711L EDC Ratchet Wrench vs Leatherman Ratchet Driver: A Worthy Stand-In

Introduction

For a long time, one tiny tool has topped a lot of everyday carry wish lists: the Leatherman Ratchet Driver. It turns a regular EDC screwdriver or a Leatherman multi-tool into something far more usable, adding a ratcheting action to a bit holder that otherwise only turns one way at a time.

The problem is availability. The Leatherman Ratchet Driver has been out of stock for six months or more, possibly closer to a year, with no official word on when it will return. That gap is exactly where the 711L EDC Ratchet Wrench comes in.

What the 711L EDC Ratchet Wrench Is

Technically, the 711L is a wrench, since it will turn a quarter-inch bolt head. In practice it works as a bit driver: stick a quarter-inch bit in the head and you have a very tiny ratchet.

The standout detail is the shank. There are two versions, and the one covered here has a shank that fits directly into the Leatherman bit holder. That combination turns your Leatherman into a 90-degree, right-angle ratcheting bit driver, which is a genuinely useful configuration for tight spaces.

It is also genuinely small, so it can disappear into a pocket or kit. And while it is designed to pair with a Leatherman, it works standalone too, if you prefer to use it on its own.

How the 711L Performs in Real Use

The head is marked “reverse gear” with 60 teeth and a quarter-inch drive. Flip the little lever just like a normal ratchet to switch from loosening to tightening, or the other way around.

One honest caveat: once a screw is loose enough, the ratchet stops actually turning it. In that state you have to hold the bit so it does not run back, which does not feel quite as secure as a ratchet that keeps engaging. That said, it still works fine by itself in those moments.

The Leatherman Ratchet Driver: Still a Favorite, Still Hard to Find

The Leatherman Ratchet Driver has earned its reputation. It takes a regular EDC screwdriver or Leatherman multi-tool and makes it far more usable, and it remains one of the most-loved small EDC finds in recent memory.

The frustration is simple: it is not available on Amazon, not at REI, and not on Leatherman’s own website, and it has been that way for a long time. Nobody knows when it is coming back.

Head to Head: Which One Should You Buy?

Here is the honest comparison. Is the 711L better than the Leatherman Ratchet Driver? Not really, for one specific reason: the 711L has a neutral gear. When a screw is too loose to ratchet, you can pull it out and use it as a standard straight extension, or just turn it like a normal screwdriver. The Leatherman has no neutral; it only ratchets and otherwise locks into place.

The other difference is shape. The 711L’s right-angle design is not everyone’s preference, while the Leatherman’s straight shank suits more everyday screwdriving positions. Different tools, different use cases. If you want something that works with a Leatherman and can ratchet right now, though, the 711L is the option to get.

Buying Advice

The 711L comes in a few configurations. The version with the Leatherman-compatible shank runs $32. A variant with a bit holder on the end instead, giving you a ratchet on one side and a straight screwdriver bit holder on the other, is a little cheaper at $28. There is also a bundle with a bit kit for around $38.

If your main goal is pairing with a Leatherman, the $32 version is the one to look at. If you would rather have a straight bit holder and save a few dollars, the $28 variant covers that.

Conclusion

The Leatherman Ratchet Driver remains the benchmark small ratchet for EDC, but with no restock in sight, the 711L EDC Ratchet Wrench is a genuinely good alternative. It is compact, it ratchets, it works standalone or with a Leatherman, and the neutral gear gives it a trick the original does not have. For anyone who has been waiting on a restock that may never come, this is the practical answer.