Leatherman Squirt/Style "snap" issue

[Guy McVer]

Some Squirts or Styles make this annoying loud "snap" noise when folding up the pliers. You can also feel the physical impact of the snap in your hands. This also affects some of the now discontinued scissors-based models of these tools.

I have not been able to completely understand why this snapping happens. All I know for sure is that it is related to the teardrop shaped pieces on the plier arms that connect the pliers to the spring bars in the handles.

On the Style you are able to adjust the pivot screws with a couple of T6 bits. Combined with a little lube, this is usually enough to fix the problem. If it doesn't 100% fix it right away, I have noticed that it does seem to gradually work itself out over time with use.

The Squirt uses rivets instead of screws, and so the pivots aren't adjustable. Oil by itself doesn't really fix the snap problem.

This has bothered me for a long time. I am posting this topic in the hope that someone else knows more about this issue, or that maybe we can put our heads together and figure it out.


edit: If you want to skip straight to a solution, then you can scroll down to post #13 for some steps to possible fixes depending on whether you have a Style or a Squirt.

 

[StuntDouble]

I'm not sure I completely understand the complaint here. When I fold my Squirt up, there's not that much snap. Certainly not enough to be annoying.

Can you post a video of what you're talking about, because I'm not getting what the issue is.

 

[Guy McVer]

I'm not sure I completely understand the complaint here. When I fold my Squirt up, there's not that much snap. Certainly not enough to be annoying.

Can you post a video of what you're talking about, because I'm not getting what the issue is.

No, sorry.

If you don't know, then you don't know.

If you've ever experienced it, then you'd know exactly what I'm talking about. There's this loud crack-snap halfway between when you start to fold up the pliers and when the spring tension takes over and closes them up the rest of the way. It almost feels like you've just broken the pliers. It feels very wrong. It's not something that you would easily fail to notice. Sometimes it's only on one side, sometimes on both. It varies from tool to tool. Some Styles/Squirts are more severe, some less.

 

[StuntDouble]

I mean, unless you want to remove the springs, I'm not sure there's much you can do about it. Seems to me it's a good thing because it means the springs are still working.

 

[Guy McVer]

I mean, unless you want to remove the springs, I'm not sure there's much you can do about it. Seems to me it's a good thing because it means the springs are still working.

It's not supposed to happen. The pliers should fold up smoothly. That's what they normally do. It's only some Styles/Squirts that have this issue. With the Style, you can actually fix it with a couple of T6 bits and a little oil because the Style uses barrel pivots which can be adjusted or removed and reassembled. With the Squirt, it's not so easy because the pivots are riveted, so obviously they can't be adjusted or removed without grinding the rivets off and replacing the pivots.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Some Squirts or Styles make this annoying loud "snap" noise when folding up the pliers. You can also feel the physical impact of the snap in your hands. This also affects some of the now discontinued scissors-based models of these tools.

I have not been able to completely understand why this snapping happens. All I know for sure is that it is related to the teardrop shaped pieces on the plier arms that connect the pliers to the spring bars in the handles.

On the Style you are able to adjust the pivot screws with a couple of T6 bits. Combined with a little lube, this is usually enough to fix the problem. If it doesn't 100% fix it right away, I have noticed that it does seem to gradually work itself out over time with use.

The Squirt uses rivets instead of screws, and so the pivots aren't adjustable. Oil by itself doesn't really fix the snap problem.

This has bothered me for a long time. I am posting this topic in the hope that someone else knows more about this issue, or that maybe we can put our heads together and figure it out.

I know what you're talking about, my squirt started to do that at some point.
I cleaned & oiled the pivot points and springs the best I could and that resolved the issue.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I mean, unless you want to remove the springs, I'm not sure there's much you can do about it. Seems to me it's a good thing because it means the springs are still working.

Basically the sound is like something is breaking at a certain point.
Mine didn't originally do it but started to, a good cleaning and oiling resolved the issue for me.

 

[Guy McVer]

I know what you're talking about, my squirt started to do that at some point.
I cleaned & oiled the pivot points and springs the best I could and that resolved the issue.

How did you clean yours? For the last one I had with this issue, I gave it a nearly 2 hour hot water + dish soap bath, periodically working the pliers and tools open and closed while submerged. I also refreshed the water twice during that time. I then thoroughly rinsed it in hot water, dried it by hand, then further air dried it, and finally applied some oil.

It did not fix the issue. On the bright side, it's very clean now.

 

[Hickory n steel]

How did you clean yours? For the last one I had with this issue, I gave it a nearly 2 hour hot water + dish soap bath, periodically working the pliers and tools open and closed while submerged. I also refreshed the water twice during that time. I then thoroughly rinsed it in hot water, dried it by hand, then further air dried it, and finally applied some oil.

It did not fix the issue. On the bright side, it's very clean now.

Just a toothpick cotton swabs and compressed air.
Theres some grit that got between the springs and plier tangs.

If all else fails you could probably buy a cheap ultrasonic cleaner and try that.

 

[Guy McVer]

If all else fails you could probably buy a cheap ultrasonic cleaner and try that.

I don't think that would be much help. I'm guessing that in this case, it probably came this way from the factory. I bet it needs a pivot adjustment, which has proven to fix this issue with the Style. As I'm sure you are aware, the Style uses the exact same parts for the pliers and spring bars that are used in the Squirt.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I don't think that would be much help. I'm guessing that in this case, it probably came this way from the factory. I bet it needs a pivot adjustment, which has proven to fix this issue with the Style. As I'm sure you are aware, the Style uses the exact same parts for the pliers and spring bars that are used in the Squirt.

I was not aware because the Style is not a model I've ever been remotely interested in, but I guess I know now though.

 

[Guy McVer]

An additional note to anyone else who may have this problem; if you fold up only only one handle, and you hold the pliers tucked into that handle with your fingers so that the pliers and the handle are locked together, then the other handle can be folded and unfolded without the snap issue happening.

I don't know why it works like that.

I was not aware because the Style is not a model I've ever been remotely interested in, but I guess I know now though.

Fun facts:

The scissors on the Style PS are also the exact same scissors used in the Squirt PS4.

Any of the other tools from the PS4 will also fit in the scissor slot of a Style PS, and they will function normally there without requiring any modifications.

Early versions of the knife blade on the Style CS had the nail knick in a different position, with two holes in the blade which were added for cosmetic purposes. The CS was later changed to use the same knife blade from the Squirt instead. Supposedly it was done to reduce the manufacturing cost.

 

[Guy McVer]

I cleaned & oiled the pivot points and springs the best I could and that resolved the issue.

Theres some grit that got between the springs and plier tangs.

It turns out that you were on the right track here, and I was wrong. I thought the tool was clean, but nope! It wasn't!

Off and on, I spent probably around 3 cumulative hours today just working the pliers open and shut. I would stop every once in a while to either add a small bit of oil to a few key areas around the pivots, or more frequently to wipe away the dirty excess from around the exterior with a paper tissue. The strategy was to simply flush and force out any remaining dirt/grit or corrosion. With persistence, it finally worked.


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So for anyone else experiencing this issue, here are the possible fixes:

For Style PS or CS

Try adjusting the pivots with a couple of T6 drivers/bits, and apply oil. This will probably be enough to stop the snapping.

If it's not enough to fix it, then disassemble the pivots and clean all the parts, and then reassemble the Style. Reapply oil. Keep tweaking the pivots until you have the right amount of sturdiness (no wiggle) and the tools can all fully close under their own spring tension. Once you have this adjusted properly, there should be no more crack-snap issue happening.

For Squirt P4 / S4 / ES4 / PS4

Submerge the multitool in hot water mixed with dish soap. Let it sit.

Periodically work the pliers and tools open and closed while the tool is still submerged.

Change the water when it becomes too dirty or when it gets cold.

Keep repeating this process until you stop getting dirt and grit coming out.

Soak and then rinse in hot water. The hot water will evaporate easily, making the drying process go faster.

Hand dry. Then air dry.

Apply oil immediately.

At this point if the crack-snapping has not resolved, simply continue working the pliers open and shut. As you do this, the oil should work its way in and then back out, carrying any remaining dirt/grit with it. Try to occaisionally put pressure on the spring bars with your thumbs as you are closing the pliers, as this might help to scrape off stubborn grit.

Stop periodically to wipe away any dirty oil. Make sure to open the tools around the plier pivots to also check them for dirty oil, and wipe it away. Apply more oil as needed, and continue working the pliers open and shut.

Eventually... hopefully... this will resolve the issue for you as it did for me. Good luck.

edit: Of course it's been pointed out that you may be able to save yourself a lot of time if you have access to an air compressor.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Compressed air is going to make things so much easier here, way less time consuming than sitting there working the tool back and forth.

 

[Guy McVer]

Compressed air is going to make things so much easier here, way less time consuming than sitting there working the tool back and forth.

I got rid of my air compressor a couple of years ago, though sometimes I wish I had not.

Not everyone has an air compressor, or has access to one whenever they'd like. Dish soap and oil are two things that everybody has already, and they're both easy to get if you should happen to run out.

 

[Hickory n steel]

I got rid of my air compressor a couple of years ago, though sometimes I wish I had not.

Not everyone has an air compressor, or has access to one whenever they'd like. Dish soap and oil are two things that everybody has already, and they're both easy to get if you should happen to run out.

Sure, but you can always get a can of compressed air if needed.

I've even gotten by using a ball needle on a bike pump, though it's awkward and not quite as powerful.

 

[Guy McVer]

Sure, but you can always get a can of compressed air if needed.

Like the kind used for cleaning dust from electronics?

I've even gotten by using a ball needle on a bike pump, though it's awkward and not quite as powerful.

Huh.

I doubt either of those would be very effective for this specific task, but more power to you if they'll really work.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Like the kind used for cleaning dust from electronics?

Huh.

I doubt either of those would be very effective for this specific task, but more power to you if they'll really work.

Yes, a can of computer duster.
They do have decent power, and are good enough for this kind of thing.

To be clear, you've gotta flush the tool but then you'll just use air pressure to finish the job instead of spending so much time working the ingress out through repeated operation of the tool.

 

[Lee D]

Wanna REALLY flush a knife or tool? Go to the car wash, pump some quarters in, and hold on to your tool or knife tight. lol