What are your thoughts on Leatherman?

I really like Leatherman tools. I bought my first more than ten years ago - Surge.
Also I had Wingman, gifted to my colleague. And some others. Then I had a period of carrying Swisstool Spirit. But now I am going yellow again) So, Buck+Leatherman are my edc tools.
I work at electrical/automation/costruction business and my multitools are usefull very often. Even if I have special tools.
For sure, Leatherman tools don't have such fit and finish as Victorinox, but they are very practical, strong and useful. I really want to try Supertool and Rebar.
One of my ideas is to work with specialists, I mean, I should buy watches from a watch company and knives - from knife company etc. Multitools are core of Leatherman business and they are good at it.
 
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ThePeacent said:
it is generally agreed that newer Leathermans have worse QC (loose parts, rubbing blades, sharpening problems, bad tolerances and pivot problems that make the handles either too hard to open or too loose and free-moving) and their prices have gone up in almost all models.

It's also very evident a lack of innovation and that they're putting out tools that are but smaller,
downscaled versions of previous ones or nothing original at all, just recycling old ideas and tools

I still love them, and carry them, but don't buy any new LM, only older ones.
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Agreed to by who? I for one generally disagree with your entire statement.
Leatherman has QC adequate for the tasks the tools are designed for, they are not pocket jewelry.
Prices do go up, its called inflation, it happens to everything.
They have a wider range of plier based tools than any other maker as far as I know (or care) and maintain a stable of time proven designs, as well as always trying new things (are all things a winner? No company has ever managed that, and likely never will)

(yes I just remembered he got splashed. but its still a worthwhile note for posterity)
 
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Generalizations should not be made on the basis of one's individuals's experiences, but after 20+ years with a variety of Leathermen, mine have almost all been positive. Out of 15 current and a number of others past, bought, sold and traded, the only quality problem I ever experienced was with a Style PS broken scissor spring, made good by Leatherman warranty (During that same period of time, I have also had a fair number of SAKs, no problems with any of them, but my Leatherman record is okay with me).
 
I just bought my first Leatherman, a Surge.I

It replaces an SOG Powerlock that was functional, but just not that great.

Before that I had one of Gerbers original multipliers, which pinched, and was later stolen.

The Surge is far better than either of the others. What a on it for me was, replaceable wire cutters, the blade exchanger which will fit jigsaw blades. And the bit holder which allows for use with all types of screw fasteners.

Plus when I called them with a question, they answered quickly and got me to the right person immediately. Fantastic customer serrvice, great products.
 
I have 4 versions I believe. The last is a Super 300 which I love/hate. It's not so much the weight or size that bothers me, but the semi sloppy looseness of the entire unit when bought new last year. All of my other Leatherman multis had tight to snug tolerances. My 300 is almost sloppy. I threw the 300 in the glove box but wear my much older Blast.
 
I think that if you have a regular need for pliers and want a pocket toolkit, a Leatherman is the way to go. Like many here said, it saves many trips back to the workshop or car. But no pocket tool is perfect and everyone has their preferences. My own everyday kit for well over 20 years has been a PST on one hip, a good knife (Laguiole) on the other and a keyring sized scissor-based mini in my pocket. The little one used to be a Micra, later replaced with a Squirt S4, also scissor-based but with its tools accessible from the outside. The classic PST recently found a worthy successor in a Rebar, which is as close as you can get today to the original compact, slim PST. It is not perfect, but has improvements such as a saw that actually works and locking tools. The replaceable wire cutter is a lot better, as it is made of harder steel than the rest of the tool. I like it even though I don't use everything in it every day and sometimes not at all; but having it on me all the time gives me piece of mind. SAKs have no pliers and I am now so used to having those that there is no way back... One thing to note is that the leather sheath that came with the Rebar is crap; it looks the same as the old PST sheath, but started falling apart after just two months whereas the old one had been on my hip for at least years and still looks decent. I replaced the crappy one with a sturdy 3rd party model.
 
My most carried Leatherman is the Wave. It goes with me on every camping and fishing trip and has been as reliable as any tool I've ever owned. Years ago I went on a mission trip to Bolivia and worked alongside some folks who worked daily with the most miserable excuse for tools you've ever seen, yet they were as masterful and committed to good work as anyone. When it was time to go I got permission from our host to gift my Leatherman Wave to one of the guys. You'd have though I gave him a new car or something, tears in his eyes. Upon return I was able to get myself another one.

It sure is easy to find small imperfections or argue over relative value of a flat phillips bit or less than strongest steels. If you've got plenty of choices, then great. If I've got access to all my tools I sure don't need to carry a Leatherman or SOG or SAK. But anytime I might be going somewhere that easy access won't be the norm, the Wave is on my belt and I'm confident in its use.
 
My wife, before she was my wife, introduced me to Leatherman.

Okay, that sounds so very wrong. ;)

She had been given an old school Leatherman MT about 15yrs ago, shortly before we met. I should probably take photos and find out from you knowledgeable people which model it is! Her friends clubbed together to get it.

Through courting, marrying, etc, guess who used ‘her’ Leatherman 99% of the time to do stuff around ‘our’ house?

I now have a TTi Charge and a Skeletool. Of course, I always had a box of tools, but an MT is a very useful item. Just ask my wife...

Oh, and by the way, Leatherman make great MT’s IMHO. I have used them a lot.
 
upnorth said:
I have 4 versions I believe. The last is a Super 300 which I love/hate. It's not so much the weight or size that bothers me, but the semi sloppy looseness of the entire unit when bought new last year. All of my other Leatherman multis had tight to snug tolerances. My 300 is almost sloppy. I threw the 300 in the glove box but wear my much older Blast.
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Why not send it to Leatherman warranty with your complaint? I'll bet they fix it it or send you a new one.
 
znapschatz said:
Why not send it to Leatherman warranty with your complaint? I'll bet they fix it it or send you a new one.
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I love Leatherman, only MT I own and will carry. I just wish they would update their Heavy Duty models. I have the ST300 and the Surge. I have a Rebar also but can't stand it because it is just to small, so I will give it to one of my Boys.
 
Leatherman... excellent company! My Wave and Tti Charge have never failed me all these years.
 
I like Leathermans in general over the rest, I don't like all Leatherman s equally I like the Supertool as my favorite, I liked the skeletool a lot too, till the jaw snapped right off while I was bending a stiff piece of 1/8" steel wire. Bent a half a dozen of them without a problem when it just broke like it was made of pot metal. I'm so disappointed, it was with all the nits for the driver one of my favorite Leatherman s now I have to send it in for warranty work. Luckily I have a Supertool and a Swisstool. Love the Swisstool and the only reason the Leatherman beats the Swisstool is because the Supertool has crimpers behind the pivot.

Anyone ever deal with Leatherman and their service dept? Any suggestions on how to approach this so I get the fastest turnaround time?
 
I suggest calling them or e-mailing through their website. I've sent two big loads of tools back at different times and the only question asked was "Are all these yours?"

Both times I e-mailed first, explaining that I had a bunch of tools that I had broken, mostly doing things I probably shouldn't have. I didn't expect warranty repair, the damages were my fault. I was asking if I could get them repaired for a fee. Both times the response was "They're covered. Send them in." It seems like it took a couple of weeks each time. Excellent service.
 
The best expression I ever heard regarding their warranty dept was "you could send them an old road-kill tabby, and they'll send back a kitten" email them, have good info inside the box, and you'll be looked after. For discontinued knives, they will send the current "equivalent" so if there is sentimental value, or if you'd want something else, let them know, and I'm sure they would work with you on it.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
Anyone ever deal with Leatherman and their service dept? Any suggestions on how to approach this so I get the fastest turnaround time?
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Their customer service is awesome. I’ve sent a couple of tools in and they replaced/repaired it quickly and without any fuss.
 
In 20+ years with a number of Leathermen, I have only had to use their warranty service three times, including my son's beat-up hard use PST II (almost everything he owns is hard use and beat up :rolleyes: .) All were fixed and back to me in less than two weeks each. On other occasions, I needed to consult with them on one thing or another, and they were always responsive and helpful. Great customer service.
 
I recently purchased a Leatherman Charge Ti and I am very pleased with it. It has a good feel in the hand like a real tool. I used the plier a few times, and I like the diamond file on the fine side of the file. The Charge has a S30 blade and all the tools lock open.
 
T. Erdelyi said:
I like Leathermans in general over the rest, I don't like all Leatherman s equally I like the Supertool as my favorite, I liked the skeletool a lot too, till the jaw snapped right off while I was bending a stiff piece of 1/8" steel wire. Bent a half a dozen of them without a problem when it just broke like it was made of pot metal. I'm so disappointed, it was with all the nits for the driver one of my favorite Leatherman s now I have to send it in for warranty work. Luckily I have a Supertool and a Swisstool. Love the Swisstool and the only reason the Leatherman beats the Swisstool is because the Supertool has crimpers behind the pivot.
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Several years ago I had both a Supertool and a Swisstool, liked each for different reasons, but didn't really need both. Eventually, I decided for the Supertool because the jaws opened wider and the screwdrivers were sharper cut. I tested that by driving a wood screw into hard wood until it wouldn't snug up any more, then applied the same size ST driver and turned the screw an additional 3/4. Also, the ST weighed less. It was my daily carry for the next 9 years.

Anyone ever deal with Leatherman and their service dept? Any suggestions on how to approach this so I get the fastest turnaround time?
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The best warranty service. If you need special attention, just give them a call and they will take care of you.
 
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