Leatherman Raptor Shears Review - Best Prepper Scissors
We’ll tell you everything about this 6-in-1 multi-tool in this article! We review the features, tools, and accessories of the Leatherman Raptor, its uses, how to sharpen it when it dulls and if it’s worth the hefty price for preppers!
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Have you been in the wild and had to use a survival knife to complete a task while you wished you had a pair of shears? If yes, then you have relived the experience of Tim Leatherman, the founder of the Leatherman Company that makes the legendary Leatherman Raptor Shears.
The Leatherman Raptor Shears are not just the best prepper scissors, they are also a multi-tool that allows you to complete 6 prepper tasks with 6 survival tools: emergency response shears, ring cutter, strap cutter, oxygen tank wrench, ruler, and carbide glass breaker.
We’ll tell you everything about this 6-in-1 multi-tool in this article including a review of the features, tools, and accessories of the Leatherman Raptor, its uses, how to sharpen it when it dulls and if it’s worth the buck. But let’s start by telling you if the Leatherman Raptor Shears are worth your consideration when prepping.
Are Leatherman Raptor Shears Worth it for a Bug out Bag?
A bug out bag is your grab-and-go kit when disaster strikes and you need to evacuate. If you are the serious kind of prepper, you know that a survival tool for cutting should feature among the top 10 survival items in your get home bag.
While a survival knife or simple first aid scissors are good to have, these can be extremely limited in function, which is why you need some kind of super tool, one that can cut anything you want. Our recommendation? The Leatherman Raptor Shears!
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The main reason that makes the Leatherman Raptor Shears a super survival tool that’s worth it for your bug out bag is that it is a Multi-tool. 3 characteristics make multi-tools optimal survival items in a bug out bag:
Multi-tools are multi-functional: In a SHTF situation, multi-tools are extremely valuable as they can perform multiple functions without needing to carry a million other tools for every task. As we’ll be telling you later, the Leatherman Raptor Shears can perform 6 different functions using 6 different tools, all in one tool though.
Multi-tools are made with extra compactness: To sustain the strain of doing multiple jobs, multi-tools are made with extra strength and resistance to allow them to withstand any task. We’ll tell you in a bit how compactness applies in the Leatherman Raptor Shears.
Multi-tools save you weight and space: When disaster strikes, a bug out bag that’s too heavy will delay your efforts to get to safety. A 6-in-1 multi-tool like the Leatherman Raptor Shears will reduce the weight of your survival bag by 5 items.
So, our verdict is that the Leatherman Raptor Shears are, no doubt, a ‘must have’ survival tool for any prepper who’s determined to ‘cut’ their way out of a disaster situation.
But because we don’t want you to blindly take our word for it, we’ll give you a comprehensive review of the features, multi-tools, and accessories of the Leatherman Raptor shears.
Leatherman Raptor Shears Prepper Review
Sometimes a tool made for a specific category of professionals can turn out to be just perfect for another group of pros. I’m referring to the fact that the Leatherman Raptor Shears were originally made for trauma professionals in medical emergency situations, but they have turned out to be an optimal survival tool for preppers.
Leatherman Raptor Shears Overview
A sturdy and reliable survival tool is what every prepper needs, and the Leatherman Raptor Shears fits that description perfectly. Here’s why.
It’s made of the highest quality stainless steel
Leatherman Raptor Shears are made from 420HC stainless steel, glass-filled nylon, and Carbide.
The 420 High Carbon stainless steel is a high-quality material that gives blade tools extra strength and compactness. It is the same metal used in surgical scalpels and is resistant to both rust and wear.
Manufacturers can still opt to bring the 420HC steel to compactness beyond 420 if they want an extra-strong blade.
The strength of the Leatherman Shears explains why the company comfortably gives a 25-year warranty, and they make it easy by giving you the possibility of starting a Warranty Claim Online. The fact is that the manufacturer is sure the shears will last you a lifetime.
It has a manageable size for prepping
It’s one thing to have a survival tool that you can include in your bug out bag and an altogether different thing if the tool takes less space because that makes it even a better prepper’s gear.
The Leatherman shears will give you excellent service in their open length and allow you to carry or pack them comfortably in their closed length. These are the Leatherman Shears size specifications:
Open length - 8.0ʺ (20.3cm)
Closed length: 5.0ʺ (12.7cm)
Shear length: 1.9ʺ (94.8cm)
Width: 1.9ʺ (4.8cm)
Weight: 5.8oz (164g)
Overall thickness: 0.67ʺ (1.7cm)
It has 6 tools in a compact package
Multi-tools are the in-thing for preppers. It’s understandable that a survivalist will opt for a tool that offers the function of many tools without needing to buy multiple gears when prepping.
But the best multi-tool is not the one with 10+ tools. Instead, it’s the one with, yes, many tools but efficient ones. This is a guarantee with the Leatherman Raptor Shears.
The shears are made even more efficient by their compact package: you can fold the shears using the two push-button releases on each side of the blades and comfortably fit them into your survival kit or carry them on your waist strap. You’ll then access them easily whenever you need them during an emergency and use them for the toughest cutting job without the fear of damaging them.
In the next section, we’ll tell you about the efficiency of these 6 tools of the Leatherman Shears:
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leatherman Raptor Shears Survival Tools
With the Raptor shears, Leatherman places 6 tools in a preppers hand so that 6 survival jobs can be done with a single tool rather than 6 separate ones. Here are the details of the 6 different tools of the Raptor.
420HC stainless steel folding shears
With a 420HC sturdiness, the Leatherman stainless steel blade gives the shears the ability to cut anything that sits between the two blades.
The Raptor is true to its name and, like the carnivorous hunting birds, its shears can slice through metal like butter and any material of lesser density, and that includes your hand if you are not careful.
Different from ordinary scissor/shear blades that will dull easily, the Leatherman shears blades will stay sharp for the longest before you’ll need to sharpen them.
Strap cutter
The strap cutter on the Leatherman multi-tool will slice through any non-metal strap with incredible ease.
You’ll not need to unfold the shears to use the strap cutter. Instead, the strap cutter acts as a stand-alone cutter and you can deploy a simple thumb motion to make it fold out during an emergency.
The strap cutter’s triangular shape sort of multiplies the strength you apply to cut so you do not need to put extra effort. Besides, you can cut a strap using a single hand. Visualize a situation where one of your hands is immobilized and you simply use the other hand to place the cord on the hook of the strap cutter and simply pull it to cut without exacting much effort.
Ring cutter
Cutting a ring isn’t going to be a task you do often while hiking or off the grid. But imagine hurting your ring finger and needing to free it of the band. Pulling it out could kill you with pain. Behold, the Leatherman ring cutter!
The ring cutter doesn’t make much noise at its position on the Leatherman multi-tool. You’ll hardly notice it at the base of the shear blades.
To use the ring cutter, you simply open the blades and then move the shears in a backward motion until the ring cutter hitches the ring in its jaws. You then fold the shears and snap! The ring is cut.
As with the shears and the strap cutter, the ring cutter is dangerously sharp. So, always use it with caution.
Carbide glass breaker
Emergencies that occur when you are in a car are double scary. Having the Leatherman multi-tool will keep your nerves under control.
The Carbide glass breaker on the Raptor presents like a tiny spike at the end of the shear handles, but do not underestimate its strength. It is made of Tungsten Carbide which is twice as hard as steel.
Since car windows are made of hardened glass, they can be hard to break with just any object. This is also true because you do not have the space to exact much effort inside a car. The Carbide glass breaker saves you all that trouble and breaks your car glass with ease, without needing to unfold the shears.
Oxygen tank wrench
You’ll remember that the Leatherman Raptor Shears were originally made for medical practitioners. That explains the inclusion of an oxygen tank wrench.
Administering oxygen is a typical occurrence in emergencies and these tanks need a special wrench to open. If you won’t need it in your prepper escapades, you could be the rescuer that lenders it where it is needed.
The oxygen tank wrench is the rectangular hole that’s cut out on the same piece with the strap cutter. You’ll actually use it to deploy the strap cutter before you could get to open an oxygen tank with it.
5cm ruler
We left the ruler for last because it is probably the least useful tool of the Raptor in a SHTF situation. If you are a medic, you can use it to decide how much bandage or gauze you need for a wound. For a prepper, you’ll have to be the perfectionist to use it to measure the angle-length of your survival shelter.
While holding the shears in your right hand, the ruler is designed along the outer part of the left side blade. The black color markings on a silver background allow you to clearly and easily read the measurement details. You can read markings of 25mm length on the total 5cm length of the ruler.
If what you are reading is creating mental images about how the Leatherman Raptor works, this Leatherman video will make the images real by giving you a quick demonstration of how the 6 tools work.
Leatherman Raptor Shears Holster & Accessories
Apart from the main tools, the Leatherman Raptor has a few other accessories including a utility MOLLE compatible holster, a lanyard hole, and a pocket clip.
The utility MOLLE-compatible holster
When you are using the Leatherman shears and need to keep them open, you can use the holster. The holster rotates to the position you want and the shears lock into the holster so that you need to touch the release to get them out. you can also adjust the holster to hold the shears when folded.
Lanyard hole
If you prefer suspending your shears on a lanyard, you can easily pass it through the lanyard hole that is placed on the side of one of the handles. This will ensure you do not lose your precious tool.
Detachable pocket clip
The shears have a built-in but detachable clip that allows you to directly hook it to your waist belt or pocket. So, you can switch between carrying the shears in the sheath without the clip and clipping it to your belt when you don’t need to carry it in a sheath.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Leatherman Raptor Survival Scissors: Prepper Uses
Considering that the Leatherman Shears were made for medical emergency workers, it might be difficult to place it in the survivalist’s context. But the Raptor’s many tools make it adaptable to various functions and situations.
Here’s a quick list of 6 of the many uses of the Leatherman Raptor survival scissors for preppers:
Leatherman shears can be used to collect kindling: If they can cut hard material like metal, cutting barks, twigs, and grass for your prepper fire is an easy task for these shears.
Leatherman shears can be used to light a fire: Though this is not something you should do consistently, in an emergency situation, you can strike a Ferro rod on the back of your Raptor to create a flint and start a fire.
Leatherman shears can cut through any type of material: Whether it’s an emergency or you are out fishing or hiking, your shears will come in handy when you need to cut paracord, duct tape, fishing line, leather, and staples among others. Cutting these things will also work if the weather is wet since the shears’ handle will still be firm on your wet hands.
You can use the Leatherman as kitchen shears: If you have game or fish and need to get it chopped before roasting it, the Leatherman shears will do a perfect job as they will easily cut through bone or animal skin.
The glass breaker on the Leatherman shear will free you if you are trapped in a car: In a disaster situation such as a flood, the Raptor’s Carbide glass breaker will make it easy for you to get out of your vehicle and get to safety.
Your Leatherman shears are a potential weapon: If an assailant or a wild animal catches you unawares and you have your Raptor hooked to your belt, you can easily pull it out and use it as a stabbing tool in self-defense.
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Leatherman Raptor vs SOG Parashears
The Leatherman Raptor and the SOG Parashears were both originally created for first responders. While they are both multi-tools renowned for their special efficacy compared to other standard shears, they also have similarities and differences in the following aspects.
Leatherman Raptor vs SOG Parashears Design
Both the Leatherman and the SOG Parashears have a multi-tool folding design and are made to open and close. The shears of both multi-tools are associated with incredible cutting power.
Leatherman Raptor vs SOG Parashears Survival tools
While the Leatherman has 6 tools, the SOG Parashears has 11 different tools.
Specification
Leatherman Raptor
SOG Parashears
Shears
√
√
Ruler
√
√
Line cutter
√
Tweezers
√
Bottle opener/O2 tank wrench
√
√
Awl
√
Glass breaker
√
√
#1 Phillips head screwdriver
√
Medium flathead
√
Rope/strap cutter
√
√
Medium flathead
√
Ring cutter
√
Leatherman Raptor vs SOG Parashears Technical and other Specs
Each of the tools has specs that make it unique and different at the same time.
Specification
Leatherman Raptor
SOG Parashears
Blade Construction
420HC stainless steel
3Cr13, stainless steel
Open Length
8.0ʺ
7.3ʺ
Closed Length
5.0ʺ
5.1ʺ
Weight
5.8oz
6.3oz
Handle Material
glass-filled nylon
Stainless steel and Glass Reinforced Nylon
Warranty
25 years
Lifetime warranty
How to Sharpen Leatherman Raptor Shears
Considering their high-quality blades, the Leatherman shears will stay sharp for longer than ordinary shears. But in their long life and with consistent use, the shears are bound to dull at some point.
Even though Leatherman does not give specific instructions for sharpening the Raptor shears, the blades can be sharpened in a similar way as other scissor blades depending on the state of the edges.
If your Raptor shears just need a bit of honing, a piece of grinding paper is enough. You can pass both blades through a piece of grinding paper 5-10 times and the edge will be honed and cut better.
If, however, your shears are dull as a froe and can’t cut a thing or you want them razor-sharp, you’ll need to use a sharpening stone.
Last update on 2024-12-13 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Unlike knives that have two-sided blades, scissors/shears blades are only sharpened on the inside. Leatherman shears blades do not open separately and you’ll need to support one blade with your left hand while you sharpen the other with your right hand.
Sharpening the inside of the Raptor blade:
Add some water to wet the sharpening stone.
Place the first blade of the Raptor Shears flat on the stone.
Skillfully move the blade over the stone from the beak to the tip. You should move the blade on the entire length of the stone without exacting too much pressure and continue until it attains your desired sharpness.
Sharpening the Raptor edge:
Place the edge on the stone at an angle that lets the entire edge be on the stone.
Make the same movements as with the inside of the blade: from the handle side to the tip and on the entire length of the stone surface. Sharpen until you hear the ‘burr’ sound.
Repeat the same procedure for the second blade and edge. Your Raptor shears should have the same cutting power as when you bought them.
Are Leatherman Raptor Shears TSA Compliant?
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) compliant items are those that the agency allows you to bring on-board a plane in your carry-on bag.
If we go by the general TSA guidelines, you are prohibited from carrying sharp objects in your carry-on bag. Similarly, multi-tools with knives of any size are prohibited and should be packed in the checked bags. They should also be sheathed to prevent injury to baggage inspectors and handlers.
Multi-tools that have scissors with less than 4ʺ can be brought in your carry-on bag. Considering that the Leatherman is a multi-tool and the shears have a length of 1.9ʺ then it means that the Leatherman Raptor is TSA-compliant and you would be allowed to carry it in your carry-on bag.
But there is a detail that determines the final verdict on whether you can carry your Leatherman Raptor in your carry-on or not. According to the TSA, the final decision remains with the TSA officer at the checkpoint.
Are the Leatherman Raptor Shears Worth the Price?
We usually judge if an item is worth its price by evaluating its efficiency: how well it will achieve its function. In this light, the Leatherman Raptor Shears are absolutely worth the price.
For $69.99, you’ll get a multi-tool with shears that can cut a wide range of material, a strap, a cutter that frees you from your car’s seatbelt in case it’s jammed during an emergency, a ring cutter that could save your finger if it is hurt and inflamed, a window breaker that will be just the right tool to get you out of your car during an emergency, and a ruler and oxygen tank wrench that you may never use as a prepper but could serve in a needy situation.
As they say, ‘cheap is costly’ and buying cheaper shears could mean having to replace them often. But the Raptor will last you a lifetime and you can benefit from the 25-year warranty by exchanging a faulty one free of charge.
To be impartial, we tell you that you may have issues cleaning your shears as the Leatherman Raptor has plenty of nooks and crannies due to several tools together. But, Leatherman has you covered for that too with cleaning tips.
Summary of Leatherman Raptor Shears Review
When preparing a bug out bag, every prepper wants the best and most efficient tools that they can use during an emergency.
If you are looking for the best prepper scissors, go for the Leatherman Raptor Shears. This multi-tool is any preppers dream tool as it will:
Cut anything you want easily with the shears.
Cut a strap without any effort.
Rid a swollen finger of a stuck ring without torturing the victim with pain.
Break your car’s screen if you are stuck inside during an emergency.
Use an O2 tank wrench and ruler when you need to.
Take our word for it and go for the Leatherman Raptor Shears. You can thank us after your first prepper adventure with the Raptor in hand.
Whether you need your survival scissors in an emergency situation or for ordinary survival tasks while hiking or on an off-grid escapade, EMT shears will be a great addition in any prepper Bug Out Bag.
We’ll tell you everything about this 6-in-1 multi-tool in this article! We review the features, tools, and accessories of the Leatherman Raptor, its uses, how to sharpen it when it dulls and if it’s worth the hefty price for preppers!
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