Leatherman Rebar Multi-Tool Review: Everything You Need?

Need a new multi-tool? Leatherman Rebar is an excellent option, especially if you are looking for something versatile. With 17 different functions, the Rebar is great for everything from opening cans to cutting tree branches. 

But does it have all the features you need or does it lack some essentials? And is the tool worth the money Leatherman wants you to spend on it? We’ll answer all those questions in this detailed review – keep reading to see whether or not the Rebar is the tool you need!

Materials And Durability

The Rebar multi-tool is made mostly from 154CM stainless steel, which has a carbon content of around 1% and chromium content of nearly 14%. That makes it a bit tougher than the 420HC stainless steel, which is seen in these tools more often. In fact, you can see 420HC stainless steel even in the Rebar – both the straight and the serrated knife are made from that exact type of stainless steel.

Also, you have the option of picking up a black version of this multi-tool. It’s worth noting that the black tool is made from the exact same stainless steel and it is just as durable as the plain one.

The Rebar is excellent in terms of durability – not only are the blades and all the tools made from a premium material that is extremely tough, but they are also rust-resistant. This multi-tool is not at all prone to corrosion, and if you properly take care of it, you should be able to use it for quite some time.

It is best to clean the tools after every use and make sure they’re thoroughly dry. Putting away a wet multi-tool is the easiest way to make it corrode, and it’s something you should avoid if durability is the main thing you’re prioritizing. It’s also great to oil the Rebar every so often, to prolong its life as much as possible.

Functions

The Rebar multi-tool from Leatherman has a total of 17 different functions. I’ll tell you everything about those functions in this section, and hopefully you can figure out whether or not this tool is a good fit for you.

1 – Needlenose Pliers

2 – Regular Pliers

3 – Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters

4 – Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters

5 – Electrical Crimper

6 – Wire Stripper

7 – 420HC Knife

8 – 420HC Serrated Knife

9 – Saw

10 – Awl With Thread Loop

11 – Ruler

12 – Can Opener

13 – Bottle Opener

14 – Wood/Metal File

15 – Philips Screwdriver

16 – Large Screwdriver

17 – Small Screwdriver

First of all, the Rebar features a multi-functional pair of pliers, as you would expect. It has needlenose pliers, regular pliers and then wire and hard-wire cutters. The thing worth noting here is that the Rebar pliers are not spring loaded, which means you don’t have to manually lock them after every use. This is quite convenient because it’s just one less thing you have to worry about when you’re using this Leatherman multi-tool.

The Rebar has two important tools in its middle – an electrical crimper that is used for crimping electrical connectors and a ruler that measures 8” when fully extended. The middle is where you would usually find a pair of scissors on a multi tool, but the Rebar doesn’t have them. If that’s a feature you were hoping to see on a multi-tool, I suggest you check out our review of Leatherman’s Wingman tool.

Looking at the photo, you can see that there are five tools on the right hand side. The largest of those is a straight 420HC stainless steel knife, which is sharp, rugged and super durable. It is a must on tools like these, and its quality and durability certainly don’t disappoint. This side also features a metal and wood file, small and large flathead screwdrivers and an awl with a thread loop for creating holes in materials and sewing.

The left hand side of the tool has less individual tools but more functions. The largest tool here is obviously the saw, which will come in handy for many backpackers who spend a lot of time outdoors. There’s also a 420HC serrated knife, which is just as sturdy and durable as the flat edge knife on the other side. The serrated knife is better for rough materials like rope and wood. And if the serrated knife can’t get through it, the saw certainly can.

There’s also a Philips screwdriver here, but unfortunately it doesn’t have interchangeable bits. You’re stuck with the one size you get, and sadly it’s not even specified which size that is.

The final tool of the Rebar is the one at the bottom on the left hand side of the image. It is a can opener, a bottle opener and a wire stripper all in one. It might just be the tool you use most, which brings me to my next point – what happens if it breaks?

While I really like that Leatherman can design a single piece of this tool that has several functions, that has some downsides to it. If the multi-functional part breaks, you are losing two or three functions of your Rebar, which isn’t the ideal scenario. The good news is that there are only two such parts of this multi-tool, so you’re likely going to be fine. Especially since the pliers are arguably the most durable part of the entire thing, and are the least likely to malfunction.

Ease Of Use

I’ve just told you about all the 17 different functions of the Rebar multi-tool – that sounds like a look for a tiny piece of steel in your pocket. And it is; people who haven’t used a multi-tool before will likely need some time to get used to the Rebar. The good news is that the tool fits comfortably in your hand, and it has somewhat of an ergonomic shape.

This makes it easier to hold the tool while you’re using it, and pretty much guarantees that it’s not going to slip out of your hand. Which is a pretty important feature, especially when you’re using one of those tough steel knives.

Another thing worth noting here is that all of the features of the Rebar lock into place when extended. This is excellent because it means that you can exert as much pressure you need onto each tool, without worrying that’s going to fold back into place. And yes, that applies to all the individual tools of the Rebar, except the pliers obviously.

Portability

The entire appeal of multi-tools lies in their portability – you are getting 17 different tool functions, but they are all contained within this small chunk of stainless steel that weighs less than 7 ounces. And in that sense, the Rebar is one of the most portable multi-tools that exist.

But is it really that easy to carry this thing everywhere? Well, considering that it measures only 4” when closed and that it weighs 6.9 ounces, I really think it is. The Rebar will easily fit into the pocket of your jeans, and into any pocket of your favorite outdoor backpack. Plus, it is so lightweight that you won’t even feel it there, so it definitely gets a huge plus in terms of portability.

The one downside I see here is that this Leatherman multi-tool doesn’t come with a belt clip. This means you can’t attach it to your pocket for ultimate convenience, or to a loop on your bag. You can, however, make use of the lanyard ring that the Rebar has and wear it proudly around your neck. Or just shove it in your pocket – the lanyard makes it super quick and easy to get the tool out of your pocket in seconds.

What The Rebar Lacks

The Leatherman Rebar is just one of many different multi-tools Leatherman makes, and it is by no means perfect. It has a whooping 17 functions, but it lacks some features that I personally consider necessary on a really good multi-tool.

Like a decent pair of scissors. Sure, you can use the straight edge knife to cut through pretty much anything, but a nice pair of sharp scissors would give you a bit more control. That’s the largest downside of the Rebar – all of the other features that it’s missing are nowhere nearly as popular as scissors.

Another thing that I was hoping to see on the Rebar is a screwdriver that uses interchangeable bits. You get this feature on some premium multi-tools, but sadly Rebar is not one of them. Instead, you are limited to the basic Philips screwdriver and two flathead screwdrivers.

You don’t even get a Torx screwdriver, which is something else I wanted to point out. That’s fine if you rarely encounter Torx screws, but not if you want a multi-tool that has that feature.

Also, it’s worth pointing out that the metal and wood file on the Rebar is not suitable for sharpening other blades. It is not tough enough for that, but you can use it for smoothing edges and sharpening pencils. Only files that are diamond coated are rough enough to be used for blade sharpening, and those tend to cost about twice as much as the Rebar, so bear that in mind.

If you find any of the features listed in this section necessary, then you should definitely look at some other multi-tools. But if you’re fine with the fact that Rebar doesn’t have them, then this is looking like a great option for you! Especially considering the excellent value you get from it.

Value For Money

The Rebar multi-tool retails for a lot more than $50, which is a really good deal for such a versatile item. And if you’re shopping on Amazon, you’ll also get a leather or a nylon sheath for the same price, which is pretty cool. Usually, you have to buy sheaths separately, and the high-quality ones are not exactly cheap.

If you think you’re going to use most of the tools of the Rebar, then it’s definitely worth your money. It is a great multi-tool made from premium materials and it is going to last you a long time. The stainless steel of the Rebar is high grade, it is not prone to rust and it can survive pretty much anything, including daily use over the next several years.

But if you don’t think you will be able to find a use for every one of the 17 different functions, then feel free to look at some other multi-tools. There are loads of simpler and cheaper options out there, and they might just be a better fit for you. Especially if you were hoping to have one of the functions that the Rebar lacks, and you’d have to purchase something extra in addition to the Leatherman multi-tool.

For those people, I would suggest the Leatherman Charge Plus Tti as the brand’s most elaborate multi-tool to date. Or just go with something simpler like the Wingman, which even includes a unique package opener tool!

Leatherman Rebar Multi-Tool: Final Thoughts

Leatherman Rebar is an excellent high-quality multi-tool made from tough and durable stainless steel. It has a total of 17 different functions, but do you really need all of them? Sure, the premium tool might be a bargain at just some $70, but does it actually have everything you are looking for in a multi-tool?

Well, that’s a question only you can answer. I can tell you that the Rebar is great value for the money, considering all the different functions it has. Especially because it comes with two different knives as well as a saw. Also, every tool locks into place when extended, making the Rebar really easy to use even for people who’ve never held a multi-tool in their hands before.

But if you were hoping to get something with scissors or a Torx screwdriver, then you’ll have to look at some other multi-tools. This one lacks a couple of features that some people might consider essential, but I still think it’s a really good deal. Especially since you can get a bundle on Amazon that includes a premium leather sheath!

So, head over there to check out the deals and see what others are saying about the Rebar. And if you’d rather go with something different, be sure to check out our related posts for ideas on other excellent multifunctional tools!

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