Let’s fix the Bonds KNIFE BLADE ISSUE.

[nitram]

Not sure solder would stay  I think a spot weld would work but getting it just right, without splatter or melting that thin of metal would be the problem 

There is a technique called micro welding, it’s used to restore watch cases. That would work but might be a little expensive.

[nitram]

Just a random thought for a quick and dirty fix. Would it be possible to take a hammer and anvil and flatten the cam on the tang a little so it protrudes just a tiny bit more? 

[Poncho65]

As long as you didn't bother the pivot that would work or at least in theory it should 

[nitram]

As long as you didn't bother the pivot that would work or at least in theory it should 

I think I’ll give it a try later, I do have a couple extra blades in a drawer. I’ll put something in the pivot to stop it from deforming.

 

[Poncho65]

Cool Hope it works

 

[nitram]

Cool Hope it works

 

What could possible go wrong? 

It may be a little while before I get around to it, still need to drempel the diamond file as well.

[Gareth]

Being hardened it's probably going to be very tough to move but I hope you have some success. 

[nitram]

Being hardened it's probably going to be very tough to move but I hope you have some success. 

That was my thinking too, but it really doesn’t need to move much at all. It’s a crude fix, but no harm in trying.
Maybe a squeeze in a hydraulic press would work? 

[Gareth]

That was my thinking too, but it really doesn’t need to move much at all. It’s a crude fix, but no harm in trying.
Maybe a squeeze in a hydraulic press would work? 

If you've got some spares that you can sacrifice then why not.    My concern is that it's more likely to crack than squash though.   

[Poncho65]

Perhaps heat the pivot in the area you want to hammer on to take the temper down so that the metal isn't as hard and brittle the edge is what needs to stay the same temper but the pivot shouldn't matter as much as long as it isn't too soft

[pomsbz]

I'd been interested in the Bond till now but that's simply bad (lazy/cheap) design.

[Happy Gilmore]

I mean...why not just have the grinding machines turn it into a sheepsfoot blade??

All I want to know from Leatherman is if I can grind down the blade and keep the warranty. Because if I do something like that..and they hastle me..I'm going to not be a happy camper.

[Poncho65]

It may be the way I hold the Bond in use but it really hasn't been an issue for me It would be in their best interest to fix it before someone does get hurt though but if others open and hold the pliers like I do then it shouldn't be an issue 

Also if you are thinking about it, hold it with the knife visit out face out on the thumb side in your hand and the blade is held in by your palm

[Poncho65]

I mean...why not just have the grinding machines turn it into a sheepsfoot blade??

All I want to know from Leatherman is if I can grind down the blade and keep the warranty. Because if I do something like that..and they hastle me..I'm going to not be a happy camper.

Email them and tell them the issue and tell them what you are going to do to keep from cutting yourself and see what they say

[Happy Gilmore]

Email them and tell them the issue and tell them what you are going to do to keep from cutting yourself and see what they say

I may buy a brand new bond, just to do this and see what happens.. Literally the blade is the only issue with this tool, otherwise its awesome.

[Poncho65]

  I still like it even with the issue and I do have an extra Rebar blade around that I may make a sheetfoot blade put of

[Gareth]

Just tried the magnets idea and, at least for me, it didn't seem to help a lot...if any. 

Personally this isn't a big enough problem that I'm not going to carry my Bond but it is something I think should be fixed going forward.  I still think the big access cut-out for the oversized nail-nick should be gotten rid of.  It would remove the chance of pushing open the blade by mistake and make the plier that bit more comfortable to use.  Either use a MUCH smaller cut-out (like the PST) or move the nail-nick to the other side of the blade.

[SteveC]

Got the standard message from LM on Facebook saying thanks and this feedback will be forwarded to our product team .

[pomsbz]

Was the feedback on the Free pliers issue ever heeded?

[Poncho65]

Unless it was fixed quietly on later ones, not that I know of

But I never had that problem with any of my pliers either

[hsherzfeld]

Didn't Leatherman do a recall of their Leap tools at one point due to a blade safety issue?

[Chako]

That is correct, and the Leap did not have a long production life either.

[rdub934]

I see this thread, the owners thread, and the possible leak thread but I havent actually seen a description of the problem. Admittedly I havent gone through them all meticulously. What is going on?

[Chako]

if you pull out some of the other tools on the knife side, there is clumping that occurs. The knife blade will swing out just enough to have the blade point stick outside of the handle. The knife stops there due to friction at the pivot point. It shouldn't come out beyond the handle unless you want it to. This could be a safety issue.

[ReamerPunch]

I see this thread, the owners thread, and the possible leak thread but I havent actually seen a description of the problem. Admittedly I havent gone through them all meticulously. What is going on?

Ben explains the issue in the first minute, then checks other tool of similar design for the same issue.

[ReamerPunch]

I still think the big access cut-out for the oversized nail-nick should be gotten rid of. 

 
Those cut-outs are massive and the Rebar has two cut-outs. I have not seen anyone mention that they like the cut-outs. Sure, they allow the blades to be pinched open even with gloves, but has anyone ever done that?
I would rather have nice, straight handles, with no cut-outs, and have the ergonomics be even better than they are now.

I know it is easy for us to say "why don't they make two versions, one with cut-outs, one without", but that is not feasible. But we can always dream.

[Chako]

Leatherman definitely went the Rebar route when designing the Bond. Much like the Rev is to the Wingman and Sidekick...which amazes me at how much those are now new.

[Etherealicer]

Ben explains the issue in the first minute, then checks other tool of similar design for the same issue.

This video makes me think that the problem gets worse if you have one of the other tools open. Can someone check that?

[ReamerPunch]

But if you have another tool open, you won't have both handles open like that.

[Gareth]

This video makes me think that the problem gets worse if you have one of the other tools open. Can someone check that?

Checked and, oddly enough, no.  Feels counterintuitive but if anything it's marginally better.  A little more friction being put on the pivot from somewhere I think.