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- Feb 16, 2007
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- 662
I was looking at some photos of my EDC gear taken over the last 5 years, and it’s been a constantly shifting evolution. The one constant through it all: The Leatherman Squirt keychain multi-tool.
That’s because pound for pound, inch for inch, and function for function, the Leatherman Squirt is the most efficient tool on earth.
The human race has achieved one amazing feet of engineering after another, from the wheel to the international space station to the Iphone. As a young man, there is little doubt that I will see this century bring forth miniaturized inventions that will absolutely change my view of what is possible in this world.
That being said, I doubt I will ever live to see a more efficient tool created than the little Leatherman Squirt PS4. Only 2.25” in length and weighing in at 1.9 oz’s, the Squirt brings the following to my pocket:
• 1.6” blade
• Spring-action Needlenose pliers
• Wire Cutters
• Wood/Metal File
• Scissors
• Philips Screwdriver
• Flathead Screwdriver
• Bottle Opener
8 useful tools, in a package smaller than my thumb.
But just how useful are these tiny tools? Well, in the last 5 years I’ve done a shocking amount of work with mine, and each individual bit has been put through its paces.
Blade: The blade is a 1.6” long clip point, made of chisel ground 420 blade steel. Out of the box, it has a pretty decent edge. However, after 5 swipes on the Spyderco Sharpmaker, the blade will shave hair right off my arm. I always carry a full-size folder, but I like to use this blade as my “public knife” for when I need cut something in public. Because of its cute color and unambiguously utilitarian origin, no one is gong to freak out if I pull out the little Leatherman. While not the ultimate knife, it is plenty capable for its size, and will handle 95% of the cutting tasks likely to be encountered in an urban environment.
Scissors: The original Leatherman Squirt P4 did not come with scissors, but the new PS4 does, and they are a wonderful addition. Despite their small size, they’re sharp and strong, and had no problem nipping through zip ties.
Metal File: Most keychain multi-tools like the Vic Classic come with a dinky little nail file. The Leatherman Squirt comes with a hardened steel tradesman’s file for cutting through plastic, wood, and metal. One side is vertically coarse, the other is coarse in a crosscurrent, and the very edge of the file is ridged. I cannot stress enough just how badass this little file is – I was able to rapidly put a working edge on a rusty hatchet in about 3 minutes with the side of the file, and I have used the edge of the file to saw through IKEA particleboard furniture in order to make a defective bureau fit together.
As you can see from this picture, it cuts through steel wire easily- this cut was made in about 15 seconds.
Flathead & Phillips Screwdrivers: Both of these screwdrivers are solid and well ground. The Philips is tapered in such a way that it works well with fine, medium, and most large screws. The flathead is wide and thin, and is great for mild prying and scrapping. I use both a great deal; I’ve rarely had to reach for any other screwdriver in the last 5 years.
Bottle opener: The bottle opener sucks! It takes 2-3 attempts to lift off a cap, due to the very anemic, narrow jaw of the opener. It tends to peel up little bits of the cap, rather than the whole side. Still, it does work, and is a lot more comfortable than using your teeth.
Wire cutters: These wire cutters are every bit as tough as those found on a full-size Leatherman. The only difference is the tiny handles behind them don’t offer as much leverage. Still, if your hand is strong enough, the wire cutters will cut through pretty thick wire –wearing a set of gloves for protection I was able to cut through some single strand barbwire, and this coat hanger was no problem at all. When combined with the file, the wire cutters make the Squirt a viable mini-SERE tool.
Pliers: I love the serrated needle nose pliers on the Squirt. They are precise enough for removing splinters, and tough enough for bending metal. The serrations on the inside allow them to grip bolts without slipping. I use mine for everything from building bookcases to repairing jewelry to picking up hot items off the stove when I can’t find an extra oven mitt. The Squirt’s pliers are like having a set of robot fingers on my keychain.
If it isn’t clear by now, the Squirt is a little beast, and can easily handle 99% of the tasks one would need a multi-tool for. I’ve used the Squirt at least once a week for the last 5 years, while I’ve used my massive Leatherman Surge all of 4 times. With the exception of a hammer or a Dremel, this tiny tool has almost entirely replaced my need for a toolbox. And because it is so small, I always have it on me.
I cannot imagine any other gadget its size could do more.
Every person on earth should have one.
For more in-depth reviews, please visit:
www.good-kit.com
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However, convenient as it is to carry, I'm not yet convinced it can replace or even supplement the larger multi-tools I usually pack.
