Leatherman Signal Multi-Tool

Leatherman now makes a huge range of multi-tools, with a variety of tool combinations and sizes, including something for just about every possible application. So, what can it add to its existing range? Well, how about a bit of colour?
To make the all-new Signal harder to lose, Leatherman has added a big splash of colour, with handles available in several different colours including bright blue. If you put a plain tool down on the ground it can blend in and get left behind, but with the addition of bright panels of colour, the Signal is far less likely to get lost.

What’s included?
The Signal has all of the ‘traditional’ tools, like pliers, a saw, a can and bottle opener, and an awl. There is also a combo knife blade (part-serrated, part straight edge) and a diamond-coated sharpener for maintaining both sections of the edge. A variety of hex and Leatherman bit drivers, replaceable wire cutters, and a wire stripper are also built in along with a small hammer. With survival use in mind, the Signal also has a fire-starting ferro rod and an emergency whistle, both of which could prove very useful if things go wrong. The sharpener and the whistle/fire starter are detachable and clip into the sides of the tool securely. Although these parts contain some plastic, something you wouldn’t normally expect from Leatherman, they are well-made and functional.

Safety first
All of the features are locking, which is good for safety, and most can be operated one-handed. The blade is 420HC steel and, as usual, it comes razor sharp. If it does need resharpening, the diamond-coated sharpening rod is perfectly matched to the profile of the serrated edge, and you can give each serration the attention it needs.
Carry options include a large carabiner built into the end on one of the handles, a strong pocket clip, and a nylon sheath, so there’s no excuse for losing this tool or not having it close at hand. 
The Signal has a blade length of 2.73”, a closed length of just 4.4”, and it weighs 7.5oz, making it one of Leatherman’s more compact and lightweight tools. It carries a 25-year warranty, and the quality of the build is certainly up to the excellent standards you can expect from Leatherman.
The combination of tools on the Leatherman Signal, the carry options, and the coloured panels all make it a very useful and practical tool. There doesn’t appear to be any other multi-tool on the market that includes a whistle, sharpener, and fire-starter, and you could almost call it a survival tool that’s well worth packing if you are going outdoors, where a degree of self-reliance might be required. Quality multi-tools like this are not cheap, and if you choose a version of the Signal with a bright colour, then the likelihood of you leaving this expensive item behind is significantly reduced.