Although I've been aware that Leatherman produce folding knives for a while, I havent paid much interest to said folding knives. While looking around at knives in Iwarehouse the other day, I noticed the Leatherman Crater range and asked the sales person if I could handle the knife. I was quite impressed with the knife. Here follows my impressions after owning and carrying the knife on a daily basis for the last two months:

It has a 'flicker'(launcher) which assists in opening the blade. Its a linerlock folder and the lockup on the knife is really solid and tight. It has a smidge of bladeplay when you really try and wiggle the blade around, this can be eliminated by further tightening the pivot screw. Im very sensitive to blade play since none of my Spyderco's have any bladeplay, at all.

The blade shape and size is really appealing to me. Its a short , sturdy, spearpoint blade made of 420 HC (high carbon) stainless steel. Althoug the this blade steel doesnt keep a edge for as long as higher end blade steels would, it is quick to sharpen to a razors edge again.

The ergonomics of the knife is also quite good, althoug I must admit that I have small hands. Leatherman has chosen glass-filled nylon for the handle material. The handles come across as being very sturdy and durable. Retention on the knife is average to good, even when the knife is wet. I do believe that the handles could have more pronounced texture, which would go a long way in improving the grip and retention quality of the handles.

The pocket clip supplied with the knife can only be attached to the knife in one way. This only allows the knife to be carried tip down. This might be a issue to some, since I know I prefer to carry my Spyderco Delica tip up. Althoug this initially irritated me to some extend, I quickly grew accustomed to carrying the Crater tip down.

The knife also has a carabiner clip, which doubles as a bottle opener. When deployed, the clip locks up solidly. When not used, it neatly folds away into the handle. Although I did not make much use of the clip, it could br quite handy to some and is no hinderence at all when folded away into the hanle of the knife.

Overall I am quite impressed with this folder, especially at the price (I paid R400 for mine).