Reviews > Knives > Folding > Leatherman e307x > Chari Daignault > Field Report

Field Report: Leatherman e307x Knife

March 10, 2006

Tester Information

Name: Chari Daignault
Age: 43
Gender: Female
Height: 5’ 6" (1.68 m)
Weight: 135 Pounds (61 kg)
Email address: chari@cdaig.com
City, State, Country: Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background: I've been an ultra-light hiker for 33 years -- I take the bare minimum with me and prefer a pack under or close to five pounds. I've hiked all the Florida State Forest trails in Central Florida and climbed Mt. Fuji in Japan when I was nine. I have hiked dry & sandy, rough & rocky and wet & boggy trails and as a result, have found what does and doesn't work for me in terms of equipment and clothing. Central Florida affords a lot of sun and rains, with high temperatures and massive humidity. It's a great testing area for clothing, footwear and headgear.

The product

Manufacturer: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
Web site http://www.leatherman.com
Product: e307x Locking Liner Serrated Knife [shipped with optional Bit Kit Accessory]
Year manufactured: 2005
MSRP: $100.00 (US) / $110.00 (US) w/7 pc. Bit Kit

Per the manufacturer:

Blade opening: One-hand Blade Launcher, thumb stud
Lock mechanism: Locking liner [a strip of metal which is pulled aside to unlock the blade]
Closed length: 3.875" (0.10 m)
Open length: 6.7" (0.17 m)
Blade length: 2.8" (0.07 m)
Weight: 4.2 oz. (118 g)
Blade style: Combination straight and serrated
Blade finish: Polished and ground
Handle material: Machined aluminum with glass-filled nylon inserts, stainless steel bolsters

Included Bits: Phillips #1 & #2
Screwdriver 3/16" (0.48 cm) & 1/4" (0.64 cm)
Screwdriver 1/8" (0.32 cm) x Torx #15
Verified weight: 4.3 oz (122 g)
Color tested: Silver/Black
Colors available: Silver/Black

Warranty: [Quoted from web site], 25-YEAR Limited Warranty: If within 25 years from the purchase date of your genuine Leatherman® tool you find any defect in material or workmanship, you can count on us to make it right with fast warranty service.

Product description

As shipped, the e307x came with a nylon sheath, three double-ended bits installed on the knife unit itself [one in the folding bit driver and two stored in the handle] and an optional Bit Kit accessory with seven additional double-ended bits stored in a small, plastic sheath. The nylon knife sheath has a stretch pocket inside that holds the plastic Bit Kit accessory sheath so all can be carried together. The nylon sheath closes with a flip-over Velcro closure.

The knife has a metal pocket clip on it that can be removed utilizing a #8 torx screw bit, if so desired. The knife itself is stainless steel, with black plastic grips on either side, one of which stores up to two double-sided bits. The other side has the removable pocket clip on it.

The blade of the e307x has a device called a "Blade Launcher" on the butt end that enables the user to open the blade one-handed. It's essentially a grooved trigger that when pushed with the index finger, partially flips the blade out, enabling the thumb to then push the "Thumb Stud" to fully open and lock the blade into place. The blade is a combination straight and serrated edge blade, with approximately 1/2 of the blade being straight from the tip and the last 1/2 near the butt end being serrated.

A folding carabiner clip can be flipped out, enabling quick fastening to belt loops, back packs or lines. The carabiner can also be used as a bottle opener. A fold-out, partial locking Bit driver holds the included double-ended bits for use as a multi-tool screw driver.


Field Information 

I have mainly been testing this knife under office conditions; opening boxes, tightening large screws on network racks and cutting/stripping wires. The knife has performed wonderfully. I have not carried it sheathed, as thanks to the pocket clip, it's much easier to carry without the sheath. Many of the male inhabitants in my office have voiced positive comments on the look of the knife -- and they have enjoyed trying out [playing with] the Blade Launcher. The knife, during this particular testing phase, is indoors in air-conditioned space, with little or no humidity. It has not needed oiling thus far, and continues to open and close with ease. The bits I've used show little or no wear, aside from some of the darker color being scraped off on the tips and the bits are still shaped properly and fit screw heads nicely.

The second area I've tested the knife was during my daily 3 mile [4.83 km] hikes around the Econlockhatchee river basin in Southeast Seminole County, Florida. The average temperature has been 70 degrees Fahrenheit [21 degrees Celsius], and the elevation is about 12 feet [3.6 Meters] above sea level. The terrain is mostly flat, with sand, scrub brush, local trees and the occasional creek or river bit to cross. I've carried the knife sheathless, utilizing the pocket clip -- secured to my light-weight backpack's strap. However, when I'm moving over precarious ground, I use the carabiner, as the pocket clip doesn't hold it securely enough if I'm hanging upside down. I don't utilize the sheath, as I prefer easy access, and that's one less step.

Testing almost ended abruptly when I nearly lost the knife to the river [while using the pocket clip] -- but it luckily landed on a sandy bank. The weight of the knife had caused it to become partially buried in the sand, causing some concern as to how it would clean up. I found that the sand brushed off easily and did not stick to the moving parts or mechanisms of the knife. I was able to open and close the blade and other parts without feeling any grinding or sticking. Another day, I was able to use the bit driver out there while assisting a couple that was attempting to open a small, wooden box. The box had very small screws holding it closed, but after easily changing out the bit for a smaller one, I was able to open their box for them. Turns out, they were wanting to spread their pet's ashes along the river.

The third and final area I tested the knife was on a one-day trip to Jamaica, where I hiked, zip-lined and rappelled in the Ocho Rios jungle. The average temperature there year-round is 86 degrees Fahrenheit [30 degrees Celsius] the elevation is from sea level up to 2,000 feet [610 Meters] above. The terrain went from flat to mountainous, with highly wooded jungle trails, roots and trees to climb over and very high humidity. I carried the knife using the carabiner, keeping it clipped to my light-weight backpack. With the weight of the knife, the location I clipped it to had to be considered carefully, as if it swung around, it could definitely leave a mark. A person in my hiking party clipped her calf on a metal zip line cable, cutting it quite deeply. I was able to use my e307x's blade to cut her banadana up into strips and made a pretty good bandage. I tested the knife blade on some local vines and found that it sliced through the thinner ones with no problem. The thicker, woodier vines were more difficult, but if I used the serrated end of the blade, it took less effort. We made good use of the bottle opener when our trip was finished, trying it out on several different brands of beer bottles. It worked like a champ.

Field Testing Results

My strategy for indoor testing had been as follows:

a) cutting wires [blade]
b) stripping wires [blade]
c) opening boxes [blade]
d) dismantling computer equipment [screw driver bits]
e) configuring network racks and shelves [screw driver bits]
f) poking holes in drywall for anchor bolts [screw driver bits]
g) wearing the knife [sheathless] on my belt or belt loop, consequently smacking it into everything [carabiner & pocket clip]

My strategy for the outdoor testing had been as follows:

a) wearing the knife [sheathless] on my backpack [carabiner]
b) cutting bandages when necessary [blade] Trust me -- I do this quite a bit
c) cutting vines [blade]
d) removing splinters and hitchhiker weed stickers from both my clothing and my person [blade]
e) opening cans or bottles -- not that I'll need to, but just in case [carabiner/bottle opener]
f) anything else I can find a use for this tool

I've been able to test most of the above listed points and have been very pleased with the knife's performance. Even with the knife's weight and size, it has not been bulky or unweildly and has been extremely easy to carry. The knife fits well in my hand and I'm able to open the blade one-handed - although it does take two to close it. The knife's mechanisms and tool setup are intuitive, so they're easy to figure out without a manual. I'm very happy with the Leatherman e307x knife.

Many thanks to Leatherman Tool Group, Inc. and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

Reviews > Knives > Folding > Leatherman e307x > Chari Daignault > Field Report