"Breaking-in" my multi tools

Pygmalion

Pygmalion

Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
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I recently purchased a Leatherman Charge TTi (actually, it's Cabela's Seclusion 3D, which is made by Leatherman for Cabela's), and like most new multi tools, it is a little stiff.
I have been opening and closing it while sitting around, and it has loosened up a little bit. Am I going about loosening the tool up correctly, by opening and closing it, or is there a trick to it that I don't know about?
Also, is there a general consensus as to the best lubricant for multi tools?
Any help is appreciated.
 
I usually don't go through any extra steps to break them in, I just use them and let that take care of itself.

Rem-oil or Tuf-Glide are both good lubricants. Break Free CLP is good also :thumbup:
 
Whatever you use, just stay away from any oil-based products as they will attract dirt and lint and other nasty things. Stick with the "dry" lubes such as Tuf-Glide like the previous poster mentioned.
 
I work the tool by opening and closing with the WD-40 on it, wipe the excess and put away, along with some use this works for me. I just bought a new ST300 and Man was it stiff but after some work it is alot better.


RickJ
 
Pygmalion said:
I recently purchased a Leatherman Charge TTi (actually, it's Cabela's Seclusion 3D, which is made by Leatherman for Cabela's), and like most new multi tools, it is a little stiff.
I have been opening and closing it while sitting around, and it has loosened up a little bit. Am I going about loosening the tool up correctly, by opening and closing it, or is there a trick to it that I don't know about?
Also, is there a general consensus as to the best lubricant for multi tools?
Any help is appreciated.
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yup that's what many do! some are tighter than others but most usually "wear-in" eventually ;)

I've heard/read people use and try every kind of lub, the best I've heard is just keeping it clean and it'll last a long time, I personally stay away from oil based lubes :)
 
I also just use my new multitools. In the beginning some parts are a bit hard to open, but after using them for a while, they will be easy to open and close.
 
Automotive spray silicone!!!! great stuff. nothing sticks to it. nothing washes it off.:thumbup:
 
The best thing to use is a dry film lube. I use Tuf Glide personally but any dry film lube will work:)
 
RickJ said:
I work the tool by opening and closing with the WD-40 on it, wipe the excess and put away, along with some use this works for me. I just bought a new ST300 and Man was it stiff but after some work it is alot better.


RickJ
Click to expand...

I just ordered a ST300 yesterday. I can't wait to get it in my mitts.

No offense intended, but IMO WD40 is the wrong juice to lube with. It's a water displacer (hence WD), and NOT a lubricant. Furthermore, it will eventually turn into a gummy varnish. Either a dry lube, or a CLP (if you clean out the dust and dirt occasionally) are much better I think.
 
I use WD-40 for the reason, I get water in all the little spaces and WD-40 does great to get that water out and it does have some lube value too!


RickJ
 
52100 said:
No offense intended, but IMO WD40 is the wrong juice to lube with. It's a water displacer (hence WD), and NOT a lubricant. Furthermore, it will eventually turn into a gummy varnish. Either a dry lube, or a CLP (if you clean out the dust and dirt occasionally) are much better I think.
Click to expand...

Although this has been noted by many sources over the years, Leatherman still recommends WD 40 for cleaning and lube in their maintenance guide. On one occasion I was specifically advised by Leatherman CS to work a stubborn pivot with WD 40 (had to go back for warranty service, anyway.)

For decades I have been using WD 40 as a cleaner, light lubricant and rust preventer on my multitools, knives and other gear with absolutely no sign of gummy varnish or any other nasties resulting. Maybe I have just been lucky or the negative side effects of WD 40 have been exaggerated. Surely the noted objections have come to their attention by now, so I have to wonder why Leatherman persists in recommending the stuff.
 
znapschatz said:
Although this has been noted by many sources over the years, Leatherman still recommends WD 40 for cleaning and lube in their maintenance guide. On one occasion I was specifically advised by Leatherman CS to work a stubborn pivot with WD 40 (had to go back for warranty service, anyway.)

For decades I have been using WD 40 as a cleaner, light lubricant and rust preventer on my multitools, knives and other gear with absolutely no sign of gummy varnish or any other nasties resulting. Maybe I have just been lucky or the negative side effects of WD 40 have been exaggerated. Surely the noted objections have come to their attention by now, so I have to wonder why Leatherman persists in recommending the stuff.
Click to expand...



I have been using WD-40 on my tools for years both Multi and Regular tools with no rust or any gumming issues. I use CLP on my weapons.


RickJ
 
I uses carb cleaner. Not really a lubricant but it cleans things out well enough, doesn't seem to attract dirt or pocket lint. That combined with pencil graphite on the pivots has always work for me.
 
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