Leatherman hypothetical lifespan.

[Don Pablo]

I guess I'm going a bit LM mad at the moment, because of my new used/rusty Kick, that I've taken a shining to.

This happened with SAKs too, I was wondering how long a SAK would last if it were opened, closed, etc, every day, indefinitely.
As I recall, the conclusion I reached was that, if properly maintained, they last until they disappear out of your pocket.   
And after that, they would be found by an archeologist in the far future, given the right conditions.   
Aka, they last forever and a day, and the things that can break are replaceable.

So, now I want to know the same thing for LM tools. No biggie. 

The main questions are regarding the locks, and the plier handle pivots.

How long will the locks last? What about the lockless design on the PST and Kick? And the springs on the juice line?
 

And regarding the plier handle pivots... On some Leathermans, the wear will be metal-on-metal. On others, Metal-on-Zytel (like the Kick, Fuse Blast).
Will these wear to the point that they cannot be tightened up?

[Old Boy]

I still have the old version supertool. So that makes it 20 yrs?  Pivots are fine, pliers are fine. Leather sheath finally rotted out and I had to get the screwdriver blade replaced as it was no longer straight. Which they are notorious for which is why they came up with the LM bits I believe.

But to be fair, after several years it was no longer my first LM MT, so usage has been rotated in and out.

Damn. Now I want to shop for the original sheath and start carrying it more often. 

[Don Pablo]

I still have the old version supertool. So that makes it 20 yrs?  Pivots are fine, pliers are fine. Leather sheath finally rotted out and I had to get the screwdriver blade replaced as it was no longer straight. Which they are notorious for which is why they came up with the LM bits I believe.

But to be fair, after several years it was no longer my first LM MT, so usage has been rotated in and out.

Damn. Now I want to shop for the original sheath and start carrying it more often. 

You're welcome. 

Would you say the tightness of the pivots is similar to other more recent leathermans?

Thanks for the info on the flat screwdriver twisting, I'll be careful on mine.

[Old Boy]

I think the new models are stiffer but that's not necessarily a bad thing I think. But hard to tell, it may have loosened over time.

Yeah when I returned it in for warranty work several years ago they said they may not have the original part anymore so I don't know if they can repair it now with original parts.

Though who knows maybe you get the new version supertool or a equivalent as a replacement. Maybe that equivalent is a Wingman?

I didn't want that at the time. This was my first LM and it served me well.

[Don Pablo]

I'm worried about my Kick breaking in 20 years, and leaving me stranded with no equivalent LM model to buy as a replacement.   
Yeah I think too far ahead.

Mostly I'm concerned about the pivots loosening and becoming worn, and the "springs" for the tools breaking.

[SteveC]

I'm worried about my Kick breaking in 20 years, and leaving me stranded with no equivalent LM model to buy as a replacement.   
Yeah I think too far ahead.

Mostly I'm concerned about the pivots loosening and becoming worn, and the "springs" for the tools breaking.

That's what backups are for   

[Don Pablo]

I'm worried about my Kick breaking in 20 years, and leaving me stranded with no equivalent LM model to buy as a replacement.   
Yeah I think too far ahead.

Mostly I'm concerned about the pivots loosening and becoming worn, and the "springs" for the tools breaking.

That's what backups are for   

I'm looking for facts, not backups. 
The backups come later.

[Poncho65]

I'm worried about my Kick breaking in 20 years, and leaving me stranded with no equivalent LM model to buy as a replacement.   
Yeah I think too far ahead.

Mostly I'm concerned about the pivots loosening and becoming worn, and the "springs" for the tools breaking.

The weak spot of that series were the locks (which they redesigned and fixed ) Since the Kick doesn't have locks you should be ok with many years of service

Also a Supertool 300 is what you receive if they swap an OG Supertool in warranty

[Don Pablo]

I'm worried about my Kick breaking in 20 years, and leaving me stranded with no equivalent LM model to buy as a replacement.   
Yeah I think too far ahead.

Mostly I'm concerned about the pivots loosening and becoming worn, and the "springs" for the tools breaking.

The weak spot of that series were the locks (which they redesigned and fixed ) Since the Kick doesn't have locks you should be ok with many years of service

Also a Supertool 300 is what you receive if they swap an OG Supertool in warranty

Thanks. 

[ironraven]

Buy now, put them away for safety. It isn't hoarding, its investing.

I got a Supertool, the "100", when they first came out. In fact, literally mine was the first one I saw because I didn't know they were going to be doing it and it was right there in the case. Lot of use, and it's wiggly. Finally retired it when the Rebar came out because I wanted the smaller size. Call it 15 years and the ST is still serviceable. It's stashed in a safe place, against emergency.

[Old Boy]

 Also a Supertool 300 is what you receive if they swap an OG Supertool in warranty
[/quote]

Wow that's generous of them. I took a quick look and I noticed they are still using built in screwdriver blades vs. the bits. Do they still get crooked when you torque them?

I remember now it wasn't the large screwdriver blade that got twisted, it was the small or medium size screwdriver.

[aluminated]

I've received my first Leatherman, a PST with 1994 date codes in 1995. It has been used extensively but not abused much. The handle were as loose as a balisong until I purchased loki-mobile's LM wrenches. I'd say that now after more than 22 years, the tool pivots are 99%, the handle pivots are 90%, and the pliers pivot is about 85%, all compared to original. I know, thanks to the helpful suggestions found at MTO that the pliers pivot can be tightened. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this tool will be able to last me a lifetime.

[Syncop8r]

It all depends how hard and how often they are used.

[Don Pablo]

I've received my first Leatherman, a PST with 1994 date codes in 1995. It has been used extensively but not abused much. The handle were as loose as a balisong until I purchased loki-mobile's LM wrenches. I'd say that now after more than 22 years, the tool pivots are 99%, the handle pivots are 90%, and the pliers pivot is about 85%, all compared to original. I know, thanks to the helpful suggestions found at MTO that the pliers pivot can be tightened. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that this tool will be able to last me a lifetime.

It sounds like these old leathermans will keep on rattling long after the DC-3's disappear, with proper maintenance and no abuse. 

[Poncho65]

Wow that's generous of them. I took a quick look and I noticed they are still using built in screwdriver blades vs. the bits. Do they still get crooked when you torque them?

I remember now it wasn't the large screwdriver blade that got twisted, it was the small or medium size screwdriver.

The 300 is the direct descendent of the OG so the toolset is exactly the same but with updated tools They seem a bit stronger but I think instead of bending now they will probably chip since the temper on them makes them harder I haven't had one twist on me but if the screw is in there to good then I will usually track an impact driver down to remove the offending screw

[NetsNJ]

I bought a used St 300 that had a twisted flat head for what's it's worth.

[Old Boy]

Yeah that's why I bought the Gerber MP back in the day. Never had that problem. Or maybe I got smarter.

Anyway sorry for hijacking the thread. But in my mind the lifespan of the tool includes any issues in pivots etc  if not abused.  So to me whether its 1 day or a 100 yrs if it breaks it is what it is.

I cherish my early model ST but for the screwdriver to get twisted when it should be designed to withstand torque makes it a short lifespan. I'm positive I didn't abuse it. But hey wouldn't sell this tool for 1M$. Or would I