LEATHERMAN, FREE P4 Multitool with Magnetic Locking, One Size Hand Accessible Tools and Premium Nylon Sheath and Pocket Clip, Made in the USA

I'll be upfront and say this purchase was highly influenced by "Made in the USA". This criteria being limited to select products. I was so impressed with the price and features of the T4, I decided to treat myself to the P4.I'll start with my first impressions, which wasn't very good. I was shipped an open box special. This surprised me since I ordered a NEW product and paid list price. I'm not sure if that's a Leatherman quality issue or a failure on the retailer. Either way, I was not shipped a product that I could feasibly gift to my son. That was disappointing.Aside from the freshly used product I was shipped, everything seemed to be in working order. I've seen so many knockoff multitools. So many to choose from. I had no idea where to start. I'm glad I choose a standard trusted brand. As a Test Engineer, I have little time to eff around buying inferior products. I'm impressed with the solid tool performance of the P4. 5 star rating for the solid multitool that it is.However...I did watch many reviews on multitools. I've never owned one before. This one being my first, I tried to do research. I agree with most of the positives. The mag lock is a great feature. I can understand the downside of metal shavings being an issue, but given the trade-off and the fact this tool is going to get dirty regardless, I'll take the mags.The styling is...okay. I favor rustic over gentleman appeal. That said, the scales are okay. Consistent with the Free product line. I commend Leatherman for a product series branding done so well. I do wish there were other options on the scales. Plain, solid and simple would be my choice. I like my tools looking like tools. That to me is a work art. I've seen mod kits for the scales. A shame I'd have drop another $35+ just to make my multitool look plain. I'm an anti-flashy customer. Still, the consistent brand and heavy duty pocket clip...it's growing on me. I'm becoming a fan.Bang for the buck, the T4 sets a baseline that's hard to beat. I took a chance splurging for a P4 to use as my EDC at work. The quality says it's probably worth it, but still felt like a big jump in price to pay. For me. I think bang for the buck varies on the individual. T4 is great! P4 is okay.Now for the bad. There were some negatives in the reviews. I agree with some. In particular the toolset. Everyone criticizes the awe. I agree. It's design is dumb. Having the option for a mini flathead is great. Having it stuck on the end of a sharp edged tool is just dumb. If an awe was needed, I'll want a sharp tip to use it. In my mind, the awe is a failed tool. The ruler is too short to be of any use to anyone. The place for any "ruler" would be on the body of the tool itself. Put ruler markings on the scale! THAT would have been an obvious choice. Nobody wants to deploy a tool to take a quick measurement. It has a slightly wider flathead/scraper which seems redundant with the box opener tool on the other side. What's the point of that tool? The wire stripper should be on the scissors or the pliers. If using a stripper, you usually do that in combination with cutting wire. So put it on the same tool. Very dumb to switch deploying different tools when doing a related job. I'll address some of the complaints with the cutters on the piers. This is where the folks doing the reviews are dumb. The cutters are designed for performing two types of cuts. It's not a stripper! Although arguably that would have been a better choice. It would have been smart to include two sets of blades with the multitool. Those who want two types of wire cutters on a single blade, and those who would want a cutter paired with a wire stripper. They make the blades swappable. A shame it's not a feature left for the customer to choose. So I agree with the bad reviews on the wire cutters. They're not the best. But I disagree on why they're bad. Leatherman has a great design, but they defeatured that good design when they sold the tool. I'll call that a marketing failure.Thank you Leatherman for such a great multitool. I'm happy with my purchase. I wish mine wasn't shipped as an open box (possibly refurbished?). Overall I'm happy. I'm hoping to purchase the K4 next.

Let me tell you about the LEATHERMAN FREE P4 Multitool. I used to carry a flimsy little keychain tool that could barely open a bottle (and usually drew blood in the attempt). I decided it was time for a serious upgrade. I needed a tool that said, "Yes, I am prepared. Possibly over-prepared, but definitely prepared."When this beauty arrived, it felt substantial. Like holding a tiny, folded-up robot butler. The magnetic locking system is pure genius – it snaps open and closed with a satisfying thwack that makes you feel instantly more competent. Opening the tools is a one-handed operation, which is crucial for those moments when your other hand is occupied (usually holding the thing you're trying to fix, or a sandwich).This thing is packed with 21 tools. Twenty-one! I'm pretty sure I don't even know 21 different ways to use a tool, but the P4 has me covered. Pliers, wire cutters, knives (straight and serrated!), scissors, screwdrivers of various sizes, an awl, a can opener, a bottle opener (finally, a reliable one!), a ruler... it's like a tiny hardware store in your pocket. I've used it for everything from tightening a loose screw on my glasses to opening a package that was clearly designed by engineers who hate humanity.The pocket clip is sturdy, and the included nylon sheath is great if you prefer to carry it on your belt, though clipping it directly into my pocket feels more... ready for action. I find myself looking for excuses to use it. "Oh, this apple needs slicing? P4, engage!" "This loose thread? Scissors, activate!" My regular tools are starting to look nervous.If you appreciate quality craftsmanship, love having a tool for every possible scenario (even if that scenario is just opening a stubborn bag), and enjoy the satisfying feeling of magnetic locking, this Leatherman FREE P4 is an absolute game-changer. It's well-made, incredibly versatile, and makes me feel like I could tackle almost any minor repair or cutting task that comes my way. It's a seriously impressive piece of gear.

I like the design having all tools accessible from the outside of the handle, with thumb instead of nail to deploy these tools. I also like the magnetic point with just enough holding power to keep the handle together while very easy to open them up and swing the handle open to use the plier. Some folks complain about the blade being shorter than one on wave or charge, but I find them being adequate and very usable. The scissors design is rather ingenious. The spring bar serves also as a widget to allow finger deployment of the scissors, yet keep the edges in closed position, without locking the tool, so if you accidentally opened the scissors you can just close it easily. Once you open the scissors handle, the tool gets locked in place. And this is the best scissors tool I found on many multi tools, with generous amount of blade as well as a powerful yet comfortable handle. The blade/tool locking system are shared and works well, and seems more secure than the inline lock. Like several other reviewers indicated, the file on this tool is rather small which limits its usefulness. For me I could live without the saw and replace with a full sized file. Well again, being a multi tool there is always compromises, for the conveniences it offers. You cannot use them and expect the tool functions like the single purpose tool. For that I give this new leatherman design a five star! May I suggest to round the tools back/shaft a bit more so it is more bare hand friendly? It is a bit sharp on the outside.