ARC Owners Club

[Vadim]

Delicate?  That’s the first time I’ve heard the ARC described that way.  What happened?

https://www.reddit.com/r/Leatherman/comments/1hr8hej/scale_notch_on_leatherman_arc_is_wearing_down_and

[Rich_SD]

Is that yours?

[Vadim]

Is that yours?

No, not mine.

[Rich_SD]

No, not mine.

I wouldn’t put too much credence in an isolated report on Reddit.  I don’t know what’s going on with that one, but I think it’s safe to assume that we’re not getting the whole story. I use my ARC all the time and I don’t have even a hint of that problem.  I’m sure if other folks had that problem, we would be seeing a ton of complaints. There’s nothing a Leatherman fan enjoys more than complaining about Leatherman 

[Richard Zheng]

I took at look at my lightly used P2 and my daily carry Arc, seems like the metal on the frame used for locking it is indeed wearing out on my Arc.

Right now it is a good thing because it makes it easier to open and close, but I could see that in the future it could cause issues with pliers locking securely.

Leatherman engineers did say the metal frame would wear out long before the elastomar fittings would wear out, and I definitely believe they did the testing

[Vadim]

I wouldn’t put too much credence in an isolated report on Reddit.

Why not?

It's a good idea to have more than one source for information and comparison.

For example, how bad is the clip on the Leatherman Alpha, I found from a source other than MultiTool.org

[Vadim]

It seems that the Leatherman ARC still has issues with the Replacement Wire Cutters. (?)

https://youtu.be/TfNqSLIj_VQ?si=VurJTdHuX26eOqkT&t=348

[Farmer X]

I wouldn’t put too much credence in an isolated report on Reddit.

[Rich_SD]

It seems that the Leatherman ARC still has issues with the Replacement Wire Cutters. (?)

Replaceable cutters will break easier than built in cutters.  The advantage is that you can replace them with new cutters in minutes.  When you damage the built in cutters, you need to send the whole tool in for warranty repair.  Which kind is better?     That comes down to personal preference.  After years of use, I'm still thorn over which I prefer. 

For example, how bad is the clip on the Leatherman Alpha, I found from a source other than MultiTool.org

Again, this is a design choice, not a design flaw.  The Alpha's pocket clip wiggles a little bit, but it's a quick remove clip that you can remove and replace in seconds if it's in your way.  I find the "play" annoying like a lot of other folks, but it does not affect the functionality at all.  Which kind is better.     Again, personal choice.

[Rich_SD]

..

[Vadim]

Replaceable cutters will break easier than built in cutters.  The advantage is that you can replace them with new cutters in minutes.  When you damage the built in cutters, you need to send the whole tool in for warranty repair.  Which kind is better?     That comes down to personal preference.  After years of use, I'm still thorn over which I prefer. 

Yeah, good point, send the whole tool in for warranty repair and pay for shipping because someone decided to put in weak wire cutters,

or buy the whole set from Leatherman, just in case the cutters break, and they break very easily.

Smart move by the company against the consumer. 

[Vadim]

Again, this is a design choice, not a design flaw.  The Alpha's pocket clip wiggles a little bit, but it's a quick remove clip that you can remove and replace in seconds if it's in your way.  I find the "play" annoying like a lot of other folks, but it does not affect the functionality at all.  Which kind is better.     Again, personal choice.

Not a design flaw, more of a poor fit and finish.

The clip on the Charge moves less, on the Alpha it moves more.

[Rich_SD]

Yeah, good point, send the whole tool in for warranty repair and pay for shipping because someone decided to put in weak wire cutters,

The Swisstool's from your video (or even the Leatherman's) built in cutters are not weak.  Well, compared to tool-grade wire cutters, they might be.  Again, that's a trade off when using a multitool.

Not a design flaw, more of a poor fit and finish.

The clip on the Charge moves less, on the Alpha it moves more.

I'll wager that I have more Charges, Waves, and Surges than you do, and that's not my experience at all.  The clip on the Surge has the least play, but again, so what?  If you want to complain about things that don't matter, you can find a lot of fault in anything.  Oh, on the Alpha, the new clips (I have all 4) have slightly less play if something that trivial is important to you. 

[Vadim]

The Swisstool's from your video (or even the Leatherman's) built in cutters are not weak.  Well, compared to tool-grade wire cutters, they might be.  Again, that's a trade off when using a multitool.

I said nothing about Swisstool cutters, but Leatherman replaceable cutters.

The built in Leatherman cutters are MUCH better than replaceable cutters.

I'll wager that I have more Charges, Waves, and Surges than you do, and that's not my experience at all.  The clip on the Surge has the least play, but again, so what?  If you want to complain about things that don't matter, you can find a lot of fault in anything.  Oh, on the Alpha, the new clips (I have all 4) have slightly less play if something that trivial is important to you. 

Slightly less play compared to what, Charge/Wave?

From the video I saw, the clip on the Alpha is horrible.

[Vadim]

The clip on the Surge has the least play, but again, so what?

From a collector's perspective, nothing.

But if you use the tool, the wobbly clip is a bit annoying, especially if you pay over $200.

[Rich_SD]

I said nothing about Swisstool cutters, but Leatherman replaceable cutters.

Uh, your original video compared the Swisstool's built in cutters with Leatherman's replacable cutters:

It seems that the Leatherman ARC still has issues with the Replacement Wire Cutters. (?)

https://youtu.be/TfNqSLIj_VQ?si=VurJTdHuX26eOqkT&t=348

Replaceable cutters will break easier than built in cutters.  The advantage is that you can replace them with new cutters in minutes.  When you damage the built in cutters, you need to send the whole tool in for warranty repair. 

Yeah, good point, send the whole tool in for warranty repair and pay for shipping because someone decided to put in weak wire cutters,

 

I thought I was helping someone that clearly had very little experience with multitools and was forming his or her opinion from internet videos.  I've been tipped off that you're a troll that visits here occasionally.     Still, everything I wrote is excellent information to anyone reading this in the future.   

[Vadim]

Replaceable cutters will break easier than built in cutters.  The advantage is that you can replace them with new cutters in minutes.  When you damage the built in cutters, you need to send the whole tool in for warranty repair.  Which kind is better?   

That's right, that's exactly what Leatherman wants, buy more and more replaceable cutters because they are weak,

or send tool for a warranty repair again and again and pay for shipping.

Which kind is better? 

[Vadim]

Still, everything I wrote is excellent information to anyone reading this in the future.   

Excellent information?

It sounds like everything Leatherman has done or is doing, good or bad, you praise it, typical for fanboy.

[SteveC]

Uh, your original video compared the Swisstool's built in cutters with Leatherman's replacable cutters:




 

I thought I was helping someone that clearly had very little experience with multitools and was forming his or her opinion from internet videos.  I've been tipped off that you're a troll that visits here occasionally.     Still, everything I wrote is excellent information to anyone reading this in the future.   

Excellent information?

It sounds like everything Leatherman has done or is doing, good or bad, you praise it, typical for fanboy.

There is no need for personal attacks and not what we do here on MTo.

Both of you knock it off.

[Rich_SD]

I'm sorry - I didn't think I was attacking him.  I thought I was being very polite.

[SteveC]

I'm sorry - I didn't think I was attacking him.  I thought I was being very polite.

You were until you called him a troll.

These are good discussions and people have a right to their opinions on both sides without name calling.

This goes for both of you.

[Rich_SD]

Oh!  I received a PM that I must have misunderstood.

[powernoodle]

Though I'm enjoying my Alphas, I would choose the ARC if forced  to pick one.  The smooth, easy deployment of the plier head and tools is the primary reason, along with the fixed clip that doesn't jiggle and wiggle like a flamenco dancer.  I'll never really wrap my brain cone around Leatherman's reasoning in having the Alpha clip designed to be so wiggly.  Note the beefier plier head profile on the ARC.

[Antti Lammi]

Honestly i dont mind when pocketclip wiggles, its not big deal for me since i dont even notice when it wiggles in my pocket.

For cutters there has been bad patch of cutters, i have seen much more complaints about broken pliers than broken cutters and LM cutters are much much better what Gerber offers (or least on my CD those didnt even wanted to cut copper cable before breaking) , there is allways aftermarket cutters to LM what presumably last longer, i havent so far breaked LM cutters even tho i have cutted nails, cables, rivets and etc...

[powernoodle]

I bought a clip for the Alpha, but prefer not to use.  I wear 5.11 Taclite Pro pants about 7 days a week, and they have a vertical pocket that is just about perfect to carry an MT.

[NeatBeard]

So looks like i've made my choice and am now a new member of your club (if you'll have me...)!

Managed to score an Arc WITH belt sheath and bit kit AND with 15% OFF in a Black Friday sale AND scored a free gift (worth around £20-£25) of a Klean Kanteen mug!!

I was a bit concerned as i'd only handled a Wave Alpha but thought sod it, if I miss this deal i'll kick myself.

Feeling like I made the right choice and looking forward to using it.

[Sven34]

So looks like i've made my choice and am now a new member of your club (if you'll have me...)!

Managed to score an Arc WITH belt sheaf and bit kit AND with 15% OFF in a Black Friday sale AND scored a free gift (worth around £20-£25) of a Klean Kanteen mug!!

I was a bit concerned as i'd only handled a Wave Alpha but thought sod it, if I miss this deal i'll kick myself.

Feeling like I made the right choice and looking forward to using it.

Congratulations on getting a good deal on a great tool! 

I think you will really like the ARC -- it really is a fantastic multitool!

Post some pictures and feedback when you can!

 

[Rich_SD]

So looks like i've made my choice and am now a new member of your club (if you'll have me...)!

Managed to score an Arc WITH belt sheath and bit kit AND with 15% OFF in a Black Friday sale AND scored a free gift (worth around £20-£25) of a Klean Kanteen mug!!

I was a bit concerned as i'd only handled a Wave Alpha but thought sod it, if I miss this deal i'll kick myself.

Feeling like I made the right choice and looking forward to using it.

Welcome to the club 

You made the right choice - the ARC is still the best multitool on market.  It's a generation ahead of what anyone else is doing 

[NeatBeard]

Congratulations on getting a good deal on a great tool! 

I think you will really like the ARC -- it really is a fantastic multitool!

Post some pictures and feedback when you can!

 

Cheers.

How did I forget to post pix!?! Apologies for the newby behaviour.

[Sven34]

Cheers.

How did I forget to post pix!?! Apologies for the newby behaviour.

Aww yeah! Nice haul there with the sheath and bit kit too! Good on ya mate! Now you just need the bit extender, and a small AAA or rechargeable flashlight to put in the side loops and you are set!