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What to Look for in a Multitool’s Saw, Steel, and Locking Mechanism

By Freedom251 Team · · 9 min read

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The right multitool is not determined by a steel name or a claim that every implement locks. Examine three things together: whether the saw is designed for your material and reachable in use, how the blade steel balances edge retention with toughness, corrosion resistance, and sharpening effort, and which implements actually lock and how the release works. Then check size, weight, carry, access, and the manufacturer’s repair policy. The checklist below turns those specifications into a buying decision without treating vendor descriptions as independent performance tests.

Start with the job, not the steel name

Write down the tasks you expect to perform before comparing models. Cutting small branches, trimming rope, opening packaging, and making occasional repairs place different demands on a saw and blade than daily shop work or wet, salty carry. A multitool can include a saw yet still be a poor fit if the cutting length, tooth pattern, access, or locking coverage does not suit the job.

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  • Material: confirm whether the maker identifies the saw for wood, plastic, light construction material, or another specific use. Do not assume that every compact saw is suitable for every material.
  • Frequency: occasional emergency cuts favor easy maintenance and convenient carry; frequent cutting makes tooth geometry, usable blade length, and grip more important.
  • Environment: rain, sweat, salt air, and dirty work increase the value of corrosion resistance and simple cleaning.
  • Handedness and access: determine whether you can deploy the saw and release its lock with the hand you normally use while maintaining control of the handle.

Use the manufacturer’s specifications to establish what a model contains. Treat statements about speed, strength, or superiority as claims unless the maker supplies a test method and comparable alternatives.

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What should I look for in a multitool saw?

Confirm that a saw is actually included

Some multitools have a fixed, dedicated saw. Others use an exchanger or holder so one implement can be replaced by a file or another accessory. A dedicated saw is always available but occupies space in the tool. An interchangeable arrangement can add flexibility, but you must carry the alternate insert and understand how securely it seats.

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The Leatherman Rebar lists a saw among its 17 tools. The Leatherman Surge describes a blade exchanger that switches between a saw and a file. These are examples of two layouts, not evidence that one cuts faster or lasts longer than the other.

Inspect tooth arrangement and intended material

Look for a stated tooth pattern and the material range supplied by the manufacturer. SOG describes its double-tooth saw as using alternating teeth intended to grip while reducing friction. That description explains the design goal; it does not provide a common test of cut rate, tooth life, or the material the saw can handle better than another model.

For wood, verify the maker’s intended use and choose a model with enough exposed cutting length for the branches or boards you expect to cut. A short blade may be convenient in a pocket but require more strokes on thicker stock. For plastic or other materials, follow the manufacturer’s guidance rather than inferring capability from the word “saw” alone.

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Check cutting length, clearance, and handle position

Measure the usable toothed section, not merely the overall implement length. When deployed, the frame should leave room for the material and your fingers without forcing an awkward grip. Check whether the saw opens fully beside the handle, whether nearby implements obstruct it, and whether the lock can be reached without placing a finger in the cutting path.

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Decide between dedicated and interchangeable systems

Configuration Advantages Questions to ask
Dedicated saw Always installed; no insert to misplace; simple deployment Is the cutting length adequate? Does the tool remain comfortable when the saw is open?
Interchangeable saw/file One slot serves two functions; can reduce duplicated implements How is the insert retained? Can you change it safely in the field? Is the alternate insert included?

Do not read a tooth description as a performance benchmark

Manufacturers may explain why a tooth pattern should grip or reduce friction, but those statements are not standardized comparative tests. If two products publish no matched test using the same material, force, and procedure, compare their geometry and intended use instead of declaring a winner.

Which multitool steel is easiest to sharpen?

Steel selection is a trade-off among edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and maintenance. A harder-wearing steel can reduce sharpening frequency while demanding more time or better equipment when sharpening is finally needed. A steel that is easier to sharpen may be preferable if you maintain the tool in the field or do not own fine abrasives.

Steel Manufacturer characterization Practical implication
420HC Leatherman describes it as offering good edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, while being relatively easy to sharpen. The company calls it its most common multitool blade steel. A balanced choice when straightforward sharpening and general-purpose use matter as much as wear resistance.
CPM MagnaCut Leatherman’s FAQ describes it as a premium steel with excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, and says it is relatively easier to maintain. Appealing when you want a premium balance and less maintenance, subject to the specific tool’s heat treatment and construction.
S30V Leatherman characterizes it as a high-performance stainless steel with excellent edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, while noting that it is harder to sharpen than some steels. Useful for users who prioritize long edge life and accept a more demanding sharpening routine.

These descriptions come from Leatherman’s own FAQ, so use them as the manufacturer’s characterization rather than an independent ranking. Heat treatment, edge geometry, blade thickness, and your cutting material also affect real-world results. The steel label alone cannot predict how a particular multitool will feel or how long its edge will last.

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Use hardness as a model specification, not a universal score

The Rebar product page specifies a primary blade hardness of 55–59 HRC. That range describes that model’s blade specification; it is not a universal hardness target for multitools and should not be used to rank unrelated products without equivalent test details.

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Match sharpening effort to your maintenance habits

  • If you sharpen with a compact field stone or basic guided system, favor the maker’s easier-to-maintain characterization over maximum edge-retention marketing.
  • If the tool stays in a workshop and you already have suitable abrasives, a steel described as harder to sharpen may be acceptable.
  • Regardless of steel, clean abrasive grit from the edge, use the manufacturer’s recommended angle when available, and avoid grinding aggressively enough to change the blade profile.

Do all the tools on a multitool lock?

No. Locking coverage is model-specific, and the word “locking” does not tell you which implements are covered. Read the feature list and identify the release for every implement you expect to use under force.

Check coverage implement by implement

The Rebar page states that every feature except the plier head locks into place. That means the plier head is the stated exception, even though the saw, knife, and other listed implements are covered by the product’s locking description. The Surge page describes its tools as locking and emphasizes control. Confirm the current configuration before purchase because product versions and availability can change.

Evaluate the release operation

A secure lock is useful only if you can disengage it deliberately. Look for an accessible release that does not put your thumb near the edge or saw teeth. If more than one person will use the tool, make sure the release is understandable to the least experienced user. Ambidextrous operation can matter when your dominant hand is occupied or injured.

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Interpret force figures narrowly

SOG’s Arc-Lock description says the mechanism is ambidextrous, supports one-handed operation, and self-adjusts. The same description says it was “Tested at over 1000 lbs. of force (measured at the lock).” SOG does not provide a test protocol in the cited passage, so the figure cannot be compared directly with another lock’s number. It is a vendor-stated result at the lock, not a standardized industry statistic or a guarantee that the entire multitool can safely handle that load.

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Look for play, pinch points, and safe closing

With the tool unloaded, deploy each implement and check for unwanted side-to-side movement. Keep fingers outside the closing path while releasing the lock. A lock that is difficult to reach may encourage unsafe two-handed manipulation; a release that is too easy to press may be inconvenient when the tool is carried loose. These are handling considerations to assess in person or through a retailer’s return policy.

Compare the whole tool: size, weight, access, and carry

A saw and a good steel do not compensate for a multitool that stays at home because it is uncomfortable to carry. Compare the following fields before choosing:

Axis What to record Why it matters
Saw Dedicated or interchangeable; tooth design; usable cutting length; stated material Determines whether the implement fits the cuts you actually make.
Blade steel Edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, sharpening effort Sets the maintenance routine and tolerance for wet or abrasive work.
Lock Which implements lock; release location; operation with either hand Affects control and safe use under load.
Practical fit Closed dimensions, weight, grip, access, pocket or pouch carry Influences whether you will carry and deploy it regularly.
Ownership Replacement parts, warranty route, service limitations Determines how you recover from a damaged saw, blade, or mechanism.

SOG’s multitool information identifies weight, opening mechanisms, and pouch options as selection factors and notes that component replacement varies by manufacturer. Treat serviceability as part of the purchase decision, not an afterthought.

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Two real configurations to use as reference points

Leatherman Rebar

The official product specifications list 17 tools, including a saw and a 420HC knife. They give a 2.9-inch primary blade, a 4-inch closed length, and a 6.7-ounce weight. The page says every feature except the plier head locks. Those numbers describe the listed Rebar configuration; check the current product page or retailer listing for availability and any regional variation. A sheath is sold separately, so include that accessory if belt carry is part of your plan.

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Leatherman Surge

The Surge is an example of a larger locking-tool layout with a blade exchanger that can switch between a saw and a file. Use it to evaluate whether interchangeable implements match your work. The exchanger does not establish that the Surge’s saw outperforms a dedicated saw; it demonstrates a different way to allocate space and functions.

A practical buying procedure

  1. List your cuts. Name the material, approximate thickness, frequency, and location of the work.
  2. Filter for a saw. Confirm a dedicated or interchangeable saw, then record tooth description, usable length, access, and stated material.
  3. Shortlist steel by maintenance. Compare the maker’s statements on edge retention, toughness, corrosion resistance, and sharpening rather than choosing by prestige alone.
  4. Map lock coverage. Mark which implements lock, where each release sits, and whether you can operate it safely with either hand.
  5. Check dimensions and carry. Compare closed size, weight, grip, pouch or pocket method, and whether the tool is realistic to carry every day.
  6. Verify ownership support. Find the manufacturer’s warranty, repair route, and policy for replacing worn or damaged components.
  7. Inspect before committing. Deploy the saw and knife, test the lock engagement without force, and check for rubbing, excess play, or a release that is hard to reach.

Common buying mistakes and how to avoid them

  • Choosing a steel name instead of a maintenance plan: decide how and where you will sharpen before paying for premium edge retention.
  • Assuming every saw cuts wood equally well: confirm the intended material and usable tooth length; compact geometry can limit practical capacity.
  • Counting “locking tools” as universal coverage: read the exceptions. The Rebar’s plier head is explicitly not included in its locking statement.
  • Comparing unmatched strength numbers: a force figure without a published method cannot be ranked against another lock test.
  • Ignoring access: a tool can have the right implements yet be frustrating or unsafe if the saw or release is blocked by neighboring handles.
  • Forgetting service: component replacement differs by manufacturer, so check the route before a damaged saw or lock becomes a field problem.

Care after purchase

Rinse or wipe away sap, grit, and salt, then dry the joints and saw teeth before storage. Open and close each implement periodically to detect stiffness or unusual play early. Touch up the knife edge with a method suited to its steel, and avoid using the saw as a pry bar or twisting it sideways in a cut. If a lock no longer engages fully, stop loading that implement and use the manufacturer’s service route rather than filing the lock yourself.

The best choice is the model whose saw matches your material, whose steel fits your sharpening habits, and whose lock coverage and handling you can verify. Treat dimensions, hardness, and vendor force claims as model-specific information, then make the final decision on the complete tool you will actually carry.

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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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