Got a MP400!

kirk13 · **on:** October 03, 2011, 05:03:36 PM

Ordered and recieved a MP400 Sports Compact last week through Amazon UK.I thought at £35 delivered it was worth a wee look.

It can be funny how impressions work:As most of you know I've been bitterly disapointed in the new LM Wingman,feeling its some how lacking in quality and design philosophy.Given the stick that Gerber gets here I was interested to see whatthe MP400 would be like,and how it would compare with the Multiplier I got from Evil.

The finish of the MP400 is(I'm guessing) bead blasted,and it isnt as satisfying in the had as the older SS tool,likewise the individual tools dont feel that good to the touch.As to tool selection,

Its good,but perhaps has too many flat drivers,the smallest driver takes the magnetic bit holder(smurfing good thing too as I'll explain later)

It seen its first trip to work on Saturday and performed far better than the Wingman did on its first trip.The bit driver ended up being crucial,when a last minute repair on an RC car needed a choice of hex bits.The Gerber done the job,plus added a creditable threat to my promise it remove the tounge of the 12 yr old owner of the car(If you've broken it,and dont have a clue how to fix it,then dont hassle the nice man who's trying to help...).In other duties during the day the pliers gripped fine,and cut thin wire without undue effort,and the philips drive performed without problems

My initial feeling was that £35 or so was a fair price for the tool,but at £45 or more you'd be a bit disapointed.The pliers needed a little attention with a file before they'd close propperly.I also noticed that the metord of attaching the pliers to the frame has been simplified/cheapened since the old Multiplier

The question I would like to ask is how do I improve the release of the pliers?With the older tool,if the chassis is held upright,and the buttons pressed,gravity deploys the or retracts the pliers.With the new MP400,its very stiff,and doesnt seem to have the means to adjust.

Overall I rather like this tool.It isnt as good as a LM(my modded Fuse and Wave),but its enjoyable to use,engenders a degree of faith,and as I've said elsewhere,deploying the pliers is always fun,and always puts a little smile on my face.

Gareth · **Reply #1 on:** October 03, 2011, 08:59:32 PM

I broadly agree with your assessment mate, it's not flawless by any means, but still a decent MT and I wouldn't feel ripped of if I paid £35 for it. In fact, as the pliers are my most used tool, I tend to pick it up more often than my Kick or Fuse.

As to the pliers head, I gotta admit I picked my one up second hand and the body will easily slide away under gravity when the buttons are held in. Perhaps yours just needs a little time to break it in? Maybe a little graphite powder or light oil might help?

kirk13 · **Reply #2 on:** October 03, 2011, 09:07:11 PM

Wellworth a try!

captain spaulding · **Reply #3 on:** October 03, 2011, 10:08:38 PM

The fit and finish just is not as good as most Leathermans and the materials used give you the feeling that they cut a lot of corners to make a cost efficient tool. With that said I love mine and if you can get one for cheap they are a great tool to have. Plus flicking the pliers head open addicting.

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #4 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:52:34 AM

I have 2 of these. I haven't had any trouble with them at all. My plier heads where a little stiff at first too, but with a little playing...cough uhh usage, they limber up. I have to say that mine are not the new version, but the in-between ones. Built in USA, not china or the like.

Gareth · **Reply #5 on:** October 04, 2011, 01:54:04 AM

Quote from: tattoosteve99 on October 04, 2011, 01:52:34 AM

I have 2 of these. I haven't had any trouble with them at all. My plier heads where a little stiff at first too, but with a little playing...cough uhh usage, they limber up. I have to say that mine are not the new version, but the in-between ones. Built in USA, not china or the like.

so far as I know all the MP400's and 600's are still US made.

jerseydevil · **Reply #6 on:** October 04, 2011, 02:00:36 AM

I have an MP450, same tool but with a file instead of the scissors. I absolutely love it. The sliding pliers are great to play with (enough so that I've been threatened with firing at work if I keep flicking them constantly

), and they are enough for what I need around the store. Same with the other tools. I need to get a bit driver for it, that might be my next purchase.

Dunc · **Reply #7 on:** October 04, 2011, 09:35:40 AM

They will soon break in and flik open with ease . They are a great little tool and very capable .

kirk13 · **Reply #8 on:** October 04, 2011, 10:16:17 PM

Cheers guys just the excuse I needed to ~~play~~,I mean work on the pliers!I find a little snap of the wrist aids deployment!

Millhouse · **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2011, 10:58:52 PM

Yep, just keep flicking, retracting. flicking, retracting. It's very therapeutic as well.

Tsquare · **Reply #10 on:** October 06, 2011, 05:35:08 AM

I am glad I am not the only one that finds that sort of thing amusing. I used to open and close the gerber tool and even more so a spyderco I used to carry daily when I was in the Air Force just for the click.

Metropolicity · **Reply #11 on:** October 06, 2011, 08:29:38 AM

My very first quality MT was a BO MP400, it still holds a special place in my eyes, the mechanism is awesome.

tattoosteve99 · **Reply #12 on:** October 09, 2011, 04:57:22 PM

Yes it was a new invention when it first came out. I love the OHO feature. Too bad leatherman can't do that.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #13 on:** October 13, 2011, 03:33:40 AM

Sliding head pliers have to be some of the most addictive gadgets to play with! The only way the addiction to absent minded fiddling could get worse is with the Auto-Recoil, which is the same mechanism, but spring loaded!

The MP400 is perhaps my favorite of the smaller bodied tools. I have one I got second hand from someone on this forum and it's been a regular part of my EDC for years and it is still ready for anything. It's held up very nicely over the years, despite some heavy use.

Def