How to Change a Blade on a Multitool

On this page (9 sections)

1. What do you need before you change a blade?
2. How do you open the multitool and reach the blade?
3. How does the liner lock release the blade?
4. How do you remove the old blade?
5. How do you fit and seat the new blade?
6. How do you check the blade locks and folds safely?
7. Which multitools make blade changes easiest?
8. What mistakes should you avoid during a blade change?
9. How often should you change or sharpen a blade?

To change a blade on a multi tool, open the blade halfway, press the liner lock aside, lift the old blade off its pivot and seat the new one in the same slot. Push it flat, let the lock spring back and confirm it clicks before you fold the tool shut.

The whole job takes a few minutes on most models, and you don't need a workbench. The steps below cover the common folding multitool, where each blade swings out of the handle on its own pivot.

What do you need before you change a blade?

You need the replacement blade, a clean cloth and good light, and on some models a small screwdriver for the pivot. Most Leatherman tools don't ask for a separate driver, because the blade sits on a pin and a liner lock holds it in place.

Clear a flat surface so the small parts can't roll away. A tray or magnet helps hold the blade and any washers you lift out.

Wipe your hands first, since oil on the blade makes it harder to grip. Check that the new blade matches your tool's model and fits the pivot hole.

Read the manual for your specific tool before you start. It names any pivot screw, the lock type and the blade options the frame accepts.

A minute with the manual saves a stripped screw.

How do you open the multitool and reach the blade?

Open the tool so the handle is steady in one hand and the blade you want is partway out. Swing the blade to about a right angle, where the pivot is exposed and the lock is easy to press.

Hold the handle on its flat sides, not across the open blade. Keep your fingers behind the cutting edge and point the tip away from your body.

A folding blade that snaps open is the main risk in this job. On a tool with outside-accessible blades, you can open the blade without unfolding the pliers.

Our guide to how to open a Leatherman Wave, blades and all shows the swing-out order on that model. If the blade won't move freely, don't force it; a stiff pivot often loosens with a few careful open-and-shut cycles, as covered in how to loosen up a leatherman tool.

How does the liner lock release the blade?

Press the liner lock sideways, away from the blade spine, and the blade will swing free. The liner lock is the thin spring-steel strip inside the handle that presses against the blade base to keep it open.

Find the lock by looking at the inside face of the handle when the blade is open. Push the strip toward the handle wall with your thumb, hold it there and fold the blade slightly.

That releases the pressure on the base. Do this with the blade only partway open, not fully locked.

The lock holds hardest at full open, so easing the blade back first makes the press easier on your thumb. Some tools add a small secondary lock or a safety tab; if yours has one, move it to the open position before you press the liner.

The manual shows where it sits.

How do you remove the old blade?

With the lock held aside, lift the blade base off its pivot pin and slide it out of the handle slot. Keep the blade flat and draw it out along the slot so the edge doesn't catch on the frame.

Note how the blade sat before you pull it. The base usually has a flat side and a rounded side, and it only fits one way.

A quick phone photo of the open slot helps when you fit the new one. If a washer or spacer comes loose, set it on the tray in the order it came out; these small parts set the blade's side play.

Set the old blade aside edge-down and out of reach. If it's worn or chipped, mark it so it doesn't go back in by mistake.

How do you fit and seat the new blade?

Slide the new blade into the same slot, line up its pivot hole over the pin and press it flat. It should drop into place without force if it's the right blade for the model.

Keep the liner lock pressed aside while you seat the blade. Let the lock spring back once the base is flat against the frame, and you should feel it settle against the blade base.

Check the fit before you close the tool. The blade should sit square in the slot with no wobble and no gap at the base; if it rides high or rubs the frame, lift it out and try again.

Don't overtighten a pivot screw if your model has one. Snug is enough, since a screw driven too hard pinches the blade and makes it stiff to open.

How do you check the blade locks and folds safely?

Open the blade to full lock, push on the spine and then fold it a few times. The lock should hold against light pressure with no slip and no side play.

Test it with the tool away from your hand and the edge pointing down. A blade that clicks into place but shifts under thumb pressure isn't seated, so take it out and check the washer and slot alignment.

Then fold and open it several times to feel the spring return. A little stiffness at first is normal on a fresh blade.

Wipe the pivot with a dry cloth and add a drop of light oil if the blade drags. Our notes on how to loosen up a leatherman tool cover the pivot adjustment in more detail.

Which multitools make blade changes easiest?

The easiest blade changes happen on tools with outside-accessible blades and a clear liner lock, because you don't have to unfold the pliers to reach them. Among the Leatherman line, the Wave Plus and the Surge both put their main blades on the outside.

The Leatherman Wave Plus carries its blades on the outside of the frame, so you can reach the pivot without opening the whole tool. It weighs 8.5 ounces and includes a saw and spring-action scissors alongside the knife.

The Leatherman Surge adds an interchangeable saw blade and file. That holder lets you swap the saw for the file without touching the knife pivot, which suits bigger cutting jobs and fine edge work.

If you'd rather not track loose fasteners, the LEATHERMAN Bit Kit keeps 21 double-ended bits in two small sleeves. It's handy when your blade change also means snugging a pivot or handle screw.

For the bigger picture on how these tools differ, our explainer on what is the best multitool sorts the main types. If you're weighing up the largest models, what leatherman has the most tools compares the tool counts.

What mistakes should you avoid during a blade change?

The most common mistakes are forcing a stiff lock, losing a washer and closing the tool before checking the seat. Each one turns a quick swap into a repair job.

Don't pry the liner lock with a screwdriver or knife tip. The spring steel bends easily and a bent liner won't hold the blade open, so press it with your thumb and let the blade ease back.

Don't skip the washer. A missing washer leaves the blade loose and it can rub the frame, so keep every part on the tray until the new blade is seated and tested.

Don't assume the blade is locked because it clicked. Push on the spine first, since a blade that folds under pressure is the one mistake that can cut you.

Don't overtighten the pivot or leave the tool half open on the bench. Close it fully once the blade passes the test so nothing catches when you put it away.

How often should you change or sharpen a blade?

Change the blade when it tears rather than cuts, or when the edge chips and snags. Sharpening buys time, but a blade with a nick or a rolled tip is usually better replaced.

Check the edge before each job and after any hard use. A blade that drags on cardboard or skids on rope needs attention, so wipe it dry after use so rust doesn't start on the edge.

Keep spare blades for your model in a small bag in your kit. A fresh blade takes less time to fit than a long sharpening session on the trail.

Once the new blade is in and locked, you can get back to the job. Pick the Wave Plus for easy outside access, the Surge when you need the saw and file swap, and the Bit Kit for the screws along the way.

That covers how to change a blade on multi tool for most folding models.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need tools to change a multitool blade?

Most Leatherman tools need no separate screwdriver for the standard blades, because the blade sits on a pivot and a liner lock holds it in place. Some models use a small screw at the pivot, so read the manual for yours and use the right size driver if it calls for one.

Can you swap the saw for a file on a multitool?

Yes on tools built for it. The Leatherman Surge takes an interchangeable saw blade or file, so you can swap the two for a big branch or a fine edge without carrying a second tool.

Seat the accessory fully in the holder and check the lock before cutting.

How do you know the new blade is seated safely?

Open it partway and push against the spine; the lock should hold with no wobble or side play. Fold and open it a few times to feel the spring return cleanly.

If it shifts in the frame or the lock slips, take it out and reseat it before you use the tool.

Why does the new blade feel stiff after a change?

A fresh blade or a pivot that has picked up grit can feel tight at first. Work the blade open and shut a few times and wipe the pivot, and it usually frees up.

If it stays stiff, loosen the pivot screw a touch as our guide to a stiff Leatherman explains.