Leatherman Wave--wobble?

F

Flashman

Joined
Jun 6, 1999
Messages
19
I just purchased a new Wave last week and when playing with it tonight I noticed in the closed position there is a little play in the handles. When slightly opened it becomes rigid and is also without play when the pliers are fully extended. Is this normal? This became evident when the knife was extended, the handles closed, and I noticed the handles moved when the handles were squeezed.
 
I have the same play in mine. I've had mine for about six or so months and haven't had any problems with it. It sees some pretty heavy use.
I don't think it's anything to worry about.
Jeff
 
Jeff is right. This has been brought up before and the company said that this will not affect the overall usefulness of the knife and it doesn't so don't worry about it. It is a great tool and will withstand some pretty hard use (not abuse
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~Greg Mete~
Kodiak Alaska
 
Every Wave I have seen either has it or develops it. I was concerned at first, but it doesn't appear to affect performance.

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Dennis Bible
 
Mine has it. Had it since it came out. Has always been this way. Never affected its usefulness though.

The thing to watch out for is that since the handle is heavy, if you do not have a firm grip on it, it will want to slide "through" you hand, so to speak. Not a good thing when the knife is out. Trust me, I learned the hard way.

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Clay Fleischer
clay_fleischer@yahoo.com
AKTI Member A000847
 
I am not sure if I completely understand your description.

My Wave had vertical and lateral wobbling in the blade when it was opened.

I wrote a letter and returned it to Leatherman.

Within two weeks I had a brand new one that did not have this problem.

If you are not happy with it, Leatherman is one great company that stands behind their products.

Matt
 
Matt, I think they were talking about play in the handles. My Wave has play as well, more so when the handles are closed and I'm using one of the screwdrivers, or when I'm opening either of the blades. But both of the blades lock up tight, especially the sheepfoot.

Guess you just have to live with the play, it doesn't seem to affect performance.
smile.gif


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You could put nacho cheese sauce on it...
 
I have my first wave last month
No play in handles, but after using/practising the one-hand opening technique (i.e. continuous open/close for some times) wobbling handles came in. Looks terribly unpleasant. All tension on blades soften and misalighment happens even in open (plier) position.

In engineering design point of view, the four locking tools shouldn't be put at the pivot areas for pliers. Another way to solve is to fixed the position of plier into the handles to stop the handles moving about.

I have returned my wave for a new one, now I just use two-hands opening, and no more handles play/wobble
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Andy
 
My Wave also wobbles just a tad when closed but is solid when open. Never bothered me though. I've carried it every day for almost a year now though with no problems whatsoever.
 
My Wave has play when closed and operating the liner lock blades. I have trouble opening them one-handed anyway, so only use two hands now to open them.

Also, the pliers joint on my Wave is loose...no play, just when using pliers they fall open because the joint isn't tight like my other Leathermans. It bothered me a lot at first, but in fact I find myself carrying my PST II everyday due to its slimness to throw into my fanny pack.
Jim
 
My wave does it. It doesn't really bother me. If it gets worse, i'll think about returning it.

btw, how do you guys do a one handed opening? mine seems to be WAAAAY too tight to allow it.

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The beast we are, lest the beast we become.
 
I guess the Waves vary from one to the next. My handles also have play in the closed position. However, like James mine are way to tight to open one handed.

-Johnny
 
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