Leatherman Wave Quality Control

[Leathermended It!]

Hey,

I just bought a brand new Leatherman Wave and it has really not been impressing me. It came out of the box with this deeply scratched plier head. At first I thought that the black residue was just oil, but it's actually from the plierhead scraping against the interior handle when it closes. You can't really see the scratches in this photo, but when I remove the black coating they have a bunch of ugly scratches, on both sides!


Then the scissor spring will not open the scissors at all. They stay like this and make their use impossible.


Plus, the springs that hold the pliers open in the handles are way too loose on one side and way too tight on the other. One side is like a butterfly knife and the other feels like grating metal.

Man I love leatherman, but this thing sucks. Should I send it back?

[Demel]

Maybe. If you got it from a store I would suggest asking them to replace it. Leatherman will send you a refurbbed one and it may still have a few kinks. If you paid for a new tool, you deserve to have a new tool. 

[captain spaulding]

Sadly this is a continuing trend with Leatherman. I'm not bad mouthing them its just a observation. Where did you buy it from? I would ask for a replacement.

[Aloha]

Return that sucker ASAP. 

[Leathermended It!]

I bought it from MEC Canada and it came new in a blister pack. I don't think that they will give me a new one because it was the last one they had online. It came in a combo with a bit extender and Leatherman Croc. Cabelas is offering the same sale. Kind of weird to see a combo pack like this being sold for 20 bucks less than just a plain wave.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/67733/leatherman-wave-multi-toolcroc-toolbit-extender-combo
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/3506/leatherman-wave-multi-tool

At any rate, 80 CAD or 66 USD for the combo is still a good deal, even if they have QC problems.

[Miknitro]

I bought it from MEC Canada and it came new in a blister pack. I don't think that they will give me a new one because it was the last one they had online. It came in a combo with a bit extender and Leatherman Croc. Cabelas is offering the same sale. Kind of weird to see a combo pack like this being sold for 20 bucks less than just a plain wave.
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/67733/leatherman-wave-multi-toolcroc-toolbit-extender-combo
http://www.cabelas.ca/product/3506/leatherman-wave-multi-tool

At any rate, 80 CAD or 66 USD for the combo is still a good deal, even if they have QC problems.

Same retailer I bought one from couple weeks ago in Edmonton. Then saw the deal at Cabellas.
Doh.
Anyway, check Mec site, Rock solid guarantee or money back.
I see others do it via mec tool reviews where needed without much issue, of course YMMV depending on moon, stars etc...idk.

Mike

Edit to add sorry, mine was gritty like any other new MT in my findings. Lube an play makes it all better. Heavy scuffing an loose handles is a trip back to store IMO.

[Leathermended It!]

I am still debating on where to send the MT. Any ideas on how to fix the scissor spring in the meantime? That spring steel doesn't really bend and stay bent.

[zoidberg]

Can you take a bunch more pics? Ends, sides, inside handles with tools out of the way etc. And don't try bending the scissors spring.

[pingu]

Any ideas on how to fix the scissor spring in the meantime? That spring steel doesn't really bend and stay bent.

Careful .  As suggested post some pics.  The key issue is the registration between the two scissor parts governed by the dimple in the hole so photograph the other side.  Your spring part is sitting too high (and higher than allowed by either of my Wave type scissors).

Do the scissor parts have the same relative position from closed to open or just when locked?

[pingu]

Looking again at your pic I can see the bottom of the hole on the fixed arm.  I can see where the dimple has been punched.  It looks to me that the dimple must be broken or unformed.  Look on the other side.

If the retailer won't refund (not sure of sales law in your jurisdiction) you haven't much to lose and a lot to gain by a LM warranty fix of all the issues.

[BASguy]

Not a good indicator for Leatherman when the quality of their flagship tool is degenerating.  You'd think at least they'd step up the quality control related to the Wave. 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Aloha]

Not a good indicator for Leatherman when the quality of their flagship tool is degenerating.  You'd think at least they'd step up the quality control related to the Wave. 


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Agreed 

[sawman]

It's threads like this that make me want to dig my PST collection out and give each one a big fat kiss. They don't make them like they used to.

[Leathermended It!]

Can you take a bunch more pics? Ends, sides, inside handles with tools out of the way etc. And don't try bending the scissors spring.

Here are some more pics. I couldn't really get a good inside handles pic. The black residue isn't as bad now because I spent a while opening and closing the tool and wiping off the black, inner handle coating material. The other plier face isn't as bad, but it still has big scratches that don't show up on camera well. I didn't bother with the scissor spring.


Other Side

After opening and closing the scissors a bit, they won't even open a little bit.

It's threads like this that make me want to dig my PST collection out and give each one a big fat kiss. They don't make them like they used to.

I know, it's bad, but I think that leatherman quality control has been a bit off and on for a lot of years now. People have been discussing their QC since the early 2000s.

[captain spaulding]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

[zoidberg]

Rub on the plier head is normal where it presses into the handle.
Some of those marks look out of place though, more like from use.
Does the small bit driver and large flat driver deploy easily?
The scissor spring looks like it isn't bent enough.
Would have to recommend sending it back.

[Syph007]

If you arent happy Id send it back to MEC.  Ive returned stuff there before no problem.  I bought a wenger cast Ti scaled SAK, that weird looking one.  I was so jaw droppingly unimpressed I returned it the next day no hassles.

[Miknitro]

If keeping it, could tweak handle insides something like this...



Flat blade about width of inner handle an pull an push inward a wee bit where scuff marks appear.
On one set of Wave I got I did this as it was annoying, no issue now.
I suppose this will upset purists but it is what it is, a tweak.

Just throwing it out there is all.

Edit to add, hope I don't get booted for that suggestion lol.

[BASguy]

Can you take a bunch more pics? Ends, sides, inside handles with tools out of the way etc. And don't try bending the scissors spring.

Here are some more pics. I couldn't really get a good inside handles pic. The black residue isn't as bad now because I spent a while opening and closing the tool and wiping off the black, inner handle coating material. The other plier face isn't as bad, but it still has big scratches that don't show up on camera well. I didn't bother with the scissor spring.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
Other Side
(Image removed from quote.)
After opening and closing the scissors a bit, they won't even open a little bit.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

It's threads like this that make me want to dig my PST collection out and give each one a big fat kiss. They don't make them like they used to.

I know, it's bad, but I think that leatherman quality control has been a bit off and on for a lot of years now. People have been discussing their QC since the early 2000s.

I can't recall hearing to many QC gripes about the Wave...?  Perhaps I tuned them out. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Leathermended It!]

Can you take a bunch more pics? Ends, sides, inside handles with tools out of the way etc. And don't try bending the scissors spring.

Here are some more pics. I couldn't really get a good inside handles pic. The black residue isn't as bad now because I spent a while opening and closing the tool and wiping off the black, inner handle coating material. The other plier face isn't as bad, but it still has big scratches that don't show up on camera well. I didn't bother with the scissor spring.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)
Other Side
(Image removed from quote.)
After opening and closing the scissors a bit, they won't even open a little bit.
(Image removed from quote.)
(Image removed from quote.)

It's threads like this that make me want to dig my PST collection out and give each one a big fat kiss. They don't make them like they used to.

I know, it's bad, but I think that leatherman quality control has been a bit off and on for a lot of years now. People have been discussing their QC since the early 2000s.

I can't recall hearing to many QC gripes about the Wave...?  Perhaps I tuned them out. 


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They haven't been too widespread, but the wave is really the everyman's multitool, so maybe Leatherman thinks that it can get away with slightly lower standards than tools like the ST300 or OHT. Just speculation. Here is an interesting post with some valid points.
http://edcforums.com/threads/is-leathermans-build-quality-dropping.50926/
Anyways, I'm not that worried about leatherman going down some deep dark pit of poor quality, I just want Leatherman to know that the community is keeping track of any bad apples.

[Leathermended It!]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

That was a good idea. I oiled them with WD40 and they still stick a bit and don't open as far as they should, but at least they are  usable now.

Does anyone have experience securing a bit extender into one of the side pockets? I just don't want to lose it because it holds my robertson bit, pretty essential for Canadians. I have heard that a metal pen clip works, but I don't think that I have one of those. Thanks!

[Miknitro]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

That was a good idea. I oiled them with WD40 and they still stick a bit and don't open as far as they should, but at least they are  usable now.

Does anyone have experience securing a bit extender into one of the side pockets? I just don't want to lose it because it holds my robertson bit, pretty essential for Canadians. I have heard that a metal pen clip works, but I don't think that I have one of those. Thanks!

For now I found a old string stop, it stops ext from falling through case in my use.

Edit, sorry, I see you want to carry bit in ext? I don't think will do you any good.

[bounding star]

the scratches on the plier head look like what happens from over time. Mine had no scratches when i got them but have gained them through opening and closing, which makes no sense for a new one.

[Leathermended It!]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

That was a good idea. I oiled them with WD40 and they still stick a bit and don't open as far as they should, but at least they are  usable now.

Does anyone have experience securing a bit extender into one of the side pockets? I just don't want to lose it because it holds my robertson bit, pretty essential for Canadians. I have heard that a metal pen clip works, but I don't think that I have one of those. Thanks!

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

For now I found a old string stop, it stops ext from falling through case in my use.

Edit, sorry, I see you want to carry bit in ext? I don't think will do you any good.

The string stop is a really good idea. The only reason that I ever considered putting the bit in the extender is that my extender has really strong retention and I need to use the pliers to get the bit out. It just sucks having one loose robertson bit and no real place to put it. The area behind the velcro is an option, bit it's almost impossible to fish the single bit out. Maybe I need to integrate a mini magnet pen into my EDC. 

[Miknitro]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

That was a good idea. I oiled them with WD40 and they still stick a bit and don't open as far as they should, but at least they are  usable now.

Does anyone have experience securing a bit extender into one of the side pockets? I just don't want to lose it because it holds my robertson bit, pretty essential for Canadians. I have heard that a metal pen clip works, but I don't think that I have one of those. Thanks!

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

For now I found a old string stop, it stops ext from falling through case in my use.

Edit, sorry, I see you want to carry bit in ext? I don't think will do you any good.

The string stop is a really good idea. The only reason that I ever considered putting the bit in the extender is that my extender has really strong retention and I need to use the pliers to get the bit out. It just sucks having one loose robertson bit and no real place to put it. The area behind the velcro is an option, bit it's almost impossible to fish the single bit out. Maybe I need to integrate a mini magnet pen into my EDC. 

Curious what you do to solve single bit carry issue.
Do tell when you discover that part.

Are you keeping the Wave or exchanging it?

Edit to add, I forgot to say, if the ext bit holder really holds and you need pliers to remove, a drop of machine oil or WD inside tip where lock ring is that holds bit, helps greatly.

[Leathermended It!]

Just putting it out there in case you have not done so. Did you try putting oil on the spring of the scissors and working them for a while?

That was a good idea. I oiled them with WD40 and they still stick a bit and don't open as far as they should, but at least they are  usable now.

Does anyone have experience securing a bit extender into one of the side pockets? I just don't want to lose it because it holds my robertson bit, pretty essential for Canadians. I have heard that a metal pen clip works, but I don't think that I have one of those. Thanks!

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

For now I found a old string stop, it stops ext from falling through case in my use.

Edit, sorry, I see you want to carry bit in ext? I don't think will do you any good.

The string stop is a really good idea. The only reason that I ever considered putting the bit in the extender is that my extender has really strong retention and I need to use the pliers to get the bit out. It just sucks having one loose robertson bit and no real place to put it. The area behind the velcro is an option, bit it's almost impossible to fish the single bit out. Maybe I need to integrate a mini magnet pen into my EDC. 

Curious what you do to solve single bit carry issue.
Do tell when you discover that part.

Are you keeping the Wave or exchanging it?

Edit to add, I forgot to say, if the ext bit holder really holds and you need pliers to remove, a drop of machine oil or WD inside tip where lock ring is that holds bit, helps greatly.

Thanks for the tip on the lock ring. I think that I might make a mini single bit card to fit in the area behind the velcro. I am still on the fence about returning it. My tools are all users and I can handle the scratches on the pliers, I may still send it back on account of the other issues.

[Miknitro]

I know this has been done before, I just made one for myself.

Is this applicable to yourself maybe?

[anditsgone]

My wave also has that, it is designed that way so that the tool doesn't open in your pocket. My wave is also scratched on the pliers. I absolutley hate leatherman's way they designed their way to keep the tools open and closed. It is 100% garuanteed that it will not last 25 years. On al my leatherman tools it wore out in a year, some tools wore out in a month others in half a year. Their is no engineering behind it. It is just designed on luck or something. On some tools it works good, on others it never worked good.
They could learn something from victorinox who uses springs and has notches in the plier so it locks open and closed.

No offence but i think it is funny that there are treads here where they show you how you can adjust your new tool with hammers, screwdrivers and torx bits.
Leatherman is an excellent brand and designes great stuff, and every time my new tool is deliverd to my house my excitement is killed because i have to adjust it again and the standard problems occur again.

If you buy a new Mercedes you don't have to adjust the doors so that they close properly or are hard to open, even on the cheapest car you don't have to do that.

A new product should function good from the factory, no work needed. (you pay for it)

[Miknitro]

My wave also has that, it is designed that way so that the tool doesn't open in your pocket. My wave is also scratched on the pliers. I absolutley hate leatherman's way they designed their way to keep the tools open and closed. It is 100% garuanteed that it will not last 25 years. On al my leatherman tools it wore out in a year, some tools wore out in a month others in half a year. Their is no engineering behind it. It is just designed on luck or something. On some tools it works good, on others it never worked good.
They could learn something from victorinox who uses springs and has notches in the plier so it locks open and closed.

No offence but i think it is funny that there are treads here where they show you how you can adjust your new tool with hammers, screwdrivers and torx bits.
Leatherman is an excellent brand and designes great stuff, and every time my new tool is deliverd to my house my excitement is killed because i have to adjust it again and the standard problems occur again.

If you buy a new Mercedes you don't have to adjust the doors so that they close properly or are hard to open, even on the cheapest car you don't have to do that.

A new product should function good from the factory, no work needed. (you pay for it)

I myself kind of agree here. I can't give Leatherman as a present currently. Especially if recipient has experienced my tooling. They are rough, gritty an smooth as gravel out of the box. Not a pleasant experience for a layman of MTs.
Vic's an others beat Leatherman out of the box experience wise. Through once tuned up a bit an put on equal ground via a decently lubed break in, they are no less then their peers in usage an experience.

 One thing I mentioned they can be adjusted easier then hammering a rivet, as once they're too tight it's being sent in to OEM.
Plier head rubbing is not a tension retention adjustment, it is a poorly aligned fit an finish. I've tweaked a Wave so no interference an it has no slop what so ever. Thus a myth of sorts.

Now once a LT Wave is prepped,.. I'd put it and a Gerber an Vic in a pillow case an tossed in dryer on cool for a week an I bet Vic needs OEM services beyond end user capability. Gerber would be a warranty call an Leatherman would need it's tools tweaked to close again, but could be done by end user returning tool to service asap.
Yes crazy my theory is and a long shot but is how I see end result.
But prior to being broken in an adjusted, LT is a iffy experience out of box in my findings agreed. All others seem to be better out of box. Except one Gerber Clutch, it broke shortly after being released from box.
Jmtc, flamesuit on.

[anditsgone]

My wave also has that, it is designed that way so that the tool doesn't open in your pocket. My wave is also scratched on the pliers. I absolutley hate leatherman's way they designed their way to keep the tools open and closed. It is 100% garuanteed that it will not last 25 years. On al my leatherman tools it wore out in a year, some tools wore out in a month others in half a year. Their is no engineering behind it. It is just designed on luck or something. On some tools it works good, on others it never worked good.
They could learn something from victorinox who uses springs and has notches in the plier so it locks open and closed.

No offence but i think it is funny that there are treads here where they show you how you can adjust your new tool with hammers, screwdrivers and torx bits.
Leatherman is an excellent brand and designes great stuff, and every time my new tool is deliverd to my house my excitement is killed because i have to adjust it again and the standard problems occur again.

If you buy a new Mercedes you don't have to adjust the doors so that they close properly or are hard to open, even on the cheapest car you don't have to do that.

A new product should function good from the factory, no work needed. (you pay for it)

I myself kind of agree here. I can't give Leatherman as a present currently. Especially if recipient has experienced my tooling. They are rough, gritty an smooth as gravel out of the box. Not a pleasant experience for a layman of MTs.
Vic's an others beat Leatherman out of the box experience wise. Through once tuned up a bit an put on equal ground via a decently lubed break in, they are no less then their peers in usage an experience.

 One thing I mentioned they can be adjusted easier then hammering a rivet, as once they're too tight it's being sent in to OEM.
Plier head rubbing is not a tension retention adjustment, it is a poorly aligned fit an finish. I've tweaked a Wave so no interference an it has no slop what so ever. Thus a myth of sorts.

Now once a LT Wave is prepped,.. I'd put it and a Gerber an Vic in a pillow case an tossed in dryer on cool for a week an I bet Vic needs OEM services beyond end user capability. Gerber would be a warranty call an Leatherman would need it's tools tweaked to close again, but could be done by end user returning tool to service asap.
Yes crazy my theory is and a long shot but is how I see end result.
But prior to being broken in an adjusted, LT is a iffy experience out of box in my findings agreed. All others seem to be better out of box. Except one Gerber Clutch, it broke shortly after being released from box.
Jmtc, flamesuit on.

Yeah true, if you give a non mt person a leatherman he would probably put it in the drawer because he can't open some of the tools or it is almost impossible to do.
Probably the reason why so many companies give saks as a present. (And the price)

I am always glad the fist two weeks with my new leatherman are over. After that the fun can begin.