Leatherman Arc Obsidian Review: A Premium Multi-Tool for Collectors

Introduction

The Leatherman Arc made headlines when it launched at $230, a price many found hard to take seriously for a multi-tool. It sold extremely well anyway. So when Leatherman released the Arc Obsidian at $275, another $45 on top, reactions were strong across the board. This review looks at why the Obsidian exists, who it genuinely makes sense for, and where it falls short.

Why the Obsidian Exists

Out of the box, the Arc Obsidian may be the best-looking Leatherman in the lineup. Pictures do not do it justice. The champagne accents are tasteful rather than gaudy, and the DLC coating is applied far more widely than you might expect: the pivots, pocket clip, screws, diamond file, locking bars, and springs all carry it.

That coating has a real functional benefit beyond looks. DLC helps with corrosion resistance and prevents oxidisation, so there are genuine improvements over the base Arc here. The entire handle scale is also coated, inside and out, with a subtle oil-slick reflection rather than a simple black oxide, which again makes the scales less prone to corrosion.

Build Quality and Pliers

The internal implements, including the saw, bit driver, can opener, scissors, and plier head, use a black oxide finish similar to past Leatherman releases. Black oxide is not strictly better than bare stainless: its main functional purpose is a non-reflective finish, and when rust does appear it can be harder to spot. It is a give and take, though in this case the look works.

The standout surprise is the plier action. After opening more than 30 Leatherman multi-tools over three years, this is by far the best action received out of the box. Squeezing the tool causes no lock-up at all, something most new units need working in to achieve.

One consistent gripe carries over: the cutters still have that same gap as other tools in the lineup, and they are blackened here too. It is not a flaw so much as a design choice you have to accept, and it is the only real construction downside observed.

Tool Set: Same as the Arc

The tool set is identical to the original Arc. The blade coating situation is a wash on price, since both models have coated blades. What you are actually paying extra for is the DLC coating on all the additional components and the included accessories. In practice, this makes the Obsidian squarely aimed at multi-tool collectors, a market big enough to justify the release.

The Accessories Tell a Different Story

The tool itself is dialed in; the accessories are the disappointment. The sheath uses American-made leather, which sounds appealing, but the leather quality is okay at best and below what other Leatherman products have shipped with. It sits bulky and lacks the quality feel a $275 tool should carry.

The included bit kit is the same nine-bit set that ships with the original Arc, a mix of bits pulled from two different bit systems, including a duplicate that makes the assortment feel arbitrary. At $275, a complete bit kit is what you would expect. The elastic bit holder is the worst offender: inserting the tool with the bit kit installed catches on the lock pieces, and the elastic starts tearing immediately. A leather strip or nylon insert would have solved this, and daily use is likely to destroy the elastic within a couple of months.

Who This Product Is For

The Arc Obsidian is a premium tool for collectors, plain and simple. If the Obsidian finish, DLC-coated components, and collector appeal matter to you, it delivers beautifully. If you are looking for a one-and-done tool, the standard Arc is far easier to justify, and the Obsidian is hard to recommend as a first multi-tool.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The $275 price buys the best-finished, best-actioned production Leatherman reviewed in recent memory, and the fit and finish represent a genuine premium product. On the other hand, you get a mediocre sheath and a nine-bit kit that forces an additional purchase if you want proper bit coverage. If accessories matching the tool’s quality matters to you, plan on budgeting for a better leather sheath separately.

Buying Advice

The larger context matters too. The Arc and Arc Obsidian occupy a premium tier while long-standing workhorses like the Surge and Super Tool 300 have gone more than a decade without updates, leaving core users feeling somewhat neglected. A more affordable base version of the Arc, whether in plain stainless around $200 or 420 stainless around $150, would make the Obsidian feel like a natural top tier rather than a price escalation. Until that exists, treat the Obsidian as a collector’s piece.

If you decide it is for you, buy it knowing the tool itself will not disappoint; just set expectations for the accessories accordingly, and consider Leatherman’s occasional site-wide discounts, which are among the few ways to soften the price on their goods.

Conclusion

Leatherman did a good job with the Arc Obsidian. It is a genuinely beautiful, flawlessly executing premium multi-tool aimed squarely at collectors, and it is certainly not for everyone. If the finish speaks to you and you accept the accessories as a starting point, it is the tippity-top of the production multi-tool market. If you just need a reliable tool for the day, look elsewhere in the lineup.