Leatherman Glider - Best Premium American-Made Utility Blade
The Leatherman Glider marks the brand's serious foray into premium knives, offering a rock-solid, American-made folder with a superb Magnacut blade and innovative lock in a clean, utilitarian design.
- +Features a premium Magnacut steel sheepsfoot blade, offering exceptional edge retention and toughness.
- +Built with minimalist, all-steel construction in the USA, emphasizing durability and a tool-like aesthetic.
- +Innovative patent-pending Delta lock provides easy, secure one-handed operation similar to a crossbar lock.
- -As a new entry into the folding knife market from a multitool company, it carries a premium price tag.
- -The all-steel handle, while robust, adds more weight compared to knives with aluminum or synthetic scales.
- -The sheepsfoot blade shape, excellent for slicing, lacks a fine point for detailed piercing tasks.
The Leatherman Glider represents a significant and successful pivot for a company synonymous with multitools. It is a purpose-built folding knife that carries over Leatherman's reputation for robust, intelligent design and American manufacturing. The centerpiece is the blade, made from Magnacut steel—a modern super steel celebrated for its ideal balance of hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. The sheepsfoot blade shape is a practical choice for everyday carry, providing a long, straight cutting edge perfect for opening boxes, slicing materials, and general utility work, with a slightly rounded belly for added versatility. The handle is machined from a solid block of steel, giving the Glider a substantial, trustworthy feel in hand, with internal cutouts managing the weight.
The standout mechanical feature is the new Delta lock, a button-release mechanism that is intuitive and keeps fingers safely out of the blade's path during closing. With only 12 parts in its construction, the design philosophy is one of minimalist reliability. While it is heavier than some ultralight EDC options and the blade shape is specialized, the Glider excels as a no-nonsense, heavy-duty cutting tool. It is built for users who appreciate over-engineering, domestic manufacturing, and a blade steel that will hold an edge through demanding use. The Leatherman Glider is a statement piece that proves the brand's expertise extends flawlessly into dedicated knives.