Thread: New Leatherman tool gripe

An update on my clutch:

It seems I spoke too soon- the file is actually great on nails. The thing has been extremely solid except that one of the locking mechanisms broke. I'll be sending it out for warranty work, I just can't give it up

Well time has taken it toll on the core. When I started this thread I was disapointed now i'm pissed. I have not abused the tool but hav broken the screwdriver, and worn out the pliers. I have cut nothing but copper wires and plastic zip ties. The piece of crap won't even cut plastic ties any more. The jaws on the pliers are worn out. I am going to send it to Leatherman and see if they can get it too cut ties if not I will request a full refund. I do not expect the refund but it never hurts to try. I will be trying the SOG out soon. I will keep posting on the progress

Don

I have the Skeletool and like it fine. The bits eventually wear out, but that's every replaceable-bit screwdriver, finding new ones wasn't particularly hard. The bottle opener is a tad gimmicky, but actually a good bottle opener. I like all the tools on the Wave, but it's just too heavy for sticking in your back pocket to carry around all day long.

unlike previous poster, I find the skeletool to be quite small... it is a good bit smaller and lighter than either one of my EDC knives (crkt m16le and SBMF drop point) so it's actually more comfortable to carry about. like the clip on it, doesn't scratch things when you lean against them.

As for leatherman having different quality of tools I compared the core to the surge and found the pliers are the same. My orignal gripe still stands my old super tool was a well built machined tool with no plastic and cost around $60.00 in the 90's my core is a cast piece of crap with plastic liners that cost $75.00 in the 00's. I have no problem paying for a quality tool I have thousands in the snap-on stuff I have. I do have a problem with a company cheeping the product to get it on the shelf at wal-mt. I will put the ten year old leatherman vs. new any day.

Don

That's a shame man. Sorry to hear. 25 year warrantee though so you should be ok.

Like I said, LOVE my new Charge. I've also heard nothing but good about the Surge and the new Wave. But maybe the core is simply of a lower quality.

To be fair though....$75 isn't a lot of money for a versatile everyday EDC. (not for a good knife and surely not for something like a Leatherman) Hell We got my Charge for €90 (around $120-$140 atm) and I consider it a STEAL.

You could always try a Victorinox, I hear people rave about the Vic Spirit all the time. It's supposed to be amazing.

To each his own though. But I'm pretty sure that if you send in your LM for maintenance they'll fix the thing right up.

I agree that $75 is not too high. I would have gladly payed double for a tool of the old quality. If I can get a good macro out of my camera I will post the pics of the old and the new. I could buy a NOS super tool off the web and very well may I just needed an outlet to rant about my disappointment.

Don

I have one of the original waves that Leatherman made. It still does ok, but is gummed up by something or other I used it on. I now have another one. The new one has replaceable bits (I don't think the original one did, it isn't in front of me ATM). Very much a quality tool. I've looked at the Charge, etc, and they look nice, but I couldn't justify the extra cash to pay for Titanium and one or more other tools I don't use. For me, the Wave is the best bang-for-buck Leatherman tool made. The core looks cool as does the skeletool, but I've always purchased the US made ones. Never a problem.

I've also had a SOG multitool that was outstanding, although a bit bulky. High quality. Unfortunately I sold it to a squadron mate one day when I needed money. Pretty sure he still has it, and it's been several years.

I have a Buck Xtract that I need to return (lifetime warranty!). Unfortunately, it is made in China, and I don't think the QC is the best. The pliers snapped off when I was trying to pull a jammed casing out of a minigun. Bad time for them to fail on me. Otherwise, ergonomically it is very handy-the straight and phillips are easily accessible, simply slide a tab on the back of the knife and out comes the screwdriver tip.

John P.

The new core has been to Leatherman and back. I even sent two of the plastic ties that it wouldn't cut. I stated in the letter I sent with it "if you can't make it cut the enclosed ties please return my money or send me a worn supertool as it will do a better job." The tool came back including the two ties uncut. I tried to cut one of the ties and still would not do the job. These are 3/16 wide plastic zip ties. This is one of the reasons I carry the tool. I have put the new tool back in the box ad will be offering it for sale to someone who doesn't have to cut zip ties. I have replaced the leatherman with a SOG powerplier. So far it is working well. Not quite as good of a fit and finsh as the old super tool but very utility. It also has user replaceable blades and bits so it can be customized to particular need. And it will cut a plastic tie.

Don

I have a black version of the Wave, I believe it was a limited run. Bought it from a fighterpilot who brought one from the US. I had to pay 80Euro's IIRC, opposed to the 120 or so Euro's it would cost here.
I'm practicaly using it everyday, mainly the pliers, screwdrivers and the knife, adn I couldn't be more happy with it. Everything is still in great shape after 3 or 4 years of intensive use. I couldn't live without one anymore.

I love my SOG powerplier, its not quite a whole tool box, but its amazing what you can accomplish with it and it is well made, ive had mine since mid 90's.