“This is a good tool but it has a few negatives which detract from the whole idea of the tool.
Firstly, the good points: the opened tool forms a large and comfortable pair of pliers which are strong and durable. Leatherman’s usual standard. The tool looks great too, based on the design first used in the Leatherman Skeletool and Leatherman Mutt.
The saw and blade are good. The blade is a combo edged tool with a sheep’s foot design.. these are both outside accessible as well as the bottle opener / carabiner hook. There is also a small ‘hammer’ tool, which would be ok in a pinch for tapping in a tent peg or knocking something into place but I wouldn’t risk trying to hammer in a nail as the surface area of the ‘hammer plate’ is too small and the chance of missing the nail and hitting it with your hand too great.
The Signal has Leatherman’s excellent bit exchanger and a can opener / wire stripper .there is also a handy tool locking switch to keep the tool closed while in your pocket. The plier has replaceable cutting blades, which I’ve never had to change but is a nice option. All good stuff.
The negative points are that the blade sharpening rod feels cheap and has fallen off the tool at least once since I’ve bought it while using the driver. It will sharpen the knife blade on the Signal but isn’t the best and a little bit of a gimmick. Similarly, the fire rod / emergency whistle have a cheap plastic feel about them and although it may be able to light a fire, it looks like a thing of last resort and I would definitely take a separate fire starting tool with me on a camping trip. The whistle works, just about but again, I’d probably take a proper whistle rather than rely on this.
Finally, the pouch if the same kind Leatherman now ship with their Free series. This means that it is well made and with an open press stud opener. The tool fits very snugly into the sheath. I’m not a big fan of thi, as although it looks nice it has no no elasticated pockets like the old style sheathes had which could hold a bit kit or driver extension or better fire rod or matches or any number of handy things you would want on a camping trip.. I am taking this on a camping trip but will be taking a proper fire starter rather than relying on this. Good but not great and I hold have preferred alternative tools than these cheap gimmicks. The rest of the tool is very good though.”
