Multi tool recomendation

[Dopic1]

Ok guys I came back to do a review on the Leatherman Rebar with the black oxide finish. I received this over the weekend, unpackaged it and right away noticed some things I didn't care for. First it took what I believe a lot more effort to open it then I would have thought. So I figured it was tight from the factory and needed to be worked or broken in. So I worked all the accessories for a few hours and ended up pinching myself several times, cut myself trying to get the serrated blade out and after 2 hours finally gave up. To close all accessories back to a carry position especially the pliers wasn't easy and not to mention my hands were black as coal from the oxide wearing off.

I don't believe this to be reflective of all Leatherman products since they have a great reputation and have received many positive reviews here and other forums as well. I think this one may have been overlooked in quality control. Never the less it's going back and I'll look for something else. The VIC Sprit should be here today I post my thoughts on that once I have a chance to test it.

 

[raistlin65]

It's common for the black oxide to come off at first.

Sometimes they are a bit tight, and a little penetrating oil and working with them does loosen them up. Also, wiping the tool down with penetrating oil would remove the loose black oxide.

 

[Dopic1]

It's common for the black oxide to come off at first.

Sometimes they are a bit tight, and a little penetrating oil and working with them does loosen them up. Also, wiping the tool down with penetrating oil would remove the loose black oxide.

I understand about the oxide coming off and maybe shouldn't have mentioned it since it was really not a problem or an issue. The real issue was that the tool was so tight I had trouble closing and opening it, I'm 6' 2" 245lbs and shouldn't have to struggle that much to close and open it. I think oiling it would have helped, but the fit and finish was not there. I'm not whining but I thought for that $$ it should have a little better craftsmanship.

 

[gadgetgeek]

simple truth is that costs go up, so to keep the costs comparable, the fit and finish have com down. I would have been quite happy to pay 100$ bucks to buy a new Pulse, but it got bumped for the blast, then the rebar to keep a tool in that 50$ range. I wish it wasn't so, but there you go.
I suspect the coating has something to do with the tension in the tool, the tolerances on a leatherman are still quite tight. That being said, there is always the chance for a lemon.

 

[Dopic1]

simple truth is that costs go up, so to keep the costs comparable, the fit and finish have com down. I would have been quite happy to pay 100$ bucks to buy a new Pulse, but it got bumped for the blast, then the rebar to keep a tool in that 50$ range. I wish it wasn't so, but there you go.
I suspect the coating has something to do with the tension in the tool, the tolerances on a leatherman are still quite tight. That being said, there is always the chance for a lemon.

I understand about the manufacturing cost going up and would be willing to pay more to get a decent product, I just wish they wouldn't sacrifice fit and finish. Thought about the oxide having something to do with the tension just think this one was a lemon. I do hear and read a lot of good things about the Leatherman products maybe I'll give them another try.

 

[raistlin65]

I understand about the manufacturing cost going up and would be willing to pay more to get a decent product, I just wish they wouldn't sacrifice fit and finish. Thought about the oxide having something to do with the tension just think this one was a lemon. I do hear and read a lot of good things about the Leatherman products maybe I'll give them another try.

Could be that one was a bit overly stiff. I have a few leathermans. Sometimes they are a bit stiff to start out, but then loosen up through some use with a little oil, too. That seems to be pretty standard from what I have read.

 

[znapschatz]

I understand about the oxide coming off and maybe shouldn't have mentioned it since it was really not a problem or an issue. The real issue was that the tool was so tight I had trouble closing and opening it, I'm 6' 2" 245lbs and shouldn't have to struggle that much to close and open it. I think oiling it would have helped, but the fit and finish was not there. I'm not whining but I thought for that $$ it should have a little better craftsmanship.

Could be that one was a bit overly stiff. I have a few leathermans. Sometimes they are a bit stiff to start out, but then loosen up through some use with a little oil, too. That seems to be pretty standard from what I have read.

Right now my EDC multi-tool rotation includes six Leatherman tools bought new in different size categories, about the same number of others have come and gone, and every single one was stiff working at the start, some more or less than the rest, but all eventually mellowing into just about right. So far (19 years!), I have had very good luck with Leatherman products, but from what I can gather on this forum, that isn't always the case for others. It is possible the blackening process causes problems, but Leatherman should certainly know how to compensate if that's it. Since I'm not engaged in any activity that would require that kind of finish, I don't buy BO gear and don't have any direct experience of it. If by now you are still having problems, give Leatherman Warranty a call.
Good luck!

 

[Dopic1]

Could be that one was a bit overly stiff. I have a few leathermans. Sometimes they are a bit stiff to start out, but then loosen up through some use with a little oil, too. That seems to be pretty standard from what I have read.

Right now my EDC multi-tool rotation includes six Leatherman tools bought new in different size categories, about the same number of others have come and gone, and every single one was stiff working at the start, some more or less than the rest, but all eventually mellowing into just about right. So far (19 years!), I have had very good luck with Leatherman products, but from what I can gather on this forum, that isn't always the case for others. It is possible the blackening process causes problems, but Leatherman should certainly know how to compensate if that's it. Since I'm not engaged in any activity that would require that kind of finish, I don't buy BO gear and don't have any direct experience of it. If by now you are still having problems, give Leatherman Warranty a call.
Good luck!

Thanks Guys I appreciate the input, I got my Vic Spirit today and played with it tonight. So far it really seems like nice quality and well put together. I still want another one to keep in the truck so I think I'll try another Leatherman. I believe the BO was part of the issue but like a I said in an earlier post I think this one was a lemon that slipped pass QC. I wanted the BO for the truck to use with the chainsaw and such and thought the BO would hold up better. Maybe I'll try a stainless next time

 

[pinnah]

Ford or Lincoln? Chevy or Cadillac? Honda or Acura? Timex or Rolex? Wrangler or Sergio Valenti? Subaru or Audi? Mora or Bark River? Leatherman or Victorinox?

If fit and finish and out of the box perfection are your thing, I suspect you'll find the Victorinox tool more gratifying. Nothing wrong with that. Conversely, it's not clear to me that better fit and finish translates into a signficantly better tool in terms of function or durability. As Pirsig said, quality is that which produces peace of mind.

I've had 2 full size Leatherman MTs and both were tight at first and then "broke in" to be just right. I've had other MTs too. All of them, each and every one of them, has the potential to pinch and bite or be uncomfortable. IMO, multi-tool is a compromise, right out of the gate. I always find better ergos in dedicated, single function tools. But then, I don't EDC a tool box.

My recommendation is to oil the joints with a good penetrating oil and give it a month or two of solid use. It may feel like a different tool by then.

One thing to watch for... The high polish on the Vics looks great but many people on the board report problems with the screw driver blades not grabbing as well as the LM drivers. The buffing rounds the edges. Polish or stripped?

Regarding the BO, I think the only function is to stop reflection of light in military applications. All of my stainless MTs have held up just fine (in non-saltwater use).

 

[Dopic1]

Ford or Lincoln? Chevy or Cadillac? Honda or Acura? Timex or Rolex? Wrangler or Sergio Valente? Subaru or Audi? Mora or Bark River? Leatherman or Victorinox?

If fit and finish and out of the box perfection are your thing, I suspect you'll find the Victorinox tool more gratifying. Nothing wrong with that. Conversely, it's not clear to me that better fit and finish translates into a significantly better tool in terms of function or durability. As Pirsig said, quality is that which produces peace of mind.

Fit and finish are somewhat important to me, but not near as important as quality. If you look back a few post I said I really struggled to open and close the Wave. I believe oiling may help a bit but no amount of anything would have helped this particular piece. It was a lemon plain and simple the next Leatherman MT I get will certainly not have a BO finish and I'll be certain to take your advice and liberally oil and give it good solid use. I appreciate the input Pinnah

 

[raistlin65]

Fit and finish are somewhat important to me, but not near as important as quality. If you look back a few post I said I really struggled to open and close the Wave. I believe oiling may help a bit but no amount of anything would have helped this particular piece. It was a lemon plain and simple the next Leatherman MT I get will certainly not have a BO finish and I'll be certain to take your advice and liberally oil and give it good solid use. I appreciate the input Pinnah

While certainly you could argue that it should have been a little looser from the factory, I'm not convinced you had a lemon that wouldn't have loosened up with some oil and a bit of use. Sometimes they just come very tight, based on what I have read over at multitool.org and here. I have one Rebar that I couldn't get the blades out very easily at first, and the chunking tools in the middle (those are designed to come out together) were a struggle to get out. Now it's fine.

And if they don't loosen up, you can always send it in under warranty--got 25 years on that

 

[Dopic1]

While certainly you could argue that it should have been a little looser from the factory, I'm not convinced you had a lemon that wouldn't have loosened up with some oil and a bit of use. Sometimes they just come very tight, based on what I have read over at multitool.org and here. I have one Rebar that I couldn't get the blades out very easily at first, and the chunking tools in the middle (those are designed to come out together) were a struggle to get out. Now it's fine.

And if they don't loosen up, you can always send it in under warranty--got 25 years on that

Guys, picked up a Leatherman Wingman today at the local Sears store. It was on sale for $28.00 great buy and looks to be a quality MT. A little tight as expected but easily able to get all the tools out. Restored my faith in manufacturing.:thumbup: