Custom leathermans

[Kmarr]

If someone were to sell custom Leatherman tools(i.e. you choose what components you want) for about $10-$20 more than msrp, would you buy them? and what would be your custom order(s)?  (assuming the components fit..)

[DaveK]

Nope.

Is this connected to your "I want Leatherman parts to make some custom tools" thread btw?

[Kmarr]

te he no actually.

I'm just not happy with the tools they offer standard so I'm modding my Charge.
the idea popped in my head when my buddy said he'd buy one if I made them custom

[DaveK]

I can only speak for myself obviously, but I'd guess that most on this forum would prefer to mod their tools themselves, not sure really

[Zed]

yeah i would rather DIY it, but then im mainly happy with my LM's

paul

[cerbera147]

yeah i would rather DIY it, but then im mainly happy with my LM's

paul

+1  I am happy with my LM's so far. TBF their new pocket tools address my needs

[Zed]

the other thing is there 25 year warranty, i feel this is why you pay the extra cash for a LM .

[Kmarr]

Your right, this is prob the the wrong forum to ask that question.
Figured that out after browsing some mod squad posts!

Do you think there would be a market for that for the average folk that aren't so mechanically inclined?

[Zed]

Your right, this is prob the the wrong forum to ask that question.
Figured that out after browsing some mod squad posts!

Do you think there would be a market for that for the average folk that aren't so mechanically inclined?

the only problem i see is there is a large LM range with most tools, with a mod you get no guarantee unless the modder gives it a 25 year one, plus its a good excuse to by more LM with different tools , 

paul

[Chako]

There could be.

There are quite a few modders who have made a good business out of SAKs. It could in theory work for MTs.

With that said, most people buy MTs for a work tool, and just buy whatever suits their needs off the shelf without thinking about modifying it. Besides, SOG allows you to switch your load out already.

I would still think such a service would be better received amongst the collectors.

[Spoonrobot]

I wouldn't be interested. For $10-$20 above MSRP I'd be more than able to buy the requisite tools I want and do the mods, after which I could sell the spare parts and come out ahead. Also, keep in mind that the street prices people actually pay are generally 20-40% less than MSRP.

A major hurdle: Your custom Leatherman would have no warranty support from the company. Building up trust and market presence to be able to get people to buy a tool that has your own warranty is going to be a big challenge. People break multis a lot more than they break SAKs.

And anyone who is looking to buy broken Leatherman tools comes off a little shady anyway. Not meant to be insulting.

[Kmarr]

Ya'll must think I'm some sorta MORON!

My wording was totally off and I should have elaborated, I came up with the idea and in 30 seconds I had to go on a forum to see if it would get good reception.  So I really just threw out the basic idea.

Here's the more detailed version-
   The custom maker(not me, perse) would buy wholesale new leathermans, take orders, dissassemble, REassemble the orders.  When I said msrp, I wasn't thinking MANUFACTERER'S suggested retail price. what I meant was market price.  Lets say the lowest price of a new leatherman wave(not sale price) is $55, the modded price would be approx $70(depending on the order).  And as far as warrantee goes, problems with quality control of the original product will be an issue.  But as far as parts warrantee goes, there will most likely be a leatherman-comparable warrantee because there will be a warehouse worth of scattered parts anyway. Just starting as a small business, the warrantee will be tough to figure out, however, because of normal supply and demand.

This Idea probably has a few legal issues, BUT ITS JUST AN IDEA!
As usual, tell me if I need to elaborate details, or if you have suggestions.

[Zack]

The initial idea is somewhat sound, its no different than the people who build saks on here.  But it usually people who have a couple of saks they want to make into a better sak.  The warranty issue is the biggest hurdle.  You break a SAK your out a few bucks, to break Multi, and the price goes up.  What happens if you dplete your supply of overage parts?  Could get very costly for the maker.

[SlackOne]

If Leatherman did it themselves, I'd be in.  Gerber used to do this with the old Multi-Pliers, and it was a pretty great service.

A third party...eeeeeeeeeehhh...probably not.

[Kmarr]

The demographic I had in mind is, like myself, people that don't want a component they won't use taking up space,  but they also don't want to(or don't know how) mod them. Granted multi tool enthusiasts are usually more mechanically familiar with such methods, but I have heard many compare two tools and prefer the best of both worlds.  Some people just don't have the money/resources to buy two tools(or sacrifice an old one) and make them one. On paper, some people would rather buy an $80 tool with everything they need, than buy 2 $60 tools and never use one of them.

[yud]

the thing is that the people on here (and other forums), are the only one who will be able to buy one since how would you let most people know

[joebw]

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

[Kmarr]

This will not be an "authentic" leatherman.  It will carry Leatherman quality without the name.  Brand is useless unless it means something and LM means innovation and quality, and although these will not be authentic they will have the same quality with more use(to some) than their standard models.
     What I am discussing here is specialized tools for certain people for certain activities.  A hiker would have an almost non-existant use for a philips screwdriver out on the trails.  As a hiker myself, I would be a damn fool to bring the added weight of a bit driver when I'm already sacrificing much comfort for weight.  Leatherman tools(unmodded) appeal to the middle ground, making them infinitely popular and reducing costs.  If they sell specialized tools, profits would make far less a dent in production costs than middle ground tools(such as the wave).  This being the case, activity based multi-tool companies become scarce and lack quality.  Fellow Backcountry trekkers would marvel at the idea of a Leatherman Charge with not a tool inside going unused on a trip.
     This idea was not intended for the masses, but for the unsatisfied.

[Zed]

If it had no name , what would it say, as clearly it would be a LM with altered tools, i buy LM for there name and build quietly and the 25 year no questions asked warranty, and io agree SAK's are much cheaper to mod .

paul 

[Gareth]

As a modder of SAKs I have nothing at all against the idea myself.  I've put forward the idea that LM themselves could do more with what they already manufacture.  For instance the Fuse; while I personally like having scissors others might prefer having a file or saw instead and (like me) object to having to buy and carry a Blast just to get it.

Practically it's a bit different from modding SAKs.  SAK parts are, in general, quite easy and cheap to come across so it's easy to keep the material overheads down on final price.  Most of what I charge is for the time and work spent making the mod.  I'm not sure how easy that would be with LM parts.

As for the warranty you'd just have to do what most SAK modders do and offer your own.  I personally guarantee all the assembly work that I do and would happily repair any of my mods that have issues (not that that has happened I hasten to add ).  What level you'd offer is entirely up to you just as long as it's clear at point of sale.

In short I think the idea works as a hobby or "pin money" business, but I think you might struggle to turn it into a full sized money making venture (even if LM had no legal issues with it).  best of luck though.

[DaveK]

In short I think the idea works as a hobby or "pin money" business, but I think you might struggle to turn it into a full sized money making venture (even if LM had no legal issues with it).  best of luck though.

This.

If, by some stroke of luck hit on a combination of tools that was selling well, I'd expect Leatherman to start offering that combination anyway. As Gareth says, I can't see a business in the idea I'm afraid.

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

Exactly where I am with it Joe

[zepla]

Aah, I get it now. I thought you ment that LM should offered customs. As I think they should, It would be great if I just could pick the tools to fit in a , for example, wave chassis.

[cerbera147]

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

Exactly where I am with it Joe

Sound a bit like Duncan from Dragon's Den

"I'm Ooot"

[Zed]

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

Exactly where I am with it Joe

Sound a bit like Duncan from Dragon's Den

"I'm Ooot"

im sorry but im out 

[DaveK]

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

Exactly where I am with it Joe

Sound a bit like Duncan from Dragon's Den

"I'm Ooot"

Would you agree that bloke has one of the most punchable faces you've ever seen?

[Zed]

Hi,

For whatever it is worth, I'm a very serious Leatherman collector.  I rather doubt I'd be interested in custom Leatherman tools unless there was something really special about them (such as the Yellowhorse versions of Buck knives) as authorized and marketed by Leatherman.

Good luck with your venture - Joe

Exactly where I am with it Joe

Sound a bit like Duncan from Dragon's Den

"I'm Ooot"

Would you agree that bloke has one of the most punchable faces you've ever seen?

yes big time, he needs a slap 

paul

[cerbera147]

Phew, thought you meant me there for a second. You didn't did you? 

As for Duncan, yeah quite arrogant. I like the one that looks like Paul McKenna 

[Zed]

Phew, thought you meant me there for a second. You didn't did you? 

As for Duncan, yeah quite arrogant. I like the one that looks like Paul McKenna 

yeah and he has one of those faces as well (Paul McKenna) i would wont to be hypnotized to not wont to slap him   

[yud]

Duncan use to be my Favorite but now perfer Theo and Peter