powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,951
Note: after posting my initial thoughts about the Wingman in this thread, I determined that the Wingman is not something I would recommend. I edited this post after brothers Skyhorse and Wharn made their posts.
I received a Wingman yesterday from a well-known online retailer. Home Depot has 23 per store, but they aren't on the shelves yet.
The Wingman, which retails in the $29.95 - $34.95 range, is definitely a step down the food chain from its more expensive siblings. The thumb pad for the scissors, for example, is tiny and not comfy. I would go so far as to say its poorly designed. And the rolled edges of the handles just seem a little cheapish. The wire cutters do not overlap slightly to provide a cutting action as with other MTs. On the Wingman, the wire "cutting" surface - actually more of a crushing surface - is not machined and simply butts up against each other when closed. It has a 2-dimensional phillips like the Wave (though not removable like that of the Wave), but I knew this going in. 3D is always preferable. Has a pocket clip, but no sheath. The clip is good, and may be removable, though it hard to tell. With the clip removed, that pivot/torx may be too long.
Upon using the Wingman, it became apparent that the lock on the scissor would disengage spontaneously, which rendered the scissor inoperable because the scissor spring tension is dependent on the lock engagement. Additionally, the scissor can be very difficult to deploy as there is no nail nick or other means of extracting it. If it resides too far down in the body of the MT, there is no easy way to get it out. Honestly, this design and implementation is like a Chinese piece of cr@p. When using the scissor, its very easy to push the thumb pad down past the opposite scissor arm, which it clearly is not intended to do. This is due to the tiny, curved profile of the thumb pad and the play in the scissor pivot.
Teeny thumb pad on scissor.
Now, I understand why the Wingman is the way it is - more labor means more cost. Even the Leatherman stamp is missing from the plier pivot.
I love the spring loaded plier. Every MT should have that. The blade and scissor each lock, but the drivers, file, clam shell opener and can opener do not.
But overall, I would advise against purchasing a Wingman because of its design and assembly issues - at least on my Wingman. Poor thumb pad on the scissor that hurt the thumb. Crappy lock which won't stay engaged and makes the scissor unusable. A wire cutter which, while it may function, does not incorporate the design of the PS4, Wave and other models with cutters that have a machined cutting surface.
The Leatherman Rebar, which has not been released, is on some websites (not in stock) for $49.95. Its basically going to be a 2/3 size version of the excellent Supertool 300. If the Rebar is anything like the ST300 in terms of construction, which it almost surely is, its going to be a much better MT for not much more coinage. Vastly, immeasurably better. Just something to consider.
As the owner of probably 20 Leatherman multitools, this is the first that has not hit the mark. Leatherman gets credit for exploring the low end of the multitool market. They just missed the mark on this one. Better to save up a little more and get a Juice or Wave, or hold out for the Rebar. Used PST and PST II's can be found on ebay, with a decent leather sheath, for about the same money as the Wingman.
I take no joy in dissing this one, but it is what it is.
I received a Wingman yesterday from a well-known online retailer. Home Depot has 23 per store, but they aren't on the shelves yet.
The Wingman, which retails in the $29.95 - $34.95 range, is definitely a step down the food chain from its more expensive siblings. The thumb pad for the scissors, for example, is tiny and not comfy. I would go so far as to say its poorly designed. And the rolled edges of the handles just seem a little cheapish. The wire cutters do not overlap slightly to provide a cutting action as with other MTs. On the Wingman, the wire "cutting" surface - actually more of a crushing surface - is not machined and simply butts up against each other when closed. It has a 2-dimensional phillips like the Wave (though not removable like that of the Wave), but I knew this going in. 3D is always preferable. Has a pocket clip, but no sheath. The clip is good, and may be removable, though it hard to tell. With the clip removed, that pivot/torx may be too long.
Upon using the Wingman, it became apparent that the lock on the scissor would disengage spontaneously, which rendered the scissor inoperable because the scissor spring tension is dependent on the lock engagement. Additionally, the scissor can be very difficult to deploy as there is no nail nick or other means of extracting it. If it resides too far down in the body of the MT, there is no easy way to get it out. Honestly, this design and implementation is like a Chinese piece of cr@p. When using the scissor, its very easy to push the thumb pad down past the opposite scissor arm, which it clearly is not intended to do. This is due to the tiny, curved profile of the thumb pad and the play in the scissor pivot.
Teeny thumb pad on scissor.
Now, I understand why the Wingman is the way it is - more labor means more cost. Even the Leatherman stamp is missing from the plier pivot.
I love the spring loaded plier. Every MT should have that. The blade and scissor each lock, but the drivers, file, clam shell opener and can opener do not.
But overall, I would advise against purchasing a Wingman because of its design and assembly issues - at least on my Wingman. Poor thumb pad on the scissor that hurt the thumb. Crappy lock which won't stay engaged and makes the scissor unusable. A wire cutter which, while it may function, does not incorporate the design of the PS4, Wave and other models with cutters that have a machined cutting surface.
The Leatherman Rebar, which has not been released, is on some websites (not in stock) for $49.95. Its basically going to be a 2/3 size version of the excellent Supertool 300. If the Rebar is anything like the ST300 in terms of construction, which it almost surely is, its going to be a much better MT for not much more coinage. Vastly, immeasurably better. Just something to consider.
As the owner of probably 20 Leatherman multitools, this is the first that has not hit the mark. Leatherman gets credit for exploring the low end of the multitool market. They just missed the mark on this one. Better to save up a little more and get a Juice or Wave, or hold out for the Rebar. Used PST and PST II's can be found on ebay, with a decent leather sheath, for about the same money as the Wingman.
I take no joy in dissing this one, but it is what it is.
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