The featherweight Leatherman Squirt PS4

Multi-tools are extremely useful, there is certainly no denying that. They can contain the usefulness of an array of various full sized tools into a rugged, compact package that allows a person to be prepared for various tasks requiring tools. I should add that this is only true if the person has their multi-tool (MT) on them that day. Let's face it; full sized multi-tools tend to be heavy, bulky and ugly. The addition of a compact multi-tool into your EDC (Every Day Carry- What you have on your person on a daily basis) will give you most of the usefulness of a full sized MT (albeit with obvious limitations) but in a much more compact and lightweight package.


Leatherman fathered the idea and execution of the multi-tool concept back in 1983 with the introduction of the Pocket Survival Tool (PST) pictured below. This idea caught on quickly, and to this day Leatherman has had over 30 models of various MTs and plenty of other companies like SOG, Gerber, CRKT, etc. have joined the foray into this sector.

Now that we have had a brief history lesson, it is time to take a look at one current EDC option, the Leatherman Squirt PS4! The Squirt PS4 is the replacement model to both the Squirt P4 (Pliers as main tool) and the Squirt S4 (Scissors as the main tool). The PS4 comes with pliers as the main tool with a pair of supplemental scissors as one of the inner handle tools.

Weighing in at a scant 2 ounces with a closed length as pictured above of only 2.25 inches. Given its small size and light weight the Squirt PS4 is packed with features! It has nine different tools;
Spring action needle nose pliers
Spring action regular pliers
Spring action wire cutters
420HC knife (1.6 inch blade)
Spring action scissors
Medium screwdriver
Small flat/Phillips screwdriver
3 sided file
and the most useful of them all,
Bottle opener


All of the tools with the exception of the pliers are accessed on the outside of the tool so you do not need to fully open it up to access the knife, scissors, etc. There is a key ring attachment as you can see above that I used to tie a self made lanyard on. This tool is stainless steel constructed with colored aluminum scales (Available in blue, black and red as seen here). As is typical, this mini MT comes with Leatherman's 25 year warranty.


Here are the 3 sides of the file in order as follows; Fine, Coarse, Notching.

Here is a fully opened view;

Scissors;

Close up of the Pliers;

Close up of the knife blade (Comes very sharp out of the box)

And last but not least, the lanyard I made for mine out of gutted 550 paracord. I made the lanyard because I keep this MT in my change pocket and it helps me to get it out when I need it.

There you have it! This shows that you do not need to carry a pouch on your belt with a heavy multi tool in it in order to have a handful of useful tools with you. Grab a Squirt, keep it on you and forget that it is there until you get your moment to "save the day" because you were more prepared than someone else!