Leatherman launched a new lanyard and bead accessory, and while enthusiasts are complaing about the $20 price, I think most fail to recognize that it’s also a stubby screwdriver, roughly.
Surprisingly, it just says “Leatherman USA.” They have an entire laser-etching customization shop, and this might have been a perfect fit for some neat designs.
Also, no color options? The price is the least of what I’d complain about.
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Taking a closer look, the edges of the round bead is grooved. Yep, this could possibly pass as a stubby fingertip-type screwdriver, right?
The inside is hex-shaped and can fit standard 1/4″ hex screwdriver bits, as well as Leatherman’s customized flat bits.
It’s made from “premium-grade” stainless steel with a PVD coating for a black finish.
What’s “premium-grade” stainless steel? 304? 316? Something else?
Get your own for $20. Leatherman doesn’t say whether it’s made in the USA or imported.
EDC beads for multi-tools, flashlights, other types of tools or gear you’d stick a lanyard on, aren’t new. Here’s one from TEC that’s made from titanium and in the shape of a LEGO brick. No, they don’t stack – I asked.
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While not a lot of people are in the market for a $20 lanyard bead, many are, and that’s not an atypical starting price point.
Don’t need a lanyard bead? Some folks use them as zipper pulls.
Jared
That’s kind of clever. I like the suggestion to use it as a zipper pull. I never need my edc tools to have a lanyard. Plus it seems strange to attach this to a tool like the Skeletool, that can already use Leatherman’s bits.
$20 is steep. Seems like the sort of thing I’d be more tempted to buy if it was 3/$25 or something like that.
Yadda
Leatherman enthusiasts will eat this up. This will also be a great bonus buy suggestion on the Leatherman website. Considering the cost to manufacture is probably very low, this will hang around until sales drop and then get closed out for $10 and then $5.
D3t
Stuart: Taking a closer look, the edges of the round BEAT is grooved. Yep, this could possibly pass as a stubby fingertip-type screwdriver, right?
Stuart
Thanks! Sorry, I got preoccupied debating whether it’s “grooved” or “knurled” and missed the typo.
Matt_T
It looks like straight knurling to me.