Anybody notice a wide variation in plier stiffness?

ultimaonliner · **on:** May 20, 2008, 08:36:21 AM

A while ago, I got a Juice S2 but returned it because the pliers were extremely stiff. I was a little irked by this and so I didn't get a replacement immediately.

I then got some more Squirts and the Wave. These were awesome with squirts being immediately frictionless and the Wave pliers losing their stiffness within the first 10 minutes of exercising (i.e. repeatedly opening and closing).

So I decided to get a Juice S2 again. This time, the Juice S2 was awesome and the pliers opened with only moderate resistance which quickly disappeared again within 2 minutes of exercising.

I then got the Skeletool CX, which was awesome. The pliers opened effortlessly and would snap open. Although the pliers were frictionless, there was no lateral play. The only problem was that there was this deep 1cm scratch/crease in the handle. I thought I'd be okay with it, but the scratch bothered me, being that I paid for a new tool.

So I returned the CX, got another replacement sent to me. This time, out of the clamshell, it looked great, but took an effort of God to open and close the pliers.

So, thinking that I could exercise or break this in, I repeatedly opened and close this for about 5 hours. Yes, 5 hours. My hands and arms are tired. My wife thinks I'm nuts. I think my baby thinks I'm nuts.

The result? It's a heck of a lot better, but it still sticks towards the extremes of opening and closing. It also requires significant effort to deploy the pliers from the closed position, presumably because the rivets are also very tight. This is very different from the first CX I received.

Is this typical of Leatherman that there is a wide variation in what's considered acceptable plier stiffness?

Spoonrobot · **Reply #1 on:** May 20, 2008, 02:31:30 PM

I've noticed the same thing, but not as extreme as your case.

My 2004 Wave has been the stiffest of the dozen or so new tools I've owned. It took a few hours of break in but got noticeably better after a good soak in degreaser and subsequent scrubbing with soap and hot water. Most of the other Leatherman tools I have owned have been easy on the pivot. If I opened the pliers and held one handle the other handle would drop just by gravity but they weren't "loose".

What are you using for lubrication?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #2 on:** May 20, 2008, 03:33:14 PM

To be honest, I don't mind scratches at all. I think they are only cosmetic!

BIG-TARGET · **Reply #3 on:** May 20, 2008, 04:15:41 PM

Stiff pliers and LM go together like pepperoni and pizza.

You just have to play with the pliers to loosen them up

Stormdrane · **Reply #4 on:** May 20, 2008, 04:49:03 PM

Don't just open/close 'em to try and work out the tightness. I'd put 'em to work on some nuts/bolts and some wire clipping. I would think a little moderate usage especially with some torque/twisting of the plier heads will loosen them up.

ultimaonliner · **Reply #5 on:** May 20, 2008, 05:21:27 PM

Quote from: Leatherman123 on May 20, 2008, 03:33:14 PM

To be honest, I don't mind scratches at all. I think they are only cosmetic!

Yea, I know... But this was a weird one, it was more of a crease in the sheet metal used to make the handles. The Tungsten coating was intact, but it was this sharp bend in the handle.

BTW, that's a great idea, I shouldn't just exercise the movement. A little torque will probably go a long way.

(To whoever asked, I use mineral oil, since that's what I usually use on my SAKs.)

I think since I come from owning a bunch of Victorinox SAKs and Spirit, I got used to the frictionless movements. I was just curious on everybody else's experiences with LM.

Anyway, the Skeletool CX has loosened up enough for me to really enjoy EDC'ing it. Quite frankly, I'm not sure if I'll even EDC anything else anymore. I might actually STOP buying multitools for a while!

jzmtl · **Reply #6 on:** May 20, 2008, 05:36:26 PM

My wave is very loose, but skeletool is very tough. It has loosen a bit now but still not as easy to use as wave.

scrappy · **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2008, 07:18:14 PM

I have seen variation but with work and wd 40 have never had a problem.

BIG-TARGET · **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2008, 07:35:00 PM

Quote from: scrappy on May 20, 2008, 07:18:14 PM

I have seen variation but with work and wd 40 have never had a problem.

Scrappy is right. WD40 is your friend!!

Leatherman123 · **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2008, 07:58:56 PM

IMO, WD sucks! It only lubricates for a short time and it attracts all kinds of crap into the pivots etc. I have found a product that works well for me- Tuf Glide. I like it because it is a dry film that does not attract dirt or anything into all the nooks and crannies! Another thing that I really like about it is that it's waterproof. And, it even cleans, displaces water, rust protection, and of course it lubricates. I also use a Marine Tuf Cloth on all of my expensive fishing equipment. It really is a phenomenal product! Here's a link- http://www.sentrysolutions.com/AllProductskew.shtml

Leatherman123 · **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2008, 08:03:34 PM

BTW, if you guys watch the video I am pretty sure you guys will be hooked- http://www.myoutdoortv.com:8080/showroom/product.do?productId=1208880738685

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #11 on:** May 20, 2008, 09:52:48 PM

I've had very different experiences too. I'd come to expect this from "regular" tools, even higher end ones like Klien, before I ever got into MT's, so it never bothered me at all.

WhichDawg · **Reply #12 on:** May 20, 2008, 11:18:33 PM

my Leatherman MT's are the stiffest ones I have. my Kick never loosened up much
and I tried several lubes, and "working it" for hours but it only got a little better.
I can't flick them open like I can the other brands.

"sometimes" stiffness is not a bad thing, once in awhile I prefer them to be that way,
it's why I never sent them back. when I'm working on certain things, I'd rather
have "a little" stiffness for better control.

but usually I like the smoother play and to be able to open them easily but I have others for that.