LEATHERMAN RAIL & PUMP

When one hears the term "multi-tool," most envision an object that unfolds to reveal a pair of pliers, with a myriad of other tools folding from the handles. However, at its root, the term merely denotes any object that contains multiple tools. So while the three latest multi-tools from Leatherman may not look like what you'd expect a multi-tool to look like, rest assured: these are the real deal. Known as the Pump, Rail, and Cam, this trio of tools all share a basic flat tool design, with various protuberances and features designed to better fit the needs of their three distinct markets: shotgun users, AR-15 owners, and archers. However, as a gun magazine, we'll keep our examinations limited to the former two models.

First off, let's take a look at the Pump. Obviously pulling its nomenclature from one of the most identifiable forms of shotgun on the market, the Pump packs no less than six tools and four screwdriver bits into something that weighs just 82 grams and measures less than five inches long. With everything from a gut hook to a choke tube wrench and scope adjustment tool included, it's a tool that's equally at home in the duck blind as it is on the sporting clays course. Having used it extensively in the latter situation so far, we've been quite happy with its included choke tube wrench especially, and have also had the 1/8" tool punch prove useful when it came time to disassemble and clean our various sporting shotguns. Thankfully as well, the big gut hook on the end gives the tool itself enough mass to serve as a bit of an impromptu hammer, should any of your shotgun's pins need a bit of coercing to dislodge. Likewise, we found the placement of both the three sockets on the end and the placement of the bit driver to be well thought-out in order to maximize torque, while the shape of the tool itself allows you to get a firm grip on it when using the gut hook. Also, while we never found a reason to use the scope adjustment bit (which is really just a big ass flathead screwdriver), we did find it useful for opening up those screw-on button-cell battery covers you find on some optics... you know; the kind that usually have you digging through your pocket for a quarter. Also, it makes for a damned good tiny pry bar too.

But there are a couple problems. While the bit driver's location does allow for quite a bit of torque to be imparted to the fastener, using the Phillips and flathead driver bits can prove difficult, since there is no way to provide any real downward pressure onto the bit in order to prevent it from jumping out of the screw head. The other issue is much simpler. Although billed as a pocket tool by Leatherman themselves, the decision to include a relatively large gut hook on one end and a thick rubber tool keeper in the middle has effectively killed any and all chances this thing had of landing in our pockets. Whenever we tried, we found the rubber tool keeper and its assorted bits and tool punch just hooked onto some seam of our jeans or our keys and quite literally turned our pockets out whenever we reached for it, or we ended up struggling to get our fingers past the razor sharp flat edge of the gut hook's reverse side without drawing blood. No, this one's best packed around safely stowed in its sheath, that's for sure.

The Rail, by comparison, occupies almost precisely the same amount of space but weighs even less, tipping the scales at a scant 66 grams. Including the same tool attachments as found within the Pump (four screwdriver bits, and one 1/8" punch), the Rail trades the gut hook for a carabiner and the choke tube wrench/scope tool for an AR-15 sight adjustment tool and a proper 3/8" wrench. Sadly, that means the trio of sockets found in the Pump's layout are gone, instead replaced by a single oxygen tank wrench.

So, it doesn't take a brain scientist to figure out that the Rail's packing a few less tools around within its diminutive frame... but does that make it any less useful? Not really. The Pump, in our limited use, found itself applied to all manner of machinery and gizmos, from traps to tents to motorcycles. By comparison, the Rail's more suited to strict range duty and is really a gun-specific multi-tool, rather than a multi-tool that's particularly useful to gun owners. But, the flip side of the Rail's more pointed existence is that it's much lighter, and being fitted with a carbiner such as it is, it's even easier to pack onto a tactical vest or webbing rig.

Both of these tools are solidly made, feature a 25-year warranty (although we're not quite sure just what you could possibly break on them), and are made in the USA. Both come with good instructions outlining their various features, and both come with pretty decent nylon sheaths that can be either strapped to a belt or integrated into MOLLE webbing... but the best news by far is that both are expected to breach the Canadian market with price tags somewhere under or around $40.