Leatherman has come out with a new ratcheting driver – a ratcheting screwdriver bit holder – for their multi-tools.
Leatherman says that their new ratcheting screwdriver attachment “adds torque to any task” and also “fits standard 1/4″ or Leatherman flat bits.”
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I’m not sure about the “adds torque” part, but the standard 1/4″ hex holder and ratcheting function are certainly huge conveniences.
Select Leatherman multi-tools have a special screwdriver bit holder that works with their customized flat-shaped 1/4″ screwdriver bits. This allows for the bit holder to maintain a lower profile, and the screwdriver bits are also easy to store in-tool or via separate holder accessory.
Leatherman also makes a bit driver extender that gives these Leatherman multi-tools longer reach, as well as the ability to use standard 1/4″ screwdriver bits. This new ratcheting bit adapter does similar, but also has the ratcheting function for faster turning of longer-threaded fasteners.
Details are still coming out, but we know that the Leatherman ratchet driver is made of stainless steel and measures 3.25″ long. It also has a direction selection switch with central locking position for manual turning.
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Compatibility
The ratcheting driver works with any Leatherman tool that is equipped with a large bit holder:
- Charge+ TTi
- Charge+
- MUT
- MUT EOD
- Skeletool (CX, RX, standard)
- Wave+
- Surge
- Signal
- Heritage Charge+
- Heritage Wave+
- Super Tool 300M
Availability
Price: $25-$30
Andrew
Super cool thats great. Could i leave it in my wave+ and it would close with it and fit in the handle? Or would it have to be carried seperatly?
The former would be an instabuy for me
Stuart
I don’t believe that would be possible; you would have to remove the ratchet driver in order to be able to close the multi-tool.
Andrew
Ah i see. Unfortunately, my interest just shrank dramatically.
PS thanks for the great blog, stuart
demure
I assume they intend you to use the expandable side pockets the nylon wave holster has.
Stuart
Thank you!
ScottyP
Why would you even begin to imagine the tool would close with a large ratchet attachment connected where the flat bits insert??
Hilton
Nice idea but seems pricey. Probably worth it at $15.
928'er
Right, way overpriced for an add-on.
$15 is still, probably, too much…
Mat
Seems like it kind of defeats the purpose of having an all-in-one tool in your pocket (at least the way I used it). I guess you could slip it into some kind of EDC case if you used that kind a thing.
Eric
Looks like something I would buy and then never end up having with me, just like the bit assortments that some multi-tools come with.
Leo B.
If you use the sheath the multitool came with, chances are, it can accommodate at least one bit kit if the tool is meant to use them. For example, the Wave has a piece of elastic at the back of the sheath it comes with to hold a bit kit. Skinth sheaths are also a nice option. Hope this helps!
William Adams
Why wouldn’t this work on a Crunch?
Peter Fox
I don’t see why it wouldn’t. The regular non ratcheting leatherman bit extension fits and seems to work with my Crunch. Only 2 of the three orientations have any retention in the Crunch but that is to be expected with the slight mismatch between the adapter flattened hex and the full size 1/4″ hex bit holder on the Crunch.
It might not be as strong as a proper full hex bit extension but it should work for most applications. The same is probably true when the leatherman bits are used in their extensions. Not that this is a real issue as the leatherman bits are somewhat of a compromise in the first place. But I have been hard pressed to find a more compact option that covers most non security screw heads.
Doresoom
Awesome, looks like a possible low cost alternative for Wera’s free running bit adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08H2853C3
Do they list a max allowable torque?
Stuart
They don’t, and they also avoid any language that might suggest it could be used with anything other than their multi-tools. While it might fit, you don’t have high-torque engagement with the customized low-profile 1/4″ hex shank.
Jo B
It’s about time! I sent them a message 10 years ago asking for this. In the mean time, I cut apart/modified a ratcheting screwdriver to fit my needs.
As well, I’ve asked for Leatherman side-cutters that would be useful to me (yet nobody has made anything like that so).
Plain grainy
There have been posts here that were calling for this also. Makes the tool much more versatile.
Jared
I almost missed “fits standard 1/4″ or Leatherman flat bits” in my readthrough. That does more than add ratchet functionality then; it allows the use of all the specialized 1/4″ insert bits I’ve collected. I don’t know that I would need that often, but I can think of times where it might be handy.
E.g. I already carry a multi-tool when I dirt bike off-road. I could pack the 2-3 sizes of Torx bits that fit inside the head of most of the flange bolts that are used on my KTM.
Certainly not as strong as using a proper socket, but might be good for emergency “I don’t want to be stuck in the woods” type repairs.
blocky
That’s cool. I love how slim the ratcheting mechanism is, but I wish it were as short as physically possible. And I would like to know how many teeth are in the ratcheting mechanism.
Peter Fox
I asked leatherman how many teeth and they said 44. Seems pretty good for how small it is.
Not sure if I will get one but it is tempting.
MalRoadkill
Just another 30 bucks on top of a $100 tool. If you asked me what my dream multitool is, a built in 1/4 bit driver is one of the major requirements. Leatherman continues to disappoint.
William Adams
Is a Leatherman Crunch not an option?
Joe H
Just swap the knife blade for something that takes mini disposable blades that are already in use on some pocket/utility knifes. Most people don’t know how to sharpen a knife or don’t want to take the time to. And sometimes I need to cut stuff that I don’t want to cut with a nice pocket knife.
Gene
Over on EDC forums, guys have gone nuts tweaking their Leathermans. Worth a look.
Robert
Very cool idea, but something I definitely wouldn’t spend 25 to 30 bucks for. 10, maybe, definitely not 30.
JoeM
I kinda agree with you, but at the same time, I’ve found a lot of the latest Leatherman products are going for a higher premium price than their tried, tested, and true traditional models. From the PST/Supertool 300/Rebar, and yes the Crunch, right on up to the Wave/Surge/Charge family, the prices were a relatively understandable number. They were consistent as well.
Then the newer age stuff, such as the Skeletool, OHT/MUT, Sidekick/Wingman, Signal, and the new lines that have the misleading name, all rolled out and suddenly these tools didn’t scale in price the same way as the bread-and-butter Leatherman families. It’s not an unreasonable amount, but they seem to have entered an era where new designs carry a more premium price point with them.
Robm
Just ordered it today.
Don
Just received mine last night. Absolutely love it. I’m pairing this up with my Wave and the leatherman bit sets and put the whole thing in a skinth.
Kim
Does this product work with the original wave model?
Stuart
I don’t see why it wouldn’t – unless I’m mistaken the Wave has always had a flat hex style bit holder, and this should fit it.