The Leatherman Difference in Lights
What is the material of the S2 and S3 window? (S1 does not have a window)
It is made from chemically-strengthened glass for exceptional durability and hardness.
What is the coating on the window and where is it?
It is double-face, anti-reflection coating on both the inside and outside of the glass.
What is the benefit of the coating?
Coating reduces light loss and intensifies light transmission.
What is the material of the plating on the reflector?
Texture-coated aluminum (S2 and S3) and smooth aluminum (S1).
Why does the S2 and S3 reflector have a textured coating and what is this called?
This is called Orange Peel texture and it’s a stippling process. The textured surface gives the light distribution more points for making for a much smoother, article-free light pattern.
What material are the bodies of the flashlights made from?
6061-T6, hard-anodized aluminum. This is the same material that we use in the Genus® pruner and the Charge® AL/ALX scales. It is as strong as stainless steel but much lighter.
Why do we hard-anodize the aluminum and how thick is the anodized finish?
Anodizing increases corrosion and wear resistance. Anodic films are generally much stronger and more adherent than most types of paint and metal plating, making them less likely to crack and peel. The finish is more than 40 microns thick.
What anodizing process is used?
Type III, the strongest hard-anodizing process for maximum durability. Type II is used for adding colors to materials (Squirt®/Juice® Scales) and is not as strong.
What are the S1, S2 and S3 bezels made of?
300-grade (303) stainless steel (S2, S3) and type-III, hard-anodized aluminum (S1).
What are the pocket clips made of?
420 stainless steel for excellent durability and impact resistance.
Are S1, S2, and S3 water resistant to IPX8 specification?
Yes. S1, S2, and S3 are sealed against continuous submersion in water to a depth of up to 3.28 ft.
What material are the O-rings made from?
70-degree (Durometer) NBR, a Nitrile rubber that resists most oils, fuels, and gases. The 70-degrees is the flexibility factor, meaning the O-rings are less flexible (squishy) than the switch cover (see next question).
What material is the switch cover made from?
60-degree (Durometer) silicone rubber that resists most oils, fuels, and gases. The 60-degrees means that it’s more malleable than the O-rings and better for easy on/off of the switch.
What material is used for the electrical contacts on the switch spring?
The switch spring contacts are gold-plated. Gold plating allows for excellent conductivity due to its stable physical and chemical performance.
What material is used for the electrical contacts on the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and why?
The PCB contacts are gold-plated. Gold plating allows for excellent conductivity due to its stable physical and chemical performance.
What is the type of LED is used in the S1?
The S1 uses Nichia 5mm GS-K1 LED.
What kind of LED technology do the S2 and S3 use?
The S2 and S3 use Cree 7090XR-E LED.