New Leatherman Darkside Multi-Tool – Garage Series

The Leatherman Darkside, officially The Darkside, is the popular multi-tool brand’s second-ever Garage series product, a new experimental multi-tool that launched in limited quantities.

Update: The Darkside has sold out and is no longer available. As discussed below, this tool served as an experimental development platform, and Leatherman might use what they learned in future tool designs.

The Leatherman Darkside is a Charge-inspired multi-tool with brand new features, bold styling, and premium materials.

In a nutshell, what’s special about the Leatherman Darkside is that it features blue layered G10 inner liners, an S30V plain edge knife (like the Charge, with the serrated knife being 420HC), a PVD coating and black oxide finish.

There are also interesting new features, such as a carbide scribe, ballpoint pen, and tweezers.

The handles feature blue G10 inner liners on both sides, contrasting with the multi-tool’s dark coatings and finish.

The Darkside comes with a leather sheath with rivet snap closure and blue-stylized Leatherman logo.

Leatherman Darkside Tools & Functions

• Needlenose Pliers
• Regular Pliers
• Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
• Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
• S30V Plain Edge Knife
• 420HC Serrated Knife
• Electrical Crimper
• Saw
• Spring-action Scissors
• Ruler (8 in | 19 cm)
• Can Opener
• Bottle Opener
• Wood/Metal File
• Diamond-Coated File
• Screwdrivers
  • Large Bit Driver
  • Small Bit Driver
  • Medium/Large Screwdriver
  • Medium Screwdriver
  • Eyeglass Screwdriver
• Carbide Scribe
• Ballpoint Pen (Schmidt 635 mini D1)
• Tweezers

I do not recall ever seeing a carbide scribe, ballpoint pen, or tweezers on a full-size Leatherman multi-tool before. It seems that these features are hidden away via lanyard ring attachment points.

The tweezers, no. 19 in the image of all tools and functions, tuck into the handle.

Leatherman Darkside Features

• All-locking Features
• Black Oxide
• Lanyard Ring
• Outside-accessible Features
• One-hand Operable Features
• PVD Coating

Leatherman Darkside Key Specs

• 6.25″ (15.88 cm) open length
• 4″ (10.16 cm) closed length
• 1.2″ width
• 0.76″ overall thickness
• Weighs 8.5 oz (241 g)
• 2.9″ blade length
• Materials: S30V, 420 stainless steel, G-10

Price & Availability

A limited number of The Darkside multi-tools are available exclusively at Leatherman.com.

Price: $250

Update: The Darkside has sold out.

If you want a premium Leatherman multi-tool with more traditional styling, the Charge TTI is always a great (albeit still pricey) choice for $179.95. The Wave is also an excellent multi-tool, priced at $109.95.

Leatherman Darkside Inspiration

For the next Garage release, we’re venturing into THE DARKSIDE. This product embodies the creative process of exploring the unknown, uncovering inspiration in unfamiliar places, and discovering innovation. Inspired by our collaboration with Tom Sachs, we asked the question: Can we push ourselves to make something extraordinary.

Here is what they said they learned in experimenting and developing The Darkside:

1. We discovered brand-new features to add to the existing Charge platform.

2. We’ve explored new ways of using materials and coatings to evolve our aesthetics.

3. We’ve engineered uses for new materials like layered G10 to add unique characteristics to our tools.

Finally,

THE DARKSIDE was inspired by culture, music, and relationships. We’ve learned new ways of improving and manufacturing our tools. But more important, we’ve reinforced our spirit of innovation that drives us into the unknown. We hope that using THE DARKSIDE does the same for you.

Basically, it sounds like Leatherman let their design engineers get creative and take some risks, which seems to be what the Garage tool release program is all about.

The Darkside is definitely very different compared to existing and previous Charge multi-tool designs. It will be interesting to see if or how they work G10 or the other material and aesthetic techniques used here into future multi-tools.

Leatherman Garage Warranty Policy

As a limited-run product, it is not covered by the replacement portion of our standard 25-year warranty on full-size tools. We will still attempt to repair any Garage tools submitted for repair. If a repair can’t be made, we will offer a store credit of the full purchase value.

Launch Details

Name: The Darkside
Garage Series Batch #2
Launched: 6/14/2022 at 9am PT/12pm ET
Announced Quantity: 900
Delivery ETA: 6/23/22
Sold Out at (or Before): 9:33am PT/12:33pm ET