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Frequently Asked Questions

Get The Most From Your Knives

What kind of steel do we use for our knives? Why? How does this steel compare to other steel types?

Crater®-series and Selway: 420HC
US made, from Crucible Metals. 420HC is used because it has good edge retention (stays sharp), toughness (it's not brittle), and is corrosion resistant.

Expanse®-Series, Ukiah® and Nehalem®: 154CM
US made from Crucible Metals. 154CM is used because it has even better edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance than 420. We have used our CATRA edge retention test equipment to compare 154CM to 420, and the 154CM holds an edge approximately 3X longer.

Steens® and Klamath®: S30V®
US made from Crucible Metals premium grade stainless steel created especially for knives. It is a powder made steel with uniform structure and clean steel properties. S30V blades are even more corrosion-resistant and keep their edges significantly longer than 154CM; according to our tests, 6X longer than 420.

Rockwell hardness by steel type:
420HC: 55-59
154CM: 58-60
S30V: 58-60

Other blade steels:
440C is commonly used for knives and has gotten somewhat of a bad name for its ubiquity. ATS-34 is another common high-end steel; it is basically the Japanese version of 154CM. S60V is another premium steel with superior edge retention.

What styles of blades do we offer?

The Crater and Expanse series 33-models, Expanse 55-models, Steens, Ukiah, Klamath, and Nahalem all have drop-point style blades. We chose these because of how well they fit/fold into the handle of the knife. It's actually the stronger of the two styles.

The Crater series 55-models and Selway have Clip-Point style blades.
We chose because people who like larger knives more often than not prefer a clip-point blade - better for field dressing.

What are the blade angles of our knives?

The main bevel grind (the overall angle that defines the knife) varies slightly depending on the product but is close to nine degrees. The actual cutting edge grind for all plain-edge knife blades is 32 degrees. This is the same angle used on all our plain-edge blades - Crater and Expanse series and our multi-tools. The serration angle on the Crater and Expanse combo knives is 16 degrees. Our other serrated blades fall within the same range with slight variances depending on the product.

What materials (and percentage of each) are our knife handles made from? Why did we choose these materials?

With the entire Crater series 100% of the handle is 60% long-glass fiber nylon. This material was chosen because of its strength. It was also chosen for its weight and resistance to chemicals such as DEET in bug spray, gas, or break cleaner, engine degreaser, ammonia, rubbing alcohol, etc.

With the entire Expanse series 80% of the handle is 60% long-glass fiber nylon (see Crater series for reason). 20% of the handle is 301 stainless steel cladding, this was chosen for it durability and thermal stability. It was tested and withstood temperatures up to +145F/+63C and down to -5F/20C.

On the Ukiah, Nehalem, and Selway 33% glass-filled nylon/santoprene over-mold handle scale (chosen for weight, cosmetics and chemical resistance) fitted onto 420 stainless steel frame (needed for extra strength/integrity).

Steens and Klamath have 6061-T6 hard-anodized aluminum handles chosen for its strength and lightweight and is resin-impregnated for temperature stability. The rosewood inlay is for aesthetics.

What process does each style of steel go through to make a knife blade?

420HC blades: Crater series, Selway
  • Fineblank - precision stamping process
  • Flat finish - takes off initial burs from the stamping process
  • Heat treat - this is a Quench Bath heat treat
  • Mass finish - round over the sharp edges
  • Double disc grind - makes the blades very flat at a precise thickness
  • Lock taper grind - precision grinding of the KB lock face (only on c3/e3)
  • Hollow grind - grind the main bevels and false edges
  • Bead blast - creates matte surface finish
  • Sharpen

154CM blades: Expanse series, Ukiah, Nehalem
  • Laser cut - 154CM is too hard to blank, so it must be laser cut
  • Heat treat - this is a Cryogenic heat treat
  • Mass finish - round over the sharp edges
  • Machining - precision hole drilling and counter sinking operation
  • Double disc grind - makes the blades very flat at a precise thickness
  • Lock taper grind - precision grinding of the KB lock face (only on c3/e3)
  • Sharpen
  • Buff

S30V® blades: Steens, Klamath
  • Laser cut - S30V® is too hard to blank, so it must be laser cut
  • Heat treat - this is a Cryogenic heat treat
  • Mass finish - round over the sharp edges
  • Machining - precision hole drilling and counter sinking operation
  • Double disc grind - makes the blades very flat at a precise thickness
  • Lock taper grind - precision grinding of the KB lock face (only on c3/e3)
  • Sharpen
  • Buff

What are the benefits of lockback vs. liner lock and vice versa?

Liner locks (Crater and Expanse 33-models) are quicker and easier to open, unlock, and close with one hand.

The lockback system (Crater and Expanse 55-models, Selway, Klamath, and Nehalem) is generally stronger than the liner lock system, and is considered more traditional since it has been around for so long. It typically takes two hands and when working with a larger blade in the case of the models Leatherman uses the lock back system on, this is an added safety measure.

Our Ukiah and Steens models are fixed-blade knives.

What finishing process do the blades have?

The entire Crater series and a Selway have a bead blast finish.

The entire Expanse series has a scotchbrite/bead blast finish.

The Klamath, Nehalem, Steens and Ukiah all have a scotchbrite/bead blast finish.

What does Leatherman recommend for sharpening knives?

All of our knives can be re-sharpened using the standard methods. Sharpening stones work well and give a nice edge, but it takes more skill. You can also use diamond files. Those are quicker, but because they take metal off more quickly you have to be careful. Ceramic file systems are also good.

When sharpening with any system, the included angle should be around 32 degrees. One sharpening set we often recommend is the Spyderco Tri-Angle Sharpmaker set. It's easy to use and effective, and can also be used for serrated blades.

Please describe the types of uses appropriate for our knives; i.e., were they designed with specific activities in mind?

Crater and Expanse series 33-models were designed as durable utility blades for every day use and carry. The styling and innovative features are aimed at young, active people who enjoy spending time outdoors:
  • They have a technical look
  • The blade launcher® is a cool innovative feature
  • The carabiner makes the knife easy to attach to and use with outdoor gear (back packs, hydration systems, etc)
  • The carabiner doubles as a bottle opener
  • The in-handle bit storage system allows for added versatility without having to carry a sheath

The Crater and Expanse series 55-models were designed for more durable applications, but can be used for everyday use for those who prefer larger knives. The styling was aimed at adding a somewhat modern look to the traditional lockback knife often used by hunters and other similar outdoor enthusiasts.
  • They are reminiscent of traditional lockback knives with a technical touch
  • The hefty blades make the knife feel substantial
  • The carabiner makes the knife easy to attach to and use with outdoor gear (back packs, hydration systems, etc)
  • The carabiner doubles as a bottle openerThe in-handle bit storage system allows added versatility without having to carry a bit sheath with you

Ukiah, Steens, Klamath, Nehalem, and Selway were designed for serious hunting applications. Unlike other combination knives, they were designed so only one cutting edge from the gut hook or knife (or saw in the case of Steens and Ukiah) is exposed at one time. On the fixed knives this is a rotating handle and on the folding knives this is a gut hook that slides in and out of the butt of the knife as needed.

The blades are long and very durable for skinning and dressing game, and, unlike many hunting knives, they feature large, usable gut hooks. The package is completed by the addition of a diamond-coated sharpening system. Ukiah and Steens also feature a durable, aggressive bone saw. Selway is a price-friendly model with a 420HC stainless steel and no sharpening rod included.

What are some of the major improvements from the old EDC knives (c,e,h, k-models) to the new Crater and Expanse series knives?

  • Improved blade launcher (33-models) - better finger placement, more consistent functionality
  • Streamlined scales (up to 34% thinner) - better handling and placement into a pocket as well as in-the-pocket feel
  • New pocket clip w/ secure attachment - easier to remove and more secure on the pocket
  • Improved quality (blade wiggle, pocket clip wiggle, blade launcher)
  • Revised carabiner (33-series) - backside of the carabiner provides more coverage on the tip of the knife blade for better safety
  • Stainless-steel reinforced handles (Expanse series) - stronger
  • Revised bit holder (Expanse series) - more secure
  • Replaced nylon washers with bronze - better/more rigidity for smoother operation
  • Reduced weight on most models - an average 15% on 33-models and 20% on 55-models

What are the grinding styles of our knife blades?

Crater series knives and Selway have a hollow grind.
This is actually a "premium" grind found on high-end kitchen cutlery. It creates a natural release when cutting so materials don't stick to the knife. This grind is done on a CNC machine.

Expanse series knives, Steens, Ukiah, Klamath, and Nehalem have a flat grind.
We use a flat grind on the harder steel so we don't go through as many CNC machine wheels hollow grinding. This is a cost measure.

Steens/Ukiah has a flat grind.
We use a flat grind on the harder steel so we don't go through as many CNC machine wheels hollow grinding.