Leatherman Klamath Folding Blade

[DaveK]

I have had more than one design flaw and maunufacturers defect with LM. Also LM's rust easy (a problem they could easily solve). I even saw 4 or 5 Waves at Target that were rusted in the bubble packs.

Well this is where I tell you that I have about 100 Leatherman tools and the only rust I've ever seen is on old PSTs that I get off ebay for $10 and I see far more rusty Vic knives and tools etc, etc ad nauseum....

But I think what I really want to know is - why on earth are you thinking about a LM knife if you think their stuff is bad, and why are you asking for opinions on a public forum if you already have yours formed? 

[Nikos]

I have had more than one design flaw and maunufacturers defect with LM. Also LM's rust easy (a problem they could easily solve). I even saw 4 or 5 Waves at Target that were rusted in the bubble packs.

[Rodion]

Well this is where I tell you that I have about 100 Leatherman tools and the only rust I've ever seen is on old PSTs that I get off ebay for $10 and I see far more rusty Vic knives and tools etc, etc ad nauseum...

Now hold on here, Leathermans do rust... if exposed to vinegar. I suppose it's possible to make the steel more "stainless", but am not so sure it would be easy without compromising its other qualities. Personally, I find Leatherman steel adequate.

More importantly, the implements are more tool-like than any other company's multi.

[joebw]

Hi,

The Klamath is a big knife which impresses me with the quality of design and build.  I've had mine since October of 2006.  It is a lot more knife than I need for doing a deer, but I'd really like if I was to do a moose hunt.

Hope this helps - Joe

[Leatherman123]

The LM hunting knives are superb!

Joe, do you have any BO LM knives? I saw them on LM's website; I NEED to get one! 

[J-sews]

I've handled a Steens, which appears to be about the same size as a Klamath. In my opinion the quality was adequate, although not spectacular. The one thing that stands out is how freaking BIG the thing was! Too big for me. My little rat claws could hardly get around the handle.  

[Poncho65]

I've handled a Steens, which appears to be about the same size as a Klamath. In my opinion the quality was adequate, although not spectacular. The one thing that stands out is how freaking BIG the thing was! Too big for me. My little rat claws could hardly get around the handle.  

The Steens you are talking about wasn't that for the guy who went to Alaska to live and you guys pitched in and got it for him Did he ever go and if so have you heard from him

[Nikos]

Joe, do you have any BO LM knives? I saw them on LM's website

Linky please?

[J-sews]

I've handled a Steens, which appears to be about the same size as a Klamath. In my opinion the quality was adequate, although not spectacular. The one thing that stands out is how freaking BIG the thing was! Too big for me. My little rat claws could hardly get around the handle.  

The Steens you are talking about wasn't that for the guy who went to Alaska to live and you guys pitched in and got it for him Did he ever go and if so have you heard from him

Yep, he moved north last May, ended up in Anchorage. He and I exchange emails on a regular basis. So far he's loving it. I will say that the volume of x-rated email humor I receive from him has increased exponentially in the last few months! Must be the long winters!

[glorn]

"What do you think of this Leatherman."

"Leatherman is crap."



 



And the snake consumes it's own tail...

[hnk76]

If its like any other Leatherman, the quality will be superb.

I am not to happy with LM multi tools as I think their quality leaves a bit to be desired.

Hmm. A case of what we here in Sweden call swearing in church... 

[colubrid]

[

But I think what I really want to know is - why on earth are you thinking about a LM knife if you think their stuff is bad, and why are you asking for opinions on a public forum if you already have yours formed? 

Just like some manufactures like Gerber have different levels of quality knives. Sine this particular LM knife was expensive (and I like the look) I thought I would ask about this particular knife and not LM mutitools in general (which were the answers I got here). Obviously I would not need to ask about a $100+ knife if i thought it was the same quality as their multritools. I am quite familiar with LM mutitools.

[Poncho65]

I've handled a Steens, which appears to be about the same size as a Klamath. In my opinion the quality was adequate, although not spectacular. The one thing that stands out is how freaking BIG the thing was! Too big for me. My little rat claws could hardly get around the handle.  

The Steens you are talking about wasn't that for the guy who went to Alaska to live and you guys pitched in and got it for him Did he ever go and if so have you heard from him

Yep, he moved north last May, ended up in Anchorage. He and I exchange emails on a regular basis. So far he's loving it. I will say that the volume of x-rated email humor I receive from him has increased exponentially in the last few months! Must be the long winters!

 

[kwakster]

I have sold a few to hunters who use them on wild boars.
The biggest advantage is the S30V steel that resists abrasion very well, the most important cause for blunting when skinning muddy boars.
Also the concept with the longer guthook helps to keep the inside of the folding mechanism clean and the saw works as intended, it only fouls rapidly.

All in all it's not bad, but Leatherman should amp up on the quality control, as i had quite a few of these where workers had forgotten to sharpen the guthook and/or put Locktite on the buttonscrew.
One of the hunters got quite mad because the lockbutton on his specimen fell off and landed in the dense undergrowth, so he ended up with a useless buch of parts.
He really wasn't happy with his expensive knife at that moment.

[J-sews]

I have sold a few to hunters who use them on wild boars.
The biggest advantage is the S30V steel that resists abrasion very well, the most important cause for blunting when skinning muddy boars.
Also the concept with the longer guthook helps to keep the inside of the folding mechanism clean and the saw works as intended, it only fouls rapidly.

All in all it's not bad, but Leatherman should amp up on the quality control, as i had quite a few of these where workers had forgotten to sharpen the guthook and/or put Locktite on the buttonscrew.
One of the hunters got quite mad because the lockbutton on his specimen fell off and landed in the dense undergrowth, so he ended up with a useless buch of parts.
He really wasn't happy with his expensive knife at that moment.

Eew, bummer.

Say Dennis, do you "report back" to Leatherman somehow to make them aware of these problems so that they can take steps to improve?