New 2017 Leathermans

[Aloha]

I almost feel like someone at Leatherman found a giant bin of the old Juice scales and blades, and aksed the engineering Marketing department to find a way to get rid of them all.

FTFY 

 

[Obi1shinobee]

Another "Second" for LM? These 1/2 tools have been made here for a while now, mostly with a better tool layout. I wonder if they had excess parts lying around?

Pete

THIS ^^^


SIGH. 

LM all you have to do is ask one of OUR modders to come up with tools for you  . 

UPDATE the WAVE.  R&D a Surge blade exchanger to fit the Wave and add the Rebar Plier head while you are at it.  Ditch the Serrated blade and add OHO scissors at the same time omit the small scissor and add an AWL.  Ditch the small bit driver an maybe add a Chisel?

Maybe off some other tool in BO?  I'd love to see the Crunch in BO.  Maybe offer the Crunch in a A100 configuration?  LM pruners?  Maybe re-design the Juice and offer it in BO?  I don't know I'm just spitballing here.

Chisel , can/Bottle/Packed Opener , and Hex bits

[Aloha]

I know the folks at LM are probably some of the brightest and most well educated.  Why not for the sake of WTF hire someone just for the sake of WTF and see what they can come up with? 

I'm pretty sure Metro or Evil would be stoked ( maybe not  ) to swing by and draw something up.

Maybe hire a Multitool Forum Owner  as a consultant?  Think outside at the same time inside the box. 

A team of MTO LM modders and thinkers let loose at LM  just to see what they can come up with. 

Anyone in?   

[Aloha]

Another "Second" for LM? These 1/2 tools have been made here for a while now, mostly with a better tool layout. I wonder if they had excess parts lying around?

Pete

THIS ^^^


SIGH. 

LM all you have to do is ask one of OUR modders to come up with tools for you  . 

UPDATE the WAVE.  R&D a Surge blade exchanger to fit the Wave and add the Rebar Plier head while you are at it.  Ditch the Serrated blade and add OHO scissors at the same time omit the small scissor and add an AWL.  Ditch the small bit driver an maybe add a Chisel?

Maybe off some other tool in BO?  I'd love to see the Crunch in BO.  Maybe offer the Crunch in a A100 configuration?  LM pruners?  Maybe re-design the Juice and offer it in BO?  I don't know I'm just spitballing here.

Chisel , can/Bottle/Packed Opener , and Hex bits

Hire this Man while you can LM 

[Obi1shinobee]

Another "Second" for LM? These 1/2 tools have been made here for a while now, mostly with a better tool layout. I wonder if they had excess parts lying around?

Pete

THIS ^^^


SIGH. 

LM all you have to do is ask one of OUR modders to come up with tools for you  . 

UPDATE the WAVE.  R&D a Surge blade exchanger to fit the Wave and add the Rebar Plier head while you are at it.  Ditch the Serrated blade and add OHO scissors at the same time omit the small scissor and add an AWL.  Ditch the small bit driver an maybe add a Chisel?

Maybe off some other tool in BO?  I'd love to see the Crunch in BO.  Maybe offer the Crunch in a A100 configuration?  LM pruners?  Maybe re-design the Juice and offer it in BO?  I don't know I'm just spitballing here.

Chisel , can/Bottle/Packed Opener , and Hex bits

Hire this Man while you can LM 

No No , Im not worthy , A friend take all credit on this one...

[Aloha]

As to the knife situation, and yes there is a situation.  I believe I've said it before, why not partner with knife makers?  Kershaw and fricken everybody seems to be a win for many knife lovers. 

LM why not partner with a bush crafter and come out with bushcraft fixed blade?  Maybe they missed the boat but IMO bush craft blades are still and will always be a thing. 

Now maybe I'm silly but what about taking the Signal and tweaking it a bit?  Maybe a scandi blade?  Maybe something like what DiResta did with the MUT?  I think that would be awesome for a "outdoor" option on the Signal.   

[Aloha]

Another "Second" for LM? These 1/2 tools have been made here for a while now, mostly with a better tool layout. I wonder if they had excess parts lying around?

Pete

THIS ^^^


SIGH. 

LM all you have to do is ask one of OUR modders to come up with tools for you  . 

UPDATE the WAVE.  R&D a Surge blade exchanger to fit the Wave and add the Rebar Plier head while you are at it.  Ditch the Serrated blade and add OHO scissors at the same time omit the small scissor and add an AWL.  Ditch the small bit driver an maybe add a Chisel?

Maybe off some other tool in BO?  I'd love to see the Crunch in BO.  Maybe offer the Crunch in a A100 configuration?  LM pruners?  Maybe re-design the Juice and offer it in BO?  I don't know I'm just spitballing here.

Chisel , can/Bottle/Packed Opener , and Hex bits

Hire this Man while you can LM 

No No , Im not worthy , A friend take all credit on this one...

With all the flipping modding you have done  you sir are exactly what LM could benefit from.   

[Aloha]

LM tell ya what.  Why don't you hire a team of MTO members as consultants?  Let them brainstorm for a set time and you run it by whomever and come out with a prototype. 

The team doesn't have to move they can do what they/we do here anyway meet via internet.  You keep costs down and they get paid on every tool sold. 

[Aloha]

So, what was Leatherman's last real new MT?  The Rebar?   No, the Signal.  Or am I forgetting something?*

I do understand everyone's disappointment, I really do.  What we want is something new and exciting, but what we get is something that our members have been doing for years and not even the best versions of those ideas.  What can be done with a half Sidekick/Wingman is just cool IMO.






*Really, am I forgetting something?  I feel like I'm forgetting something.

Members here have set the bar high as to what can be done to a LM.  There are a great many out there who have no clue what we know.  That being said I guess our expectation is at a higher level and as such we demand more from LM. 

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,70353.msg1414765.html#new

[SteveC]

It seems like a Mini Surge would have been a no brainer for them to come out with by now   

[dks]

I have not seen anything exciting from the industry for some time.

Victorinox copied Syph and put scissors on a 91mm SAK... and we got all moist about it.

Do we like it? yes? was it really so hard to think and do? no...

SOG has not produced anything new and reliable in some time, Gerbers last real innovation was the Steady.... Was the centre drive innovative? was it really hard to think of?...

Maybe we have reached perfection, with no need for new ideas... (Porsche has been making just variants of the 911 for years)

LM, the MUT was the last innovative design they had (the rebar took 4 minutes to design... just shrink the ST300)
Hopefully a new manufacturer with new ideas will appear.

Swiza? - they just made some new fancy scales.....

[Aloha]

I have not seen anything exciting from the industry for some time.

Victorinox copied Syph and put scissors on a 91mm SAK... and we got all moist about it.

Do we like it? yes? was it really so hard to think and do? no...

SOG has not produced anything new and reliable in some time, Gerbers last real innovation was the Steady.... Was the centre drive innovative? was it really hard to think of?...

Maybe we have reached perfection, with no need for new ideas... (Porsche has been making just variants of the 911 for years)

LM, the MUT was the last innovative design they had (the rebar took 4 minutes to design... just shrink the ST300)
Hopefully a new manufacturer DESIGNER/s with new ideas will appear.

Swiza? - they just made some new fancy scales.....

http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,70353.msg1414765/boardseen.html#new

[Aloha]

DKS  well said.

[metasyntax]

I think these tools are weird choices, and I don't have much love for the Skeletool knife, but I'm not mad at Leatherman because they didn't show up with Wave 3.0 or a brand new design. Last year we got entirely new stuff in the Signal and Tread. Beloved companies like Victorinox don't come close to the level of innovation we get from Leatherman. They have created a prodigious amount of new tools over their lifetime. Not all of them great, but still. So, with that in mind, I may be disappointed that we didn't get something amazing and new this year, I don't see it as a failure on their part. I'm sure designing, testing, manufacturing, and marketing a new tool takes more time, energy, and money than I can fathom.

For all the folks who are a lot smarter and handier than myself who are coming up with ideas to pass on, more power to you. Just because I don't expect awesome stuff every year, doesn't mean I don't want it. I just noticed Leatherman has an idea submission form on their site: http://www.leatherman.com/ideasubmission.html

[metasyntax]

Victorinox copied Syph and put scissors on a 91mm SAK... and we got all moist about it.

Agreed, there was little technical innovation there. But it was exciting because ALOX + scissors now costs only $45.

Maybe we have reached perfection, with no need for new ideas...

We're talking about companies in entrenched positions. If everybody is happy with where they are, they won't risk their current position by trying to advance it. Victorinox has a philosophy of taking the long view, and it has worked for them so far. Leatherman is king in the US. They will innovate when the market pushes them, I think that's what SOG and Gerber are trying to do. What remains to be seen is if LM considers it a real threat.

I am feeling cynical today.

[temo]

I think rabar is a good proven classical solution. And supertool 300. I like those a lot more then any new designs. From new solutions I like juice as smaller option to MT. Seems with new designs knife is overrated. Skele knife is good and it is not the bad thing to be able to get plain skele knife.

Just new recent leathermans like signal, leap and tread are real multitools. These new are kinda light versions of existing and don't add innovation value. Still variations and more lower budget versions, which is good from one perspective. But it is more widening to new customers existing solutions.

[tosh]

I bet the biggest problem is patents. Just because it's not been released doesn't mean it isn't already patented by a competitor.
I agree tho'  it does seem like innovation is being avoided. Some of the stuff that's been released in the last few years is dreadful. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have not seen anything exciting from the industry for some time.

Victorinox copied Syph and put scissors on a 91mm SAK... and we got all moist about it.

Do we like it? yes? was it really so hard to think and do? no...

SOG has not produced anything new and reliable in some time, Gerbers last real innovation was the Steady.... Was the centre drive innovative? was it really hard to think of?...

Maybe we have reached perfection, with no need for new ideas... (Porsche has been making just variants of the 911 for years)

LM, the MUT was the last innovative design they had (the rebar took 4 minutes to design... just shrink the ST300)
Hopefully a new manufacturer with new ideas will appear.

Swiza? - they just made some new fancy scales.....

This is what I thought- that the plier based multitool was over.

then the Center Drive came out, and maybe there wasn't much that was new with it, but it was exciting.  The SOG came out not just with a new tool but a whole bloody line of new tools and, like them or not, they are also exciting, if for no other reason than they are not really like anything that came before.

Will Leatherman retaliate.  I sure hope so, and I hope it is a respectable showing, and not a set of earrings to match their bracelet.  I honestly hope they knock it out of the park because I would love to see something big and exciting from them to show why they are the King of multitools.

As for perfection, Victorinox did that years ago with the Spirit, but we keep buying more. 

And, in regards to comment about them not having to come out with a great and exciting new tool every year, you are absolutely right.  But, with the gauntlet thrown by Gerber and SOG, this would be the year to step up.

When it comes to getting Tim to come out of retirement, I don't think that's a solution.  Ben Rivera has been at Tim's side almost as long as there's been a Leatherman Tools, and he's probably had more influence on the day to day design of many of the tools that Tim has.  Tim may have started the ball rolling, but Ben has been directing it and keeping it going for a long time.  Yes, the ball has been dropped this year, but that is going to happen from time to time, and I don't think dragging Tim out of his well-deserved retirement is going to change that.

Def

[genevabuck]

While I am disappointed, I kind of saw this coming.  Leatherman has spent a ton of resources and money on tooling for products such as the Raptor. MUT, OHT, Tread, etc...They most likely have stuff nice new products already designed, but have chosen to release them strategically, allowing them to continue to get the most out of their investments. 

[chrono]

They used to have a good knife line, why not bringing them back? What old may be in vogue again. A little tweak like adding a file, scissors, even a fire starter... will get people excited again. I just got my hand on a Klamath, easily a $100+ knife nowadays.

[NorCalJim]

I am someone who sticks with what I like and what works for me and there is a higher than average chance of me not being in the front of the line when LM releases their new products unless it is something compelling.  As someone born during Truman's administration (you have to excuse me but I have been watching the inauguration), I grew up with "New" meaning improved.  In fact, when TV became a household item, "New and improved" was a favorite advertising tool.  I don't know when but at some point, new stopped meaning improved...

I slammed on the brakes before I launched into a diatribe. 

When I started reading this topic (newer posts first), my first impression was that cell phones wars have got us so accustomed to significant product upgrades that anything short of wonderful is unacceptable.  Then I jumped to the first post and saw a blade-less Juice!  Didn't LM learn anything about the TSA from shortening the blade on their "New" Juice models in an effort to be TSA friendly? 

Now I'm disappointed!  How ironic that I just started a new topic wondering if there is any love for the Juice. 

[ThePeacent]

They used to have a good knife line, why not bringing them back? What old may be in vogue again. A little tweak like adding a file, scissors, even a fire starter... will get people excited again. I just got my hand on a Klamath, easily a $100+ knife nowadays.

They used to have many good/better things than Nowadays, much like SOG did. The good old Crater is one of their last offerings that was hard to beat, innovative at the time and has yet to be matched IMO

[ironraven]

I've been meditating on this Skeletool KB. First, using the Skeletool is just being lazy- the Freestyle could have been called Skeletool SC (Simplified Concept) but they at least tossed names around over lunch. Thats the first thing I don't like about it. But if if it is just the knife layer off a Skeletool... lets see, mine is on my desk... ruler.... Well, according to the backside of my Rebar, that's only a quarter inch, maybe a smidge less. In a plain blade, the ONLY use I can think of this is a back up blade, say in a PSK. That is really the only use I have for it after I take off the pocket clip, there is really nothing here not to hate.

I don't think I'll ever like it. But I wouldn't hate it and might even by one if they had incorporated the bit holder into it. Just holding the blade, it's going to be too skinny. Adding the bit holder and space for two regular or one long bit, I might buy one at $20 for those ultra minimalist days

As for this half of a Juice.... For medical reasons, the first thing out of my diet a while ago was juice. Sure, I can still have juice. Have you ever seen how pitiful a half cup of juice is? Not half a glass, but half a cup of juice. There is no joy in half a cup of juice. This is half a cup of Juice, and the only thing it can do is make people sad. A full glass of Juice or don't bother.

[Aloha]

I bet the biggest problem is patents. Just because it's not been released doesn't mean it isn't already patented by a competitor.
I agree tho'  it does seem like innovation is being avoided. Some of the stuff that's been released in the last few years is dreadful.

Yes I would agree.  Innovation does seem avoided as well.  The new offers while not my cup of tea will appeal to someone.  Like all LM offerings there is always someone to buy it and not just the collectors. 

Home runs like the Wave for example don't have to be flash in the pan tho.  Funny I was thinking about the Sidekick/Wingman.  Did LM say "Hey lets offer an even more stripped down tool since they loved that?"  We shortly saw the REV. 

IMO the Sidekick/Wingman did well when it went on clearance at homedepot.   Is anyone buying one at the current asking price?

[SurivStud]

SOG, a totally disruptive line of MTs (Q1 to Q4). I personally consider it not really functional in my type of needs. Blades to short, pliers nose also. The scissors including models are good IMO.  But, I must acknowledge that they really came with a differently thought design, and looks good. Carrying them would be like carrying a pen or a marker, specially   the Q4 which includes a ratchet!!!.  Probably, one of the biggest innovation I've  seen in a multitool. A ratchet! Includes the bits set.
IMO, besides the ratchet included model, they are expensive for their variety of possible uses (prices at their website), not really functional (size & shape) but really decent look, and a really good option for office or administrative work. The ratchet, I consider, is their biggest achievement.


Leatherman offers two knives lines, for Skeletool and Juice fans, and new colors if I am not wrong. They look good, but could be considered that it isn't to much of an innovation. Probably due to the fact that they launched new products not to long ago, as has been said in this thread.
I think they are preparing something more. Hope so. I really want them to do so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[MUTman92]

With all the comments, it seems like you all have collectively hit the nail on the head. The new half tools seem to be a company sitting on its proverbial haunches. The folding knife market is already saturated with premium and budget options. The new Leatherman offerings bring nothing new to the table while still offering a "new" product which uses existing components that they already have bins upon bins of. Honestly I would rather them have not released anything this year (also the skeletool rx was an orange cerakoted bit of a stretch too) while researching and developing something new and exciting to release. The crazy bit is the fact that the mut eod was my first multitool, and I now have 58 of the things!

[ReamerPunch]

The title of the thread is misleading, since I see no new items being offered. Half a Skeletool, half a Juice. I was excited to see that LM had new stuff, only to find out that they had too many spare parts and "innovated" by selling them as new. What a sad joke.

I'll have a look through the mod section here and pretend they're the new, exciting tools we've been hoping to see.

[MUTman92]

I wish this forum had a like button!

[Aloha]

Is the Skeletool RX even being produce still? 

Guys am I wrong in thinking some of LM R&D should include accessories.  We've talked about sheaths in the past and how the older ones ( leather ) we're quite good.  What about a tool that like the LEEP one could attach or detach different parts?  Go to the airport an oops forgot you had your knife blade attached, no problem toss the blade. 

[rdub934]

They used to have a good knife line, why not bringing them back? What old may be in vogue again. A little tweak like adding a file, scissors, even a fire starter... will get people excited again. I just got my hand on a Klamath, easily a $100+ knife nowadays.

They used to have many good/better things than Nowadays, much like SOG did. The good old Crater is one of their last offerings that was hard to beat, innovative at the time and has yet to be matched IMO

(Image removed from quote.)

Those original Skeletool CX's with the mega deep serrations looked so B.A. Also, I agree about the Crater. I have just the plain-jane version and it is a great folder that I got for less than $20 - hard to beat that. The Tool-laden versions are really cool, too. If I ever saw one in store I would own it

I think Leatherman missed an opportunity with the Skeletool folders - they should have some additional functions over just a folding knife.