I was browsing LM site and decided to have a look at the retired tools. Kinda surprised whats all been retired. I know someone posted about the Juices but seems LM is simplifying their offerings. I was surprised to see the Wingman and Sidekick still being offered. I haven't browsed LM site in a while.
. I like the Leap. Its is funny tho. Didn't even realize it was omitted.
I actually keep a Leap in my survival kit. It's basically a sturdier Juice in my use. While it has the same big sturdy non-spring loaded pliers as the Rev, it's in a lighter platform. In my opinion, it just needed a little tweaking. Use a slightly better blade profile that is NOT removable. Make the lock releases metal, not molded into the nylon plastic frame. Add a few more tools.
There was definitely a recall. The first ones had the issue of easy blade removal...which was supposed to be permanent once attached to the body. The second version fixed this safety issue. If your leap has 4 ridges, then it is a first gen and is unsafe with the blade installed. The second gen features 3 bumps on the top of the knife blade. The bumps are an easy way for Leatherman to tell which one you have, as there is no outside visible difference...or any evident on the separate blade attachment point..
Statement from Leatherman regarding the recent Recall on this tool:The issue with the Leap was only with the optional knife blade, not the full tool. We have an internal standard about how many pounds of pressure it should take before the knife blade (or any implement) slips past the liner lock. As we began production of the tool, we found that the Leap was not quite meeting this internal standard despite earlier testing. Obviously this would always be unacceptable, but because it’s a tool intended for younger users, it was especially so and we immediately enacted a voluntary recall with the CPSC. Luckily, not many had even reached retailer shelves by this point, and very few made it to consumers. Our engineers figured out the problem quickly, got it fixed so it was well above our standard, and got their solution approved by the CPSC. Again, the issue was only with the optional knife blade, so if you were just using the tool without the blade installed, they are completely safe.The only affected products were sold during late August/early September. All affected product was pulled from shelves in September, so consumers should not be concerned that they might be buying the old version. Right now the new versions are just being stocked to shelves at places like Cabela’s, REI, and others. If folks are concerned about telling the difference, the old version has four bumps on the ridge of the knife blade, and the new version has three.
Speaking of which, has also disappeared from the NA website but has not made it to the retired list; still on racks at the big-orange-home-improvement-stores and amazon. Any ideas as of its whereabouts? I still like mine, and from amazon reviews it has good reviews amongst general public.
on eBay there are 2 Leaps advertised as rare and discontinued eBay sellers move fast....
Leatherman has seemed to have really lost their way since the Free unveiling last year.
To be honest, given the current thread of ultralight knives, I do wish LM would go a step forward of continue development of Leap lightweight platform, than going backwards eliminating them just because one model don't work as intended.
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