Leatherman Signal

gadgetman7 · **Reply #1140 on:** September 15, 2015, 02:42:58 AM

Hard to tell but visually it looks more like the MUT blade. You might be able to add a little length but not much. I think the point is to keep it under 3 inches.

Sent from Tracy Island

Kampfer · **Reply #1141 on:** September 15, 2015, 02:57:58 AM

Thanks, my plan is have put a Wave blade on it.

gadgetman7 · **Reply #1142 on:** September 15, 2015, 03:54:57 AM

I thought about that but the Wave blade seems to be thinner. I'll have to check to be sure. If the Wave blade is thinner getting the lockup right might be a problem.

Sent from Tracy Island

basilio · **Reply #1143 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:16:33 AM

So I bought the Signal, as I was something I had been looking for.
The package arrived this morning completely sealed.
I can't believe a crap like this passed any kind of quality control.
Now I'm going to return it.
I know that I will have the tool replaced, but, in my opinion, this is something that should not happen.

babola · **Reply #1144 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:20:55 AM

Good grief, has the QC boy been drinking at work that day??

dks · **Reply #1145 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:21:28 AM

it does look bad..

SteveC · **Reply #1146 on:** September 17, 2015, 03:20:51 PM

I'll third that

sawman · **Reply #1147 on:** September 17, 2015, 04:31:41 PM

so disappointing

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1148 on:** September 17, 2015, 06:18:14 PM

Looks like a casting sprue, so evidently the teeth on the pliers are cast in

So far as I'm aware, Leatherman don't do their own investment casting (never heard mention of it from tour reports and such), so this defect has....

A) been allowed to clear the casting stage
B) been passed through the pivot riveting stage
C) been passed through the pliers grinding stage
D) been passed through the assembly stage
E) been passed though final inspection

I think that speaks volumes personally

Kampfer · **Reply #1149 on:** September 17, 2015, 07:10:57 PM

I think it is a new feature, ant crusher, crush ants before eating...

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1150 on:** September 17, 2015, 07:33:15 PM

What wants crushing is delicate anatomical parts of key personnel who could have stopped this leaving the factory unusable.....

enki_ck · **Reply #1151 on:** September 17, 2015, 07:48:35 PM

Quote from: 50ft-trad on September 17, 2015, 06:18:14 PM

Looks like a casting sprue, so evidently the teeth on the pliers are cast in So far as I'm aware, Leatherman don't do their own investment casting (never heard mention of it from tour reports and such), so this defect has....

A) been allowed to clear the casting stage
B) been passed through the pivot riveting stage
C) been passed through the pliers grinding stage
D) been passed through the assembly stage
E) been passed though final inspection

I think that speaks volumes personally

The pliers are cast somewhere in Mexico.

Quote from: Mr. Whippy on August 04, 2009, 07:21:31 PM

My brother was a chemical engineer for the casting company that made the Leatherman plier heads. There was a push, push, push to make them cheaper. The company set up a modern casting plant in Mexico (My brother was in charge of bringing it online on time and on budget). The casting process is state of the art with the same high quality alloy. Cost savings came in the form of cheaper labor and much greater efficiency of a modern plant.

A year or so later, my brother moved to another casting company. The process is mostly automated for consistent, defect free castings. BTW, they cast much more than Leatherman pliers heads there. A lot of high RPM castings (like in turbocharger parts and such).
...

dks · **Reply #1152 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:00:01 PM

whether this happened in mexico or in Tim's basement the fault is LMs

hopefully it will be an one-off

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1153 on:** September 17, 2015, 08:02:24 PM

Thanks Nikola

so we need to add in.....

F) Passed the casting company's QC
G) Passed through LM's incoming inspection (Goods Inwards Dept)

So far that's seven opportunities in the process route to prevent this from happening....

sawman · **Reply #1154 on:** September 17, 2015, 09:07:05 PM

They should be FINED!!!

captain spaulding · **Reply #1155 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:04:28 PM

Oh Leatherman, you keep up the consistent disappointment. I would say I am surprised, but sadly it is expected now. Once you get a bad reputation it is quite hard to lose it and the way they are going its only going to get worse.

SAKnight · **Reply #1156 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:35:25 PM

I was thinking of QC, mostly in regards to leatherman earlier while I was fiddling with my surge. The thought crossed my mind that I was glad I got a 'good' one. Then I realized, it's a somewhat sad state of affairs when I don't just expect a great item, but one with the least defects.

I think leatherman had a sweet spot in the late 90s, early 2000s where they had modernized production combined with old school quality. The original super tool- super tool 200 era, for me.

AimlessWanderer · **Reply #1157 on:** September 17, 2015, 11:45:23 PM

Quote from: captain spaulding on September 17, 2015, 11:04:28 PM

Oh Leatherman, you keep up the consistent disappointment. I would say I am surprised, but sadly it is expected now. Once you get a bad reputation it is quite hard to lose it and the way they are going its only going to get worse.

When I first arrived at this forum, I was one of the few people here who had recurring disappointment with Leatherman and had the audacity to speak out amongst the hoardes of loyal fans. Since then, Leatherman's continued efforts to cheapen their offerings and cut corners in quality has taken a lot of pressure off me in that respect.

Thank you Leatherman, for supporting me in my criticisms of your products, and for granting me public support in my views. I'd prefer it if you upped your quality, stopped cocking up the main gripping area of your pliers, and spent some time learning about ergonomics, but I'll take the ego boost as a consolation prize till you get your act together

Your determined efforts to jeapordise your global reputation to justify an over opinionated bloke off the internet in a foreign country have not gone unnoticed

Obi1shinobee · **Reply #1158 on:** September 18, 2015, 12:23:43 AM

WAIT INTO SIGNAL GO DOWN $50

FOR NOW BLAST-OFF ALL THE WAY

Demel · **Reply #1159 on:** September 18, 2015, 01:22:34 AM

20 years from now, Leatherman will be the new Gerber.

Obi1shinobee · **Reply #1160 on:** September 18, 2015, 01:24:40 AM

Quote from: Demel on September 18, 2015, 01:22:34 AM

20 years from now, Leatherman will be the new Gerber.

If they hired Bear gylls there will be Gerberland soon

SAKnight · **Reply #1161 on:** September 18, 2015, 01:27:03 AM

Quote from: Demel on September 18, 2015, 01:22:34 AM

20 years from now, Leatherman will be the new Gerber.

Though at this rate, it won't even be 20

At least Gerber has a fair pricing model

BASguy · **Reply #1162 on:** September 18, 2015, 04:59:18 AM

It's sad but Leatherman has become an absolute joke in this regards. Reminds me of several months back when I reported on my buddy's experience ordering several pocket tools and one of the boxes was empty from the factory. A Leatherman employee chimed in to tell me "it didn't happen".... How it wasn't possible with their rigid quality control. LOL.... Here's a suggestion Leatherman. Drop all of your products except the Rebar, Wave, and SuperTool. Concentrate on making great again what made you great to begin with.

Sent from 9 miles from the face of the sun

comis · **Reply #1163 on:** September 18, 2015, 09:23:32 AM

Just went back a page and saw the uneven pliers head grip...good grief!

That's why whenever I buy a new LM product, I have to buy in person, make sure it is not rusted, no uneven tightness, even grind, etc. Even the local seller told me they have noticed how often buyers have refused the products before purchase, due to NIB defects.

Gerhard Gerber · **Reply #1164 on:** September 18, 2015, 10:08:59 AM

Quote

Drop all of your products except the Rebar, Wave, and SuperTool.

Quote

Even the local seller told me they have noticed how often buyers have refused the products before purchase, due to NIB defects.

If I can be perfectly honest, another reason why I gave away my Rebar was the fact that it was just a little off in alignment.

sawman · **Reply #1165 on:** September 18, 2015, 01:36:13 PM

Quote from: Obi1shinobee on September 18, 2015, 12:23:43 AM

WAIT INTO SIGNAL GO DOWN $50 FOR NOW BLAST-OFF ALL THE WAY

That, I'd like to see - for what kind of mod you plan for it

I think your work is awesome, I'm sure it'd be very cool

RT1969 · **Reply #1166 on:** September 18, 2015, 02:17:35 PM

Just saw this in my youtube inbox:

Some of my thoughts:
-The awl can be used with the tool closed
-Doesn't the canopener work better in the other direction?
-In the event that I would need the whistle, I would not be able to perform the delicate movements necessary to use it. Cold hands, high adrenaline, tired, hungry - any of those circumstances, and you rather drop it than use it, imo
-Shouldn't there been some kindling between the tinder and the sticks if you'd try to built a fire?
-The music screams lumbersexual, not survivalist ot bushcraft to me... - I guess that is the expected customer base?

All in all I am not happy with the outcome. I think Leatherman wasted a lot of potential.

Aloha · **Reply #1167 on:** September 18, 2015, 04:59:54 PM

I would also use the can opener in the opposite direction.

Oh Leatherman..........................

rdub934 · **Reply #1168 on:** September 18, 2015, 05:51:17 PM

It's funny that it is called the Signal, as it seems to signal the direction Leatherman is heading: down.

It's funny that it is a survival tool, as it is killing Leatherman's reputation.

Thank you. Thank you. Be sure to tip your waitress.

sawman · **Reply #1169 on:** September 18, 2015, 08:29:48 PM

I have one word for you:

Victorinox

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Leatherman Signal - is LM making a survival multi?

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