It’s a big EDC market out there, and tons of awesome gear is released all the time. We made The Drop to help you discover the latest and greatest essentials worth a spot in your EDC.
Sometimes, a different colorway is all it takes to elevate your EDC kit or get you interested again in an item you’ve been ignoring or putting off buying for so long. The original Leatherman Raptor has long been regarded by medical and first response personnel as one of the best tools for emergencies. They’ve recently released a couple of fresh new colors to add into the mix, with Red/Black and Yellow/Blue options to add to your emergency or first aid kit.
If you’re unfamiliar, the Leatherman Raptor Rescue is a pair of emergency shears leveled up to their max potential. On its face, the Raptor Rescue is a multi-tool geared for first responders dealing with emergencies. The folding 420HC stainless steel shears can cut through clothing and rough material, swiftly deployed with a snap, and secured with a triangle button lock. The lower blade of the shears features a blunted tip to safely get under medical tape, straps, belts, or other binding materials, even under stress. On its side, there are measurement markings for a 5cm-long ruler.
An integrated ring cutter makes short work of wedding bands, small wires, or anything that might create swelling in appendages by limiting blood flow. There’s also an oxygen tank wrench, further reinforcing the kind of situations this tool was made to handle. If you do find yourself in a circumstance where you need to free someone from a seatbelt, there’s a dedicated strap cutter that’s accessible when the Raptor’s handles are folded up. A carbide glass breaker also resides at the bottom of one of the handles.
One neat inclusion is an injection-molded polymer holster as part of the Raptor package, letting you carry it either folded or fully deployed. On the back of the holster is a MOLLE/PALS-compatible attachment that lets you secure the shears onto your pack or harness of choice, giving you all the options you need for carry or quick access at a moment’s notice.
What we like: The Leatherman Raptor Rescue shears are the best of the best; feature-complete with all of its tools thoughtfully included and implemented for maximum efficiency and effectiveness in an emergency.
What to watch out for: They’re pricey, but for a good reason. They’re also larger than you may expect, but that’s also to accommodate usability even while gloved.
Final verdict: The last shears you ever need to buy.
