Any Leatherman Treads out there?

B

brj

Joined
May 18, 2005
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This looks like an interesting novelty, but too steep a price point (at least for me). Do any of you guys have had any first hand experience with using a Tread?
 
They are only offered in a few places right now, like Cabela's. I might get one one day, but not at those prices.
 
Definitely a novelty item. Its very cool, but I can see almost zero possibility of any real world use.
 
A few people have them on other forums and the reviews have not been great.

I already knew this would be the case. I just wish Leatherman would listen to customer feedback and make tools on these suggestions. Instead they waste time and money making crap no one wants and is ridiculously priced.

People beg for certain things as simple as making the Wave with the new pliers head which would be incredibly easy and cost them nothing, but instead ONE "higher up" at Leatherman cant take his Skeletool into Disneyland and they spend crazy amounts of time and money to make a tool-jewelry piece of junk.
 
I really hope the tread mk2 finds the niche they were looking for. I know they are getting heaps of feedback on what tools to add, or different configurations (I know because I sent a bunch!) Manufacturing wise, if the method they are using for this works well, it would lead to improvements in other areas of the tools, so that's good news. I am hoping that it finds enough of a market to keep going, not necessarily to keep the tread in production, but to keep them thinking outside the norms and innovating. In my old life, of corporate AV, I can see how this would have been really useful to me, especially if legal for flying, a good way to have some tools with that don't get left behind. either way, I'm getting more interested in where it will lead to, than where it is now.
 
I love gadgets and gear. I love my leatherman tools. I was actually excited when I first heard about it, but it reminds me of a James Bond accessory that was rejected. I honestly cant see myself paying those prices for one and actually taking it off my wrist to use to tighten a 1/4" nut or screw something in. Picture this on an airplane......" Hey does anyone have a screwdriver?" ---" Yeah man , I totally got this through tsa! You can use my 150 dollar bracelet to screw what ever you need!" Im sure the ergonomics are less than fantastic when using it as it was intended, plus I bet it is a tad un-comfortable when you use it and get a burr in the metal and put that puppy back on your wrist. The jewelry factor is there, functionality is probably not the greatest. This seems like the type of thing that will end up being produced for a short time and become collectible because I have a feeling not many are going to be sold.
 
Capt. Spaulding said:
but instead ONE "higher up" at Leatherman cant take his Skeletool into Disneyland and they spend crazy amounts of time and money to make a tool-jewelry piece of junk.
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I agree. The Tread is at the very top of my "don't ever buy" list. If Leatherman really wanted a Disney-friendly tool, a knifeless Rebar would have done the trick, and I would have actually ordered one of those.
 
powernoodle said:
I agree. The Tread is at the very top of my "don't ever buy" list. If Leatherman really wanted a Disney-friendly tool, a knifeless Rebar would have done the trick, and I would have actually ordered one of those.
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Although not strictly speaking at the top of my "don't ever buy" list, the Tread is solidly in that category. I can't explain exactly why I have such a strong reaction to it, but I feel insulted that Leatherman would offer such a stupid and expensive kludge on the expectation that the fanboys would dutifully plunk down their cash on this kind of foolishness. I'm not going to boycott Leatherman on account of what seems to be a cynical marketing move, but I hope they get spanked enough on this one to learn the lesson. In addition, whoever in LT management okayed the Tread should be required to wear one every day so that others of their ilk can be warned against having too much contempt for the customers.
 
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znapschatz said:
Although not strictly speaking at the top of my "never buy" list, the Tread is solidly in that category. I can't explain exactly why I have such a strong reaction to it, but I feel insulted that Leatherman would offer such a stupid and expensive kludge on the expectation that the fanboys would dutifully plunk down their cash on this kind of foolishness. I'm not going to boycott Leatherman on account of what seems to be a cynical marketing move, but I hope they get spanked enough on this one to learn the lesson. In addition, whoever in LT management okayed the Tread should be required to wear one every day so that others of their ilk can be warned against having too much contempt for the customers.
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You would think they would of already learned their lesson with the Skeletool SX, Juice SX, and Rev, but no they like to disappoint and not listen to their customers.
 
I have one and I love it I have had it for around 3 to 4 weeks and I wear it everywhere the only time I take it off is bed and shower.. wear very well.. and I like the looks I had to take a link and 1/2 out to fit but it fits very well after that. I have used it a couple time and has done great..
 
No experience using one; I would definitely assess this as a novelty item. Looks like it could get caught on all kinds of stuff. I saw no mention of breakaway functionality on the Leatherman web site.
 
Seems kinda pointless to me. They already had "travel friendly" multi tools. So, why make an awkward overpriced version?
 
It's going to be a niche market for sure. I don't see them as particularly pointless, exactly. I look at them as a fashion for the very small group of high end over-preppers. Not someone who can tie a Windsor knot but can't figure out "righty-tightie". Think more along the lines of a white collar MacGyver. The kind of guy that does carry a multitool but maybe not on his hip at the office.

I'm not saying that it makes the Tread particularly useful or marketable, but it's the high end back up for the guy with means to drop $200 on a piece of jewelry. I mean, I'm not a jewelry guy, but if my wife was going to buy me some gaudy gold bracelet, I would tell her that I would rather have something that was at least somewhat useful.

I'd buy one for $70-80 just because I like gadgets and back ups, but for what the going rate is probably going to be (north of $100 by a good bit), I think I'll pass. I have a Piranha for travel carry. Opens bottles, uses 1/4 bits, and can pry and scrape. Good enough, flat enough to carry and only about $20.
 
I wonder if Victorinox would ever offer something like a Tinker without knife blades. That would be TSA legal I'd bet and in another thread I came across a couple of guys who carry a second knife because the Vic blades metal aren't up to all day work. I know Vic offers a classic style w/o blades.
 
Love it, but can't get my wife on board to like it for me to wear it all the time. She doesn't care about all my multi tools becauses she can't see them. Maybe if she sees one in person.?
 
TRUE LIBERTY said:
Love it, but can't get my wife on board to like it for me to wear it all the time. She doesn't care about all my multi tools becauses she can't see them. Maybe if she sees one in person.?
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I don't like them either, I would never wear one. But why are you letting your wife decide what you wear?
 
Reznik572 said:
I don't like them either, I would never wear one. But why are you letting your wife decide what you wear?
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Been married almost 11 years and have learned a happy marriage sometimes means compromises on some things. Its worth it for the happiest 11 years of my life and to continue it. God knows she probably does for me.
 
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