Beyond that, it’s just one helluva versatile, tough tool. From big tasks to small tweaks, the Arc has an implement to meet the job. And with a combination of premium materials and thoughtful design —you can use two hands, but you’ll only need one —it makes for a terrific DIY companion. If your multi-tool use includes a lot of driving screws, choose the Center Drive Plus. It is the best tool we know of for that purpose. Otherwise, it's more average as a general multi-tool. The rattly construction holds up well but doesn't instill high confidence. The pliers are more prone to pinching than more sophisticated options, and accessing tools other than the blade, pliers, and bit driver requires multiple steps. The advances don’t stop there. Instead of the sometimes frustrating thumb pull tabs commonly used on multi tools Leatherman included a magnetic release system. This allows you to easily fan out the tools on either handle of the Free P4 and choose the one you need. Lazenby did tell me that there was one unexpected benefit in certain instances. When working around metal shavings, an open tool will collect shavings near the base of the handle. According to Lazenby, this proved fortunate, as it drew shavings away from the implements’ pivot points and made them easier to dispose of. I have not tested this, however. Leatherman FREE Buying Tips Leatherman FREE (left) is 10% lighter than the Wave (right)

Rev 2: Tweaked fit of catch mechanism. Tested Tek-Lok compatible hole spacing. Added supports near top to better grip the tool. Large base finger opening Key features of the Leatherman FREE P4: what makes the Leatherman FREE P4 special? Leatherman FREE P4 when closed. Any of those tools could serve as a worthy EDC. But the Arc feels objectively different. Perhaps “substantial” is a better description. Tipping the scales north of 8.5 ounces, it outweighs all except the P4. But when you add the nine-piece bit driver set (weighing 1.5 ounces), the full Arc arsenal in the sheath feels like the brand’s most serious multitool to date.The final tools are located on the three remaining flip out tools. The awl has a thread loop but actually uses the extra-small flathead as its tip. This worked surprisingly well when we tried it out. It had no problem going through leather and thinner pieces of wood. Edit: I misread your question: Yes it would fit the flat bits. There isn’t room for a regular hex holder. While Leatherman’s Advance Development Team spent years reengineering the FREE, including big investments into automotive-grade machining processes, two key construction differences will stand out for the common user (like myself): magnets and an elastomer spring. Not since the PST have we had such a large introduction of new technology and new learnings that we had to implement in one tool,” Leatherman product manager Jeremy Rodriguez told me on my recent trip to the brand’s headquarters.

The Leatherman Free P4 is the latest in a long line of foldable pliers from Leatherman. The most obvious innovation over previous versions is the magnetic body which holds the handle tools in place. This makes them much easier to access over the old catch system which caused many broken finger nails, and can be operated with one hand. You may notice the P4 looks odd in the image, that is because there are four orientations on top of each other.

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The challenge Leatherman engineers set out to conquer was to improve the usability of the brand’s hallmark tool without changing it so much it lost what made it so popular. This could owe somewhat to a slightly dull blade on my other Leatherman knives, but it’s also a testament to the sharpness and grind on the Arc. As is, it’s less of a finesse blade and more of a get-shit-done knife. I appreciate this and look forward to observing just how long the MagnaCut maintains its edge. (Photo/Adam Ruggiero) Leatherman Arc Tools It is in terms of ergonomics that the Free P4 really stands out. Rumor has it that Leatherman, with its generous warranty, receives thousands of returned and well-loved multi-tools each year. They receive each of these with instructions and requests. Apparently, according to the same rumors, a remarkably common request was that Leatherman not "fix" loose hinges on older, well-used tools. People wanted their broken screwdriver repaired, or the blade reconditioned but didn't want the hinges tightened. Users enjoyed the free hinging pivots of "broken-in" tools.