Leatherman FREE K4 Multi-purpose Knife

If anyone has the know-how to change the way we’ve come to accept and know the multi-tool, it’s surely Leatherman, and this is exactly what they have done with the FREE series of multi-purpose pliers and knives. Their USP is a new design of locking system and what they call magnetic opening and closing.

Special K
The Leatherman K4 is the flagship knife in the range. It has a closed length of 4.5” and weighs a solid but very manageable 5.5oz. It holds a 3.3” 420HC fine-edge knife, spring-action scissors, pry tool, package opener, awl, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, medium screwdriver, and an extra-small screwdriver.
The anodised aluminium handle feels very comfortable and secure in the hold. This is due to the entire body having a synthetic textured covering, affording the user a high level of grip and security when operating any of the deployed tools. Also, the handle has an inward taper towards the knife housing on both sides, which offers more comfort. To aid transportation, there’s a detachable stainless-steel pocket clip on one side.

Deployment
The knife blade has an elongated thumbhole for single-handed deployment, while the other tools are housed on the opposite side of the main blade. The knife and all the tools deploy and return, securely remaining in their housings due to the magnets in the K4’s handle. The outboard tools are deployed by using individual lugs that are positioned on their outer edge, just forward of their pivot points in the handle. They all lock out very securely and can only be returned back into the handle by operating the recessed lever that is positioned just behind the pivot points. The same mechanism can be seen at the pivot point of the blade, and this operates in exactly the same way.

Conclusion
The multi-purpose knives in the Leatherman range are quite specialised, but if you don’t require pliers and the related ‘stripping tools’ that accompany such an implement, then the K4 is an admirable piece of kit to have with you in the field. It will cope with a myriad of tasks, from paunching and cutting and the jobs the tools it holds are designed for. It’s a well-proportioned knife with a well-thought-out design, making it uncluttered and well-balanced when in use. The ergonomic handle is uncluttered and not unnecessarily oversized, yet it feels easy and secure to hold.
By the way, there are two versions of the K4: the featured model and the K4X. The K4X has the same tools as its counterpart but includes a combination serrated knife blade and features a natural silver appearance, along with a very useful textured handle.