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Leatherman’s Super-Affordable New Release Instantly Upgrades Your Favorite Multi-Tool

The little metal multi-tool add-on isn’t for everyone, but for those of us averse to belt-mounted sheaths, it just might be a godsend.

Close-up of a green textured butterfly knife handle with copper-colored washers on a brown fabric background.Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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Little things can make a big difference.

The multi-tool wizards at Leatherman are well aware of this notion, as evidenced by their inclusion of a thumb stud on the MagnaCut blade of the Leatherman Wave Alpha.

Leatherman multi-tool with teal handles and various tools extended, placed on a brown textured fabric.
The Leatherman Quick-Release Pocket Clip comes in four finishes, including Stainless (shown), which nicely matches some of the implements when deployed.
Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

This fan-requested upgrade makes that blade even easier to deploy with one hand, adding both functionality and joy to the experience — and helping it crack the 2025 GP100.

Along similar lines, those looking to plus-up this Leatherman multi-tool (and some others) after the fact need only look to the brand’s own site, where you can find a simple but significant aftermarket accessory: a pocket clip.

Clip caveats

I should state one caveat right off the bat, which is that this is not the first pocket clip Leatherman has ever produced. 

Heck, some multi-tools, including the acclaimed Arc, first responder-friendly Raptor Rescue and super-smooth Leatherman Free K4X pack one right out of the box.

Folded teal multi-tool with black screws and a metal clip on a brown textured surface.
The new clip is compatible with a number of Leatherman multi-tools, including the new Wave Alpha.
Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

However, the stainless steel one the brand recently added to the site specifically fits a number of newer and/or beloved products, including the Wave Plus, the Wave Alpha, Charge and Surge.

As an urban dweller who steers clear of belt-mounted sheaths — in this atmosphere, they feel both a bit geeky and easier to steal from — I was stoked to see it.

After all, I’ve grown used to pocket clips as a standard feature of folding knives — and now even SAKs — as they just make it much easier to hold the knife steady in your pocket, ready when you need it, rather than jangling about in an awkward and annoying fashion. 

Folded black Leatherman Wave multi-tool on a brown textured surface.
The little tab on the side of the tool makes it easy to install (and remove) the clip in seconds.
Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

Now comes the second caveat, which is that this clip has not been all that warmly received online. Check the early comments and among positive reviews, you’ll see lots of chirping about how it doesn’t mount firmly and/or breaks easily. 

For those reasons, I held off on writing about it until I’d gotten one to try out myself. 

Firsthand feelings

In my experience, the first criticism is indeed valid. While it is quite easy to install — you simply press the little tab on the side to release the bar under which the clip’s notch sits, holding it in place — there’s some inevitable play. 

When you compare this quick-release mechanism to the clip pre-installed on the Arc with not one but two bolts, the latter is clearly much more stable.

Folded teal multitool with textured handles and a skull-patterned metal clip on a brown fabric surface.
Donk! offers a number of patterned titanium alternatives, including Numb Skulls (shown)
Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

Some commenters suggested titanium clips from a brand called Donk! (exclamation point is part of the name, sigh) are superior, so I got one of those too. While the “Numb Skulls” edition I opted for certainly has more personality, it shifts back and forth just as much. 

The upside is, this bit of movement does not really affect the clip’s ability to stay attached and enable the multi-tool to sit securely in your pocket, ready to deploy at a moment’s notice.

Two folded multitools, one black with "Leatherman" branding and one teal with orange accents, on a brown textured surface.
As you can see here, the Arc’s pre-install clip is both compact and bolted on for a level of stability and durability that the quick-release option can’t really match.
Photo by Steve Mazzucchi for Gear Patrol

As far as the second criticism is concerned, I have not yet abused mine to the point of breakage, but as it is a bit larger than the dense Arc clip, I could see it lacking that one’s durability.

For what it’s worth, my dad uses his K4X constantly, and he’s on his third or fourth clip at this point. In other words, it may just be an inevitable byproduct of normal wear and tear.

What’s less debatable is the fact that for 15 bucks, this little piece of metal sure adds a lot of value while it lasts.

Availability and pricing

The Leatherman Quick Release Pocket Clip (for Wave Plus, the Wave Alpha, Charge family and Surge) costs $15, plus shipping.

The Donk! Pocket Clip costs $16 on Amazon. If you’re a Prime member, the shipping savings make it the cheaper option.

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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