Garage 006: Harvest

[powernoodle]

Yeah, they sent out the email and the Harvest is the fixed blade.  No details or cost.

[genevabuck]

LM must have gotten a smoking deal on white G10.

[BPRoberts]

Weird coincidence to see both LM and Vic dropping fixies so close to each other.

[Rich_SD]

Well that was easy - I got my order in with confirmation at 0900 exactly.  No order lag at all...

[powernoodle]

I put one in my cart - and then passed on it. 

[Rich_SD]

Wow!  Sold out in 5 minutes!

[powernoodle]

 

[powernoodle]

[Rich_SD]

LOL!  That was fast!          

[Crunchie64]

$350 in the UK and still available at 9:16.

Not for me this time.

[powernoodle]

I did not know there was a UK Leatherman website.     Yeah, US$350 is a little much except for the hardcore collector or eBay flipper.

[Poncho65]

I'm not hard-core enough on non plier based tools to pay that I would buy a Helle if I was going to pay that much

[Crunchie64]

I did not know there was a UK Leatherman website.     Yeah, US$350 is a little much except for the hardcore collector or eBay flipper.

It changed early this year. The Leatherman.co.uk site is now an official one shipping from Europe rather than an importer using the site.

We’ve been able to buy Garage releases since the 4, but fixed blades aren’t a common thing in the UK unless you’re camping. It’s a lovely looking sheath, but wander down the High Street with it on your belt and you’re going to prison.

[Rich_SD]

I'm counting 87 on eBay. 

[genevabuck]

I don’t care if it takes a year for the next Garage project. They need to do something a little more innovative than making a blade and slapping some scales on it.  That, shut it down, or just call them limited releases.

[Poncho65]

 

[Rich_SD]

Yeah, I am extremely disappointed in this as a Garage release.  I am also disappointed that it doesn't have any multi-functions like a hidden screwdriver, prybar, gut hook, or the like.

That said, I am relived that I was able to get one    I need help. 

[SteveC]

What a joke, shame on Leatherman. Total money grab, $250 for a fixed blade knife like that

[MrToolJunkie]

I was not even remotely interested. After the last Garage website fiasco I am done even trying. None of the tools,  other than the first one,  have been anything unique or innovative in my opinion.

[genevabuck]

 :keep saying that I’m in the Garage game until I can’t get one. Im sitting here regretting this purchase.  On another note, there are 101 of these for sale on eBay. So much for Leatherman’s Product Protection Division.   

[Grand_Banana]

I’m not up on my LM history as much as most here, but I don’t recall any previous fixed blades, so does this technically meet their criteria of… “innovation” …? Or as other have pointed out is it just an attempt to push a product in line with Vic?  Who knows, but I agree with genevabuck that I’d wait a whole year for real true innovation.   

LM has already done that to some extent with the Wave and Surge and then the Free series. Those tools provided some pretty innovative builds that worked. All we’re seeing are extensions of those existing platforms or a reproduction of the Tom sachs additions to the charge. I’d buy a Mr crunch production model just as fast as I’d buy a dark side production with the additional “plus scale” idea. C’mon LM 

I think maybe I’m most disappointed that LM hasn’t actually used the garage idea to push a new production model and it’s turned into a cash grab. I was honestly expecting one initial limited release and then information about its reception, testimonials, and hype to promote the new line. Maybe something akin to Tim Leatherman’s experience designing the PST and going back refining it or Ben Rivera’s experience designing the Wave.  I don’t anything about the Free series development but I’d imagine the engineers went through a similar process. The anniversary to Arc is the only release that went from limited to production, but in such a short time it had to have been already planned and os still just an upgraded P4. 

Or I’m just overthinking it all because I knew what I actually wanted was the Arc from the moment I considered a P4 and now that’s it’s real just can’t afford the price 

[genevabuck]

I’m not up on my LM history as much as most here, but I don’t recall any previous fixed blades, so does this technically meet their criteria of… “innovation” …? Or as other have pointed out is it just an attempt to push a product in line with Vic?  Who knows, but I agree with genevabuck that I’d wait a whole year for real true innovation.   

LM has already done that to some extent with the Wave and Surge and then the Free series. Those tools provided some pretty innovative builds that worked. All we’re seeing are extensions of those existing platforms or a reproduction of the Tom sachs additions to the charge. I’d buy a Mr crunch production model just as fast as I’d buy a dark side production with the additional “plus scale” idea. C’mon LM 

I think maybe I’m most disappointed that LM hasn’t actually used the garage idea to push a new production model and it’s turned into a cash grab. I was honestly expecting one initial limited release and then information about its reception, testimonials, and hype to promote the new line. Maybe something akin to Tim Leatherman’s experience designing the PST and going back refining it or Ben Rivera’s experience designing the Wave.  I don’t anything about the Free series development but I’d imagine the engineers went through a similar process. The anniversary to Arc is the only release that went from limited to production, but in such a short time it had to have been already planned and os still just an upgraded P4. 

Or I’m just overthinking it all because I knew what I actually wanted was the Arc from the moment I considered a P4 and now that’s it’s real just can’t afford the price 

Maybe this was Tim’s idea of giving his kid a project to keep him away from ruining the company.  I’m only half kidding.

[powernoodle]

Okay - we live in one world where we love our MTs, believe the Leatherman marketing and think Leatherman exists to make fun toys for us.

Leatherman - a privately held corporation - lives in another world.  It thinks it exists to make $ for its owners.  If Leatherman can sell 900 fixed blades in 5 minutes (do the math), and stir up the customer base in the process, that's a great success.

Sometimes those two worlds overlap, and we get the Wave+, PS4, Surge or Mr. Crunch.  Other times, its more of a win for Leatherman and not so much one for the fan base.  This was one of those times.   Similarly, the Arc is more of a win for Leatherman than for us too, as it has a big, phat margin at $229.99 which may be good for Leatherman (if it sells over the long term), but for many of us its basically a P4 with lipstick. 

To Leatherman's credit, once you hit the apex of innovation, its almost impossible to go up from there.   

[Rich_SD]

Considering Leatherman's outstanding warranty, I don't mind Limited Edition "cash grabs" that help keep the company profitable and in business.  At another time in my life, I wouldn't have bought it, but now I can afford to buy cool, esoteric crap like a fixed blade Leatherman.  Realistically, I'm never going to use it anyway - it's only going to be admired by myself in private, and lorded over future Leatherman collectors for the rest of my life 

[Crunchie64]

I think RichSD has pretty much nailed it - if you’ve got the disposable income and you want something, buy it.

Doesn’t matter if it’s a nice Swiss watch, a sports car, or a Leatherman. Sometimes it’s nice to buy and own something just because you want it.

The good thing is you can still buy a Rebar with a lifetime warranty and use it hard every day of your working life from the company that is launching fancy white-handles fixed blades knives.

Are the collectors and the Garage tools subsidising the lower end models and the warranty? Probably.

[powernoodle]

I think RichSD has pretty much nailed it - if you’ve got the disposable income and you want something, buy it.

Absolutely.  I almost pulled the trigger too.  For most MTO members, 90% of the MT game is about feeling good.  10% is about utility.  You have to be a real freakazoid to post glamour pics of your MT every day, or participate in the upcoming 60 day Spirit Challenge just to have an excuse to play with your MT.  Its that kind of person who will pay $250 for a Harvest, or $229 for an Arc.  I admire people who have that level of passion for their toys.

[MrToolJunkie]

Absolutely.  I almost pulled the trigger too.  For most MTO members, 90% of the MT game is about feeling good.  10% is about utility.  You have to be a real freakazoid to post glamour pics of your MT every day, or participate in the upcoming 60 day Spirit Challenge just to have an excuse to play with your MT.  Its that kind of person who will pay $250 for a Harvest, or $229 for an Arc.  I admire people who have that level of passion for their toys.

I am a freakazoid for sure...and I am looking forward tot the 60 day challenge!

[powernoodle]

I am a freakazoid for sure...and I am looking forward to the 60 day challenge!

[Rich_SD]

For most MTO members, 90% of the MT game is about feeling good.  10% is about utility.  You have to be a real freakazoid to post glamour pics of your MT every day, or participate in the upcoming 60 day Spirit Challenge just to have an excuse to play with your MT.  Its that kind of person who will pay $250 for a Harvest, or $229 for an Arc.  I admire people who have that level of passion for their toys.

That' should be our Mission Statement   

[Grand_Banana]

Absolutely.  I almost pulled the trigger too.  For most MTO members, 90% of the MT game is about feeling good.  10% is about utility.  You have to be a real freakazoid to post glamour pics of your MT every day, or participate in the upcoming 60 day Spirit Challenge just to have an excuse to play with your MT.  Its that kind of person who will pay $250 for a Harvest, or $229 for an Arc.  I admire people who have that level of passion for their toys.

Well I suppose then I partially qualify as a freakazoid as I’m doing the spirit 60 challenge.  But I’m not at the level of purchasing a Harvest…maybe an Arc.  Everyone’s made some good points here particularly like Rich said about having the means and indulging yourself, and as you said about the garage and higher end tools supporting the company - that is a great point.