

v-groove wire stripper (side of bottle opener): comes in handy in a pinch, and is sharper than anticipated.can opener & bottle opener: can opener could be sharper/more pointed, but works well enough.metal file (opposite face of ruler): too short for rapid material removal, but good for emergency deburring.small screwdriver (located at tip of ruler): great size and shape, works well.1-3/16″ ruler (part of a 3-in-1 tool): could be handy, but may be a bit short.short serrated knife: usable length, nothing to complain or write home about.wood-cutting saw (liner lock): sleek and appealing design, well-sharpened teeth, and performs as well as the saws on Leatherman’s higher-priced tools.Still, they’re functional and get the job done. They’re not very sharpened (nor should they be given the design), so they tend to crush smaller wires before cutting them, and require more effort to cut through thicker wires and nylon cable ties. The wire-cutter is comprised of two triangular cutting edges that meet at the center (forming an X shape).

Both the regular and needlenose gripping zones are grooved well with no visible burs or defects. The edges of the tool’s handles are rounded and provide a comfortable grip even when squeezing them tightly. The combination pliers have a spring-action, and are quite nice to use. Sidekick Pliers Spring-action pliers with wire-cutting function With use, opening the knife one-handed does seem to be getting easier, or it at least it seems to be getting easier. I didn’t like how loose this made the knife feel, so I tightened it back up.
LEATHERMAN SIDEKICK TOOLS REMOVING A TOOL DRIVER
Update: Loosening the pivot machine screw ever so slightly with a T10 Torx driver improves the ease at which the knife can be deployed one-handed. While the knife blade can be deployed with one hand via its elongated thumb-hole, I find it easier and more comfortable to use two hands.

For comparative reference, the Sidekick’s blade is slightly shorter and thinner than the one on Leatherman’s Skeletool. Its usable cutting edge is actually about 1/4″ shorter than its stated length, but that’s not a big deal. The liner-lock plain-edge knife blade is 2.6″ long and made from 420HC steel. Leatherman Sidekick Knife Blade Knife blade and wood-cutting saw Once the target audience, first-time multi-tool buyers and those upgrading from generic import models, get a taste for Leatherman quality, they’re definitely going to be hankering for more. “Entry-level” is an appropriate description, but only in regard to the tools’ low price point, not their quality. Leatherman knew exactly what they were doing when they designed the Sidekick and Wingman tools. Inner tools lock in place with a with a satisfying and reassuring click. Both handles open smoothly to present the pliers, and the knife blade and tools deploy just as fluidly. It weighs in at 7.0 oz, and is 3.8″ long when closed. After all, this is a “value-priced” tool, right? After a good few minutes of scrutiny, I could not find anything that screamed out “ compromised quality.” When the Sidekick sample arrived, the first thing I did was look it over to see where Leatherman may have cut costs. Initial Thoughts Closed Sidekick, front and back
