Leatherman QC Fails

[kirk13]

 

I got another blow to the Rebar, and was a little pissed cause I wasn't the user to find the flaw. The awl was a center punch for a few holes we needed to make. No hammer was used, but I want to beat the tool now. The awl deployed and the rebar folded up the plier head gets wedged in between the small and large flat driver. Every time its folded up. Such a pain to hear grinding of metal on metal. 

My coworker asked me what the tool cost cause he thought he broke it. Told him don't worry. its got a nice warranty I cant wait to use. I should get two new BO PST's in return. This just sucks. I had high hopes for the tool, being a ST300 fan.

Perhaps you could mod your Wave with Rebar pliers!

 

[BigMatt]

I'm on my way to the post office to send in my Surge. Two weeks after receiving a replacement. I work in a motor trade and had to cut off a split ring of a set of keys. Done it with one hand and there is no damage to the cutters.
Pliers tips are now missaligned and I have some play in the pivot...
I carry a pound of steel on my belt so I can whip out my "toy" and do what needs to be done without worrying. I am soo looking forward the 2013 version...

Not mention the embarrasement, it's almost warranty abuse...

[Maxintheuk]

Just want to add my thoughts - have to say that the first Multitool I ever bought was the original Swisstool over 10 years ago (not counting my SAK Champ that is still 100% perfect after 20 years) and it remains absolutely the benchmark in quality, fit and finish - really unbelievably good quality and snappy and precise in a way that is far far away from my Leathermans' particurlarly their biggest product the Wave.

I have a 12/12 dated Wave that was supplied as a warranty replacement for an older model - the matt finish and thinner stock for the tools together with the uneven stiffness, the way the pliers hang up and gouge on the inner tools, the release buttons are clicky and sticky and just the cheaper overall feel compared to the Vic are slightly annoying but it still remains my favourite EDC due to the shape/feel and most of all the one handed blade opening and overall shape of the main blade.

To echo everyone else if only LM would take a leaf out of Vik's construction quality and overall QC.

My Skeletool is much better and definitely closer to Vik in terms of fit and finish as are all the older Micras I own (3), considering these are low price point, simple tools - their quality and fit is much better than the present Wave.

I guess like every company that grows fast and subsequently outsources much of the production something gives and economies are made, you can take this route so far before gradually your reputation starts to be erroded.

Having said that I remain a huge LM fan and their warranty in my experience is the best I have ever come across in practise.

[Kukamunga]

I've only fairly ['06 - ?] recently discovered LM.  Always wanted one and the Surge was my first purchase.  I've used it pretty hard and extensively and not had any problems with it at all.  That is, other than the looseness of the lanyard/clip...which I'm told by LM is by design.

Really love the MUT EOD I got a few years ago.  However, I'm on my second issue.  I had sent the first one admittedly on something of a technicality -- the plier head didn't really meet for 'finer' work.  You could see more than a bit of daylight with the pliers closed.  The new model is much better in that regard.  Ah, yes - but now I'm having slight issues with the plier head scraping against the body as you're opening & closing.  That and the pliers jamming closed on me when wire cutting.  So, I've tightened/re-tightened the torx screws...and I guess it's livable.  I really don't want to send it in again and I suppose it could be that I've not got the right tension in tightening them there screws.

We'll see.  I'm not much of a reference in terms of LM usership going back to early LM days.  Having already committed to, though, the new Surge and Raptor...seriously hoping it's all good there - which I'm expecting it to be.

I really love LM as a company too - and on the flipside, I can say I've had absolutely no negative issues with the two OHTs that I bought.  So, all is not lost, but I understand perfectly well what you all are saying:  QC is everything.

 

[BigMatt]

Tell me what you think, am I going crazy?

[Syph007]

Thats a bad pivot for sure. I bet the casting is malformed inside.

[Metropolicity]

Tell me what you think, am I going crazy?

That's the same as all my Rebars, over a little bit if time and some oil, the pivot will loosen up and the binding with disappear. You basically have to squeeze it, then up stick it and do it again and again to smooth out the motion.

I notice that when I did the first transplant of the rebar head into a wave body.

[BigMatt]

I hope we are both unlucky and they are not all like that. Rebar is really growing on me for the compactness and weight.

I have already been through "a little bit of time" and lube. Actually I have gained 2 pounds in body muscle trying to work this thing loose.
The problem is thay it cannot be operated one handed. It's riddiculous that I have to drop whatever I'm holding with my other hand just to open the jaws....
Reviewers on YT don't seem to have that problem, anybody here with "good" rebar?

[hennypenny]

If this turns out to be an inherent defect with the pivot on the Rebar pliers, all those who have replaced their Wave with Rebar pliers will be kicking themselves. There does seem to be a lot more stories of QC problems with Rebars than any other Leatherman tools.

[Syph007]

My rebar pliers do not do that. I just tried and squeezed as hard as possible and they still open freely. 

[enki_ck]

Maybe you're not strong enough.

[BigMatt]

What I can't understand is what exactly is wrong with this thing. It's basically a pin (rivet) trough a hole. No play o movement in the pivot, parts ot the pliers don't shift o move in other directions apart from rotating...

And actually you don't have to squeeze that hard for it to bind, just opening the tool is enough to make it stick...

[Syph007]

Maybe you're not strong enough.

I used two hands!!! 

[hennypenny]

Perhaps the pivot is not completely circular and does not fit completely flush within the pliers. Fortunately, the Rebar does not cost too much for you guys in the US. If I had paid £60 (US$90) for it here in the UK, I would not accept such a defect. People keep saying how wonderful the 25 year warranty is, but what they forget is that it cost us money to send the tools back each time. I would rather Leatherman focus on their quality, so we don't ever need to send them back.

[baja820]

After a little trial and error mine is smooth a silk. I couldn't be more pleased.

[BigMatt]

@hennypenny. I paid 54 pounds...

[hennypenny]

@hennypenny. I paid 54 pounds...

That is a lot of money for a Rebar, with defective pliers. My cheap £3 Stanley pliers sticks like you described, but you shouldn't accept this on a £54 tool.

[Dunc]

My Rebar does the same thing with the pliers going tight , it's not as bad now as it was when I first got it.

Dunc

[Syph007]

Wild.  So we need a poll for rebar owners to figure out what % have sticking pliers.

[BigMatt]

"Hi there.
Just got my Rebar back.
Would you be so kind to have a quick look at this video? I'm not sure weather my description wasn't very good (it's quite unusuall problem), or it simply doesn't qualify.

http://www.youtube.co...

I would be gratefull for any thoughts. How much would it cost to replace the plier head outside of warranty? You have sorted me out so many times that I honestly have no problem paying for this repair.
I would be gratefull for any thoughts.

Kind regards"

Email sent friday night so I would expect a reply on monday. I'll keep you posted.

[BigMatt]

Hi Matt
 
I have spoken to our technician about your tool. He does remember your particular tool due to the fact that he was off on the day it arrived. It was put to one side for him to look at as nothing wrong could be found with it. He also found no fault. We watched your video and the problem is that you would not normally clench the tool shut without anything in the pliers. When something is grasped it will not lock up. The Rebar is completely within Leatherman specifications therefore there is nothing we can do to improve it for you. I am sorry that you are not happy with your Leatherman but unfortunately we are unable to modify it.
 
 
Kind Regards,
 
Mary Lowe
Credit Control / Purchase Ledger
 

Do I have to say that it makes no difference what is beeing grasped...
I don't know what to think. Response from cresit control?

[AimlessWanderer]

... We watched your video and the problem is that you would not normally clench the tool shut without anything in the pliers. When something is grasped it will not lock up. ...

That's garbage!
What about when gripping something thin like a thin sheet or sliver of metal?
What about when you've just used the cutters? That's exactly how the pliers will finish up!

Sorry you're having a rough time with this, Matt. Is this Whitby & Co you're dealing with? They are usually very good in their service, so might be their terms of warranty as dictated by Portland are too tight on this occasion. If you have a Facebook account it might be worth popping a summary of this and your vid on Leatherman's page, or alternatively trying to get an email address for customer service in Portland.

Good luck, and keep us informed 

[BigMatt]

Yes, Whitby.
The irony here is that they have sorted me so many times before, even when it was clearly user fault. But when the problem is actual "out of the box" issue...
Maybe they don't want to set a precedens and be forced to deal with any sticking pair of pliers. And the fact that I have been answered by above person...
I have been a bit of a pain in the last month sending them my surge twice (another story) and this rebar, not to mention a ton of emails.

Anyway, I have emailed leatherman US with above link, we will see.
I bought it with the purpose of keeping it in my outdoor kit, but it gree on me and it keep landing in my pocket because its weight/capabilities ratio. BUT IT'S SUCH A PAIN TO USE...

Can any of the moderators move this thread to a separate one or something? I didn't expect this thing to develope like that and hijack the topic. Thank you

[enki_ck]

No problem on the thread hijack. We like it when threads develop like conversations in real life do. Very few threads stay on topic here. And mods are usually those who do the hijacking.

[Mercury]

I can't believe this response.  Leatherman USA would have replaced it without question.  The customer is always right; you have a right to be happy with the money you spent.  Whitby should remember who they represent.

[Syndicate]

I've just tried Matts test with my 2 Rebars, and they don't stick at all.

[Sazabi]

BigMatt:  I had a similar issue happen to mine after using the wire cutters to cut some clotheshanger wire, for me, though, it stopped sticking after a couple days, so unfortunately, I cannot offer a remedy of the problem.  I hope Leatherman USA can do you better. :/

[BigMatt]

To Leatherman US:

"Hi there.
Could you have a look at this video:


I would like to know your opinion on this issue. Apparently there is quite few rebars like that out there (there is a thread about this on multitool org) and we are curious what is your opinion. You might also take it as a fedback/field test from your devoted customers :-)

Kind regards"

One on 4th and another one on the 5th. No reply so far....
Just got a replacement for my Surge from Whitby for the cutters I managed to damage, no questions asked. Where is logic in this?

[BigMatt]

b

[Syph007]

I'd love to take a saw and chop open a faulty plier head to see whats going on in there.