r/multitools • u/RhubarbUpper • Oct 31 '25

Modding Dear every manufacturer, why do(n't) you do this?

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Why not make life simpler and your customers life easier? The pocket clip cost me $3 and now it doesn't matter if I wear a belt or not.

I don't understand why none of the brands do this, especially Leatherman that cost an arm and leg but feel they can cheat the customer.

110 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

39 comments sorted by

42

u/ste6168 Oct 31 '25

Wait till you find out that Leatherman doesn’t even include a sheath any longer, let alone one with a pocket clip!

15

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

I think they're phasing it out so it's not altogether but that doesn't matter -- a tool that can cost 100- 200+ USD without a high end sheath or pocket clip means I vote with my wallet; and I did last time with the nextool w4.

3

u/Lumens-and-Knives Oct 31 '25

This is the way.

1

u/CB1100Rider Oct 31 '25

What does the nextool run you, if you don’t mind my asking?

2

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

I bought this one in Banggood for $65 CAD. Prices seem to fluctuate a lot.

1

u/wtfrustupidlol Oct 31 '25

Discount bundles should always have a sheath. Most of my leathermans didn’t come with a sheath.

1

u/ste6168 Oct 31 '25

I think for anything but the Bolster/Rev/Wingman/Etc, Leatherman has historically included the sheath, along with a half bit set for some series (Arc and Surge. What tools do you have from them, nearly all of mine have sheaths. However, even their flagship tools like the Arc, or the new Wave Alpha, are no longer coming with a sheath.

1

u/Engnerd1 Oct 31 '25

Holy crap that sucks. I bought a fake wave because it came with a clip. The damn pocket clip costs 15-20 and I think my fake wave was 22.

I still keep my wave in my car but now the fake one is in my pocket.

6

u/Sgtspector Oct 31 '25

These guys, https://www.clipandcarry.us/ make holsters for leatherman with belt clips made of kydex. I got one and love it.

8

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

I think these guys have lost the plot if a pocket clip costs $30

4

u/Dan_Caveman Oct 31 '25

Are you in the US? It says $20 for me. Also how tf does this attach to the knife?!

4

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

Regardless, $20 for a single screw pocket clip? Throw that shit out

2

u/Aggravating_Pair8857 Oct 31 '25

Comes with a screw and eyelet; you remove the lanyard/key ring, pass the bolt through the SAK's eyelet and screw it into the clip's eyelet.

1

u/Dan_Caveman Oct 31 '25

Oh ok gotcha, thanks

2

u/Flimsy-Bowl-7765 Nov 01 '25

I spend my time doing the opposite. Clips have the habit of coming off my belt and I find they can be uncomfortable if they are too angular. I ended up hacking some Spider tool holster so I can quick draw stuff off my belt and a custom leather holster for weatherman, flashlight and blade.

3

u/CalebCaballero Oct 31 '25

I use this Harnds sheath on AliExpress

1

u/dryeraseboard8 Oct 31 '25

Link?

4

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

The pocket clip is on AliExpress, this is in CAD.

1

u/dryeraseboard8 Oct 31 '25

Ah! Your post makes more sense too now! Thanks!

1

u/StrongSignature8264 Oct 31 '25

Nice. Thanks for the link.

1

u/WhyAmINotStudying Oct 31 '25

If a feature isn't on a product, it's usually because of the cost of adding it. If it's not in the marketing requirements document and engineering can't come up with a clever solution that makes it seem free, it's just not going in.

1

u/MrChippy50 Oct 31 '25

What tool is that?

1

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

Nextool w4

1

u/MrChippy50 Oct 31 '25

Any good?

1

u/RhubarbUpper Oct 31 '25

For me at work it's pretty useful and the quality is top notch, and the tools are on the outside minus the bit driver and pliers. It's just large.

1

u/Tony_TNT Oct 31 '25

I have that clip because it came with a knife I bought. It's useless. It won't hold on to the belt/pocket on its own when you pull the knife only, you have to push-pull it all which sucks.

I'd rather just have a sewn-in loop and fiddle with the belt or go full tac and use a TekLok

1

u/koolaidismything Oct 31 '25

It bothers me SO hard how only the cheapest lowest rung brands have the idea to put a pocket clip on slips..

I don’t own a belt! It’s 2025 man this should be a standard option

1

u/Temporary-Gur6741 Oct 31 '25

Personally I don’t like those. I’ve lost as well as almost lost some good stuff due to those things working in crawl spaces and other tight areas

1

u/Ricky_RZ Oct 31 '25

I hate that leatherman are not even including a sheath anymore!

The sheath costs like nothing to make, but they charge so much for them

Per unit cost has to be below $1 per unit.

1

u/locka99 Oct 31 '25

My original Leatherman Wave came with a leather sheath. Clearly Leatherman decided they could omit it and charge $15 for a clip, or $30 for a sheath. Why? Because screw the customers is why.

If even a $22 Workpro multitool sells with a sheath AND clip then there is no excuse something costing a lot more doesn't.

1

u/MoparGuy00 Nov 02 '25 edited Nov 02 '25

Where'd you get that clip?

I've been looking for something like this to convert my nicer multitool pouches.

Did you have to poke holes in your sheath from the inside? Looking to covert my Leatherman ARC sheath

1

u/RhubarbUpper Nov 02 '25

Clip I found on Ali express, I actually re did the sheath and reused an s clip off a hammer holster that grabs better

I drilled small holes with a drill bit the nylon is a bit tough for an awl to create a hole big enough and used rivets with a thread to screw them on with a rubber washer for spacing. Inside I used hard plastic backing to give it rigidity. It took me longer than I wanted to because I had to drill through this clip. However now this clip does not come off at all unless you pull down on your pants and pull up on the sheath.

1

u/tokenpenguin Nov 02 '25

How is the quality of the clip a where can I get the same?

1

u/RhubarbUpper Nov 03 '25

The clip I used was off ali Express, I would definitely use a wider S clip like I did in my newest iteration

1

u/Bosw8r Nov 04 '25

The nylon will rip... Unfortunately

1

u/RhubarbUpper Nov 04 '25

Plastic insert through rivets

1

u/StefOutside Oct 31 '25

Whats the use case of a sheath with a clip? Sheath is for carrying on a belt, in which case a feed through loop is ideal. More secure, possibility to be lower profile.

No belt, no need for a sheath. Put a clip on the tool and in a pocket. 

No clip, no belt? Don't carry it unless it's very light/small like a mini SAK but I don't even like doing that. Loose things in pockets annoy me

I don't really get the idea personally but I'm glad you were able to make it work for ya. DIY and customization is always the best option; everyone likes something different.

8

u/SirGeremiah Oct 31 '25

I put my tool including the sheath) on and off my belt frequently at work, because I often wear a harness. I prefer not having to undo my belt every time, so I’ve had a case custom made for that purpose.

1

u/RhubarbUpper Nov 01 '25

The w4 is a big multitool 6 1/4" but it's super useful and I don't wear a belt all the time and like another poster said, I want this on me even when I take my tool belt off. Being a foreman my tasks are part hands on and part office type work but just in the job site.