Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/642978
emergency solution, because it is difficult to sharpen a knife with a 2.5 centimeter sharpener. You may at least make it a little bit sharper (including the serrated part). The fixing of the file is OK. From time to time, we need to perform some heavier jobs. In such cases we can feel that the file moves under our hand and, in extreme situations, it may fall out of our hand. I am slightly doubtful about the adjusting lock of the file – it is small and fragile, so it can be easily broken after hit- ting something. I have not seen the sets of spare parts yet, but I bet that there will be something like that for Signal (fire striker/whistle, sharpener/file and jaws for cutting) and it will probably be cheap, so that you can easily replace broken/worn parts. The whistle works. It has a high, sharp sound, but it is not very loud. Maybe it is possible to use it to call for help in an emergency situation. I just do not know, I have not managed to get lost in the woods or fight for my life when sailing on a raft on the ocean. The fire striker... well, I thought that I am not that experienced to review this element, so... what I am going to say is just unbelievable. I asked for help the guru of sparks, that is Uncle Super. You will read his opinion below. The head with the hammer, carbine-opener and bit caps works. Like in a MUT. The caps are a nice solu- tion. It is really helpful when you need to use greater force. The clip that you use to attach the tool to your trousers is too loose. What is more, the front edge, which has been raised up, has a tendency to stick to the tightening rubbers of the lower edge of jackets. It happens to me a lot and it is quite annoying but, fortu- nately, the tool stays in the pocket. The inner tools are identical as in the case of other multitools by Leatherman. They are well-made and work perfectly. One comment, though – the cap of bits and the can opener work only with the tool open. In some situations, this is very uncomfortable, becau- se it is easier to work with a closed, thicker Signal. Additionally, the slatted design made of steel metal sheet seemed to start bending when I tried to remove a thick (old, firmly set) peg from the wall. Fortunately, putting the bit to the opening in the head helped, the peg came out.The hammer works, but it should be only used for some minor works. All in all, it is only a primitive tool, but, still, it is easier to hit something with the head of he multitool than with your own fist. In general, it is a nice multitool. Pretty and quite practi- cal. Cons – it is expensive, even very expensive, when compared to the number of tools (one arm is for the whistle with the fire striker!) in New Wave. It is useful for deliberate survival (meaning expeditions to the wil- derness), but I would rather take a separate fire striker and a sharpener. But in emergency situations, Signal will become very useful. This multitool is not for everybody, but it is edgy and has some potential. KNIVES & TOOLS