Leatherman ARC Review
- May 24
- 2 min read
To be open from the jump, I will let you know that I am a fan of Leatherman as a company. Their warranty is amazing and reminds me of a time gone by where companies actually gave a crap about the products they put out. So I have high hopes for this multi-tool.
I spent the past few weeks carrying the Leatherman ARC, which replaced my previous version that was my EDC for several years, and I kept catching myself flipping it open just to admire it. The black and silver finish hits that sweet spot between sleek and industrial. Leatherman has always been the king of color options and custom builds, but the ARC makes me think twice about going wild with customization. It looks great as is, and the price climbs fast when you start adding flair since they charge per side. I love a pretty tool, but I also love paying my rent 🤣
Speaking of money, this thing is EXPENSE. Over two hundred dollars for something that would be considered an unnecessary tool for most people makes this a definite luxury purchase. Don't get me wrong, you are paying for a quality item that has a fantastic warranty, but it is hard to justify this purchase to someone that won't use the tools on a daily basis.
The first thing I noticed when I started using it was how much easier it is to pull the tools out compared to older models. I never felt like I was wrestling with it or trying to pry something loose with my fingernails. Everything opens with a smooth confidence that makes the whole tool feel more refined.
One thing did bother me though, no measurement markers. I kept turning it over thinking maybe I missed them or maybe they were tucked somewhere clever. They were not. Previous versions had them, which makes the omission feel silly. It is such a basic, useful feature and it should be here. I use those markers more often than I expect, so losing them feels like losing a pocket-sized convenience I had taken for granted.
Even with that annoyance, the ARC still feels like a premium multitool. It is polished, capable, and satisfying to use. I just wish Leatherman had kept the little details that made earlier models feel complete and if they bring the measurement markers back, I will be the first one cheering. Until then, I am enjoying the ARC for what it does right and quietly grumbling about what it forgot.
On thing that is amazing about the Leatherman brand is the aftermarket items that are available. One that I would definitely recommend is PC Poodle's flashlight backpack. It's a slim little light that fits into an empty space between tools on the Leatherman ARC. I like the idea of adding more tools to my EDC tool, so this item is perfect! Check it out here:
What add-on's do you love for your Leatherman? Leave me a comment to let me know what I should be checking out đź¤
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