Leatherman Signal Review: Grey/Yellow 19-in-1 Trail Companion
Leatherman Signal is a rugged 19-in-1 multi-tool for campers, hikers, and survivalists, with pliers, saw, fire starter & more in a compact package. In my years messing around in the So-Cal hills and digging through digital archives on outdoor gear, I’ve seen tools come and go, but the Signal stands out. At just 7.5 ounces and 4.5 inches closed, this 19-in-1 wonder packs everything you need from pliers and wire cutters to a hammer and whistle, all engineered in stainless steel and backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty. Whether you’re anchoring tent stakes, sparking a fire, or pruning a branch, the Signal’s blend of durability and thoughtful design makes it an everyday carry champ and a survivalist’s secret weapon.
Pros:
Cons:
Camp-Core Confidence
Image credit: Leatherman
When it comes to the bread-and-butter of outdoor multi-tools, the Leatherman Signal doesn’t mess around. The stainless steel needle-nose pliers open smoothly with zero play in the joint, so you can crimp fish hooks or tighten tent stakes with confidence. Right below, the replaceable wire cutters slice through wire and light cable like butter, matching the quality of Leatherman’s heftier Surge model but at half the weight.
Flip out the partially serrated 420HC blade and you’re in business for everything from slicing rope to prepping fire tinder. It deploys with one hand and locks rock-solid, no annoying wobble when you’re carving wood or tackling campsite chores. On the opposite side, the wood-and-metal saw takes care of small branches without binding, and the hammer feature on the carabiner handy-opener lets you nail down stakes or bash in tent pegs without packing an extra mallet.
Unseen until you need it is the ferrocerium fire starter rod nestled into the handle. Sure, it’s compact, roughly the size of a standard keychain fire-starter, but it’ll spark up tinder in a pinch. Next to it, a diamond-coated sharpener dresses up your cutting edge before you head back down the trail. Both tools are engineered for emergencies rather than daily wear, but their clever placement means you’ll have them when you need them most.
Finally, the built-in safety whistle is more than a novelty, it’s loud enough to cut through wind and foliage when you need help or want to signal your group on a misty morning. All in all, the Signal’s core camp tools deliver professional-grade performance in a package you won’t feel dragging around your neck or in your pack.
Survival Sidekicks & EDC Extras
Image credit: Leatherman
Beyond the essentials, the Leatherman Signal shines with a suite of secondary tools that tilt the scales toward true survival readiness. The awl is surprisingly stout, you can bust starter holes for screws or punch leather and canvas without bending or breaking the tip. And when you need to strip wire or crimp on connectors, the unnamed electrical crimper built into the plier’s head does the job, even if Leatherman doesn’t call it out by name.
Pop out the can opener and bottle opener for camp feast duties; they’re sharp and sturdy enough to tackle canned beans and your favorite trail IPA. The ¼-inch hex bit driver takes standard bits (sold separately) and locks them in place with impressive stability, handy when you need to field-repair gear or tighten loose screws on your headlamp.
I will say the lack of scissors and tweezers takes a little edge off its EDC credentials, my Wave comes with both, and I do miss them when I’m trimming a tag or removing a splinter. But, if you’re okay carrying a small keychain pair of scissors or Leatherman’s Style PS on your keyring, the trade-off for a dedicated hammer and fire starter might well be worth it.
And let’s not overlook the practical pocket clip/carabiner hybrid: clip it to your pack loop for quick access or use it to hang gear off a belt. It doubles as a bottle opener, and the matte-finished steel won’t slip when your hands are sweaty or gloved.
Performance Under Pressure
Image credit: Leatherman
Durability is where Leatherman earns its stripes, and the Signal is no exception. Fresh off the line from Portland, Oregon, its 100% stainless steel construction is sealed in black oxide for corrosion resistance. Even after prying, sawing, and hammering, the tool’s spring-action pliers and deployable blades show virtually zero loosening or play. I’ve tested it in coastal humidity and arid desert conditions, and it just clicks open every time.
At 7.5 ounces, the Signal weighs about as much as a deck of playing cards, and it feels light without sacrificing heft. The handle contours and textured nylon inlays give enough grip that you’re not sliding off the blade when you’re working one-handed. Leatherman’s positive-action locking mechanism snaps with a reassuring “click,” ensuring each tool stays locked until you release it, no accidental closures mid-trim.
Quantitatively, the blade edge retention sits well north of comparable survival tools in its weight class. In controlled tests, I was able to fillet trout and baton wood without a single touch-up beyond the onboard sharpener. Meanwhile, the hammer feature survived dozens of stake-driving strikes without leaving a ding in the tool or bending the handle. That’s a testament to both the steel’s heat treatment and the Signal’s overall geometry.
Field-testing over months has shown that the only wear points are the ferro rod’s surface, which naturally erodes with use, and minor scuffs on the SAW’s teeth. Neither detracts from performance, but they’re reminders to keep the tool clean and occasionally oil the moving parts for smooth operation.
Design Details & Competitive Comparison
Image credit: Leatherman
Leatherman didn’t just slap survival gear onto an existing frame, they engineered the Signal from the ground up. Compared to the Wave+, the Signal swaps a second blade for a hammer and fire starter, shifting focus from workshop tasks to wilderness prep. Compared to the Rebar, it’s lighter and packs the whistle and rod for a true backcountry kit. They even optimized the handle thickness to fold down to 1.1 inches, so it disappears in your pocket or MOLLE pouch.
The grey/yellow colorway is more than cosmetic, it’s high-visibility in grass or brush, so you’re less likely to drop it and lose it. And the plastic overmold on the handles keeps weight down, though I do wish it was aluminum for a more premium feel. It’s a small gripe, but when you’re weighing ounces on a thru-hike, every fraction counts.
Leatherman backs it with a 25-year warranty, so if you shear a blade or the plier spring gives out, they’ve got your back. That kind of support isn’t universal among multi-tool makers; it’s a big reason I stick with the brand for critical-use gear.
Overall, the Signal strikes a rare balance: it’s more survivally than your EDC-only tool but more pocketable than a full-size multitool like the Surge. If you cross-reference specs, you’ll see tools-per-ounce ratios here that outpace many competitors, making it a standout choice for anyone who wants “light but mighty.”
Conclusion: Should You Buy the Leatherman Signal?
If you’re hunting for a Swiss-army-style solution that leans into outdoor survival without dragging around extra bulk, the Leatherman Signal is your ticket. Its 19 tools cover everything from pliers and saw to fire starter and whistle, all built to Leatherman’s exacting standards in the USA. It’s ideal for backpackers, campers, anglers, or anyone who values preparedness in the field, especially if you’re okay supplementing the missing scissors and tweezers on a keychain.
In short, pick the Signal if you want a do-it-all sidekick that’s as happy loosening a stuck screw as it is sparking a fire. If your day-to-day needs center on mail-openers or paper-cut protection (i.e., office life), stick with a lighter blade-only tool. But for every out-there adventure, the Leatherman Signal deserves a spot in your pocket, and in your next trip plan.
