcase for an executive type carry and carabiner tool which I did not find particularly useful other than as a nice add on to my key chain. To increase the utility an attached pocket clip for tip-down carry of the one-handed thumb-opening utility blade. In some cases, it does not make a difference, however on the file and serrated knife, you do lose just a little working length. To prevent bulkiness on the Sidekick, Leatherman shortened many of the nested internal tools. The one hand operation of the locking saw and knife blades is a feature I love on this tool, however it does generally make the sacrifice of a slightly bulkier tool to have some tools on the inside and some on the out. The same quality and strength is there, however just in a slightly smaller package. The mid-sized Sidekick really is a tool designed more for casual everyday use with a size, tool size, convenience and design that downsizes many of these tools into a package that is simple and easy to carry anytime and anywhere. These allow you to cut, fix, scavenge, and fabricate pretty much anything with the the exception of something that requires an end mill and CNC machine and both the Rebar and Sidekick have these tools to some degree. There are features I believe are critical to a general survival multi-tool including locking knife blades, bottle opener, can opener, lanyard ring, standard screwdriver, phillips screwdriver, ruler, saw, small screwdriver, pliers, wire cutters, Crimper, wire stripper, and file. The Rebar gives you more substantial feeling full sized locking tools and the Sidekick gives you a more compact package designed for more casual use which can take the place of a pocket knife clipped to your pocket. 5 oz lighter but feels substantially lighter due to a more compact package. When comparing the Sidekick to the Rebar, the Rebar is a purpose built hard use tool with thicker, stronger, and longer tools and a more substantial handle. From a feel perspective the intent of each tool is clear the moment you pick them up. Leatherman’s typical high quality fit and finish is reflected in these solid stainless steel multi-tools. ![]() Cruising the aisles of my local sporting goods retailer, the Sidekick and Rebar caught my eye, because they featured just the right combo of features in two distinctly different packages.įrom a spec and finish perspective the two multi-tools are very similar. In the last five years, I have become a bit picky about what should be on a survival based multi-tool and what is just extra weight. Over the years, I have purchased another dozen Leathermans and seem to have one stashed in every vehicle, pack, and tool drawer around the house. Sure I could have sent it back to Leatherman under their 25-year warranty, however karma prevailed and I happily slapped down another $40 for replacement. That original tool was used so hard that it actually had to be replaced. I have been a fan of Leatherman Multi-Tools since Tim Leatherman's original multi-tool. ![]()
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