Leatherman Signal Review | GearJunkie Tested

When Leatherman released the Signal ($140) in the spring of 2015, it wasn’t like any other multitool on the market. In fact, Leatherman hasn’t released any other tool like it since — a legitimate outdoor survival multitool.

Sure, you could argue that all of Leatherman’s multitools are aimed at the outdoors. However, the inclusion of a hammer, safety whistle, ferro rod, and knife sharpener puts the Signal in a league of its own.

I remember standing in my driveway, tearing open that box from Leatherman that my mailman had just handed me. I was stoked. Inside was one of the first Signal multitools to hit the streets.

Having been a fan and carrier of Leatherman’s tools since I was 16, this was big medicine for me. Very few people had even seen the Signal at this point, and there I was, planning out my first adventures with it while my mailman waved goodbye.

This spring, Leatherman released another wave of Signals with Cerakoted handles. They have the same guts but new looks and a longer-lasting finish. Since we never had a full review of the Signal here at GearJunkie, my editors agreed that there was never a better time to share my thoughts on the tool than right now.

Especially seeing that it’s the Signal’s tenth birthday.

In short: The Signal is Leatherman’s best multitool for the outdoors. Ten years of testing have proven that this is an heirloom purchase that really could last a lifetime. The tools are a perfect selection for outdoor use and have proven robust and functional. By adding a Cerakote coating to the Signal, Leatherman has not only breathed life into a 10-year-old multitool, but it has also made it more effective.

See how the Signal stacks up against the best multitools in GearJunkie’s in-depth guide.

Leatherman Signal Review

A Note From the Author

Since 2015, I have been carrying the original version of the Leatherman Signal reviewed here. In those 10 years, a handful of new colors have been released to increase appeal. In May, I received the Tundrascape version of the tool.

The difference between the original version and this new version is that the Tundrascape variant has Cerakoting on the frame and arms as opposed to DLC coating. This can prolong the tool’s life due to its increased durability and corrosion resistance.

Design & Features

The core material of the Leatherman Signal is 420 stainless steel. From the pliers to the Cerakoted handles to the hardware — it’s all stainless. This means that the Signal is ready to go to work in any and all environments.

The addition of Cerakoting on the handles, which face the most wear and tear, is to ensure that the Signal can keep up with prolonged use and abuse without showing signs of degradation.

The Signal has 19 tools. Aside from the pliers, which have replaceable 154CM wirecutters, you have some of the other standard-issue tools like a 420HC combo knife, can opener, bottle opener, and saw. However, you also get a hammer, ferro rod, safety whistle, knife sharpener, and carabiner. These tools change the purpose of the Signal from “standard, every day multitool” to “outdoor survival multitool.”

There is also a hammer lock that keeps the Signal closed when using the hammer as well as when carrying. Additionally, carrying is convenient and easy with the pocket clip or the carabiner that doubles as a second bottle opener.

First Impressions

You might be surprised at how much a fresh coat of paint can wow you, but here we are, and I am here to tell you that the new Cerakoted versions of the Signal look awesome. That said, as you’ll see in some of the images in this review, the original, PVD-coated version has held up pretty darn well for being hauled around in my pocket for a decade, off and on.

Cerakote is a thin layer of ceramic coating often found on firearms. It increases the corrosion and abrasion resistance of the object to which it is applied and preserves the tool’s finish to keep it vibrant and appealing.

Leatherman Signal Review: Ongoing Appeal

The truth is, however, the Signal never lost its appeal to me. Sure, there were times when I put it aside to test other tools, but for the most part, it’s been a reliable EDC multitool for me far longer than any other multitool has been.

So, what kept me engaged with the Signal for so long? Well, I’ll only carry a multitool of this size and style if it has a pocket clip. I want it at the ready, in my pocket, not wandering around the bottom of the pocket itself, wearing holes through the fabric.

I am also a big fan of the fact that the arms can be locked. This makes using the hammer easier and more effective. But anyone who’s broken in a multitool knows that the arms can also swing open in your pocket, and the lock prevents it from happening.

I also really appreciate the tool offering on this multitool. Sure, I would love to see a pair of scissors on it as well as a standard blade, instead of a combo edge blade (part plain edge and part serrated edge). However, the balance created with the other onboard tools has a lot of appeal.

I think it’s so incredibly balanced and effective that I believe the Signal could make a fantastic replacement for the Swiss Army Knives used by the Scouts. They would be more proficient and effective with a tool like this.

In the Field

Spending 10 years with any tool will find you doing a lot of different things with it. I’ve worked on my 4Runner with the Signal, made countless hot dog and marshmallow sticks, and repaired a brand new fishing reel my buddy thought he was getting a screaming deal on. Most recently, I pruned back an invasive rose bush in the yard.

I have also used the hammer a ton. You have no idea how much someone could need a hammer throughout their day. I know it’s not just me. However, the design of the hammer can make using the bit driver, can opener, bottle opener, and awl a bit tricky.

You eventually modify your hold and approach of the Signal, but you have to leave the arms open to use those tools. This can be a little cumbersome for people used to Leatherman’s other tools.

Room for Improvement? I Have Ideas

One recommendation I would make to Leatherman would be to replace the 420HC combo blade with a file. Most people heading into the outdoors, especially survivalists and purists, will already be carrying a dedicated knife on their hip or in their pocket. Replacing that slot with a file will open up possibilities.

However, I will add — in a jam — the diamond-coated sharpener can fill in for a file. Don’t worry, if you ruin it, it can easily be replaced. The ferro rod and whistle, both of which are crazy effective, are also replaceable.

I will add that in the 10 years of loving and living with the Signal, I have only used the carabiner as a carabiner a handful of times. However, in those times, it was while I was working on a task and needed it at the ready. If you’re standing in the middle of a river, trying to fix a reel, you’ve got nowhere convenient to store a multitool — that I can promise you. That said, I have lifted many a bottle cap off of cold bottles of pop and brew with it.

Conclusion: Who’s It For?

Ten years is a long time to build a Leatherman Signal review, but it’s a time-tested product now. Though it has its quirks, it’s my favorite Leatherman multitool. The recently discontinued Free P4 would be my second favorite, followed by the Wingman. However, Leatherman had me at the hammer and ferro rod with this tool for sure.

Big picture — the Signal is a multitool designed for a long life in the outdoors. It’s got aspects that make it a great survival tool, as well as ones that make it a tool that can appeal to everyone. I spend a lot of time outdoors, which is why the Signal is a great choice for me.

Even considering everything I have done with it and how well-rounded it is, you don’t need a ferro rod to take the little screw off the battery door on your TV remote. That tool, as well as an emergency whistle and diamond-coated sharpener, isn’t useful in your living room. So, I would recommend it to the outdoor enthusiast.

I would also urge the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to consider this tool as a requirement for the kids coming up through their programs. Pocket knives are a great solution for a variety of things, but a multitool is a complete solution. Where it may be impossible to predict an emergency, having the right tool to get you through one is important.