We came across exclusive Leatherman multi-tool options at Costco, and not only that they’re $20 cheaper.
The Leatherman Sidekick multi-tool, a value-oriented model for both beginners and less demanding users, is now available at Costco stores in standard and exclusive colors, AND it’s also discounted by $20.
Here are the Sidekick’s tools and features:
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- Spring-action Needlenose Pliers
- Spring-action Regular Pliers
- Spring-action Wire Cutters
- Wire Stripper
- 420HC Knife
- 420HC Serrated Knife
- Saw
- Ruler (1.5 in | 3.8 cm)
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Small Screwdriver
At the time of this posting, the Leatherman Sidekick is $69.95 at Leatherman’s store and on Amazon, and they say a sheath is sold separately.
Costco stores have the Sidekick in stainless finish, blue, and green color options for $49.99, and a nylon sheath is included.
So that’s $50 in standard or exclusive colors, plus a sheath, vs $70 in just the stainless version without a sheath.
I’ve never seen the Sidekick in these color options before – have you? The lower price reflects a discount of over 28% compared to buying the plain stainless finish tool from Leatherman directly or authorized stores.
I wonder if Costco made a Leatherman an offer the multi-tool brand couldn’t turn down, or maybe it was the other way around.
Whatever reason, if you were in the market for a Leatherman Sidekick multi-tool, head to your local Costco store. It also looks to be available online, but I’ve been having issues with the link.
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And of course, people are already selling it online at places like Walmart at inflated pricing.
Scott K
I don’t need this, but it may make a nice gift. I bought a few of these as groomsman gifts at HD a decade ago for half this price.
Either last year or the year before Costco had a combo Skeletool with nylon sheath and Skeletool KBx for around $65 which was less than the cost of the skeletool alone. I don’t love the KBx because I find the handle a little small which puts my fingers a little too close to the blade when opening it one handed. But it is super lightweight and came very sharp.
Scott F
Do you think this is the same tool (except color), or manufactured to a different specification (inferior) to meet Costco’s pricing expectations? I know Costco often gets their own products/SKUs that do not exist elsewhere, and have been under the impression that they are not always exactly comparable.
Stuart
If it were built more cheaply, Leatherman would/should have given it a new name. They’ve done that before.
https://toolguyd.com/leatherman-bolster-costco-multi-tool/
Jim Felt
With my decades long experience with both as separate clients I would second your take Stuart.
Scott K
The Skeletool I got at Costco seems to be the same one I could’ve gotten elsewhere and it came with the same warranty. To me, it seems as though they wouldn’t offer the same warranty on a cheaper version of an existing model.
I think a lot of the unique SKUs have more to do with quantity or the inclusion of exclusive accessories rather than an actually different item. A bunch of the big box stores like target, Amazon, Walmart, etc. have the same item available in different quantities which makes it harder to price match.
EBT
Question: what do all ‘yall use to sharpen these? Hand stone, hand diamond sharpening tool, powered sharpened (Chef model) or belt?
I got those new Gerber’s on a past deal and the knife is great but rather dull out of the box. I packed up my Pro Chef sharpener I used on prior knives and thought of a better, smaller option for multitool knife blades. What I found isn’t cheap.
Bonnie
I always just used a regular two-sided whetstone. I’ve never gone in for all the fancy over-complicated sharpening systems, especially for a general purpose knife.
Wayne R.
I’ve got a Lansky kit that works well, keeps me out of trouble.