Field Report  --  Leatherman e307x Folding Knife

Ryan Christensen
March 7, 2006

Reviewer Information:

Name:  Ryan L. Christensen
Age:  41
Gender:  Male
Height:  6’ 2” (1.88 m)
Weight:  225 lb (102 kg)
Email address:  bigdawgryan@yahoo.com
City, State, Country:  Idaho Falls, ID, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background: 

I began hiking, camping, backpacking at twelve, and continued until twenty-five.  After a long hiatus due in part to a bad back, I resumed hiking and camping four years ago.  I now share my love for these sports with my teen-age boys.  The past several years, we have hiked or camped nearly every month, year-round.  We vary our experience: desert, forest, meadow, and mountain; spring, summer, fall, and winter; and sunshine, rain, wind, or snow.  We began backpacking together last summer.  I am a lightweight backpacker, but carry a full array of necessary gear.

e307x -- Product Information:

The information in this table comes primarily from the Leatherman marketing brochure.

 

Manufacturer	Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
Manufacturer website	http://www.leatherman.com/
Year of Manufacture	2005
Blade opening	One-hand Blade Launcher™ or thumb stud
Blade material	154 CM
Lock mechanism	Locking liner
Blade grind	CNC flat
Blade style	Combination straight and serrated
Blade shape	Drop point
Blade finish	Polished and ground
Handle material	Machined aluminum with glass-reinforced nylon inserts with stainless steel bolsters
Included Bits	Phillips #1 & #2 Screwdriver 3/16” (.476 cm) & ¼” (.635 cm) Screwdriver 1/8” (.318 cm) & Torx #15

 

e307x -- Product Description:

The Leatherman e307x is a locking-liner folding knife with a combination serrated/straight edge blade.  For detailed information, please see my Initial Report.

 

e307x – Testing Conditions:

 

I live in Idaho Falls, which is located at 43°29'30" North, 112°1'57" West (43.491775, -112.032509) at an elevation of 4,700 ft (1,433 m).  Conditions thus far during the test period have been in line with the average winter temperatures for southeastern Idaho.  Most days were in the 20’s to low teens F (-2 C to -11 C) and even some days near or below 0 F (-18 C).

 

I have used this knife every week since receiving it.  Most of my testing has been on ordinary everyday tasks such as cutting open cardboard boxes and cutting rope and string.  However, I have also tightened my son’s snowboard bindings (more than once), repaired the metal trim and seals on two glass shower doors, replaced an interior door handle, and tightened loose screws on my snow blower, etc. 

 

However, I did take the knife along on a couple of outdoor target shooting outings here in the Idaho Falls area.  I used the knife to cut tape to affix paper targets for our rifle shooting.  I also took it when we went to shoot clay targets (trap) with shotguns.  Unfortunately, I did not have a need to use the knife on that particular trip; it remained in my right front pants pocket. 

 

I also took the knife with me snowshoeing in the Kelly Canyon Nordic Area located 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Idaho Falls, in the Targhee National Forest, near the South Fork of the Snake River.  The elevation in the Nordic Area starts at approximately 5,900 ft (1,798 m) and reaches an elevation of 6,700 ft (2,042 m). 

 

I will continue testing the knife on another snowshoe trip, a cross-country ski trip and a winter outing in southeastern Idaho with my teen-age sons and their scout troop all in March.

e307x -- Testing:

My test plan included the following six objectives: Blade Launcher, Bit Driver, Carabiner/Bottle Opener, Blade, Handle, and Overall impression.  I have detailed my test results under each objective. 

·         First objective - test the Blade Launcher™

1. Can one truly deploy the blade with a simple flick of the finger as Leatherman claims?  Will this improve over time?

[Results]  Thus far, I have only been successful in fully deploying the blade with a simple flick of the finger a few times.  Generally, in addition to flicking the Blade Launcher^TM  with my finger, I also had to  flick my wrist/hand to deploy the blade fully.  This has not improved over time.  Although I am right-handed, I was able to deploy the blade fully using my left hand and the aforementioned technique.  For us righties, blade deployment is also quite simple using the thumb stud on the blade.  However, for lefties, I believe deploying the blade via the thumb stud is awkward and dangerous at best.

2. Does the Blade Launcher™ action remain smooth and easy to operate over time?

[Results]  Yes, the Blade Launcher^TM  action continues to be smooth and easy to operate.  It will be interesting to see whether the action will continue its smooth operation as I get more lint, dirt, etc. in the knife over time. 

3. How easy is it to deploy the blade with a gloved or mittened hand?

[Results]  Using gloved hands, I was able to deploy the blade fully with the Blade Launcher^TM.  However, I was unable to deploy the blade using the thumb stud while wearing the same gloves.  It was impossible for me to deploy the blade wearing mittens. 

4. Does the finger tab truly disappear into the handle upon deployment as Leatherman claims? 

[Results]  Yes, the finger tab virtually disappears into the handle upon deployment of the blade.

·         Second objective - test the Bit Driver

1. How easy is it to deploy the Bit Driver? 

[Results]  As stated in my Initial Report, it is quite easy to deploy the carabiner/bottle opener.  However, before reading the instructions, it was difficult trying to stow it.  Reading the instructions, I quickly learned that to stow the Bit Driver I just needed to push the Bit Driver with a little more force.  From then on, stowing the Bit Driver has been a breeze.

2.   Can one deploy the bit driver with either the right or left hand?

[Results]  Yes, simply hold the knife in either hand, or lift on the Bit Driver’s small tab with the opposite hand to deploy.

3. How easy is it to change out driver bits?

[Results]  Changing out bit drivers is extremely simple; one just need pull on the bit.  To insert another bit, simply press it into the opening in the Bit Driver.

4. Can one change driver bits with gloved or mittened hands?

[Results]  With gloved hands, I was able to replace bit drivers as long as the replacement bit was not in the bit holder or the card of the Bit Kit.  This was a bit (pun intended) more difficult, but possible, wearing mittens.   

5. How easy is it to drive screws with the e307x?

[Results]  It is very easy to drive screws with this knife. The contour of the handle and its inserts, along with the girth of the handle, make the knife feel as comfortable as a regular screwdriver in my hand.

·         Third objective - test the Carabiner/Bottle Opener

1. How easy is it to deploy the Carabiner/Bottle Opener?

[Results]  As stated in my Initial Report, it is quite easy to deploy the carabiner/bottle opener.  However, before reading the instructions, it was difficult trying to stow it.  To stow the Carabiner, simply press it down (toward the knife handle) to unlock it and rotate it back to its place in the handle     

2. Do I find much utility in the Carabiner?

[Results]  Honestly, I did not think that I would find much use for the carabiner.  However, clipping the knife to the outside of my pack is more convenient that simply putting it in a pocket.  Consequently, when carrying this knife on future outings, I will most likely clip it to a gear loop on the outside of my pack.

3. Does the Carabiner keep the e307x securely attached to my pack?

[Results]  Yes.  On my snowshoeing trips, I used the carabiner to clip the knife to the outside of my pack.  Despite falling several times, as I descended steep slopes in waist deep snow, the knife remained securely attached.

·         Fourth objective - test the Blade

1.  Is the 2.8” (7.1 cm) blade sufficiently long for most of the tasks for which I would need a knife? 

[Results]  So far, for my purposes, I have not needed a longer blade.

2. How well does the polished and ground 154 CM blade keep its edge?

[Results]  The knife has retained its edge extremely well to this point.  I believe it is nearly as sharp as the day I opened the box.

3. How easy is it to sharpen?

[Results]  Because the knife has retained its edge so well and remained extremely sharp, I have not had the need to sharpen the blade as of yet.

4. Does the blade discolor, or rust, with extended use, and exposure to water?

[Results]  The blade has not rusted or discolored so far.  I fell backward while snowshoeing and had the knife hanging from my pack.  Every void in the knife filled with snow.  However, to test how the knife would react, I chose to leave the snow lodged in the voids, and did not even wipe it down after the snow had melted.  There was no rusting or discoloration.

·         Fifth objective - test the Handle

1. What sort of grip do the glass-reinforced handle inserts provide?

[Results]  The glass-reinforced handle inserts enhance the grip provided by the girth and contour of the handle itself.

2. How well do the glass-reinforced handles hold up with extended use?

[Results]  So far so good, but obviously time will tell how well the glass-reinforced handles hold up.

3. Do they resist cracking or chipping when dropped?

[Results]  No chipping or cracking of the handle inserts to report thus far.

·         Sixth objective - overall impression             

1. How comfortable is it to carry in my pants pocket?

[Results]  This knife is too large for me personally to carry comfortably in my pants pocket.  However, I tolerate carrying the knife in my front pants pocket better when I use the pocket clip

2. How comfortable is it in my hand?

[Results] This knife has good girth and provides excellent grip.  It feels quite comfortable in my hand. 

3.   Having used the e307x, would I be interested, or find utility, in purchasing the Bit Kit with its 21 double-ended bits?

[Results]  So far, I have used each of the three double-ended bits included with the knife.  However, thus far, I have only used one bit from the 7-piece Bit Kit.  Others may find use for the additional bits, but I think it unlikely that I would use the additional bits.

·         Overall Impression

[Results]  I am very impressed with the Leatherman e307x.  It holds its edge extremely well and is very comfortable to use.  Along with its great blade, Bit Driver and interchangeable bits, and Carabiner/Bottle Opener, the e307x provides great utility.

 

I will continue to test the items listed above and will address any issues that arise through the balance of the test period and beyond if they are significant.  

 

Thanks again to Leatherman and BGT for the opportunity to test the e307x folding knife.