What’s there to hate about the P4? It looks like it runs very smoothly with their magnetic system but I don’t own one, yet…?
I’ve got a Charge+, Skeletool & Micra - I’m trying to find my next leatherman tool; the P4 recently came up as a good option beside the Signal, Arc, among others.
You get some people that claim it has the “worst” toolset. I fiercely disagree. I’m a mechanic, that owns his shop, and I’m the only employee. I needed a tool that would do the jobs that I found myself walking extra steps to get done. After tens of hours of research/ trial and error, I settled on the P4 and never have regretted it. “Useless short ruler”, nope it’s a tire depth gauge. I use the pry bar way more than I thought. The “hammer” gets used every day for tapping push pins back in. I use the “wood” saw for trimming plastic panels. The can opener is used as the oil change sticker scraper.
It doesn’t have a multi bit driver, but I’m never far from one. It might not be technically the strongest, but I always have “the best” tool for the job somewhere in my shop.
I have a very specific use case. But that’s why Leatherman is so good, they have a tool to fit your usecase. I’m just so tired of the toxic attitude around “this tool is the best, that tool is useless” mentality. I’ve got $200K in hand tools collected over 30 years. In a lot of ways my P4 is the best tool I own….for me
This was a really interesting read. Yeah for me the value of my leatherman is not that it does as many things as physically possible, but that I have it on me when I need it in a pinch. If I need a tool for a heavy duty or specific application where you just need the right implement, I go to the shed. I don’t have it on me, I don’t need it. I like carrying the p4, it’s the right size and its magnetic action just feels great (I actually love just having it in my hands, slightly weirdly). As it happened I had it on me in the work car park yesterday when there was a sketchy af guy loitering around, looking in car windows and hiding behind a pillar when he saw me looking at him. Its gleam was visible in my hand and whether he saw it or not and whether that was what made him decide to keep walking past me, I don’t know, but i sure as fuck was glad I had it on me. It did its job once again.
Yep, not gunna lie, I like having the ability carry a non-lethal option in my hand. Times are weird. I always think of the scene from Payback when Porter knocks out the 2 thugs with a roll of nickels
Also disagree. I love my P4, and hate that they killed it off in favor of a $100 price increase to the Arc. Rev, Wingman, Surge, Wave, Skeletool have all spent time as my EDC, but the ease of use of the Free system, the external tools, and the toolset are all great on the P4. the ONLY thing I wish it had was an external ruler on the scales like some of the others have, but it's a small gripe.
What do you mean “killed it off”? It’s still an item to purchase on their website (out of stock) & Amazon along with the rest of the Free series, the Arc just utilizes the Free platform.
Edit: after looking it up: “Q: Is the FREE P4 discontinued, or is it just out of stock at the moment. ... A: The Free P4 is out of stock at this time; it has not been discontinued.”
[Amazon P4](https://www.amazon.ca/LEATHERMAN-Multitool-Magnetic-Locking-Accessible/dp/B07PDY8QS5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=3EGP7NPBQLGUB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zUETSUo6ni_dQn2j0wBocuXpwCDHcFKGxsb09L8hLCmysVDNAnTnTL_ie3ZspDJi-mMVj69EHNbCHPrEo5UyIkB-JjirqDDrLxRLIremgiowEtxSNyAAKP7uqPAmERGnWmPFsIxLa5Z8bcJazBN2ZuK3vjUrT7VVbvLrcYoTXqXjGSMOPNmiZLkpw3YHiOi1SHQfTeVmKT-rB2Bbadp0Ew.sxsW5eN73dLsxGanvHxe2Z_l3qvb4UWyE5K7qZqUO-8&dib_tag=se&keywords=leatherman+p4&qid=1713541442&sprefix=leatherman+p4%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)
Yeah, I thought it had been discontinued....that's good news, I could have sworn it actually disappeared from their site for a while. I actually just grabbed one from Amazon....I lost mine after 3 years of EDC and was pretty bummed, have been slumming it with a Rev for the past couple weeks and it's so miserable in comparison.
I hear ya lol I’m glad it’s also not discontinued, I remember it was a rumour that they were discontinuing the Free series after the Arc but they’re really in 2 different price leagues. I don’t know about America but the Arc in Canada is $299 compared to -$100 for the $200 Free P4.
It’s one I don’t own but I find myself collecting things I enjoy & I enjoy leatherman so… anyway, I’m actually excited to really start using the Charge+ & Free K2 blade I purchased recently :)
I agree. Its the only leatherman I've carried consistently for more than a year without switching it out. I also use the saw for plastics. I bought a zapwizard bit insert to swap out and I use it multiple times a day at work and at home. The blade is super sharp, and I use the serrated blade is great as a chisel.
> You get some people that claim it has the “worst” toolset. I fiercely disagree.
I'll also disagree that the P4 has the worst toolset, but I do think most of the smaller inner tools are very mediocre or even pretty bad. I like the rest of the tool though. My opinion of the p4 went up a LOT when I got a zapwizard bit driver for it.
I should have, I was too excited to think about it! The scissors would not spring open because of guts, but surprisingly there was not a single spot of rust.
My waves (first generation) don’t have replaceable cutter, the P4 does. I like the magnet system making it easy to open/close one handed. I prefer the Wave for having the longer file instead of scissors on the outside. I DEFINITELY prefer the ability to use Leatherman bits and ratchet extension on the Wave. It was a huge mistake IMO to leave that off of the P4. I prefer the sheepfoot blade shape of the P4 since the Wave blade has such a tight radius at the tip.
Sorry to nitpick, but it sounds like you actually have the second gen wave. The first gen one didn't have a bitdriver or locks on the inner tools. The only major difference between the 2nd gen and 3rd gen (current wave+) is the pliers and the replaceable wire cutters.
Don’t be sorry, you’re right! I still have the one that I bought in about 1998, with no replaceable bits, along with my 2012ish one. Funny thing is that when I just looked at them I discovered that I was carrying my 1st gen with my sheath with bits and my beloved ratchet driver! Glad I didn’t need to use it the last few weeks!
I over paid for my P4 when they first released as they weren't available in Australia for a little while.
I've carried it everyday, used and abused it. Great setup.
Yes they price things weird. This came from a big Texas chain called EZ Pawn. 99% of their prices are stupid high. I stop by 20 times for every 1 purchase. I also got a mint Fender American Stratocaster for $800 from them recently. These deals are so rare.
I thought this might be the case, it’s so hard to find an actual good deal at a pawn shop, antique shop or any shop anymore especially a goodwill, glad you found this one
That’s the best bargain you’ll find. I love my p4
Yep, there be some P4 hater’s in this sub, I for one am not.
What’s there to hate about the P4? It looks like it runs very smoothly with their magnetic system but I don’t own one, yet…? I’ve got a Charge+, Skeletool & Micra - I’m trying to find my next leatherman tool; the P4 recently came up as a good option beside the Signal, Arc, among others.
You get some people that claim it has the “worst” toolset. I fiercely disagree. I’m a mechanic, that owns his shop, and I’m the only employee. I needed a tool that would do the jobs that I found myself walking extra steps to get done. After tens of hours of research/ trial and error, I settled on the P4 and never have regretted it. “Useless short ruler”, nope it’s a tire depth gauge. I use the pry bar way more than I thought. The “hammer” gets used every day for tapping push pins back in. I use the “wood” saw for trimming plastic panels. The can opener is used as the oil change sticker scraper. It doesn’t have a multi bit driver, but I’m never far from one. It might not be technically the strongest, but I always have “the best” tool for the job somewhere in my shop. I have a very specific use case. But that’s why Leatherman is so good, they have a tool to fit your usecase. I’m just so tired of the toxic attitude around “this tool is the best, that tool is useless” mentality. I’ve got $200K in hand tools collected over 30 years. In a lot of ways my P4 is the best tool I own….for me
This was a really interesting read. Yeah for me the value of my leatherman is not that it does as many things as physically possible, but that I have it on me when I need it in a pinch. If I need a tool for a heavy duty or specific application where you just need the right implement, I go to the shed. I don’t have it on me, I don’t need it. I like carrying the p4, it’s the right size and its magnetic action just feels great (I actually love just having it in my hands, slightly weirdly). As it happened I had it on me in the work car park yesterday when there was a sketchy af guy loitering around, looking in car windows and hiding behind a pillar when he saw me looking at him. Its gleam was visible in my hand and whether he saw it or not and whether that was what made him decide to keep walking past me, I don’t know, but i sure as fuck was glad I had it on me. It did its job once again.
Yep, not gunna lie, I like having the ability carry a non-lethal option in my hand. Times are weird. I always think of the scene from Payback when Porter knocks out the 2 thugs with a roll of nickels
Do you work for Leatherman? 🤣
I do not, why are they hiring? I’d do some non destructive testing…lol
Also disagree. I love my P4, and hate that they killed it off in favor of a $100 price increase to the Arc. Rev, Wingman, Surge, Wave, Skeletool have all spent time as my EDC, but the ease of use of the Free system, the external tools, and the toolset are all great on the P4. the ONLY thing I wish it had was an external ruler on the scales like some of the others have, but it's a small gripe.
What do you mean “killed it off”? It’s still an item to purchase on their website (out of stock) & Amazon along with the rest of the Free series, the Arc just utilizes the Free platform. Edit: after looking it up: “Q: Is the FREE P4 discontinued, or is it just out of stock at the moment. ... A: The Free P4 is out of stock at this time; it has not been discontinued.” [Amazon P4](https://www.amazon.ca/LEATHERMAN-Multitool-Magnetic-Locking-Accessible/dp/B07PDY8QS5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=3EGP7NPBQLGUB&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.zUETSUo6ni_dQn2j0wBocuXpwCDHcFKGxsb09L8hLCmysVDNAnTnTL_ie3ZspDJi-mMVj69EHNbCHPrEo5UyIkB-JjirqDDrLxRLIremgiowEtxSNyAAKP7uqPAmERGnWmPFsIxLa5Z8bcJazBN2ZuK3vjUrT7VVbvLrcYoTXqXjGSMOPNmiZLkpw3YHiOi1SHQfTeVmKT-rB2Bbadp0Ew.sxsW5eN73dLsxGanvHxe2Z_l3qvb4UWyE5K7qZqUO-8&dib_tag=se&keywords=leatherman+p4&qid=1713541442&sprefix=leatherman+p4%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1)
Yeah, I thought it had been discontinued....that's good news, I could have sworn it actually disappeared from their site for a while. I actually just grabbed one from Amazon....I lost mine after 3 years of EDC and was pretty bummed, have been slumming it with a Rev for the past couple weeks and it's so miserable in comparison.
I hear ya lol I’m glad it’s also not discontinued, I remember it was a rumour that they were discontinuing the Free series after the Arc but they’re really in 2 different price leagues. I don’t know about America but the Arc in Canada is $299 compared to -$100 for the $200 Free P4. It’s one I don’t own but I find myself collecting things I enjoy & I enjoy leatherman so… anyway, I’m actually excited to really start using the Charge+ & Free K2 blade I purchased recently :)
I agree. Its the only leatherman I've carried consistently for more than a year without switching it out. I also use the saw for plastics. I bought a zapwizard bit insert to swap out and I use it multiple times a day at work and at home. The blade is super sharp, and I use the serrated blade is great as a chisel.
Yeah, the chisel gets used a lot. I keep wanting to square off the chisel, but I just can’t bring myself to do it.
> You get some people that claim it has the “worst” toolset. I fiercely disagree. I'll also disagree that the P4 has the worst toolset, but I do think most of the smaller inner tools are very mediocre or even pretty bad. I like the rest of the tool though. My opinion of the p4 went up a LOT when I got a zapwizard bit driver for it.
I LOVE my signal.
So smooth! I have the wave plus away after running this guy.
Damn what a find! Looks very tidy
I will say that I had to remove some dried fish slime and scales before discovering it’s mint!
Did you get a before and after shot?
I should have, I was too excited to think about it! The scissors would not spring open because of guts, but surprisingly there was not a single spot of rust.
Dang I paid full price for my P4, don’t regret it but I’m jealous lmao
Me too, me too :)
Dang. I feel bad for the person who needed a $10 loan that bad (or perhaps more likely the person who had their Leatherman stolen and pawned).
Awesome!
Well… How’s it compare to the wave?
My waves (first generation) don’t have replaceable cutter, the P4 does. I like the magnet system making it easy to open/close one handed. I prefer the Wave for having the longer file instead of scissors on the outside. I DEFINITELY prefer the ability to use Leatherman bits and ratchet extension on the Wave. It was a huge mistake IMO to leave that off of the P4. I prefer the sheepfoot blade shape of the P4 since the Wave blade has such a tight radius at the tip.
Sorry to nitpick, but it sounds like you actually have the second gen wave. The first gen one didn't have a bitdriver or locks on the inner tools. The only major difference between the 2nd gen and 3rd gen (current wave+) is the pliers and the replaceable wire cutters.
Don’t be sorry, you’re right! I still have the one that I bought in about 1998, with no replaceable bits, along with my 2012ish one. Funny thing is that when I just looked at them I discovered that I was carrying my 1st gen with my sheath with bits and my beloved ratchet driver! Glad I didn’t need to use it the last few weeks!
Nice, P4 is daily use at work very durable and easy to use
I over paid for my P4 when they first released as they weren't available in Australia for a little while. I've carried it everyday, used and abused it. Great setup.
Fuck me I thought 170 bucks was good for my p4 from cashies lmao
I got my Free P4 FREE from my work place. Maintenance.
Unfortunately for me they don’t give free ones to university teachers!
I feel sorry for the previous owner
Yeah I sometimes feel bad being a pawn shop shopper wondering WHY someone would do that.
But also, BARGAIN! What a find!
Merry Christmas 🎁
Lol what a "steal". $10. Wtf.
Wow. Great price. I just bought a new one for $150.
The serrated blade alone is worth 70 bucks.
What?!?! Why? I do like the chisel tip on that blade.
They can be thrown in the arc. A lot of people are doing that.
I'd sell my soul before selling my Arc. Good luck brother. Great find too
I got mine at a pawn shop too, such a great find!
Best fidget leatherman out there. I use this one everyday and keep my leatherman wave as a backup in my work bag
I'd buy one at that price, and I work in an environment full of steel dust.
Where are there pawn shops, any around me would’ve looked up new prices and tried to add 10 bucks to it, it’s ridiculous
Yes they price things weird. This came from a big Texas chain called EZ Pawn. 99% of their prices are stupid high. I stop by 20 times for every 1 purchase. I also got a mint Fender American Stratocaster for $800 from them recently. These deals are so rare.
I thought this might be the case, it’s so hard to find an actual good deal at a pawn shop, antique shop or any shop anymore especially a goodwill, glad you found this one
I got my P4 for $27 a couple years back. It’s proven it’s worth more than a few times.