Gave this as a gift. The ferrous rod broke while trying to take it off for the first time! The whistle was also very cheaply made. I was disappointed for the price I paid. Customer service offered to replace the rod but they weren’t familiar with the product and said that it shouldn’t be taken off. After explaining to them how it had to be taken off for use, they offered a replacement if I sent the old back. I didn’t bother as it was a gift. Increased to 4 stars for great customer service. After reading the review they reached out and made it right by providing a partial refund for the item. What I would expect from Leatherman!I use this every day and it still performs the same as the day I bought it. The paint wears on the edges as expected but gives it a unique look.Superb Leatherman tool, the best multi tool company.Very durable and easy to use. Have been using it for work and camping alike. Overall great purchase and very happy with it.A bit expensive but great quality.There are some frustrations in using this very pretty tool it doesn't seem to consistently close with your closing in the pliers so that the locking feature he's not consistently easy to engage. The embedded your whistle and ferro of cereal.rod There's a little tiny clip that supposedlyThe other problem is is easy to Open and remove the whistle and the feral right. However that little clip doesn't seem very secure and re-inserting the thing seems pretty and secure. It's difficult to tell how to engage the work consistently. Overall I've spent a couple of hours trying to decipher the exact message that it is you have to use to get that whistle back inside along with figuring out how to get the knife blade to open consistently well. It may take some time two figure out all of the intricacies of this thing. I own are the weatherman's but this is the most consistently difficult I ow other Leatherman tools but this is the most difficult one to figure out how to engage these complicated parts. I don't think I would've bought itn if I knew it was going to be such a hassleI'm kind of an EDC-addicted maniac. I buy things meticulously and with purpose. Not only for the tools they contain, but how they work with completely different tools that the manufacturers would NEVER have considered. This might make a person rather biased cuz the last thing a mathematically stressed engineer needs to hear is "it doesn't work with this thing that has nothing to do with it". But that being said, I really like it for what it is, and I also like it for what it wasn't designed to do!TOOLSI bought this as a supplement to my full-metal Victorinox Swisstool. No multitool had ALL of the things I wanted on it, but the Topo Signal has just about everything that the Swisstool doesn't that you would want, and vice versa. - It has a serrated blade where the Swisstool has a plain blade; both are important. - It has needlenose pliers where the Swisstool has regular pliers; both are important. - The Signal clips to your pocket where the Swisstool just goes into a pocket, making the Signal more of a quick draw. - Also the knife is a one-handed open, which adds to the knife-draw speed, making the Signal a good front-man for the duo. - The Leatherman site says that EVERY tool is one-handed open but, erm, not really. The knife is though. It's a little hole you push against rather than a nub. Space-saving anyway. And judging by the blade this is definitely a thick one. - The saw is one-handed if you aren't going for speed but it's not as easy to deploy as the knife is. - Signal's body is aluminum making it really light. - I think the bit driver, bottle opener, and hex holes are a bit of an afterthought, but why the heck not. - Hammer is just a flat edge that uses your own momentum as a way to punch nails and such. I think the reason the commercial showed a guy hammering a tent stake in is if you accidentally hit the stake with your hand, it doesn't hurt as much as stabbing yourself with a tiny nail that you missed! I haven't done that yet but just keep in mind that the hammer is only as good as your own precision. - Whistle/Ferrous tip is nicely built. Comes out easily once you know how to deploy it. Same with the sharpener. The way it's designed ensures these things stay in place but you can lose them if you're not careful.The Signal is a little loose on the opening. Maybe it's supposed to be that way but I'd prefer a tighter fit. Maybe I can tighten it myself if I have the precision bit? It's tighter once you clamp it into Plier-mode, but you can open it with one hand like a butterfly-knife. Actually now that I just said that I think it is supposed to be loose.If I could add a tool to this thing I'd add scissors. That's the tool on the Swisstool that I use the most. Swisstool's also got a pry-bar on it, and a plain knife. Plain versus Serrated is up to personal preference; I'm an adventurer so I just go with both. If you put a pry-bar on the Signal I think it might come apart. But I know the Signal is built for the outdoors and yes, I will definitely use more tools on this when camping than when working.I liked the look of the colored Signal variations, but reviews people left saying that paint has chipped where the tool experiences wear have me pause. The stainless steel and black of this version will scratch as any tool will that gets used. However, the scratches and patina will look more natural to my thinking.The build quality of the tool seems really great so far. It feels like it will last as long as the 25-year warranty with yearly oil and cleaning. Everything clicks well and feels solid. Opening the pliers is a little stiff, but I'd rather have to use a tool to smooth it out than have to find a way to tighten tolerances.It came with some packing oil which is used to prevent rust while in storage. It came off pretty easily and is now pocket ready. Some have complained about the oil, but every metal tool like this should be protected like that to make sure customers get a rust-free product.This is going to be a great everyday carry tool, but it will also be a great backup to several items I carry when through hiking, and it gives me a couple things I wouldn't normally bring (awl w/thread loop, knife sharpener, saw, small hammer). For example, the flint won't get primary use, but it's a good backup to my lighters. The carabineer loop is a nice touch, and I like having a second attachment option.Grt multi tool with extras.Very pricey thoughA couple tools had scuffs, smudges and grit. Disgusting scam.This is a great bit of kit for what I bought it for: a backup survival tool. I’m primarily a solo hiker and paddler who favours areas where I’m not going to see other people, so I can’t rely on others for gear redundancy. It won’t replace a proper knife, saw, whistle, steel, fire starter, etc., for back-country camping. But if any of those things fail or get lost, it gives you options that are good enough to get you home safely. It’s equally convenient if you’re doing a day hike in a remote location, or as something that can go in a paddling jacket and save your hide if you take an unplanned swim and get separated from your boat in a wilderness context. It has everything you would need to get a lean-to shelter and a campfire going in boreal forest. It would probably be equally handy as part of a glove compartment emergency kit for people who drive remote routes on an occasional basis.Of the various tools the whistle is probably the only nearly useless one as it’s too small to get much volume. It could help someone who already had your GPS coordinates find you if you’re close but out of the line of sight, but it won’t carry any distance if there’s wind or moving water around.The hammer is probably the most unique element and is quite useful. While you’re not exactly going to build a house with it, I’ve never carried a hammer of any type in my hiking or paddling kit, and it’s perfect for light jobs like driving tent pegs, cracking nuts, etc.I’d like to see it offered in a much brighter colour. Leatherman tends to use macho black or stainless steel by default, but for outdoor equipment something that will stand out against dull backgrounds is much better. The tiny yellow highlights don’t do much for that.Build quality is just ok for the price. Lightness was prioritized and it shows. Action isn’t butter-smooth and I wouldn’t use it as a pry tool. On the plus side, it’s held together with torx bolts, not rivets, so presumably all components are replaceable. Unlike some reviewers I had zero issues extending any tool — much smoother action than the average Swiss Army knife.Again, it’s fine for what I bought it for, but don’t expect it to push much out of your hiking pack.I was asked if a Leatherman is better than a SAK. To that I say that both are great Survival knives. I personally make a distinction: A Leatherman is more for Urban Survival. A SAK (Swiss Army Knife) is more for the Wilderness Survival. The only thing that i don't like is the awl. It's very awkward to work with. ThanksA fantastic multi-tool. Surpasses any other tools in this category and with this price point. I have previously worked with similar Gerber products and they just do not compare in terms of quality. Everything you need is available at your fingertips. This is a product made to withstand serious wear & tear and can last you a lifetime. I have purchased and used multiple Leatherman tools in the past (Signal, Wingman, Wave) and have yet to be disappointed. If you plan on carrying this tool, I also suggest checking out the Kydex Clip & Carry Sheaths sold for this model (also a great product).