I have both and I daily carried a Spirit for a few years and loved it never had any issues with it. When I seen Leatherman was releasing the Arc I picked it up day one to try it out. Used it a few day and then it sat on my dresser for a few weeks. Well on day when I was getting the stuff I carry into my pockets I thought instead of carrying my Spirit and my Spyderco knife I’ll carry just the Arc(well my flashlight too) and give that a try for a few weeks to really give it a chance. Well a few weeks later I was still just carrying and using the Arc daily. Now here I am over two years later and still have the Arc in my pocket. I tried to go back to the Spirit a few times but after getting used to the one handed operation of the Arc I couldn’t go back to the two handed operation of the Spirit. Also the Leatherman free system is very modular and being Left handed made it easy to swap the position of the knife blade to the opposite side to make it lefty friendly. Does the Arc cost a lot yeah but I’m my case it’s actually saved me money as I no longer carry a dedicated  knife. So that also saved me money because I’m not looking at and buying new pocket knives. That said I will say that’s what’s great and not so great about have so many companies making so many great multitools to pick from. You heat lots of great options to pick from but that can also be overwhelming. In the end you have to find what one works for your needs and has the tool set you’re going to use. Like you didn’t like the micro driver but I use it a lot and get value out of it for fixing key fobs to resetting network routers and hubs. Enjoyed the video keep making the great content 👍

This video didn't need to be shorter. Perfectly executed. Efficient enough for what you had to get across.

I thought you seemed pretty biased toward the Victorinox.  Especially when it camed to the screwdrivers.  I think a thicker large standard would be much better at bigger screws because the force would be better distributed in the screw head.  That being said, I think you have me leaning toward the Victorinox.  You made a lot of good points.  I do like a pocket clip which doesn't seem to be offered on the Victorinox.

I have them both and like them both but the Arc just seems like a fidget toy to me.  The Spirit X is super compact and it’s the one o carry most of the time.

I bought a Leatherman P4 and realized later that I didn’t really like any of the tools. So I gave the P4 away and bought a SOG Power Lock and never looked back.

Sometimes I look over at my Power Lock and start to cry… So beautiful.  …OK I will stop now.

Its interesting how opinions can be different. I agree that the sleek feel on the spirit is nicer and Phillips head is better than a 2d. But after carrying an arc my spirit feels like the decades older design that it is. The bit exchanger for both large and mini drivers is just hands down better. The blade is probably overkill for most on the LM but it means i no longer have a dedicated knife on my belt. Finally, the one handed open when you are holding something with your left hand is also just better. The spirit is lovely and i dont think it is a bad choice if thats what you prefer but i have wished i had my arc when using a spirit, i never felt that the other way around.

Based on everything you said in this review, I think you would prefer a P4 over the ARC. The price is almost exactly the same as the Spirit, and the tool set with the dedicated phillips, longer pry tool/package opener, more flathead sizes is more inline with your preferences.
I’m surprised you dinged the ARC for the one-handed opening. That’s the one feature that has got me fully hooked on the Free series. I can access all the tools easily, the lock up is extremely secure, and I often find I’m holding on to something/ on a ladder/ in a weird position right when I need my multi-tool. In my opinion, an easy to access to a mediocre tool beats a hard to deploy excellent tool - especially on a multi-tool. If I have to stop and use two hands to change tools each time, I’m already thinking about walking to get my real tools...

thank you for being the first to do this comparission 🇦🇷👌

thank you!

Thank you.

I totally agree with your results. Good video.

thank you for your honest feedback

Liked your video! I have many Victorinox knives including the Swiss Spirit mx clip. I just got the Leatherman Arc . I played with both of them every day, but decided to keep the Arc and sell the Swiss Spirit . you are correct about most of the tools be slightly better on the Swiss.I would like to mention the things that come with the Arc only, such as the Diamond coated file, replaceable wire cutters, hammer impact surface,Magnacut that you mentioned. Also has crimper, thumbs stud for easy blade opening, also came with a pocket clip, sheath with pockets,9 bit kit .
Also there are many Mods available for the Arc! All in all very close.each has stuff the other doesn't ! Other than the big price difference, it's a matter of preference! Also I like long videos1

I was able to snag two Victorinox Spirit MX clip multi-tools on Amazon last year around November for $100 each. This was right after the revision where they loosened the spring tension on the tools so they're easier to pop out. After I bought the first one I realized what an incredible deal it was, turn right around and bought another. Nowadays they're up to 145 dollars and they're easily worth it.

The one Hand opening of every tool is the key feature of the Arc with free technology!!!
When you hold something in your other hand, or even more when standing on a ladder 4-5 Meters above ground.
You ignored the crimper on the Arc in your list and also the bit-driver and hammer surface. I deal a lot with torx screws, so no bit driver is a dealbreaker for me. I use the Bit extender and regular wera bits.

Before I sound like a total Leatherman fanboy....just ordered the Spirit mx clip.
Should arrive in some days and i will see for myself. 😜

I love my Swiss Spirit X. Hands down the best made multi tool

Hey thanks, made my choice. Because of you. Thank you.

Great review!

The only tool I find even a little fiddly to one hand opening on the Arc is the saw, which I'm fine with. Literally everything else is pretty easy, and like, it's useful when you have your hand on or in something else. Honestly it takes a lack of imagination to not see how useful that is.

One notable difference between the two pairs of pliers is that the Leatherman has replaceable cutters. I've heard arguments both ways regarding them. I've heard that they can be a bit looser than inbuilt cutters since there's a bit of wiggle in the screw tension, but of course there's also the benefit that if you ever damage them you can just swap them out.

Another thing to know about the spirit X's all, is that it has a built-in hook, which has its own functionality, even if it's often mocked as a bit archaic in the modern day.

Allegedly, the Swiss tool Spirit X's scissors on mini tries to versions of sheet metal scissors should I might be additional functionality, although I don't own one, nor would I be willing to risk damaging them if I did to see if it can cut sheet metal.

As for the screwdrivers, I think you could technically fairly include the Leatherman bits, but you would also need to include the drivers that are often bundled with the spirit x. The bundle is also noteworthy because it adds a corkscrew and glasses screwdriver to the spirit X

I wouldn't know that the Leatherman's glasses screwdriver is double-sided, which means that the other side is also a tiny Phillips. They don't have a ton of utility outside of glasses in day-to-day work, but they do have a ton of utility with small electronics, which use tiny screws in a large quantity.