Plastic in the LM Core?

Aux

Aux

Joined
Jan 29, 2003
Messages
321
Looking at a Leatherman Core in it's packaging at Target yesterday, I noticed that there appeared to be grey plastic spacers near the pivots. Is this correct? Any guesses as to it's function?

The material looked similar to that which lines the handles in my Fuse, but I was somewhat surprised to see in a heavy duty tool like the Core.
 
Is it zytel plastic? I feel disappointed to see the usage of plastic in new LM's products line. (surge for eg)
 
ckl, the ONLY bit of plastic in the Surge is that little nub on the scissors. It's there for comfort. If it falls off you will lose no function. It will be like using the scissors on a SAK.
However, i'm not a big fan of the zytel liners in the fuse. I know it's suppose to make it more comfortable, but i just don't like the way they look or feel. I really like the fuse. Great tool that is light enough to go anywhere, but those liners ruined it for me. Once i got my Surge the Fuse was demoted to a backup in the wife's car.
I didn't know there was any zytel in the Core :confused: I looked at one briefly before i picked up my Surge. Could it be a friction thing? anybody know?

Jake
 
The Core has a plastic liner in the handles because the steel is not as thick as say the Leatherman ST200. So I think it is a to take up space and lower the weight of the tool to a more managable level.
 
Easy solution.

Buy a Victorinox SwissTool Spirit.

They make much better tools than Leatherman does.
victorinox_swisstool_spirit.jpg
 
RickJ said:
The Core has a plastic liner in the handles because the steel is not as thick as say the Leatherman ST200. So I think it is a to take up space and lower the weight of the tool to a more managable level.
Click to expand...

Oh... What a stupid movie from LM... I dislike any plastic in a multitool. Thanks for explaining it, we should never trust the materials that leatherman site has mention: (Stainless steel with bronze and steel brushings )

Btw, excellence pic, Sakguy.
 
SAKguy said:
Easy solution.
Buy a Victorinox SwissTool Spirit.
They make much better tools than Leatherman does.
Click to expand...
Why?

Is that statement based on personal experience, owning and comparing a LM Charge against the ST Spirit for at least a week?

Just wondering, your name is "SAKguy" after all :D

For the record, I have several LMs, a SOG and the ST Spirit, and _I_ think the ST spirit is the best, but only with the additional bit driver. BUT that's MY opinion and experience only. Let's hear yours.

P.S. Plastic (Zytel), bronze or teflon are valid in a multitool, in locations where strength is not required or where friction needs to be reduced. I have spyderco knives with handles entirely zytel, and they are extremely tough. Does it matter if the plastic wears out in 25 years, rather than 50 without it, if it makes the tool easier and smoother to operate?
 
I have the Blast, with the zytel inserts, and have had it since they first came out and use it every day.

It's never been a problem and I've actually grown to quite like it.
 
klattman said:
Why?

Is that statement based on personal experience, owning and comparing a LM Charge against the ST Spirit for at least a week?

Just wondering, your name is "SAKguy" after all :D
Click to expand...

Yes, based on personal experience. I've used and carried a Swisstool and a Swisstool Spirit. I've done the same with a Leatherman Wave and a Leatherman Charge. Both of the Leatherman's had substandard fit and finish when compared to the Victorinox items.

They may work the same, but they are not made as nice and if I spend that kind of money on a tool they better have damn good fit and finish.

American companies are going down the tubes fast because they don't care about fit and finish or quality like they used to.

I see this not so much in knife companies but more in other things, like cars, camping products, american steel, pens, etc....
 
Does finish really that important? Any relationship between rust and finish on steel?

:)
 
I tend to agree with SAKguy that vic's have better fit and finish.
To me, FIT is more important than finish though.

I would be using the charge if I only had a choice between it and the ST spirit.

But, I have the sprirt PLUS with bit kit and ratchet and that is a MUCH better system then the bit system on the LMs. So that puts it over the top for me.

P.S. The spirit has a nice smooth finish, so I had to rough-grind most of the drivers, and sharpen and reprofile the chisel and blade to my satisfaction. I wonder if they just tumble-polish their parts prior to assembly?
 
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