Leatherman Rev: Wear-Tested Review

 

The Leatherman Rev is a top-notch multitool offering from Leatherman, king of the multitool world. Featuring a tough and useful assortment of tools, the Rev gets a whole lot done with a small package. It's part of my everyday carry, and has proved useful on a regular basis. The tools that I've actually used from the Rev are

• box cutter
• knife
• needle-nose pliers
• wire cutter
• bottle opener
• screwdriver

What makes the Rev really excellent is that it strikes the right balance between size and tool selection. Practically speaking, I'm not going to invest a hundred dollars in a multitool, and I don't want something that's going to get in the way while clipped into the pocket. The Rev stays out of the way, but has enough functionality to do all the basic things you want, ready when it's needed. 

Its better tools in my opinion would be the box cutter, knife, and bottle opener. The box cutter is beautifully designed for it's purpose, the knife is sharp, can be sharpened, and stays firmly in place, and the bottle opener also makes its job a breeze.

It weaker tools would be the wire cutter and screwdriver. While I've had success using both, the lack of having the actual tool is a little more noticeable. The screwdriver sometimes struggles to grip due to its flat profile, and the wire cutters quickly slipped out of the original position and overlapped with each other, making them a little less effective in cutting. 

The belt / pocket clip also has gotten a little jiggly, and has proved very difficult to tighten, even with the proper star bit.

But don't let the inevitable weaknesses of any worldly possession get in the way of the positives. This is a truly practical multitool for the average man, a cutting, prying, grabbing, screwing, slicing tool that let's you do some of the basics without having a toolbox around. 

I've repaired a chair with the Philips head screwdriver, processed numerous large boxes with the box cutter, and just today broke into my own house using the knife! With serious tension applied to the blade, I was able to pry open a door bolt and avert a small disaster, thanks to my handy Leatherman Rev. 

If you're on a budget and have felt the need for a pocket tool before, the Rev is a great option. 

Rating: 9/10