Leatherman storage OPEN or CLOSED ?

[ACHË]

Has anyone had problems storing their Leatherman tools in the open position?

I know it sounds like a silly question, but I wondered since most of these tools use both compression and friction to "lock" when in the open position. Could this lead to premature looseness on the handle-to-plier joint or even deformation of the top of the handles from being under pressure for long?

Thanx!

[Dunc]

Thats an interesting question . I don't think it would do to much harm  Although on the Wave/Charge series the little fork springs in the plierhead would be kept in their open position but I really cant see a problem . If there ever was Leatherman would sort it out . Don't some Wengers have problems with their backsprings if all the tools are opened at once ?

[Magnus]

Thats an interesting question . I don't think it would do to much harm  Although on the Wave/Charge series the little fork springs in the plierhead would be kept in their open position but I really cant see a problem . If there ever was Leatherman would sort it out . Don't some Wengers have problems with their backsprings if all the tools are opened at once ?

You should never store a SAK, or any multi "fanned out" that spring is only supposed to be under compression whilst opening or closing a tool.

[J-sews]

But of course ACHË was referring to the plier head.....I shouldn't think that would cause a problem to keep it open for extended periods.


Hmmm, to be honest, it seems to me that being constantly open would cause less metal fatigue on the handle ramp than if the plier were continuously being opened closed opened closed.

[DaveK]

I can't imagine it would make any significant difference tbh. I store all of my tools closed however, as they take up a lot less space

[Styerman]

My guess is that locks , springy thngs , etc . are only being stressd during the act of opening . At a guess , open or closed shouldn't matter .

Chris

[Swiss Man]

I can't imagine it would make any significant difference tbh. I store all of my tools closed however, as they take up a lot less space

Now my "drawer queens" I display open the others (while waiting for their rotation) gets stored folded.

[parnass]

Has anyone had problems storing their Leatherman tools in the open position?

Aren't the handles already open when the tools come from the Leatherman factory in the plastic blister packages?

[J-sews]

Has anyone had problems storing their Leatherman tools in the open position?

Aren't the handles already open when the tools come from the Leatherman factory in the plastic blister packages?

Excellent point Parnass

[sawman]

Clampacks they come open, in the box they come closed. I don't imagine it makes a difference.

Was there a particular model MT you were concerned about?

For mine, if it's for display I store it open, otherwise it stays closed.

[DaveK]

I've been looking for (but can't find again) an article I read a while ago about the physics of springs and whether storing them under tension will affect or damage them over time.

I don't pretend to understand the physics totally, but the article concluded that it wouldn't, and that the only thing that will affect the "springiness" is the application and release of tension over time. In multitool or SAK terms, that would amount to opening and closing it.

So, I don't think it really matters