Looking to buy an inexpensive multi-tool that’s also functional and of decent quality? Leatherman’s Sidekick is currently on sale at Home Depot, online and in-stores, for $25.
I previously reviewed the Sidekick, and continue to recommend it. I also tend to buy at least one more every holiday season. The Sidekick is nice because it has spring-loaded pliers, and while the tools aren’t the same as in Leatherman’s premium multi-tools, they’re quite good. Plus, the Sidekick is still made in the USA and has the same 25-year warranty as other tools.
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The Wingman is another good entry-level Leatherman. I compared the two tools, and find each to have their pros and cons.
Home Depot’s sale price is currently $25, but that might change as Black Friday inches closer. Or it might not. In recent years, the Sidekick has sold for between $20 and $30 during the holiday season. It also pays to keep an eye on Amazon, as they sometimes price-match Home Depot’s promo price.
Seasoned multi-tool users might look at the Sidekick’s $25 sale price and scoff, wondering where they cut corners. The Sidekick isn’t as robust, featured, or finely polished as Leatherman’s higher-priced tools, but it’s definitely still a great multi-tool. It’s well suited as a first multi-tool, or as a backup tool. I keep one in the car, for the times I don’t have another multi-tool on me.
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Chad
cool deal my have to stop by there today and pick one up !! been a LM carry for the past 10-12 years and the skeletool had been with with me for about 7 years
always need a back up
Scott
I recently picked up a wingman/micra combo at the local True Value for $24 (pre-tax). Makes me wonder if there is an updated version coming out soon or if they were just trying to dump some stock.
Stuart
I don’t think new models are coming out. A lot of retailers negotiate special pricing on multi-tools, gift sets, and combos this time of year.
Sometimes different retailers might offer different pairings or exclusive color options.
jesse
Home Depot runs this sale every Christmas. I remember looking at the packaging last year and not finding any COO information on it, which is required by law. I called Leatherman customer service and was told they are Made in USA, but offered no explanation why the COO was not on the packaging.
BikerDad
COO is required when it is NOT Made In USA.
Stan
There hasn’t been any 100% American made Leatherman tools several years. After the Federal Trade Commission busted them for lying about the coo, the stopped stamping this information.
From what I heard only the tools are assembled here, but the parts are now completely outsourced. Maybe the knives are still made here, but probably not knowing Leatherman.
Chances are what they consider the coo (in Leatherman’s case) is the company’s headquarters in Portland Oregon. Doesn’t take a genius to figure out, you can be an American company but have most of the components come from offshore locations such as China, Taiwan, Mexico etc.
I’ve had NOTHING but horrid customer service when dealing with Leatherman. I’ve emailed them more than 15 instances of the course of two years and not even one email has been replied to. I’ve left several messages as well and as expected, complete silence.
I was reading some forums/other venues the other day and apparently there are several people claiming the Leatherman Sidekick is made in China now.
However, even if you find a Leatherman that is stamped made in USA, Leatherman was lying to the general public and the FTC for likely several years. So who knows if the product is actually 100% American made or stamped USA with imported parts.
Now I know there are going to be people thinking I am making this up, but I am not. Link below and if you don’t believe that there are other sources as well.
http://www.bizjournals.com/portland/stories/2006/01/23/story7.html?page=all
So long story short, Leatherman hasn’t been 100% American made in likely a very long time. Given there hasn’t been an American made file produced anywhere in US since Copper shipped all the Nicholson files overseas, I am not sure there ever will another USA made multi tool with a file included.
skfarmer
well, stan appears to have some issues with leatherman.
i won’t argue with his experience but i have had great customer service from leatherman. i have had a couple micras, a wingman and a skeletool repaired. they have had a decent turnaround time and no questions asked. my family has had a pile of leatherman tools over the years and think they are one of the better made tools out there. you need to fit the tool to the job but that goes with any tool. i think i may be picking a couple up for spares and or gifts.
Stuart
I’ve had great customer experiences with them as well. The knife blade on one of my Skeletools is chipped. I asked if I could replace just the knife, as my model has a plain edge blade and newer ones have a partially serrated blade. They said that wasn’t possible, but they offered to allow a warranty replacement/exchange. I declined, but I liked that they were prompt and so eager to please.
skfarmer
yes, at some point the skeletools had a production change. the early ones had a smooth blade while the carbon fiber version had a serrated blade. the later versions have a serrated blade and the carbon fiber version has a smooth blade. i don’t know why it can’t have either but at least they are upfront about it. i know in this day and age it seems like an e-message is the only way to get results but i have called leatherman on more than one occasion and received immediate help and answers. sadly people forget they can talk to other human beings with that thing called a telephone. yes, as far as i know the smartphone still operates as a phone.
Stuart
The change happened sometime before March 29th, 2010. https://14cyiuhvcgv.com/leatherman-skeletool-skeletool-cx-switch-blades/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
=)
Stan
Nov 11, 2014
Fair enough that some of my questions might have been technical, but primarily what I was interested in was if the Brewzer was TSA safe, metallurgy questions, but also other questions as well. Maybe this wasn’t 15 emails, but I felt this was a lot for a company with more information then I’ll ever have.
I am not trying to bring Leatherman down, but I will say this and that is realize what is important to one customer might not be to the next. I ask for certain information not just for myself, but for others as well.
Not that this statement is directed towards SK Farmer or anyone in particular, I didn’t reference the quality of their tools. What I own is a mixture of old and new items.
Yes, I’ll admit I am quick to judge based on coo, but at the same time, if I had the ability to do a side by side comparison, I’d do that as well if possible.
firefly
Stuart, per your recommendation and deal I picked up the Wingman for $20 last holiday and I really like it. As silly as it might sound, I really like the package opener and I have used it the most.
Unless you must have the saw feature I would argue that the combination of a package opener and scissor is a better multitool for car/office use.
Stuart
Sidekick vs. Wingman is a tough call. I lost track of how many I have of each in various places. But, like you, I do love the Wingman’s package opener, and wish it was incorporated into more of Leatherman’s tools.
MJ
Your post reminded me that I don’t know where I left my sidekick. I usually keep it in my backpack but took it out before a flight. Time to search the house.
Greg Post
I picked up the Wingman and Sidekick last year around Christmas. I liked the Wingman better and the Sidekick I bought felt cheap even though it’s basically the same tool. Maybe I’ll wait until after Christmas and give the Sidekick another try. These were even cheaper in store at Home Depot. The Sidekick came with the Croc, which also didn’t impress me.
Stuart
I agree about the Croc – it was sorely lacking in quality. Was essentially an unfinished and less featured Piranha.