R.I.P. Leatherman Blast

ElCuchillo · Mar 30, 2008

Ok, so it looks like it's back to carrying my Wave from now on. My Blast broke today at work. I was using the can opener to open a can and the lock broke. The metal attaching it to the pliers actually snapped!! I'll see if I can post pictures later. I couldn't believe it. For all the ranting and raving I've done about the Wave's handles biting and giving me blood blisters, it is a tank!! I've pulled and pushed and torqued on it in the past, and it took everything I gave it and laughed. Even the presumably weak bit holders have withstood abuse, and never given way. I always thought the Blast was a bit of a light user, but have been carrying it since finances are very low (year old daughters can be expensive to own) and I didn;t want any more blood blisters. Even though I never liked the way the handles flexed and how light it felt, I figured I'd use it til it died. Well, today, it died, and it didn't take much. I am so disppointed. I was starting to take a likeing to it. I could send it in for warranty job, but for what? I always felt that series of Leatherman was a bit on the light side for my tastes anyway. One day I'll have a Core. Til then, my Wave and I will just have to learn how to get along.

supratentorial · Mar 30, 2008

Sorry about the trouble with your Blast but please post photos if you get a chance. I wanna see the carnage!

ElCuchillo said:
My Blast broke today at work. I was using the can opener to open a can and the lock broke. The metal attaching it to the pliers actually snapped!! ...One day I'll have a Core...

I really like the Core but I don't think that the locks are any better than those on the Blast. In fact, I actually prefer the locks on the Blast because they seem to have a slightly sturdier construction.

znapschatz · Mar 31, 2008

ElCuchillo said:
I could send it in for warranty job, but for what?

Send it in for a warranty fix so you can sell or give it away. Waste not...

Millhouse · Mar 31, 2008

ElCuchillo said:
. I could send it in for warranty job, but for what?

Definitely send it back to Leatherman. They will either repair or replace it. It is always possible that you could have had a faulty unit that was waiting to break. Even if you decide you no longer want to use it for heavy work, you can always keep it for a backup or sell it.

mnblade · Apr 7, 2008

ElCuchillo said:
I always thought the Blast was a bit of a light user, but have been carrying it since finances are very low (year old daughters can be expensive to own) ...

ElCuchillo said:
I could send it in for warranty job, but for what?

For answer, see first part of the quote. Leatherman WILL stand by their warranty. I say have them fix or replace the Blast, then you can sell it or trade it if you don't want it. But don't just eat the loss.

ElCuchillo · Apr 7, 2008

yeah, good point mnblade.

Tango44 · Apr 16, 2008

supratentorial said:
Sorry about the trouble with your Blast but please post photos if you get a chance. I wanna see the carnage!

I really like the Core but I don't think that the locks are any better than those on the Blast. In fact, I actually prefer the locks on the Blast because they seem to have a slightly sturdier construction.

Where did you get the black Core?

supratentorial · Apr 16, 2008

I bought the black Core on Ebay. The Core is available in black with or without the cap crimper--the one in the photo has a crimper.

Guyon · Apr 17, 2008

for a new or repaired multi-tool?

Return of the J.D. · Jun 4, 2008

I recently got a secondhand Blast with the lock missing--and, on examining it, I realized two interesting things:

1. The way the Blast is designed, the lock is held on ONLY by one thin metal rod, the one that the locking device pivots on. That rod is about 2 millimeters wide. If, for any reason, that rod is snapped out of one side or the other of the handle, it seems to me likely that the rod and lock will come loose from the tool altogether.

2. If the lock comes off, not only do the blades not lock in place, but they also have nothing to stop them in position parallel to the handle when you fold them out. The blades on the side where the lock is missing just flop backward and forward. So, using it would not be like using a non-lock-bladed pocketknife (where the blade rotates back 180 degrees from the closed position and then stops), but very different (since the blade can now rotate far more than 180 degrees back from closed position).

In short, the whole Blast design is such that it's got a weak link in that 2mm steel post that holds on the lock.

No problem, by the way--I contacted Leatherman, they said it'd be a warranty fix (even though I wasn't the first owner--they said the warranty was 25 years regardless of original owner, and I don't think Blasts have been around that long), and so I sent it in, and they either repaired or replaced the tool. (I couldn't tell which--the original was basically in new condition, but for the missing lock and lock-pivot.) So, good news on the warranty department--but be advised about the "weak link" design-wise.

Anyone else have this problem? And do any of the other Leatherman tools have this same locking system (and thus the same weakness)?

spoonrobot · Jun 4, 2008

Return of the J.D. said:
Anyone else have this problem? And do any of the other Leatherman tools have this same locking system (and thus the same weakness)?

I haven't.

Yup.

Charge/Wave/Surge has a different style than the Blast but the same operating system.

Fuse has the exact same style lock as the Blast.

Core has a system similar to the Fuse/Blast but dimensions are larger.

I believe the Genus pruner also uses a variation of this style of lock.

So in short, the answer is Yes. Almost all the locking Leatherman's use a variation of the backlock mechanism. I am sure strength will vary being that the dimensions for all locks are not the same and are dependent on what model it is.

Morablades · Jun 5, 2008

I'd stick with my Kick or PST any day. They work off a slip joint type. As simple as it gets, but if your not careful the tools tend to fold. Yet, you can master that problem. I have been hearing this about the locks on the new Leathermans a lot and do not favor this locking system (or the new bit holders for that matter), but I'm still hoping for a Core for Fathers Day.

BenchmadeBoy · Jun 9, 2008

I've used a Core pretty hard for the last 2 years. Seems to be holding up so far

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Leatherman quality has decreased. What would be the equivalent Swisstool model to the Core? Maybe I should go Victorinox

pinetree · Jun 9, 2008

BenchmadeBoy said:
I've used a Core pretty hard for the last 2 years. Seems to be holding up so far I've said it before and I'll say it again. Leatherman quality has decreased. What would be the equivalent Swisstool model to the Core? Maybe I should go Victorinox

If your Blast has withstood 2yrs of pretty hard use, it seems trial tested to me... why change.

ElCuchillo · Jun 9, 2008

BenchmadeBoy said:
I've used a Core pretty hard for the last 2 years. Seems to be holding up so far I've said it before and I'll say it again. Leatherman quality has decreased. What would be the equivalent Swisstool model to the Core? Maybe I should go Victorinox

I would DEFINITELY go with Victorinox. I replaced my Leatherman with the Original Swisstool, and it is a tank. The wire cutters are a little shorter, and the tools are tight to take out, but it is a very tough, reliable, hardworking tool. Plus Vic has a LIFETIME warranty, as opposed to LM's 25 year warranty, so your covered forever.
Coming from a former die hard Leatherman fan, Vic is definitely the way to go.

spoonrobot · Jun 9, 2008

BenchmadeBoy said:
Leatherman quality has decreased.

In what ways? I'm always curious when I see this posted.

FWIW: The SwissTool is an excellent alternative to the Core. It is fairly different though and has it's own problems. The biggest for me was the fairly blunt plier tips. I usually require finesse over brute strength so I prefer the Core for the thinner tips. And then there are the little things like the high polish, traditional nail nicks and the binding problem with the saw/file if the drivers are used in the "L" position during high-torque jobs.

jdailey4206966 · Jul 2, 2008

Yes, for sure send it back for warranty work. When you get it back, or a new one, you can either go back to it as your main EDC, something to keep in the tacklebox or glove box or sell it, but since you put the money into it, for sure send it back. Wave is really a good tool though. I use it everyday. I actually upgraded to the wave from a fuse, which is also a great tool. Currently in my glove box in my car.

mp510 · Jul 2, 2008

I could send it in for warranty job, but for what? I always felt that series of Leatherman was a bit on the light side for my tastes anyway.

Send it in for warranty replacement, chances are they will send you a brand new replacement. Sell the replacement, and squirrel the money away toward buying a Core later, or put it towards houshold expenses now.

mouse123 · Jul 8, 2008

Hey ElChillo
Don't know if you remember me as I post infrequently, but I mentioned that I would provide a revieed of the Blast after I had it for awhile. Sorry for the delay and sorry that your experience has not been so good> I still carry the Blast for emergencies, but have switched to a trio of knives for carry based on responses I have read here, and testing I have done at home. Currently use ther Leatherman Sketetool and CX Version as EDC, VCI Pioneer and Opine #8 as they are the best cutters and easiest to shapren.
Let me know what you think.
Mouse

R.I.P. Leatherman Blast

Biscuit Whisperer