In Defence of LM's Rusty Steel

[NeitherExtreme]

First off, I'm hoping this thread won't instigate any ill-will in any direction. Still, I would guess that it could start a bit of a debate, or at least there will probably be some differing opinions. That being said, I'll go ahead and get on my soapbox  I'll let you know when I get back down 

From what I understand, all steels used in tools and knives are comprimises of hardness, toughness, and corrosion resistance. It is not necessarily "better" steels that won't rust, or "worse" steels that will rust. I can buy a box of steel "silverware" at my local dollar store, and would never dream of singing their praises when they don't rust, even though they never see a drop of oil and never get dried off or cared for at all. At the same time, the steel on my Klein Linesman pliers can rust very quickly, but it is a great tool and does it's job perfectly and takes all manner of abuse. I would not at all say that the steel on my pliers is inferior to the steel of the "silverware". It's just different steel for a different purpose, and in reality I would tend to think of the Klein's steel as the more impressive of the two.

Like those pliers, "real" tools are often made of non-stainless steels and get rust all over and through them, and yet remain %100 functional. Yes, tools, even ones with moving parts, can actually function correctly with some corrosion involved. The fact that these tools use steel that rusts is not a reason to look down my nose at them as if they really "ought" to be using pretty stainless steels. I have never heard of or seen any LM tool, no matter how abused or neglected, have it's funcionality comprimised by rust or corrosion.  So if I think of tools as primarily functional objects, I could say that I have never heard of a LM harmed by rust. The vast majority of the rust "problems" I've heard of are only thin layers of surface corrosion that can be wiped clean with no more long-term effects than pocket lint that need cleaned out. Keep in mind that the rust wasn't really affecting the tool in the first place! Really, there are times when I think LM could make a better tool by using higher carbon steels, even if they were more prone to rust than the current ones. Tools that need some looking after are not necessarily lesser tools.

With all that said, rust-proof steels obviously have their place, including for tools. If one of your priorities is having a spotless tool, then they would be a great choice. It's also a good choice if you will be in a harsh environment and for some reason you won't be able to care for your tool for a long period of time and you don't want to see any rust. They also make great gifts, since they will remain nice even without any upkeep. I also realize that none of use wants to be walking around with a rusty hunk of metal in our pockets.

All in all, I'm not really trying to say anything bad about softer/rust-proof steels. I just get a little tired of seeing shots taken at LM as though they must obviously be inferior tools becuase they are made of steels that can eventually rust, so I guess I'm just trying to explain why I think LM's use of steel is not only okay, but that it can actually be an asset, and a strong point of their tools.

(If you're intersted, you can see this thread where compared experiences about the subject of "Rusting Leathermans": http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,1147.0.html )

I'll be stepping off my soapbox now (if only to make myself less of a target! )

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm hoping this thread won't instigate any ill-will in any direction.

Don't worry Mr Extreme.  My men have the perimeter covered.

Def

[NeitherExtreme]

Whew, so can I take of my flak-jacket? 

[Grant Lamontagne]

That depends on whether it's rusty or not!    

Sorry, couldn't help it!

Back on track, I think that the Leatherman rust issue is one of those urban myths.  Yes, I have seen and experienced some rust on Leatherman tools, and admittedly more than any of the other quality brands we deal with here, but it has been limited to surface rust and it's never been anything serious.  I'm also not the most maintenance oriented guy in the world, so many of my tools have nicks, dings and marks. 

I've never has any of them fail on me yet, and I can break almost anything!

Def

[NeitherExtreme]

That depends on whether it's rusty or not!    

It's Kevlar, so I should be OK  ;D Who's the tough-guy in the picture? I'd be he could break a Leatherman   

[Grant Lamontagne]

Just some picture I found on Google....  I have a much more intimidating photo of me in my younger days that I was going to use!

Def

[NeitherExtreme]

Just some picture I found on Google....  I have a much more intimidating photo of me in my younger days that I was going to use!

Def

Let's see it!

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'll see if I can dig it out...

Def

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The Leatherman supertool I had was subject to rusting, but then it lived in it's pouch on my belt almost everyday and in all weather's, very often while riding a motorbike at well over 3 figure speeds (mph not girly kph ;D) so I can forgive the overnight rustspots

[I'm Still Bison]

I've never had any rust issues,but 2 years of machine shop back in high school taught me one thing if nothing else..always clean and properly store tools after use.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

I've never had any rust issues,but 2 years of machine shop back in high school taught me one thing if nothing else..always clean and properly store tools after use.

Sage advice mate , I did look after my supertool, but you know how wet and humid it is over here

[NeitherExtreme]

Yeah, under the right (wrong?) conditions, the rust issue can be annoying. If we all lived in the Sahara, this might be easier. Of course then we'd all be sweating all over them, so maybe we'd still be in the same situation...

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Yeah, under the right (wrong?) conditions, the rust issue can be annoying. If we all lived in the Sahara, this might be easier. Of course then we'd all be sweating all over them, so maybe we'd still be in the same situation...

Exactly, It wasw annoying when my supertool rusted, but it only took a couple of minutes to put right again.

I got rid of mine because i got feed up trying to access just one tool with numb fingers and having the tool clumping    issue's twice when i had to open another tool to unlock the original one. (does that make sence )

Try doing that at the side of the road, during a british winter at 11pm at night, while trying to change the glass fuses on an ancient honda superdream!

Fun it was not!, but I'm sure the newer leatherman's are much better  

[NeitherExtreme]

issue's twice when i had to open another tool to unlock the original one. (does that make sence )

Ahh, the original Supertool... Yes, that makes sense, and I'm glad they've fixed that little issue.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

issue's twice when i had to open another tool to unlock the original one. (does that make sence )

Ahh, the original Supertool... Yes, that makes sense, and I'm glad they've fixed that little issue.

It was a complete pain in the arse, it would have been better to have left it a slippie

[NeitherExtreme]

issue's twice when i had to open another tool to unlock the original one. (does that make sence )

Ahh, the original Supertool... Yes, that makes sense, and I'm glad they've fixed that little issue.

It was a complete pain in the arse, it would have been better to have left it a slippie

They fixed that somewhat with the ST 200/Pulse type release, but the new locks are great to use 

[Sparkey]

I've got an original supertool..great tool, but the locking mechanism was kind of a pain....that's part of the reason I got a kick for EDC...I prefer the slip-joint...It doesn't bother me about the locks..I carried a SAK for many years before. And BTW I haven't had a rust issue with either the kick or ST. And the weather here runs the gamut from super hot/humid (102 yesterday) to moderately cold, wet winters(lots o' rain, with the lows in the teens)...so my tools see about the whole shebang as far as weather goes.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I think the SAK backsprings are much better than the non locking implements on older model Leathermans, which is probably why I insist on locking implements nowadays.

I have been bitten by many SAKs, but I don't think I have ever closed the blades on my fingers during use, but I did with a PST II a couple of years ago, and it resulted in two stitches in the end of my finger.

Def