Leatherman Blast: Weak Link in an Otherwise Great Survival Tool

R

Return of the J.D.

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Nov 29, 2005
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Since this is where I usually hang out on BladeForums, and since I've long realized that Leatherman tools and similar gadgets are among the most supremely-useful survival gear, I thought I'd post here (instead of just on the Multi-Tools subforum) about some things I've learned about the Leatherman Blast.

I love the Blast, due to a few considerations: (1) relatively low price; (2) it has the saw and scissors blades, which in practice are the non-blade blades that I end up using most; (3) the eyeglasses screwdriver is virtually indispensable if you need to repair glasses--so, even if you don't need it often, when you need it, you REALLY are glad it's there.

I recently got a secondhand Blast with the lock missing--lower price from an individual seller because of this fault--and, on examining it, I realized two interesting things:

1. The way the Blast is designed, the lock is held on ONLY by one thin metal rod, the one that the locking device pivots on. That rod is about 2 millimeters wide. If, for any reason, that rod is snapped out of one side or the other of the handle, it seems to me likely that the rod and lock will come loose from the tool altogether.

2. If the lock comes off, not only do the blades not lock in place, but they also have nothing to stop them in position parallel to the handle when you fold them out. The blades on the side where the lock is missing just flop backward and forward. So, using it would not be like using a non-lock-bladed pocketknife (where the blade rotates back 180 degrees from the closed position and then stops), but very different (since the blade can now rotate far more than 180 degrees back from closed position).

In short, the whole Blast design is such that it's got a weak link in that 2mm steel post that holds on the lock.

No problem, by the way--I contacted Leatherman, they said it'd be a warranty fix (even though I wasn't the first owner--they said the warranty was 25 years regardless of original owner, and I don't think Blasts have been around that long), and so I sent it in, and they either repaired or replaced the tool. (I couldn't tell which--the original was basically in new condition, but for the missing lock and lock-pivot.) So, good news on the warranty department--but be advised about the "weak link" design-wise.

Anyone else have this problem? And do any of the other Leatherman tools have this same locking system (and thus the same weakness)?

Me, I'm going to continue carrying a Blast--but I will do so with an added awareness of this potential weakness, and I'd be less inclined than before to use it very hard, especially in a survival situation in which it might well be my only bladed tool.
 
Broke a Fuse in that exact manner just over a year ago. It was actually an incident that, along with other reasons, got me started looking for good, solid pocket knives. I have yet to send it in for warranty, but will get around to it eventually.
 
RB, I'd go ahead and send it in; hey, it's not much money (just the cost of postage, which is likely about $7, I'd wildly guess, from your location), and they're fairly quick.

It's making me think that the Wave model may really be a much better investment for wilderness/survival purposes; that one does not have the same kind of locks, but uses liner locks--which may fail, but at least the kind of failure just means the blade won't lock open, rather than that the blade won't stay in place at all.
 
Return of the J.D. said:
RB, I'd go ahead and send it in; hey, it's not much money (just the cost of postage, which is likely about $7, I'd wildly guess, from your location), and they're fairly quick.
Click to expand...

It would be done by now if I weren't so forgetful and lazy. I have a Spyderco that needs warranty work done on it as well, and it's been sitting for a week or two as well. If I think of it, they'll both get sent sometime in the next couple weeks. Really like my mini-Manix, having it out of commission is a real pain. That ought to motivate me.
 
Yup, the Leatherman Wave I have has same little rod. I have never had a single worry that it would fail. I have both an original wave and the newer one, and have owned many other Leatherman tools over the years- I trust them fully.
 
I'm in the multitool.org forum and I don't really hear about Leathermans failing much, (not like Gerbers!). I'm looking at mine and I see what your talking about.

Your right about the size but it's not that small a pin (it could be smaller!) and if good/treated steel is used I think it will last, Leatherman does use good stuff.

The stress put on the pins is mainly from releasing the tool to close, not a lot or not often, but a good observation, I wouldn't want any tool to be my only tool I have in any situation, "Backups!"

I look at my other MTs and they all have small/thin pins and or clips or something that looks delicate.
A good way for me to tell if it is good/can take it or not is their history and Leatherman has a good history.

What bothers me more about that line of Leathermans is the plastic parts. over time they will be a problem.
 
I've read of a couple reports of various Leatherman failures lately- doesn't seem to be widespread, but it still happens. I'm still happy with my PST, though, so I don't sweat it too much. :D

JR
 
I love the Leatherman Blast, mind you--I'm just giving some more thought to that particular attribute.

I had a look at a new-model Wave last night, and it DID have the little rods holding the locks on. I looked at an old-model Wave, and it didn't. So it may be that the old Wave may be a bit more reliable than the new version (as well as the Blast, and any others that use the pin system.)

Again, I think it's unlikely that the pin would give way--but now that I know that the lock has much more of a purpose than just locking the blades, but is almost essential to keep them usable in the ordinary manner, I'm going to be that much more careful about what kind of force I apply.

Dantor, you say that you don't hear much about Leatherman failures, in contrast to Gerbers. Do you hear a lot more about Gerber failures? Like what? And how often? How do they fail, when they do?
 
let's just say they (our friend Gerber) has a nice long thread going now (over there); "Gerber are Cra..!"

but I must add Gerber has really good customer service and they take care of you, (reminds me of the line outside the Ford Dealership in the mornings and new cars waiting to get in for repairs).
 
I broke a original Leatherman Multi-Tool, snapped the pliers off at the joint. I think it was all the hardwire I was cutting and I got a bad unit metal wise.

Packed off the unit to Leatherman headquarters and expected a letter from them telling me to get stuffed.

Well imagine my surprise when the unit was returned in better shape than when I bought it. They had upgraded all the tools and the pliers with new versions (pliers now had a hardwire cutter in them). Even sharpened the blade and polished/cleaned the whole Multi-Tool.

Still got that tool and respect for the company :D
 
Return of the J.D. said:
I had a look at a new-model Wave last night, and it DID have the little rods holding the locks on. I looked at an old-model Wave, and it didn't.
Click to expand...

That's because the older Wave didn't lock the internal tools, only the outside ones via a liner lock.

I have a PST II from ages ago and while I still like it, the constant closing of the tools (usually the phillips) aggravated me to the point of getting a Blast. (couldn't find a Fuse)

I'd much rather deal with the miniscule chance of breaking that rod than the 99% chance of a tool closing on me.

.
 
I got to admit I like the old heavy "super-tool" the best..it was a lot simpler in design and fewer parts means less failures. I broke the tip on one side of the pliers and just ground the other side to match. its stilll on my outdoor rig..I would'nt trade for it. Wish I could find another one. My wave goes to work every day and while I like the ability to get to the blade with one hand I dont have the confidence in it like my old "Super".
 
I've put my blast and wave though alot of crap, alot of various small car repairs. I would normally take the wave, but the blast being lighter is the reason it comes with me. I want to look into the smaller juice models (S2 or CS4)
 
I've had one leatherman and the pliers broke the first time using, not abusing them. I took it to their offices and they replaced it, no questions asked. I promptly gave it to my ex wife and bought a Sog powerlock. I've had no problems with it. Don't know if the ex can say the same.
 
The lock on my swisstool failed. I was doing some very light batoning through a very thin pine board to make kindling and the blade was halfway shut. Cursing at myself for being so stupid, I checked out the tool and to my surprise, when I pushed the blade back open, it got locked into place just as it had before. I'm still using that swisstool BTW.
 
All things have their weaknesses. I have an old SuperTool that rides backup to my newer models. I try my best to not rely on just one tool. Thanks for the heads up.
 
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