The result is a different way of accessing your pliers. Proponents for this method assert that they are fully one hand opening, and Leatherman has certainly adapted that philosophy. 'OHT' stands for 'one handed tool' after all. And they have ran with that idea, the clear mission being full one handed opening and closure of all tools, whilst still incorporating the mainstays of their large and heavy duty lines - multiple knife blades, locking everything, and strong build quality.
Primary Tool : 4/4
The plier head on the OHT channels the peak usefulness of multi tool design. The fine needle nose is far superior in every day and small job use (the domain of the multi-tool) to the blunt noses you see across other lines. The additions of the replaceable wire cutters add longevity and an extra cushion against warranty return for Leatherman - I suspect warped cutter blades may have been a big enough problem to adopt this across the majority of the over 4-inch line (only the Wave and Charge series retain the cast cutters, which is surely on the way to being remedied).
The main win here though, and what sets the tool apart from many other Leatherman tools is the spring loaded pliers. It seems it is something that the company has resisted for some time. The eagerness for the non-name multi tools to go sprung does make me suspect Leatherman was waiting to implement this in a way that seemed different enough to separate their tools from the legion of Coleman and Kookaburra branded 'multi function tools'. The new form and idea behind this tool appears to have given them the platform to do so. Some concerns with regard to sprung pliers, and especially hidden sprung pliers) is that they may have to hollow out too much of the head to fit the springs, creating a weak point. I haven't read or watched any reports of these pliers failing.
Secondary tools: 2/4
The secondary tools are fairly standard set of tools, and are the price paid for the excellent set of pliers. You get three dedicated drivers. One is a medium flat, one is a small flat and one is a phillips. The medium flat will be your main turner for large slotted things. I use it to take the batteries out of my apple keyboard, to take the bits of my Dyson apart when stuff gets stuck just before the cylinder, and also to do some light prying.
The secondary tools are fairly standard set of tools, and are the price paid for the excellent set of pliers. You get three dedicated drivers. One is a medium flat, one is a small flat and one is a phillips. The medium flat will be your main turner for large slotted things. I use it to take the batteries out of my apple keyboard, to take the bits of my Dyson apart when stuff gets stuck just before the cylinder, and also to do some light prying.
Pictured next to this is the can opener which I will probably never use. It could be modified into an awl if you were looking to void your warranty. It is sharp and does open cans, but these are really superfluous tools, added more for the sake of tradition than utility.
Back to the other drivers. You get a small flat which is too big for eyeglasses and too small for much else. And you get a reasonably long phillips which does moderate work in most phillips screws. The 2.5 dimensions make it feel like a tool from the Leatherman Bit Kit but with longer reach.
My main criticism of these blades, the saw especially, is that they are far too short for a tool of this size. I would have been more than happy to lose the tiny screwdriver and pointless can opener for longer blades. A saw with just over two inches of teeth on a handle which feels frankly rather large and blocky is not an ideal tool. It is properly formed, and at least does cut (very) small sticks and notches.
The other tool is a very trendy rescue hook, featuring the obligatory 'oxygen bottle wrench' which I am almost certain has never been used by any multitool user, and is a very simple way for companies to up their tool count. The end of the rescue cutter has a practical flat driver. The cutter is sharp and would be handy if it was required. Difficulty in sharpening would suggest it may be a single or seldom use tool.
I suppose the toolset might benefit an emergency response worker well, but for the everyman I would either drop the can opener and driver and make the knife and saw longer. This would make the tool a bit more woods-friendly. Or I would go fully urban and get rid of the saw, and replace it with a file, and swap the strap cutter out with scissors.
The sacrifices made in length and some odd choices do reduce the wide appeal of the tool. They work, but they don't work well.
Ergonimics and accessibility: 3
This was almost a 2, but I look at the thought the company has put in and it is truly too much to marginalise. The pliers fly out once you get your technique down. If you are having problems, I assure you - its not the tool, its you. I had a couple of little flick tantrums in the first few days but now I'm a master of the slide. The one handed opening tools all have the ability to be unlocked and closed. They are all on obvious liner locks of stiff sprung steel and are all tactile. The gadget factor for this tool is off the charts. The sprung pliers are perfect in their feedback. A nice, soft yet positive push from the internal spring.
It is a big square brick of a thing though, when using the secondary tools. The photo above shows it next to the super tool 300. The 300 has rounded edges galore, and the butterfly design enables smooth surfaces against the hand. This is a bit of an oddbod in the hand. Lots of lumps and bumps. The tool lacks a pocket clip, which I would probably add, as well as any lanyard hole. It comes with a molle sheath, again hinting at the more emergency response type ideal user for the tool.
Quality: 4
There isn't any debate about how well Leatherman builds a multi tool. Everything on this tool, regardless of how good the idea or the design is, is well engineered. It is probably the least 'hard use' of the Heavy Duty Leatherman line (their categorisation, not mine) but it still inspires confidence in the hand. The flourishes like the tool diagrams on the pressed handle scales are very eye catching. There isn't a tool on the market that looks like it. All the basics of good QC are there in my OHT. And of course, the plier tips merge into an indistinguishable black blot on the tip, where they meet perfectly.
Value: 3
This is a high quality tool for a fairly good price. In Australia, you will pay about $110 from most eBay stores. Bricks and mortar shops will hit you for about $160 (they adhere to Leathermans very high RRPs a little better). For $110 the competition will be a Leatherman Wave for about $10 more. The Wave is a bit of a compromise between this being a functional and fun gadget and the Super Tool 300 being a serious performer. It is made of the same materials but has greater versatility in tools and carry options. I would give the Wave a 4 in value, and recommend that over this tool. But looking at this alone, there is certainly your moneys worth if it is all thats available.
Total score 16/20
The OHT is a guaranteed buy for collectors of multi tools, or those in its target audience, which would be police, fire, paramedic, park ranger, helicopter medic, soldier. Those tactual types will appreciate the one handed tools and notice the shortcomings a little less than those who may well have a friend with a wave in his home toolbox when it comes to comparison. Is is surprisingly cheap, which does keep it in the market, however if you are looking for supreme value over all else in the Leatherman line, it really doesn't elevate above the Rebar which is still the most tool and quality for under $80 if you look in the right spots. Not the failed experiment that some spout, and certainly better than the original sliding plier (the constantly dating Gerbe rMP600) but definitely not your first of second choice in the line. If you own up to the Leatherman Crunch though and still feel like something else different, then go your hardest.
Pete
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