Leatherman 8613240 Expanse e55x Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife Review
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Leatherman 8613240 Expanse e55x Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife Feature
- 154CM stainless steel, drop-point combo straight/serrated
- Bottle opener/carabineer clip, removable pocket clip
- 60-Percent glass-filled nylon and stainless steel
- Thumb stud
- Lockback
Lightweight yet sturdy enough for demanding jobs, the Leatherman 8613240 e55x Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife is a versatile tool that's easy to store in your pocket, pack, or toolbox. A slim, folding knife with a reinforced handle, the e55x is a perfect choice for the rugged minimalist and do-it-yourselfer. Whether you're setting up camp in the wilderness or working on a project in your garage, this precision-crafted Expanse Series knife is packed with design elements that you'll appreciate.
 | The Leatherman e55x Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Knife offers:- Tough, US-made 154CM steel
- A large, 3.1-inch blade
- Lock back design for safety
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It's easy to clip Expanse series knives to your gear. View larger. |
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The e55x is a sleek, dependable folding knife. View larger. |
The convenient carabiner doubles as a bottle opener. View larger. |
Simple, Lightweight, and Reliable Sometimes, you don't need a multi-tool packed with gadgets or a heavy-duty hunting knife. You just need a strong, sharp, reliable cutting blade. The Expanse Series e55x is a streamlined, folding knife with a sturdy, locking blade. Its 60-percent glass-filled nylon handle is reinforced with stainless steel to provide exceptional durability along with a stylish, contemporary look.
This handle is shaped and balanced to sit comfortably in your hand, whether you're chopping wild onions to flavor a meal or splicing rope on the high seas. And weighing in at just 5.43 ounces, the e55x isn't bulky or awkward in your pocket.
The in-handle storage system means you won't have to carry a sheath, and a folding carabiner clip makes it simple to attach your knife to a belt loop or the side of your pack, so it's always on hand when you need it. Mariners who keep their tools on lines will have a special appreciation for this clip. It also does double-duty as a bottle-opener. You can also opt to secure your knife with the included removable pocket clip.
Premium, US-Made Steel for Performance
A sharp knife is not only more useful than a dull knife, it's also safer, since you're less likely to slip and cut yourself. A good edge means you make the cuts you want to make quickly.
Expanse Series knives are crafted out of US-made 154CM steel from Crucible Metals. 154CM is used because it has exceptional edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Leatherman compared 154CM steel to 420HC, another durable, reliable steel used in knife blades, and found that 154CM holds an edge approximately three times longer. This means your knife will be sharp and ready to use when you reach for it.
When it does come time to sharpen your knife, you'll appreciate that Leatherman knives can be re-sharpened using the standard methods. There are many effective ways to sharpen a knife, so you should be able to find one that works for you. Sharpening stones, round files, and special kits (not included) all provide a nice edge.
Locking, Drop-Style Blade for Safety
A lockback system is used to secure the large, 3.1-inch blade of your Expanse 55 Series knife, so you don't have to worry about it closing on your hand while you cut. This safety feature is especially important when slicing through tough materials like nylon webbing or braided rope. The lockback system is stronger than the liner lock system, which is used on knives with smaller blades. It typically requires two hands to open a lockback knife, encouraging you to use this larger knife safely.
Leatherman uses blades shaped in a drop-style for all their e55 knives because they fit nicely in the handle of your knife when not in use. Plus, a drop-style blade is stronger than a clip point blade, which you might see on other pocket knives. This means you can rely on the e55x, whether you're cutting rope to build a litter during a mountain rescue operation or carving your name on a bunk at Scout camp.
About Leatherman: Time-Tested Survival Tools
The original Pocket Survival Tool, devised by mechanical engineer Tim Leatherman, hit the market in 1983. By 1993, Leatherman was selling more than one million of them a year. In the blockbuster movie "Speed," Keanu Reeves used a Leatherman to save the passengers on a doomed bus. Even MacGyver has been seen with one of these trusty tools. But their best reviews come from everyday people. The Leatherman survival tool is a mainstay of travelers, sailors, fishermen, hunters, backpackers, and scouts.
The simple, durable Expanse Series knives draw on Leatherman's legacy. While the e55x knife doesn't feature the signature Leatherman pliers design, it is available in several multi-tool variations. If you enjoy the ease of sharpening a traditional straight blade, the e55 might be the perfect knife for you. Similarly, Leatherman offers the e55B, a multi-knife with an integrated bit driver, and a full series of e33 knives with smaller blades.
All Leatherman tools, including the e55 Straight Blade Knife, are backed by a 25-year warranty.
| Comparison of Expanse Series Knife Features |
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What's in the Box e55x Straight/serrated blade knife
A large lockback folder under five ounces the Leatherman Expanse? e55/e55x is sleek and functional for those who know premium materials and excellence in engineering. It has a stainless steel reinforced handle 154CM blade and hidden carabiner/bottle opener for when you need a knife and you don't need a tool. Slim simple and substantial sometimes that's all you need.Tools:154CM Stainless Steel Drop-point Knife Combo Straight/Serrated Blade Bottle Opener/Carabiner Clip Features: 60% Glass-filled Nylon and Stainless Steel HandleThumb Stud LockbackStainless Steel Reinforced HandleRemovable Pocket Clip25-year Warranty Closed Length: 4.5 in Blade Length: 3.1 in Weight: 5.43 oz
