Leatherman Sidekick with Pouch Why They're Worth Buying

The Sidekick feels solid and well-built. It weighs in at 7.0 oz, and is 3.8″ long when closed. Both handles open smoothly to present the pliers, and the knife blade and tools deploy just as fluidly. Inner tools lock in place with a with a satisfying and reassuring click.

Leatherman knew exactly what they were doing when they designed the Sidekick tools. Once first-time multi-tool buyers and those upgrading from generic import models, get a taste for Leatherman quality, they’re definitely going to be hankering for more.

Knife blade and wood-cutting saw

The liner-lock plain-edge knife blade is 2.6″ long and made from 420HC steel. Its usable cutting edge is actually about 1/4″ shorter than its stated length, but that’s not a big deal. While the knife blade can be deployed with one hand via its elongated thumb-hole, I find it easier and more comfortable to use two hands.

Spring-action pliers with wire-cutting function

The combination pliers have a spring-action, and are quite nice to use. Both the regular and needle nose gripping zones are grooved well with no visible burs or defects. The edges of the tool’s handles are rounded and provide a comfortable grip even when squeezing them tightly.

The wire-cutter is comprised of two triangular cutting edges that meet at the centre forming an X shape.

Saw Blade and Inner Tools

• wood-cutting saw liner lock sleek and appealing design, well-sharpened teeth, and performs as well as the saws on Leatherman’s higher-priced tools
• short serrated knife: usable length, nothing to complain about
• 1-3/16″ ruler part of a 3-in-1 tool could be handy
• small screwdriver located at tip of ruler great size and shape, works well
• metal file opposite face of ruler good for emergency deburring
• can opener & bottle opener works well enough
• v-groove wire stripper side of bottle opener comes in handy in a pinch, and is sharper than anticipated
• Phillips screwdriver: 3-dimensional !! and works very, very well.
• large slotted screwdriver: wider than I typically use, but may work well for light prying tasks

Inner Tool Latching Mechanism

The inner tools snap into place by a slip-joint-like mechanism that can be described as a spring-steel cam-action latching detent mechanism. There’s no manual lever that must be pressed to unlocked the tools as with some other Leatherman multi-tools. To close and return a tool back into the handle you simply need to apply a bit of pressure to overcome the spring tension. While not quite as secure as a positive-locking system, the detent stop works very well in holding tools straight.

Included mini-carabiner is actually quite nice in itself, and features a bottle opener and 1/4″ hex wrench. It’s a neat accessory that I really hope Leatherman will decide to sell separately in the future.

Conclusion

 I am quite impressed with the Sidekick’s design and how well it performs, and would highly recommend it.

If you’re looking for your first multi-tool, are fed-up with the cheap flimsy one you bought (or were given as a gift), or are looking for a backup for a larger or higher-end tool, you should definitely consider giving the Sidekick a try.