Wave quality issues

[an_unarmed_person]

Hello everyone,

I've been a brand-commited user for over 10 years now and, as hard as it feels, I regretfully have to shout out my disappointment with the quality of the Wave model. I've owned several Waves through those years, carried and used them on the job on 3 continents (humanitarian logistics), through thick and thin. My first three model served me well with minor issues only, nothing that couldn't be easily fixed with a Leatherman in the other hand). But then, around 2009 if memory serves, something bad happened. Three Waves in a row had serious problems with loosening scissors and pliers. The pliers simply get stuck after (attempted) cutting of softer materials (eg. wire gets in-between the cutting edges instead of being separated) so that one has to pull the needles apart by force. To cut even thin paper using scissors one has to hardly press the edges against each other. The riveting on the pliers and scissors went down the drain. Unfortunately there is no alternative for me (small bit driver is a must) so I will keep hammering the rivets to keep the tools going some months longer. My multi-tools were purchased in several countries in different periods of time so a bad batch cannot be an explanation.

Not that there is a Leatherman shop in Juba to get a replacement.

Really, Leatherman, it has to be dealt with. Or include a hammer in the set.

Anyone with similar observations?

Best,

Matt

P.S. I had a Charge TTi as well and never had any problems with it. I gave it as a gift to a fellow log in Somalia and cannot afford buying another one so far. I write it so you know that I am able to appreciate Leatherman products in general. 

[Dalton Siedschlag]

I've had issues with the springs in multiple models. Wingman plier pivot broke and scissor spring slips out of position and the style ps scissor spring broke.

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[Poncho65]

  I don't think I use many of the newer LM with scissors much I have used them some but not enough perhaps to have an issue with them. Sorry I can't be much help but maybe you are using them more than some I usually use a SAK rather than a LM for my scissors as my main EDC MT is a Rebar.  Hopefully you have better luck with another one as I would send it in to your LM representative for your area and tell them of your experience an hopefully they can fix the problem

[Paolo Enrico Pasco]

Locking on my scissors and eyeglass tool has Play, new out of the box... is this normal?

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[G-Dizzle]

Locking on my scissors and eyeglass tool has Play, new out of the box... is this normal?

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On a wave? Dont think thats normal. Not in my experience so far. Sad to hear the QC has gone down so much :/ my st300 has play from side to side on the two handles while closed and all of the tools have play but i have assumed that it was normal.. As far as my wave goes the lockup is good on everything and even better on my charge tti. Same good lockup on my oht as well


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[Paolo Enrico Pasco]

Locking on my scissors and eyeglass tool has Play, new out of the box... is this normal?

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On a wave? Dont think thats normal. Not in my experience so far. Sad to hear the QC has gone down so much :/ my st300 has play from side to side on the two handles while closed and all of the tools have play but i have assumed that it was normal.. As far as my wave goes the lockup is good on everything and even better on my charge tti. Same good lockup on my oht as well


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You said that right, Leatherman Quality Control has gone down too much. I had the wave replaced today, same blister pack sealed packaging. This 2nd unit is even Worse! Blade Play on the Main Tool we use which is the Plain Edge Blade. Hard Scratches on the handle. Same Play on the Scissors and Eyeglass tool. I think I have no choice, I'll go back MEC Store and just get back the 1st One, I'll have to settle with the issues of that, this ones worst.

Regarding the SuperTool 300. I also have one, and same as yours, it has Play on all the Tools, lock up isn't solid. I hope others can chime in if theirs are the same.

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[wonderwolf]

Sorry you are having issues with your wave, I know how it can be to invest a lot of trust and money with a brand and then their standards become lax over time.

Can you post some pictures? What has the company said in reply to your concerns?

I got a wave a few months back and have been super impressed with it, so much in fact I quit carrying the SAK Trekker for the time being to give it a good shake down, that trekker has been on my belt for the last 8 years or so.  I do have a friend who has busted a few waves but he is a millwright and is tough on his tools anyways.

Hopefully you find redemption!   

[Paolo Enrico Pasco]

I already contacted them, and as we know they still has superb customer support, told me to just send it back and they'll be happy to fix or replace it. But that will not solve the bigger problem with their present Quality Standards.

Sadly its not just isolated cases or batch issues, same as the charge tti where I had the chance to inspect and try out all the units in stock of not just one but three different stores, cabelas, mec and wholesale sports. Maybe it was a good thing their charge tti's were in ordinary cardboard boxes so it was ok for them when I requested to try the units first, I said I want a unit without issues. I noticed first hand that the issues is already with the deteriorated Quality Standards of Leatherman. All the Charge Tti's I tried out has issues, just on different aspects on each units, some has Blade Play on the S30v plain edge, Serrated, worse was on the Sawblades, play was up and down probably due to short linerlock or overmachined blade pivot and even has play side to side could be due to loose torx screws. I dont know why but all of them doesnt have play on the file but several units had the File Rub issue, not all so its still hit and miss. Almost all the Charge Tti's I tried had Issues with their Scales Moving. Some of the Inner Tools has play also. Finish was also an issue, light and hard scratches out of the box.
I dont have anything against Leatherman, I actually love their MTs, I own several of them and dream of having a complete lineup, thats how I love Leatherman.
Its saddening for me, and probably same goes with many others here who loves Leatherman MTs, to witness this down trend with their Quality Standards.
I really hope they do something to address these issues and have again Top Notch Quality just like the older times.

I made videos for documentation. I'll post links soon.




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