Leatherman Dials In A Multi-Tool For First Responders
There’s a reason medical kits contain shears. They’re solid tools, but the Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Multi-Tool offers a way to make them even more versatile. We got our hands on one to see if its multiple functions are worth having on one tool.
Pros
- Legitimately useful tools for first responders
- Well-thought-out design
- Holster secures the tool in the open or folded position
- Holster angle adjustable to twelve positions
Cons
- No significant drawbacks
Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Tools
Medical Shears
Let’s start with a look at each tool and add some additional context. The shear (and most of the metal components) is made from 420HC stainless steel. It’s a good all-around metal, though you will need to sharpen it more than other blade steels. Fortunately, the shear design doesn’t wear as fast as a picket knife, so sharpening isn’t something you need to worry about on a frequent basis.
This is the key tool for the entire group. For first responders, it has to work at least as well as standard medical shears do—and it does. Micro serrations help the ease of cutting and even the shape and angle of the handle what we expect from dedicated shears. Plus, the overmold on the rings helps ensure you maintain a secure grip. The main difference is that the handle section is beefier to make room for the tools and folding.
Strap Cutter and Tank Wrench
Moving down, there’s a hook-shaped strap cutter. Some folks might debate the need for this one considering you have cutting shears. However, this slices through a strap much more quickly. It deploys quickly with one hand from the folded position. When seconds count, you want the most efficient tool available, and this is a good addition.
On the strap cutter, there’s a wrench that doubles to help with one-hand deployment. This is specifically the size you need to adjust an oxygen tank valve.
Ring Cutter
Looking near the joint, Leatherman takes advantage of the force to include a ring cutter. Anytime an accident or medical incident results in hand swelling, getting the ring off of someone’s finger can be tough, but this tool makes it easy. It needs a bit of clearance underneath to get started, so you may need to work it in. The width of men’s rings may require multiple cuts to get through the band.
Glass Breaker
At the base of the handle, there’s a carbide glass breaker. This one’s pretty self-explanatory. When you need quick entry into a vehicle and the door isn’t an option, breaking the glass is often the quickest way to get to a patient. You get the best grip for glass breaking when you have the tool folded up.
Ruler and Lanyard Hole
Last, but not least, there’s a 5-centimeter ruler etched into the shear blade.
There’s also a lanyard hole if you prefer to tether the tool.
Folding and Storing the Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Multi-Tool
Typically, folding and storing a multi-tool doesn’t require much explanation. However, Leatherman put a lot of thought into this model.
Unfolding the tool is simple—just swing the two sides out until they lock into place. Once you’re ready to fold the tool up, there’s a gray button you need to press on each side to release its respective handle to pivot. It may seem like a pain at first, but it only takes a couple of minutes to get used to. The stable rigidity of the handles in the open position makes this detail worth the effort.
The sheath that comes with the Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear allows you to store the tool in the open or closed position. Which way you carry it may boil doing to preference or may be a matter of which tools you want the quickest access to. Either way, the tool stores securely. In the open position, a piece on the back of the holster keeps the shear from slipping out. In the closed position, the belt hook grabs hold of the holster.
One other thing—by loosening the screw on the back of the holster, you can rotate it to 12 different positions. No matter what gear you’re wearing, you can adjust the carry to give you the easiest access.
Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Multi-Tool Price
The Raptor Rescue runs $99.95 and there are now a total of 9 color options for the handle overmold. The two newest are black/blue and coyote/black. We used the coyote/black combination in our photos.
As usual, Leatherman offers a 25-year warranty on the tool.
The Bottom Line
Is it worth having all of these tools on one multi-tool? Yes, it is. The Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Multi-Tool has a well-thought-out design and each of its tools function well, so you’re not compromising when seconds count. Whether you’re a medical professional, first responder, or in charge of your team’s safety, give some serious consideration to adding the Raptor Rescue to your medical kit.
Leatherman Raptor Rescue Shear Multi-Tool Specifications
- WEIGHT: 5.8 oz. | 164 g.
- CLOSED LENGTH: 5 in. | 12.7 cm.
- OPEN LENGTH: 8.0 in. | 20.3 cm.
- SHEAR LENGTH: 1.9 in. | 4.8 cm.
- WIDTH: 1.9 in. | 4.8 cm.
- OVERALL THICKNESS: .67 in. | 1.7 cm.
- MATERIALS:420HC Stainless Steel, Glass-filled Nylon, Carbide
