Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Leatherman Tools => Topic started by: gadgetman7 on February 27, 2017, 04:12:56 AM
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Looks like Leatherman has sent a cease and desist order to Texas Toolcrafters. Guess it's a new legal team and they don't like modders. Anyone else heard anything?
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I'm late to the party, did they sell modded Leatherman products? Looks like they do some awesome finish work. That kind of sucks!
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Wonder why the sudden change :think: They have been modding LM for years now :shrug: Perhaps LM sees a market for it now and are going to try and go for that ??? Hopefully we find something out about this :think:
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Wow, I had not heard this yet. Not sure how I feel about it. If they buy the tools they can do whatever they wan't with them correct? Not sure if Leatherman has any real legal ground here, but i'm probably wrong since Leatherman probably pays their lawyers quite a bit of money and its what they do for a living so i'm sure they know what they are doing. :think:
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Damn, I should have bought the orchild pink and olive drab Charges when they were on sale last year.
I think they are shut down because of using Leatherman name in their products, like Recharge, Wave Shogun Edition.... as they are not official. I wonder if Leatherman can do anything to TTC if they just sell coated parts instead.
Just think of how TTC sell a gold-plated Charge (probably with a better process) at half the price the official ones. Corporate bully at work. Not cool, Leatherman.
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The more I think about it, if TTC just plate and sell parts, plus a few custom-material blades, they may be better off. Why disassemble new tools, do custom color work, then sell at same or below retail price?
Here is a shoutout to TTC, a pair of Wave and Charge. I did not buy directly from them, but the quality is top notch.
(Was thinking of giving the gold Charge away as gift. I may want to hold on to it now :D)
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I'm all for customizing multi tools :tu:
But i'm not sure that this is unordinary business practice. Leatherman is allowed to protect their intellectual property. This is why there are patents and trademarks in place. :whistle:
They're still selling gold dipped Gerber knives if interested :dwts:
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I'm all for customizing multi tools :tu:
But i'm not sure that this is unordinary business practice. Leatherman is allowed to protect their intellectual property. This is why there are patents and trademarks in place. :whistle:
That is why I think TTC in hot water because they sell reassembled/ modded tools with Leatherman name. They are probably considered "fake" Leatherman, ground for claims on trademark. TTC still sell custom Damascus blade replacements for Skeletool, Charge, Wave... on eBay though, makes me believe selling parts/ custom parts is ok.
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Damn I knew I should have bought one sooner, I really don't see LM having a rock solid case here, but it's Davis Vs Goliath
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Leatherman is a trademarked name, and since TTC is disassembling the tools and reassembling them, they are no longer factory spec. I'm not suggesting that TTC does not do good work, but Leatherman has probabaly been on the hook for a few repairs of modified tools. They can't deny the service because it is their customer and their product, and doing so would look very bad for them. But, if someone was to break a Damascus blade, how does Leatherman replace it?
There are a lot of complications with mods, and some of our in house SAK modders have gotten similar warnings from Victorinox, largely because they are using the Victorinox name (once you modify a tool, it is no longer a Victorinox or Leatherman etc) and implying that the mod will have the same quality as Victorinox or Leatherman, which it probably doesn't. Even so, if it does break, and the user is injured to the point where it enters litigation, who does that user seek compensation from? The longstanding rule of lawsuits is that you go for who has the most money, and I don't care how much TTC makes, I guarantee Tim has much deeper pockets.
Modders of any sort, whether they are a legitimate business like TTC or some guy on the forum cranking them out on his or her kitchen table need to market the manufactured product as their own, NOT as a Leatherman, or else face the same issues. It is YOUR creation, and you just happened to use components from Company X.
In short, Leatherman doesn't want to take responsibility for something that someone else did. I'm surprised they took this long to do it TBH.
Def
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Leatherman is a trademarked name, and since TTC is disassembling the tools and reassembling them, they are no longer factory spec. I'm not suggesting that TTC does not do good work, but Leatherman has probabaly been on the hook for a few repairs of modified tools. They can't deny the service because it is their customer and their product, and doing so would look very bad for them. But, if someone was to break a Damascus blade, how does Leatherman replace it?
There are a lot of complications with mods, and some of our in house SAK modders have gotten similar warnings from Victorinox, largely because they are using the Victorinox name (once you modify a tool, it is no longer a Victorinox or Leatherman etc) and implying that the mod will have the same quality as Victorinox or Leatherman, which it probably doesn't. Even so, if it does break, and the user is injured to the point where it enters litigation, who does that user seek compensation from? The longstanding rule of lawsuits is that you go for who has the most money, and I don't care how much TTC makes, I guarantee Tim has much deeper pockets.
Modders of any sort, whether they are a legitimate business like TTC or some guy on the forum cranking them out on his or her kitchen table need to market the manufactured product as their own, NOT as a Leatherman, or else face the same issues. It is YOUR creation, and you just happened to use components from Company X.
In short, Leatherman doesn't want to take responsibility for something that someone else did. I'm surprised they took this long to do it TBH.
Def
I do see that point, but as LM don't offer comparative products it's hard to see where confusion could come from.
An comparable example is the Bamford Watch Company http://www.bamfordwatchdepartment.com/us/ and having asked one of the brands involved what they think of it, their answer was 'we still sell watches and these modifications may well attract new buyer'. A pretty progressive view from an industry that has gone out of it's way to make life difficult for everyone else.
Oh, I wouldn't buy a Bamford, a bit blingy for me
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My first thoughts.....
Does this mean TTC modded tool values now shoot way up? :D
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I hope TTC can find a work around or some other means to continue.
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I hope TTC can find a work around or some other means to continue.
Or even better start their own brand!
They will clearly be knowledgeable in the mechanisms of MT's and will no doubt find away around existing patents. They wouldn't even have to make the parts, work could be outsourced - that's what leatherman do I hear.
Maybe MT'o should commission the first batch :pok:
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I hope TTC can find a work around or some other means to continue.
Or even better start their own brand!
They will clearly be knowledgeable in the mechanisms of MT's and will no doubt find away around existing patents. They wouldn't even have to make the parts, work could be outsourced - that's what leatherman do I hear.
Maybe MT'o should commission the first batch :pok:
Brilliant idea Tosh
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I hope TTC can find a work around or some other means to continue.
Or even better start their own brand!
They will clearly be knowledgeable in the mechanisms of MT's and will no doubt find away around existing patents. They wouldn't even have to make the parts, work could be outsourced - that's what leatherman do I hear.
Maybe MT'o should commission the first batch :pok:
Brilliant idea Tosh
Could they make Evil's mods? :drool:
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I can see where they can run into trouble with the name but otherwise, they buy the tools, modify them, then resell them as modified tools. They have as much a right as anyone else to modify their own property and sell it if they want to. I dont think they have made any claims on these tools being factory and they should put a disclaimer if they have not already that there is no warranty. If this goes to court, i feel pretty confident ttc would win, maybe with a contingency that they add a disclaimer about warranty and change the name of what they are selling, etc.. they should win. I just don't know if they could compete with the lawyers that LM will be able to hire. I'm no legal expert though.
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I can see where they can run into trouble with the name but otherwise, they buy the tools, modify them, then resell them as modified tools. They have as much a right as anyone else to modify their own property and sell it if they want to. I dont think they have made any claims on these tools being factory and they should put a disclaimer if they have not already that there is no warranty. If this goes to court, i feel pretty confident ttc would win, maybe with a contingency that they add a disclaimer about warranty and change the name of what they are selling, etc.. they should win. I just don't know if they could compete with the lawyers that LM will be able to hire. I'm no legal expert though.
Bingo. As Grant said they ( LM ) have very deep pockets.
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There are legal reasons why corporate entities must enforce their trademarks and intellectual property - even if they don't want to enforce them. Its the same reason the Olympics and the NCAA ("March Madness") enforce their trademarks (with threats) even against harmless entities like charities and churches. I do not know the legal implications of taking a product like a Leatherman Wave and then modifying it, but it is difficult for a relatively small entity like TTC to repel a legal challenge from a major corporation like Leatherman if for no other reasons than the crushing costs involved with litigation.
I suspect that the parties will negotiate their way out of this, with TTC paying royalties or getting licensed by Leatherman, and that the TTC/Leatherman products will eventually reappear.
(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u497/todd_x7/6ae0c1e7-8ef5-4bbd-a14d-782573cd06eb.jpg)
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There are legal reasons why corporate entities must enforce their trademarks and intellectual property - even if they don't want to enforce them. Its the same reason the Olympics and the NCAA ("March Madness") enforce their trademarks (with threats) even against harmless entities like charities and churches. I do not know the legal implications of taking a product like a Leatherman Wave and then modifying it, but it is difficult for a relatively small entity like TTC to repel a legal challenge from a major corporation like Leatherman if for no other reasons than the crushing costs involved with litigation.
I suspect that the parties will negotiate their way out of this, with TTC paying royalties or getting licensed by Leatherman, and that the TTC/Leatherman products will eventually reappear.
(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u497/todd_x7/6ae0c1e7-8ef5-4bbd-a14d-782573cd06eb.jpg)
There was a charcuterie here in Portland called Olympic provisions and the "olympics" made them change their name...
But Grant makes some good points.
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There are legal reasons why corporate entities must enforce their trademarks and intellectual property - even if they don't want to enforce them. Its the same reason the Olympics and the NCAA ("March Madness") enforce their trademarks (with threats) even against harmless entities like charities and churches. I do not know the legal implications of taking a product like a Leatherman Wave and then modifying it, but it is difficult for a relatively small entity like TTC to repel a legal challenge from a major corporation like Leatherman if for no other reasons than the crushing costs involved with litigation.
I suspect that the parties will negotiate their way out of this, with TTC paying royalties or getting licensed by Leatherman, and that the TTC/Leatherman products will eventually reappear.
(http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/u497/todd_x7/6ae0c1e7-8ef5-4bbd-a14d-782573cd06eb.jpg)
There was a charcuterie here in Portland called Olympic provisions and the "olympics" made them change their name...
But Grant makes some good points.
I wonder what they would think of the "rms Olympic". :D
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".....as Grant said they ( LM ) have very deep pockets."
T'is a pity they don't have inspiration to match!
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Perhaps they are too busy spending it on lawyers.
Honestly I completely understand Leatherman on this- hell, I'm protective of the MTO brand, and it isn't worth a fraction of what Leatherman's brand is.
I think TTC could easily manage to stay in business pretty well exactly as they have been, with only a few minor changes- simply stop using the Leatherman name and suggest that they specifically are providing warranty service (or none at all) and not Leatherman despite there being some LM components used in construction of the tool.
It is important to differentiate that they are using Leatherman components rather than providing Leatherman products.
Def
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Joking aside
I do actually agree with everything you say Def
I don't own any TTC stuff, because it isn't genuine LM. In the past I've had to double check to ensure things I were tempted to buy were indeed genuine LM. The coloured Skeletools is a good example as is the Damascus wave (haven't bought it yet, but I know where it is should I be tempted) but again I needed to know if it was LM or TTC
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The thing that confuses me about this is I'm fairly sure (need to check but I don't have the tools in front of me right now) that some of the special edition LM's actually mention in the blurb that they were part of a tie-in with TTC (or similar wording); I'm talking here about official LM releases like the more recent anniversary tools, they have all the official LM stuff that comes with them but also make reference to a collaboration with TTC.
I think.
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Consider how meh new Leatherman products are this year, I will not be surprised if all this is to prepare for the launch of Charge/ Wave with Rebar's head (maybe with Wingman's scissors as well).
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Perhaps they are too busy spending it on lawyers.
Honestly I completely understand Leatherman on this- hell, I'm protective of the MTO brand, and it isn't worth a fraction of what Leatherman's brand is.
I think TTC could easily manage to stay in business pretty well exactly as they have been, with only a few minor changes- simply stop using the Leatherman name and suggest that they specifically are providing warranty service (or none at all) and not Leatherman despite there being some LM components used in construction of the tool.
It is important to differentiate that they are using Leatherman components rather than providing Leatherman products.
Defa
I think this is exactly the point. TTC needs to clearly differentiate that their product is NOT a Leatherman and is no longer bound to the Leatherman warranty
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I'm pretty sure that Leatherman already won't do warranty work on mods.
If there is anything, maybe dilution, or maybe they're just sick of someone making a pretty tool. But that would be like a custom finisher or engraver being sued by Colt or Remington.
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Aren't gold tools kinda foo-foo?
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I do not own any TTC tools either
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because I cannot affort them :rofl:
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Maybe TTC would not be in trouble if they only mod tools sent to them?
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Perhaps they are too busy spending it on lawyers.
Honestly I completely understand Leatherman on this- hell, I'm protective of the MTO brand, and it isn't worth a fraction of what Leatherman's brand is.
I think TTC could easily manage to stay in business pretty well exactly as they have been, with only a few minor changes- simply stop using the Leatherman name and suggest that they specifically are providing warranty service (or none at all) and not Leatherman despite there being some LM components used in construction of the tool.
It is important to differentiate that they are using Leatherman components rather than providing Leatherman products.
Defa
I think this is exactly the point. TTC needs to clearly differentiate that their product is NOT a Leatherman and is no longer bound to the Leatherman warranty
I remember reading somewhere (TTC website?), TTC clearly stated that their tools would not be honored by Leatherman for warranty claim. TTC actually offered their own warranty.
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Perhaps they are too busy spending it on lawyers.
Honestly I completely understand Leatherman on this- hell, I'm protective of the MTO brand, and it isn't worth a fraction of what Leatherman's brand is.
I think TTC could easily manage to stay in business pretty well exactly as they have been, with only a few minor changes- simply stop using the Leatherman name and suggest that they specifically are providing warranty service (or none at all) and not Leatherman despite there being some LM components used in construction of the tool.
It is important to differentiate that they are using Leatherman components rather than providing Leatherman products.
Defa
I think this is exactly the point. TTC needs to clearly differentiate that their product is NOT a Leatherman and is no longer bound to the Leatherman warranty
I remember reading somewhere (TTC website?), TTC clearly stated that their tools would not be honored by Leatherman for warranty claim. TTC actually offered their own warranty.
If that's the case, I don't see how Leatherman can win this. If I buy a car, take it apart and modify it, reassemble and sell it as a mod, stating it has no factory warranty, I don't see how Ford can cry foul because it has a Ford grill
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dang it, I wanted a Damascus blade, when I finally get my Signal set up the way I want it.
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Aren't gold tools kinda foo-foo?
No, they are very foo foo.
But what is a lad to do? I've purchased every conceivable SOG, Gerber, Victorinox and Leatherman, And then I bought multiples. And backups to my multiples. And discontinued models. And shelf queen backups to the discontinued models. And then when the time comes that you have to satisfy that MT craving, all that is left is Texas Tool Crafters. So I go to the dark side and end up foo foo.
:facepalm:
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I don't see how Leatherman can win this.
Leatherman "wins" by threatening TTC with years of litigation costing hundreds of thousands of dollars that TTC cannot afford. So TTC either capitulates or they cease to exist.
Again, I am hopeful - and predicting - that the parties will reach an accord, and Leatherman products will return to TCC's website.
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Perhaps they are too busy spending it on lawyers.
Honestly I completely understand Leatherman on this- hell, I'm protective of the MTO brand, and it isn't worth a fraction of what Leatherman's brand is.
I think TTC could easily manage to stay in business pretty well exactly as they have been, with only a few minor changes- simply stop using the Leatherman name and suggest that they specifically are providing warranty service (or none at all) and not Leatherman despite there being some LM components used in construction of the tool.
It is important to differentiate that they are using Leatherman components rather than providing Leatherman products.
Defa
I think this is exactly the point. TTC needs to clearly differentiate that their product is NOT a Leatherman and is no longer bound to the Leatherman warranty
I remember reading somewhere (TTC website?), TTC clearly stated that their tools would not be honored by Leatherman for warranty claim. TTC actually offered their own warranty.
If that's the case, I don't see how Leatherman can win this. If I buy a car, take it apart and modify it, reassemble and sell it as a mod, stating it has no factory warranty, I don't see how Ford can cry foul because it has a Ford grill
Actually, yes. They can.
That is no longer a Ford, just as these tools are no longer Leatherman Tools. They are Texas Toolcrafter Tools made with Leatherman components. That is the important thing to remember, as it is a significant distinction.
Just imagine if TTC did a shoddy job of reassembling the tools- I am not suggesting they do, but just imagine for a moment that they did. A customer then equates the shoddy workmanship with the Leatherman name and damages the Leatherman brand, through no fault of Leatherman's.
The fact that TTC may do good work is notwithstanding- if Leatherman allows one company to do it then they rightly can't stop other companies from doing the same thing, and who knows what the quality will be after that?
They simply have to protect their brand, and the only way to do that is to not let people mess with it, good or bad.
Def
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Aren't gold tools kinda foo-foo?
No, they are very foo foo.
But what is a lad to do? I've purchased every conceivable SOG, Gerber, Victorinox and Leatherman, And then I bought multiples. And backups to my multiples. And discontinued models. And shelf queen backups to the discontinued models. And then when the time comes that you have to satisfy that MT craving, all that is left is Texas Tool Crafters. So I go to the dark side and end up foo foo.
:facepalm:
I completely understand and admire your situation :D
(http://i63.tinypic.com/2vwbfyp.jpg)
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Goldfingeeer....
He loves only gooold!
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Goldfingeeer....
He loves only gooold!
Goldmember, my friend! :cheers: Johan van der Smut, the man with the gold genital, which is also a key to activate the tractor beam. Multitool indeed :D
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How is this any different from buying a truck from Toyota and taking it to your favorite body shop to have custom paint job and other changes?...
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This type of thing is more often about trademark then who changes what tools. Were they using trademarked names and phrases on their site belonging to leatherman? Probably since the name leatherman was on there.
Having some experience in this area... never use registered trademarks names on your site. Don't have a storefront selling modified tools. Make it clear your are charging for the labor to customize a tool. Make it clear your are not affiliated with parent company and warranty is void.
If they were selling only blades and upgrade parts and not acting as a defacto dealer then I bet they'd have no troubles.
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How is this any different from buying a truck from Toyota and taking it to your favorite body shop to have custom paint job and other changes?...
It isn't. But don't expect Toyota to warranty the things you changed or anything directly affected to/by the things you changed.
Def
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How is this any different from buying a truck from Toyota and taking it to your favorite body shop to have custom paint job and other changes?...
It isn't. But don't expect Toyota to warranty the things you changed or anything directly affected to/by the things you changed.
Def
No and Jeep and JLR wouldn't either, but none of them issue C&D on the companies that modify them.
A blinged out charge Tti is the same as a custom 4x4. Obviously not from the factory, it's buyer beware. Or in the case of LM at the moment (and this is only my opinion and i have more LM's that anything else) they have stopped innovating and their QC isn't really up to snuff.
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Leatherman isn't trying to stop anyone from modifying tools, they are trying to keep another company from using their trademark without permission.
Def
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Look Grant is right.
Y'all need to remember a few things in your comparisons. Multitools are fairly new and for profit mod are even newer, so to an extent this is a newish situation. Guns are made to be be disassembled by the end user, for cleaning. Cars likewise are made so they can be repaired fairly easily, also generally the warranty is not transferrable (unlike tools where there are no questions asked warranty).
And most importantly, the legal principle of what is good for for the goose is good for the gander. In other words TTC may do good work but Dingbat TC does crappie work, you have to go after both or you hurt the case against either. Much like what was said earlier about the IOC and NCAA (you can go after everyone or no one).
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Look Grant is right.
That's all you needed to say.... :D
Def
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Look Grant is right.
That's all you needed to say.... :D
Def
I agree with grant?
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Look Grant is right.
That's all you needed to say.... :D
Def
Yeah but that is kind of a short post
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Maybe it is not just the declaration on the TTC site...
for example here in Switzerland we have the
Leatherman Surge Black Ninja Edition (https://www.galaxus.ch/de/s4/product/leatherman-surge-black-ninja-edition-damascus-21x-multi-tool-3231269)
I don't think that is a LM but looks like a TTC (or even someone else) to me. The only indication is that it has only 2 years of warranty and not 25. So maybe the reason is that they don't communicate well enough with their re-sellers.
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Like I posted, I hope TTC can find a way to continue to produce modded tools. No question LM needs to protect their brand.
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Well then… :nothingtoadd:
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KNIVES ONLY :popcorn:
https://txtoolcrafters.com/collections/browse-by-brand
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KNIVES ONLY :popcorn:
https://txtoolcrafters.com/collections/browse-by-brand
Welcome to the convo ;) :rofl:
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Welp, Grant made all my points, and then addressed counter points (such as the car comparison)
So, I can either reiterate them,
or, and trust me this causes me great pain, and a spasm in the back of my neck...
I agree with Grant...
::)
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It looks like TTC is back in business, by etching their business name and serial number on the tool, and clearly stating "TTC Modifed Tool.... based on Leatherman...". I take it that they will honor the warranty themselves? They show all their works on Leatherman tools on their website, but all are "SOLD OUT"?
And WTF with this $600 Wave offering by TTC themselves on eBay ??? http://www.ebay.com/itm/TTC-Modified-Tool-Midas-Touch-Edition-Based-on-Leatherman-Wave-/201906698137?hash=item2f0293b799:g:x6EAAOSwVm5ZANWn
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Great, more red tools to buy. :ahhh :ahhh
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I think they are in the phase of "getting the words out", hence all "sold out" tools and crazy prices. A stock BO Wave is listed at $300 on their site.
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Tools are now available! :ahhh :ahhh
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Imo the TTC "disclaimer" on the tools looks absoloutley attrotious :facepalm:. Unfortunate, but I completely understand and ultimately sided with Leatherman on the situation.
Happy people can still attain their tools however, always good. Glad it could be worked out.
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Considering I can still buy "Leatherman" with gold plating and damascene blades I doubt this is the end of it (e.g. TTC Shogun in Switzerland (https://www.galaxus.ch/de/s4/product/leatherman-wave-shogun-dual-17x-multi-tool-5883785)).
But I see now, that TTC adds a printing on the frame of the tool "modified by Texas Tool Crafters". That should take care of the re-sell market as well.
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Glad an agreement was met and that both parties should benefit from this. TTC still can stay in business and mod tools :like: and LM wot have to spend time arguing with people and having to tell them they can't fix a tool under warranty because it has been modified :cheers: :like:
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I can still see Leatherman go after TTC for not doing enough. Really, the etched disclaimer can be rubbed off, they will be back to square one.
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I can still see Leatherman go after TTC for not doing enough. Really, the etched disclaimer can be rubbed off, they will be back to square one.
Hopefully LM will take a leap of faith for TTC, since it does seem like they are trying to comply :tu:
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Just happy I bought all of my TTC stuff prior to this.
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TTC is back but only with the coated and Damascus tools.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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This type of thing should calm down in US after Impression Vs Lexmark SCOTUS ruling in favor of the mod & resell company
https://www.wired.com/2017/06/impression-v-lexmark/amp/
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This type of thing should calm down in US after Impression Vs Lexmark SCOTUS ruling in favor of the mod & resell company
https://www.wired.com/2017/06/impression-v-lexmark/amp/
It has been forever since the last time I heard of Lexmark. My first printer was a Lexmark 15 years ago. Nowadays, HP is my go-to brand for inkjet printers (HP computers still suck though)
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TTC Damascus replacement blades are on sale, half price!
https://txtoolcrafters.com/collections/tools-of-the-month
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And now they won't ship to the UK, they did before :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak:
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And now they won't ship to the UK, they did before :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak:
Bah those blades are pretty crumby steel. If it was damasteel or even some other stainless Damascus sure. But those things are so rust prone. I had one here on a wave and no way I wanted to keep it so I sold it.
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And now they won't ship to the UK, they did before :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak:
Bah those blades are pretty crumby steel. If it was damasteel or even some other stainless Damascus sure. But those things are so rust prone. I had one here on a wave and no way I wanted to keep it so I sold it.
That's good to know. I had wondered about their version of Damascus.
I have not owned a TTC product - perhaps I find them too costly for what they are - but I think they should be allowed to continue in their business.
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And now they won't ship to the UK, they did before :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak: :twak:
Bah those blades are pretty crumby steel. If it was damasteel or even some other stainless Damascus sure. But those things are so rust prone. I had one here on a wave and no way I wanted to keep it so I sold it.
That's good to know. I had wondered about their version of Damascus.
I have not owned a TTC product - perhaps I find them too costly for what they are - but I think they should be allowed to continue in their business.
I wasn't after the blades, I was after the pocket clips. These have gone from their website now, but the general principle still stands, they won't ship to the UK
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How is this any different from buying a truck from Toyota and taking it to your favorite body shop to have custom paint job and other changes?...
It isn't. But don't expect Toyota to warranty the things you changed or anything directly affected to/by the things you changed.
Sorry-late to the party...
Overall I think Grant is right on regarding trade mark, brand dilution, and warranty work. but ultimately I think it would understandably come down to mostly warranty repairs and injury claims - those last two of which are quantifiable damages. That being said...to continue the Toyota truck theme... what it seems TTC was doing was taking the truck totally apart, swapping out non factory manifolds, springs, bushings and headers, and colors, thus voiding the warranty. Then opening up an unauthorised Toyota dealership to sell them.
And when I buy that truck and take it to a legitimate dealer for repair, they say: what the hell is THIS?! That's not how WE make them...!
Or, I topple the truck over while four wheeling and sue Toyota, who then gets bad press while also spending millions $ on legal defense for something that may have nothing to do with them. But they 're dragged into it anyway.
And then, where do they go to get their reputation back?
(Or...the frame rusts out of my Toyota truck, and...oh, wait...that already was a thing...)
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Choo Choo Customs will customize your Chevy truck, but some of what they do may void the Chevy warranty and I believe they will tell you that. So people who go there to have the truck modded take it to them of their own volition,and they take a truck that is either already out of warranty, or have only those mods done that won't affect the warranty, or have whatever they want done to a brand new truck after signing a waiver, where Choo Chop stands by their own work only, and Chevy may disown the truck, at their discretion,maybe depending on how many inches high the Rough Country lift kit is
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They are back selling again, but now the headlines clearly says "TTC Modified Tool" and "Based on Leatherman Whatever". It also states they have no connection to Leatherman, that they provide their own limited warranty, and that the original warranty from Leatherman is void.
Seems like a fair enough approach.
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Glad they are back in business. They are my best hope for a FFG blade (154cm or better steel) for my Charge one beautiful day. Unless anyone has any suggestions of looking elsewhere?