Leatherman Raptor Trauma Shears: more than just a set of shears
With 5 different functions, the Raptors do a lot more than cut and might be actually worth the extra money for the right nurse.
Leatherman is an American brand of multitools and knives made by Leatherman Tool Group of Portland, Oregon. While they are primarily known as a multi-tool and knife company, Leatherman also makes a set of trauma shears that puts to shame the free pairs that you probably use on your unit everyday. But are they worth the high price tag? Read below for the full review.
First Impression
The Raptor Shears are no doubt a very impressive set of shears. At first look, they seem like they are a but overkill for a set of shears. They are bigger in size than a set of cheap shears and when you pick them up the heavier weight is very apparent. The folding mechanism, triggered by a single silver button, is pretty slick and makes the size seem like less of an issue. My set came with a nice plastic belt clip (Leatherman calls a “Utility Belt Holster”) which is made of injection-molded polymer. The holster clips nicely onto a belt or straight onto your scrubs, and it seems secure once in place.
Construction
According the Leatherman, the shears are made of a nice 420HC Stainless Steel and the handle is made of a Glass-filled Nylon. They are definitely heavier than your standard set of shears, coming in at 5.8 oz, which comes out to about 1/3 of a lb. That sounds like a lot, but it feels fairly light when placed in the holster and onto my waist.
Multi-Functional
What sets the Raptor Shears apart from your standard shears is the fact that they are not JUST shears. The Raptors have 6 different functions including the following: 1) Shears 2) Strap Cutter 3) Ring Cutter 4) 5cm ruler 5) O2 tank wrench and 6) a carbide glass breaker. While all of these functions are really cool, I know they aren’t really necessary for all healthcare professionals. If you work in the ER or in the field as a paramedic/first-responder, you are likely to use all 6 functions on a frequent basis. But for a nurse or physician working in the other areas of the hospitals, you may only utilize the shear, O2 tank wrench, and ruler functions. For me working in the ICU, I love having this set of shears on my side because I am always prepared for whatever comes through the door. Are they overkill for what I’m doing? Probably. But do they look really cool when someone needs scissors and I can quickly unfold my Raptors? Definitely.
Conclusion
The Leatherman Raptor Shears are a highly functional and extremely high quality piece of gear that I love using. Yes, they will set you back a lot more than if you just swiped a pair of cheap shears from your unit, but I never head to work without my Raptors and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Have any experiences or comments about the Leatherman Raptor Shears? Share you comment below!
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