Leatherman Micra Review

Overview

The Leatherman Micra is a 10-tool keychain multitool built around one very good idea: a pair of spring-loaded scissors that fit in a space the size of a matchbox. It suits backpackers who want scissors and tweezers for first aid and gear repair without carrying a full-size tool. The trade-off is that nearly everything else on it is a convenience, not a workhorse.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight	51 g (1.8 oz)
Tool count	10
Closed length	6.5 cm (2.5 in)
Open length	10.6 cm (4.2 in)
Width	1.9 cm (0.75 in)
Thickness	0.93 cm (0.37 in)
Primary blade length	4.06 cm (1.6 in)
Blade steel	420HC stainless, 55–59 HRC
Blade lock	None
Tools	Knife, spring-action scissors, flat/Phillips screwdriver, medium screwdriver, extra-small screwdriver, tweezers, nail file, nail cleaner, bottle opener, 12 cm ruler
Made in	Portland, Oregon, USA
Warranty	25-year limited

Performance

Scissors. The scissors are the reason to buy a Micra, and reviewers keep coming back to them. Owners describe them as sharp and spring-loaded. Leatherman markets them as the best spring-action scissors in a mini tool, and it has been selling that pitch to anglers and hobbyists for years. On trail, that means trimming moleskin, snipping loose threads, cutting tape and clipping a frayed cord end. Those are jobs a small folding blade does clumsily. CleverHiker’s testers singled out the scissors as the standout feature and said they reach for the tool constantly.

Tweezers. The tweezers are the second reason. Tick removal and splinters are the obvious uses. Owners who call most of the tool count filler still say the tweezers are something they use.

Knife. The 4.06 cm clip-point blade is made of 420HC, which Leatherman heat-treats to 55–59 HRC. That steel resists corrosion well and takes an edge easily, which matters for a tool that rides in a wet pocket or on a pack strap. It is not a food-prep or carving blade, though. There is also no lock, so the blade has to be treated as a light-duty slicer: opening a food bag, cutting cordage, trimming a fingernail. Anything that needs pressure on the spine should go to a different tool.

Screwdrivers and the rest. Three screwdriver tips (a flat/Phillips combo, a medium flat and an extra-small flat) cover eyeglass screws, trekking-pole hardware and small electronics. The bottle opener, nail file and nail cleaner suit a car-camping or town-stop kit more than an ultralight one. The ruler is a 12 cm scale etched into the frame.

Size and carry. At 6.5 cm closed, the Micra fits on a keyring or in a hip-belt pocket without notice. Owners say it sits in a pocket without being noticed, and CleverHiker’s reviewers said the same about carrying it on a hike. The split-ring loop is part of the design. Its weight of 51 g is not trivial for a gram-counter, because the tool does one or two things well and the rest is overhead. Fliers should note that a knife blade keeps it out of a US carry-on. One owner reports losing a Micra to airport security.

Price. At around $50, the Micra costs more than many people expect for something this small. Buyers who accept that generally rate it highly, and the 25-year warranty and US build help justify it.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Spring-action scissors are better than those on most small tools and more useful than a blade for blister care and repairs
• Tweezers handle ticks and splinters
• 51 g and 6.5 cm closed, easy to attach to a keyring
• 420HC stainless handles wet conditions
• Made in the USA with a 25-year warranty

Cons

• No blade lock, and the 4.06 cm knife is for light jobs only
• Several of the 10 tools (nail cleaner, nail file, bottle opener) add little on trail
• 51 g is heavy next to a bare blade-and-scissors kit
• The price is high for the category
• A carry-on flight means leaving it in checked luggage or at home

Who Should Buy This

The Micra suits backpackers and thru-hikers who want one small tool to cover first-aid scissors, tweezers, a few screwdriver sizes and a tiny knife. It also works well as a keychain tool that comes along on every trip. Gram-focused hikers who only need to cut cord, tape and food bags should carry a small blade or a pair of micro scissors instead. Anyone who expects to do real cutting, whittling or pliers work needs a larger knife or a pliers-based multitool.

Verdict

The Micra is a well-made, useful tool whose value comes mostly from two of its ten functions. For hikers who want scissors and tweezers in one 51 g package, it is a sensible buy and one of the better options in its class. For everyone else, it is a keychain accessory with a high price.