Is my new leatherman faulty?

[Reacher]

Hello everybody, this is Reacher from Italy. I've been lurking the forum for a while and now decided to subscribe to ask a question.
I've just bought a Leatherman Wingman from amazon. Didn't expect that the tool would be so loose. There are at least 5mm of play between the two parts of the tool. I've made a picture to explain better.
Knowing that I could ask a refund or a substitution, should I send it back to amazon?

[ironraven]

The Wingman is not Leatherman's most sterling product, but thats too much. Exchange it.

[rdub934]

My Wingman is that way as well. As Ironraven said, the Wingman is one of Leatherman's "budget" offerings. It is still a quality piece, but in comparison to a Wave it is a few rungs lower on the ladder. If that picture represents the maximum amount of skew, then I personally wouldn't bother with sending it in. Much more than that, I would.

[SteveC]

My sidekick is like that as well, so I would say it is normal. My original Wave does the same thing, i wouldn't worry about and enjoy your new Leatherman.

[gregpost]

 A lot of Leathermans have that handle skew, even the "better" models.

[Aloha]

If it negatively affects the tools capability send it back.  We've seen wobbly Spirits as well.  I dont know what LM tolerances are on the Wingman but I just check 2 Waves and a Kick and there is little play.

[Reacher]

Thanks everybody for the quick answers.
This kind of play doesn't seem to affect the tool performance, in my opinion. It's just really annoying. When you use the blade or change your grip on the tool it doesn't stay compact.
I see there's not consensus. So I guess Leatherman quality check could be the problem.
I'm still trying to guess if could get a better one, if I send this one back.

[sawman]

If you're looking for perfect you're barking up the wrong tree with Leatherman.

[Kampfer]

Thanks everybody for the quick answers.
This kind of play doesn't seem to affect the tool performance, in my opinion. It's just really annoying. When you use the blade or change your grip on the tool it doesn't stay compact.
I see there's not consensus. So I guess Leatherman quality check could be the problem.
I'm still trying to guess if could get a better one, if I send this one back.

The play is coming from the pliers pivot, very annoying.
On sidekick there is a lanyard ring you can use to silde into the other handle to minimized the play.

[captain spaulding]

Thanks everybody for the quick answers.
This kind of play doesn't seem to affect the tool performance, in my opinion. It's just really annoying. When you use the blade or change your grip on the tool it doesn't stay compact.
I see there's not consensus. So I guess Leatherman quality check could be the problem.
I'm still trying to guess if could get a better one, if I send this one back.

The play is coming from the pliers pivot, very annoying.
On sidekick there is a lanyard ring you can use to silde into the other handle to minimized the play.

I wish the larger Leathermans could/would use the same technique in keeping the tool together (handle play) like the Micra. 

[Kampfer]

Thanks everybody for the quick answers.
This kind of play doesn't seem to affect the tool performance, in my opinion. It's just really annoying. When you use the blade or change your grip on the tool it doesn't stay compact.
I see there's not consensus. So I guess Leatherman quality check could be the problem.
I'm still trying to guess if could get a better one, if I send this one back.

The play is coming from the pliers pivot, very annoying.
On sidekick there is a lanyard ring you can use to silde into the other handle to minimized the play.

I wish the larger Leathermans could/would use the same technique in keeping the tool together (handle play) like the Micra.

Agree, that design on Micra is superior.

[sawman]

Don't forget to mention the Style CS as well, another high-quality small MT.

[smiller43147]

If you're looking for perfect you're barking up the wrong tree with Leatherman.

Look around, there is a post somewhere about this same issue with Victorinox Spirits.  They are about as close to perfect as you'll find, and they have the same misalignment issues.

[AimlessWanderer]

If you're looking for perfect you're barking up the wrong tree with Leatherman.

Look around, there is a post somewhere about this same issue with Victorinox Spirits.  They are about as close to perfect as you'll find, and they have the same misalignment issues.

I believe the issue here is not about misalignment when closed, but play/movement. The Spirit doesn't have that, which is why it doesn't "settle" flat if there is any slight handle misalignment when closed 

[smiller43147]

If you're looking for perfect you're barking up the wrong tree with Leatherman.

Look around, there is a post somewhere about this same issue with Victorinox Spirits.  They are about as close to perfect as you'll find, and they have the same misalignment issues.

I believe the issue here is not about misalignment when closed, but play/movement. The Spirit doesn't have that, which is why it doesn't "settle" flat if there is any slight handle misalignment when closed 

He's talking play.  Guess that's movement.  Then the question is, just movement, or "slop".  My Spirit is offset, and I can move the ends of the handles if I push on them, but it takes some effort,  There is no free play or jiggle in it.

[Reacher]

So in the end I've decided to ask amazon for a replacement.
New one is just slightly less loose. Difference was hard to see even with the two tools beside. 
Also the blade opening is harder.
I've decided to keep one just because I really like the scissors and the sturdiness of the rest of the tool.

Also, now I need a small tool to replace my Gerber Dime, as my girlfriend decided that she really liked it. So is the Style CS any good? And what about the Gerber Splice?

[rdub934]

Style CS is my favorite keychain-sized tool

[strmliner]

Welcome aboard Reacher and welcome to Leatherman tools...what you're seeing is not that uncommon, especially not with the Wingman and Sidekicks.