Leatherman Signal - is LM making a survival multi?

[balvenie]

Maybe i'm one of the few guys which likes rebar so and so.....i found the handles very painful when i start to squeeze it. I consider the Rebar a tool For occasionally use. Its lite with good load of tools, but painfull when you start to use it regulary. I consider more useful For my needs the Sidekick; it is as painful as the Rebar, maybe more, but its OHO, Spring loaded and the tigh selection of tool considering the price.

[Breezy12]

I gifted out 4 Rebars since I got my V3 Wave from B12.

very generous of you!

and I like that nickname... I might have to start signing my PMs that way.

[Kampfer]

I gifted out 4 Rebars since I got my V3 Wave from B12.

Rebar hoarder!

I am currently Rebarless, will pick up some more later.
I think it is a wonderful little tool box.

[Kampfer]

  Hi B12.

[Breezy12]

I gifted out 4 Rebars since I got my V3 Wave from B12.

Rebar hoarder!

I am currently Rebarless, will pick up some more later.
I think it is a wonderful little tool box.

I pick up a couple anytime I see them on sale for less than $40.

[Breezy12]

Hi B12.

[Syncop8r]

Hi Cobalamin! 

[babola]

Agree...and what a great fiddle factor those would bring, too 

I'd also like to see the Wave V3 but I don't expect it before 2016 at least, the problem with existing model is that it's just close to perfect an MT can be. Very few points you can fail it on. But we're a finicky crowd indeed, we always want that next best thing in MTs 

not to mention that as soon as they release the 3rd gen Wave with the new plier head, Rebar sales will likely see a sharp decrease.

Haha...yup!

[sir_mike]

Do you really think that Leatherman would replace the Wave plier's with the Rebar style?  Why would they want to their sales of the Rebar to fall off?  Unless they figure they would make a pile of money with the Wave v3!!

[Demel]

Do you really think that Leatherman would replace the Wave plier's with the Rebar style?  Why would they want to their sales of the Rebar to fall off?  Unless they figure they would make a pile of money with the Wave v3!!

[Breezy12]

Do you really think that Leatherman would replace the Wave plier's with the Rebar style?  Why would they want to their sales of the Rebar to fall off?  Unless they figure they would make a pile of money with the Wave v3!!

I present to you Exhibit A: the new Surge.

they waited a few years after the ST300 was released, then updated the Surge to include the new pliers. my guess is that they waited until ST300 sales started to tail off, then made the move. I'd bet big money that the same thing will happen with the Wave/Charge either next year or the year after.

besides, it's cheaper for LM to only manufacture one style of plier head for their full-size tools. look at the full-size lineup from a few years ago: Charge, Wave, Blast, Kick, Fuse -- all used the same plier head.

[Mr Biriyani]

We need some more tools in the Juice size. I think a mini Wave or mini Rebar the same size as a Juice CS4 would be amazing. I was surprised to see they did not adopt the Rebar head into the Wave this year. 

That is also what I´m been thinking. A mini Rebar or a bigger Micra in ss no complicated design just well build sturdy small tool.
Sweet.

[sir_mike]

Do you really think that Leatherman would replace the Wave plier's with the Rebar style?  Why would they want to their sales of the Rebar to fall off?  Unless they figure they would make a pile of money with the Wave v3!!

I present to you Exhibit A: the new Surge.

they waited a few years after the ST300 was released, then updated the Surge to include the new pliers. my guess is that they waited until ST300 sales started to tail off, then made the move. I'd bet big money that the same thing will happen with the Wave/Charge either next year or the year after.

besides, it's cheaper for LM to only manufacture one style of plier head for their full-size tools. look at the full-size lineup from a few years ago: Charge, Wave, Blast, Kick, Fuse -- all used the same plier head.

Yeah, I was thinking about it that way too.  I also was thinking that by doing the Wave and Rebar, you get great plier's heads with the option of outside tools or inside tools.  Just like the Surge and ST300 example!

[captain spaulding]

We need some more tools in the Juice size. I think a mini Wave or mini Rebar the same size as a Juice CS4 would be amazing. I was surprised to see they did not adopt the Rebar head into the Wave this year. 

That is also what I´m been thinking. A mini Rebar or a bigger Micra in ss no complicated design just well build sturdy small tool.
Sweet.

A large Micra would be amazing!

[AimlessWanderer]

Maybe i'm one of the few guys which likes rebar so and so.....i found the handles very painful when i start to squeeze it. I consider the Rebar a tool For occasionally use. Its lite with good load of tools, but painfull when you start to use it regulary. I consider more useful For my needs the Sidekick; it is as painful as the Rebar, maybe more, but its OHO, Spring loaded and the tigh selection of tool considering the price.

I'm with you on the Rebar. OK for occasional/emergency use, but lacks the comfort factor for regular use

[Outback in Idaho]

  A Charge sized Surge would be bonza! Less weight, all the goodies, small foot print. Never owned a MUT type tool, so don't know how it compares to a Charge & Surge.
  Been wearing my Surge lately though it's still hefty to lunk around and use - much prefer a Charge. Been having issues with the blade exchanger (v1.0) lately. Doesn't swap out as well as the first one.

  The Charge TTi though... really want normal pliers nose, get right of that stupid cap crimper, and swap out either the flat edge or small screw for an awl. Rebar is a good choice save no diamond coated file. Charge seems favored, so does the Surge, so why not combine the two and make a Sarge?

[Kampfer]

  A Charge sized Surge would be bonza! Less weight, all the goodies, small foot print. Never owned a MUT type tool, so don't know how it compares to a Charge & Surge.
  Been wearing my Surge lately though it's still hefty to lunk around and use - much prefer a Charge. Been having issues with the blade exchanger (v1.0) lately. Doesn't swap out as well as the first one.

  The Charge TTi though... really want normal pliers nose, get right of that stupid cap crimper, and swap out either the flat edge or small screw for an awl. Rebar is a good choice save no diamond coated file. Charge seems favored, so does the Surge, so why not combine the two and make a Sarge?

I think I have an answer for that, talk to B12. 

[Syncop8r]

...why not combine the two and make a Sarge?

I like the name. 

[Jand3rson86]

I was able to handle a finished Signal today for a few minutes, and quite like it.  It's not overly large, it's about Charge-sized, and sits very well in the pocket with the included clip.  It really didn't feel any bulkier in my pocket than my Skeletool, and is not overly heavy. 

[TheDude]

I thought the "Sarge" was the BO version

[Kampfer]

I was able to handle a finished Signal today for a few minutes, and quite like it.  It's not overly large, it's about Charge-sized, and sits very well in the pocket with the included clip.  It really didn't feel any bulkier in my pocket than my Skeletool, and is not overly heavy.

I can't wait to have one.

[JAfromMn]

I got a mut after seeing the signal.

I'm still going to get one but I'm less excited about it after seeing it.

I think it's the yellow plastic that turns me off

[captain spaulding]

I got a mut after seeing the signal.

I'm still going to get one but I'm less excited about it after seeing it.

I think it's the yellow plastic that turns me off

Same here.

[gadgetman7]

I think Leatherman should offer alternative pieces to replace the whistle at least. A bit holder would be nice for the less survival minded.


Sent from Tracy Island

[Kampfer]

I was going to mod the whistle, paint it black, convert it to a bit storage.

[rdub934]

I think Leatherman should offer alternative pieces to replace the whistle at least. A bit holder would be nice for the less survival minded.


Sent from Tracy Island

They really should. It would be easy to have a little storage bin for little this and thats in place of the whistle. I would kind of prefer to have a little place for fishing line and a hook.

[ducttapetech]

Would be a good place for a toothpick.

Nate

[GPDB]

I think Leatherman should offer alternative pieces to replace the whistle at least. A bit holder would be nice for the less survival minded.

Agreed!

[BASguy]

I got a mut after seeing the signal.

I'm still going to get one but I'm less excited about it after seeing it.

I think it's the yellow plastic that turns me off

LOL..... What the hell were they thinking?  Then again maybe it's just because I'm so down on the gimmicky toy tools that I'm not able to really appreciate a $120 plastic whistle.....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Etherealicer]

I'm not going to get a Signal, I think. However, data collected on other platforms suggest that this is a smart move of LM.

Users: Buy a tool, break it, have it warranty replaced, repeat (good for advertisement, bad for business). They are mostly happy with what is already there and they don't like radical change. As a fact, if you want to sell them more tools you have to make small improvements over a long time (do it too fast and they get scared).

Collectors: Buy one, put it on a shelf (good for advertisement), for those there are the over-priced limited editions.

Both are limited / difficult markets. So, in order to stay in the game, they need to expand into new markets. And the best market is people who don't use the tool too hard (no warranty replacement) and preferably have lots of money.
Think about how many weekend warriors and mall ninjas will buy a signal for one of their kits, which they will never use.
Parents will buy the signal for their kits when they join the boy-scouts.
Maybe even some outdoors guys that usually don't carry a MT outdoors might consider this.

Yes, I think LM has done the right move. I think the Signal is what a lot of people want, many of them might not have a LM yet.