Leatherman ARC Review: The Sharpest Everyday Multi-Tool Leatherman Has Made
The ARC is Leatherman's new flagship multi-tool, built around a MagnaCut steel blade and one-handed FREE-technology opening. We carried it daily to see if 20 tools in 8.6 ounces is actually practical.
Photo: LeathermanNexoratech Score
out of 10
The classic Leatherman complaint has always been the same: the pliers are great, but finding the specific screwdriver bit or scissors you need means unfolding half the tool and hunting through layers. The ARC, Leatherman's new flagship, is built specifically to fix that, and after a few weeks of daily carry, it mostly succeeds.
Every tool accessible from outside
All 20 tools on the ARC — knife blades, a saw, scissors, a file, screwdriver bits, and the pliers head — are designed to be reached from outside the folded handle rather than requiring the whole tool to be unfolded first. In daily use, that meant grabbing the scissors or the serrated blade for quick tasks without ever exposing the pliers jaws, which is the opposite of how most multi-tools work.
Leatherman's FREE technology backs this up with one-handed opening and locking on every tool, including the ones that traditionally needed a fingernail or a second hand to get started. Every tool locks solidly in place with no wobble, which matters when you're leaning on the pliers or pushing through material with the saw.
MagnaCut steel and FREE technology
The primary blade uses MagnaCut steel, rated at 60-63 HRC, a noticeably higher-end choice than the steels Leatherman typically ships on mid-range tools. It held a working edge through weeks of cardboard, rope, and general box-cutter duty without needing a touch-up, and the PVD coating on the Black DLC & Stainless Steel option has resisted scratching better than the bare stainless finish on older Leatherman tools.
Carrying it day to day
Closed, the ARC measures 4.25 inches and weighs 8.6 ounces — noticeably more substantial in a pocket than Leatherman's smaller everyday-carry options like the Skeletool, but it opens to a full 6.45 inches with genuine leverage on the pliers, which smaller tools sacrifice for compactness. It's a tool built for someone who wants full capability over minimal size, and it carries accordingly: better suited to a bag, belt sheath, or toolbox than a dress pocket.
Verdict
The ARC delivers on its core promise: outside-accessible tools and one-handed FREE opening genuinely make it faster to get to the right tool, and the MagnaCut steel upgrade is a real, noticeable step up in edge retention over Leatherman's older standard blades.
At $249.95, it's an investment rather than an impulse buy, and the size and weight put it firmly in the serious-EDC category rather than a slim pocket tool. But for anyone who's been frustrated hunting through a folded multi-tool for the right blade, the ARC is the clearest fix Leatherman has shipped yet.
Pros
- MagnaCut steel blade holds an edge far longer than the standard steels Leatherman has used before, and resists rust well
- FREE technology lets every tool open and lock one-handed, including ones that used to need two hands or a fingernail
- All 20 tools are accessible from outside the handle, so you don't need to unfold the whole tool to find one
- PVD coating and a 60-63 HRC blade hardness rating add real durability for daily carry
- Compact when closed at 4.25 inches, but opens to a full 6.45 inches with real leverage on the pliers
Cons
- At $249.95, it's priced well above Leatherman's mid-range multi-tools like the Wave Plus
- 8.6oz is noticeably heavier in a pocket than Leatherman's smaller EDC options like the Skeletool
- 20 tools means a learning curve figuring out which outside-access lever opens which tool at first
Related Stories
Photo: MMOEXPMMOEXP Review: Is This Game Currency and Boosting Marketplace Worth It?
MMOEXP covers EA Sports FC 27, Diablo 4, Path of Exile 2, World of Warcraft, and dozens more with gold, items, accounts, and boosting. Here's what it actually sells, how fast delivery is, and the terms-of-service risk worth understanding first.
Photo: Insta360Insta360 X6 Review: The Sharpest 360 Camera Yet, at a Steep $699 Price
The Insta360 X6 brings dual 1/1.1-inch sensors, 8K50fps 360 video, and a triple AI chip that edits your footage for you. We break down the specs, the image quality, and whether it's worth $699.99.
Photo: Apple NewsroomiPhone Duo Review: Apple's First Foldable iPhone Arrives at $1,999
The iPhone Duo is Apple's first foldable iPhone, with a 7.6-inch inner display, an A20 Pro chip, a dual battery system, and a $1,999 starting price. Pre-orders open October 16, with shipping starting October 23.