Leatherman Garage #5

The 40th Anniversary Edition from Leatherman is a major revamp of the FREE P4 platform. Notable changes include a much improved knife blade, the addition of a diamond file, and a bit exchanger which greatly improves on the capabilities of the original FREE P4. These major changes, combined with some minor refinements, takes this platform to a new level. It is my hope that Leatherman will incorporate these changes into the upcoming Leatherman Arc as well.

[maxlvledc]

This is why we need you. The things you caught I never noticed!

[walkerg.]

I’m not exactly sure why, but I felt compelled to comment, I’m new to the multitool space and have been doing a lot of research on them and picking up my first one. I went with the free P2. I know a lot of people don’t seem to like the loose action as you mentioned in this video, but I thought I would share a different perspective. I have cerebral palsy and my left side is very dominant compared to my right, so much so that my right hand in some cases can be useless, depending on what I’m doing. The fact that the P2 exists, and everything can be done with one hand because of its “looseness“ is a major upside. I’m sure that I’m not the only one, but I thought I would share as somebody that’s part of the disabled community. Great video. Nonetheless, you seem very knowledgeable in this space and I very much enjoy your videos. Please keep it up.

[frogturtle]

this is hands down the best review of this tool by a huge margin. not just the typical “it’s so pretty and has magnacut wow” but I actually learned a lot about this tool (and hopefully the same features on the upcoming arc) from your video. subscribed.

[watchncarry]

I always enjoy that you go into detail about the form and function of each tool. As well as their practical applications.

Nice work, as always. Thank you

[SoCalFreelance]

+1 for actually using the can opener tool on more than one occasion.

[Makeitcount-iksd]

It would off been nice to see the eyeglass tool be able to hold an exacto blade, even if proprietary blades were needed. Great video as always

[usarchitects]

Ben I love your videos. Unfortunately this batch ended up mostly on Ebay scalpers’ hands, leaving the collectors empty handed. Will wait for the “commercial mass production version”.

[Mr.deacle]

This is a fantastic in-depth analysis, thank you! Even for people who missed out on the Garage 5 like myself, this is really good info for those considering buying the ARC when it arrives. I use a serrated blade too, so if I got the ARC I'd probably carry a separate serrated pocket knife.

The leaked Korean market 3D render we've seen of the ARC shows a longer file, shaped more like the wood saw instead of having a flat tip. No idea why the Garage 5 doesn't have that, maybe the pointed tip was somehow annoying to use. I do really enjoy the chisel tip on the Gerber Dual Force's file, surprised we don't see that more often.

The 3D render also shows a properly pointy awl. Of course those are just renders, not the finished product. We might have to stick with the Free series awl but I'd prefer something pointy. Zapwizard made some additional fan-made renders but even the original showed what I'm talking about.

[tomturbuckle]

Great review. That point of how they have the ingenuity to intergrate the micro driver and bit driver together is a great point. The Arc is definetly that way the Free series should have been.

[JamesMBC]

The Free P4 is my favorite multitool, as it is fantastic for outdoors bushcraft and emergency situations, given the one-hand operation.
In the woods, there are no metal shavings, and there is no need to have dozens of scredriver bits (in fact, it's the most useless tool in the woods).

[ZapWizard]

I agree with everything you put out there. I put the Chisel edge into the "FREE Z1" rendering I posted on Reddit a year ago, and I plan on adding that feature myself with a grinder. Otherwise it's the perfect tool for myself. Also I loosened my hinges to match the P4, and I bent the bit driver spring to hold the bit stronger.

[kennywheelus]

Hello Ben, congratulations, sorry you had to pay a higher price, bit at least you got one, I'm waiting for the Arc to come out, thank you an in depth review of this tool, there's only a few videos of this at the moment, I definitely love that new blade an thumb stud, an exactly, I won't replace my surge, but both them combined as a duo, oh man awesomeness, I'd love too see if Leatherman offers that blade sold separately for people who want to add it to their other favorite multitools if they have a version for each model or make a premium version that this new upgrade blade steel is on all Leatherman tools here on out, I personally think it was a grest idea an about time, I hope they keep going this route on their future tools an continue to get even better, maybe pricey but worth it in the long run because you'll have a grest quality dependable tool.

[FreedomFox]

Thanks for showing the bent piece, holding the bit in place. That’s going to be especially helpful when using the hammer surface. A design flaw of the GOAT tool is that the bit comes loose any time you hammer. Glad to see LM thought of this for the Arc!

[JJ]

I should also add that Leatherman could do so much more on this tool (and others) with the same thoughtful application of the approach used on the pry bar/package opener - adding the cap lifter to the same blank. It's the same principle in adding a chisel to the file. Or your suggestion to combine the bit drivers. Why not put a wire stripper on the base of aul... and make it a depth gauge too? I have to believe a combined can opener/cap lifter is possible with some savvy thinking.

Space is at an extreme premium in these tools, the blanks should get a major TLC overhaul to each serve two or three purposes.

One last item in the off chance Leatherman reads these comments; can we get a combined Torx/Robertson bit option please? :)

[MicahsRants]

Great video brotha 🤙🏽I just picked up my ARC from Bass Pro Shop this morning in the rain. Only ARC within 100 mile radius

[irawolf]

What a great review! I subscribed after seeing it. I am one of the lucky ones to get this tool directly from Leatherman, and it’s a keeper!! 😊 After manipulating everything about hundred times to break it in, I used fine Arkansas stones to smooth out the locking notches for the plier heads and the oval opening cutouts for the file and saw. (I do this to all my Leathermans to take the bite out of opening them.) One change I would like to do is replace the micro screwdriver with a lanyard ring like the one on my Wave 1st gen. A paracord loop makes the tool easier to grab out of a pouch without interfering with the pliers, and I can easily lock the loop to a carabiner. Looking forward to seeing more of your videos!

Oh yeah, the blade is SHARP, Spyderco sharp! It took a trip to urgent care to finally stop the bleeding from my finger tip. 😂😂😂

[jasonswitzer]

So…. The main reason to get this (or the upcoming Arc) if you already own a Charge is because you really like having all the tools on the outside of the frame. Is that it? They seem to have nearly the same toolset (this has the combo box opener flathead/cap lifter, while the Charge has a serrated blade). Any comments on why someone might buy this or an Arc over a Charge?

[Ericles]

You mention the tool is generally tighter, is there play in any of the implements aside from the pliers?

[LupinxJigenTTV]

Awesome video! As a guy that only used a Fuse and a Wingman for work its amazing to see the new premium designs from them. The Arc is gonna be awesome if it has these features.

[xderiwx]

For those of you who have tightened up your P2/P4, ARC or Garage 5 handles, does Leatherman apply any loctite to these out of the factory? Just curious before I dig into mine to try and tighten them a bit.

Thanks!