Why Is Leatherman Ditching Tim Leatherman's 5 Tier Multi-Tool System?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 ธ.ค. 2023
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Don’t forget that short stint with pruner based Multitool. Those were cool.
I bought an original PST in 1985 and literally wore it on my right hip every day for 35 years. It was perfect as an EDC for my needs (except the P1 blade should have been a P2). It was thin enough and light enough to carry every day yet big enough to do most of what I needed to do.
Since I retired, I have carried a Squirt P4 in my pocket (it is basically a miniature of the original PST). It's a nod to the PST that served me so well for so many years. But I do still work part time, and then that same 1985 PST goes back in my belt.
Leatherman has discontinued both of them.
IMO, Leatherman lost their way. The original PST was small enough to carry unnoticed but capable enough to meet most needs. It was a bit pricey, but worth it. It is still (IMO) the best EDC tool Leatherman ever made. The current models are WAY too big to carry every day and way too pricey for what they deliver. They are too big, too heavy, and too expensive. They are no longer a tool for "everyman".
everyone on earth wants the crunch- leatherman discontinues it everyone has the surge, wave , super tool alrady -leatherman proceeds to make nothing but wave surge and super tools
Unfortunately!
ARC is perfection 🙌🏼
I knew I should have bought the Crunch a couple years ago.
I was lucky I work at a feed store and found a crunch that had been returned but never sold again for like 2-3 years A PAT PENDING! So I asked boss since it didn’t have the sheath and it was opened for 50% off and he gave it I payed 45 DOLLARS I love the thing I now have the wingman and a pulse I had traded for my benchmade I didn’t like
I sadly gave away my freestyle before I found out it was to be discontinued. It was my boating go-to.
I’d like to see a wave sized model where we get to decide what’s in there-tailored to our exact needs. There’s always like three things in any tool that I have no use for-and I’ve owned everything but the magnetic tool system. All of my kids and past students I’ve gotten the rebar for.
I only own a bond right now because I’m waiting for some differences after sinking 1000’s of bucks into them.
That would be awesome!
4:17 The Leap may have been marketed as a child's Leatherman but it had all the tools I wanted in a lightweight, compact, form factor that i would carry everyday: pliers, scissors, blade, Phillips and flathead screwdrivers and tweezers. The saw and bottle opener were added bonuses. It has been my EDC for the past 6 years. In fact, I purchased one for each of my 4 kids, which I gave to them on their 10th birthdays and a spare for myself, which is unopened, in case something happens to my current one.
I should have gotten the Crunch while it was still available but for my everyday needs this Leap fulfills 99% of my tasks.
It is a great tool!
I absolutely love my Crunch. Some of the best pliers on a multitool. I bought it right before they deleted the pattern and I'm so glad I did. But now I'm kind of afraid to use it too hard because I'll probably never be able to replace it now. I wish they'd do a new locking pattern with updated secondary tools, I'd buy that in a heartbeat.
I agree!
@@hvacbudget8600 When this one came to Us We were a little miffed' about the serrated 'Sheepsfoot' Blade, but for a specialized field this is amazing Multi-tool, maybz' even an EDC for some. The over all mechanism is truly phenomenal.
Yeah, for me, the tiny keychain PS4 has been one of my most useful Leathermans. I always carry a lightweight EDC folding knife, but can't deal with carrying a full sized or even a mid-sized Leatherman except on special occasions because I'd have to carry it on my belt in a sheath. But the PS4 is ALWAYS with me on my keychain. I use the little pliers, wire cutters, scissors, bits and file A LOT. Super handy little tool. For me, this has been the greatest loss.
It is a great tool!
Leatherman sideclip is an awesome tool
You forgot to mention the Tred.
Own a Supertool 300M and a Crunch. I might rebuy a Wave+ if I find a sale. But I teally like my Victorinox MTs.
I kind of agree with Leatherman on this. I have some of each size. The other tools are cool but personally I keep coming back to the 4in tools. Either the Wave or one of the first models. They seem to have the best balance of size and usability for me.
I think a lot of people find that true. I really like my Wave size tools.
Carried a PST since the 90’s up to about 2004 then switched to a Gerber multitool. The Gerber was an issued item for me and it was one handed opening to get to the pliers (my most used) which was great. After I no longer needed one handed access I switched to the Juice S2 which remains my primary “hockey” tool. Recently got gifted a Free P2 and really like the setup just wish it was a bit smaller.
The P2 is pretty great!
I'm very sad they dropped the squirt ps4.. I bought 2 when they discontinued them so I'll have one on my keychain for the rest of my life
I can no longer afford new Leatherman products....and that makes me sad.
That is unfortunate how expensive they are becoming!
Thanks !
Leatherman Juice s2, cs4, and xe6 are my favorite multi-tools, sad they are discontinued and the future does not look bright for another similar tool from Leatherman.
Really wish I’d grab a Juice. I don’t understand what they are up to discontinuing so many great tools
I grabbed a few when they started selling them briefly again last year or the year before! I love the juice! Although the tools are pretty tough to get out...I usually need a quarter or something to pry them out haha
@@TonyMoleman490 Thankfully I snagged a few last year as well to go with the ones I already had. Leatherman should absolutely reconsider the Juice, think an updated version would be well received.
@@nickmiller1412 I would be all over them if they did!
@@nickmiller1412 Absolutely absolutely! It’s that sweet spot between full size multitool and the ‘keychain’ . The SOG powerpint doesn’t do it me and needs modifying to be legal to EDC here in England
im on my second crunch ...its a must for me i used it alot on my house build...and i have a surge Ti and rev, thats a good balance..amd the SOG power assist
Nice tool collection!
I would love to see a Supertool 400 in the future.
Excellent breakdown and info! 👍Very sad to see the mid-sized and keychain models go. There are plenty of other options in the 4inch and up category. But we need more compact sized models for the "just in case" minimal days. The Sog Powerpint has good pliers, but the rest of it is trash in my experience and personal opinion. Leatherman could really profit from a new Juice sized line.
Thanks! I would like to see a new Juice line!
Man that leatherman mini would CRUSH right now.
That would be great!
I got one of the last crunch. Everyone i show it to goes online looking to get one. So sad they never market them.
Agreed!
I think the 4 inch size/ weight of the original PST is the most handy.... The one I keep coming back to/ carry the most is the Pulse. Just slightly thicker/ heavier than PST...but with locking tools.
They are both great!
Thank you for your videos
Thanks for watching!
Interesting question. Cost is not everything because wages are far far higher in Switzerland, yet Victorinox has a huge lineup and low price models.
The biggest difference is probably that within a model range, they use similar or identical tools, the blade of the 91mm is always the same except for a few high priced special ones.
Chassis and components are the same within a range.
Every layer of a range is unique and is a module therefore can be used with different models.
Tools can be produced by similar machines, as most of them are "flat".
That is what Leatherman should be aiming for if they want to continue to aim for the mass market.
My impression is that so far they are not. They come up with limited models and a really hefty price tag. The ARC is nice, though i don't see the point of having a multi purpose tool for every day that cost so much more than a few single tools that are better suited functionally and cost far less.
Are there enough Arc-type 😉 customers to generate big turnover and profit to offset the mass markets that leatherman is abandoning to competitors and AliExpress manufacturers?
Appreciate the very well thought out response! Great points. Food for thought!
I hate to see some models discontinued but the Bond and Curl are sweet! The new Arc is expectational so far. You can't kill some of the classics even if they're discontinued. The Juice was nice and pocketable for light duty tasks. I like the Flair, but the combination knife blade makes no sense on that model. I still have a sweet spot for the Rev and second-generation Wave! The Super Tool and Surge are a must have for outdoor use. The Micra is one of my least favorite models, too small for my liking and plier based are pretty much standard for me. I rather carry my Rev than carry a keychain tool even though it may offer more implements. It just feels nice and sturdy. I rather carry a Rev over the signature style Gerber sliding plier tool and a lot of the competitors simply because I trust what I have and like the simple toolset of the Rev. A competitor may offer more but a lot of the implements can be "cookie cutter'' shaped and generic. I'm not a big fan of the design and not to have outside implements makes the Gerber inconvenient to use for my needs. I like butterfly opening multitools. I like the Arc so far, but I like the classic frames better. A lot of people like the "free series" frame and its nice but it doesn't feel as rigid as the Wave. It locks well and feels sturdy but it's still too different for me.
Sometimes simple can be better!
@@hvacbudget8600 I'm a firm believer on the statement above!
Really good overview of Leatherman!
Thanks!
It seems like Leatherman are focused on marketing themselves as a premium, 'designer' brand for multitools now with the emergence of the Arc and the Garage tools and even the free series with their very high price points. It must becoming less viable to compete at budget price points with Chinese brands saturating the market with the wave and surge clones. I love Leatherman tools but it's becoming harder to justify paying the increasing prices for their products.
I agree!
I’ll second that 👍
My first Leatherman was the PST, I carried it everyday and used it for my job as a maintenance technician at a food and beverage plant. Unfortunately I broke the pliers and replaced it with a Leatherman Core. The Core was a massive upgrade to the PST. I recently purchased a Leatherman Signal and a Gerber MP600 Pro Scout for EDC.
Sounds like you have some great multi tools!!
I found the sheath for my Core and have been carrying it again in my EDC rotation.
@@jeremythomas1777 That's cool!
😮@@hvacbudget8600
I always wondered what multitool they are going to replace the Crunch when someone sends it in for warranty.
Good question!
@@hvacbudget8600I’ve seen it reported to be the Wave.
An updated skeletool would be cool
Definitely!
The only thing I wish skeletool would have is scissors.
@@ruslangabitov5202 from your lips to the engineers ears 👍
Wow! Nice looking Leatherman collection I’m jealous 😂 I agree with some of these posters. I have a hard time dropping $200+ on a multitool. I have a fair collection of them and as a collector you’re like yeah I want it but as a mechanic the Surge and the Crunch are more than enough and the Wave or similar tools like the Charge would work just as well. I think my most expensive one is my Charge TTI but it was a gift so…😊 Most of my LMs were around $100 when I purchased them including the Surge so I don’t know if I would ever spend that 200+ It would have to be really something I needed vs just another multitool. Great video though thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Great points. Price is definitely a big factor.
I love the juice. It's saved my @$$ many times. The best tool to use is the one have.
I am very ready for a good keychain tool from leatherman. Usually I carry a victorinox or a otacle P1 with me, and theres a massive void after the PS4 got discontinued. I would really love to see a premium, upgraded version of the PS4. Another thing I would love to see is a version of the K4 with better blade steel, especially now that they have access to magnacut stock. I mean, 420HC for a what is meant to be a dedicated pocket knife is just a bit weak these days, especially for the price they ask for it.
Great suggestions!
I use the Surge or the ARC for my main multitool. For the keychain I jumped ship and got the Gerber Dime. I’ve had it for years and it’s been going strong with daily use.
@@Popeye823 Nice to hear the Gerber Dime is going strong! I've heard mixed reviews but I like it personally.
It's a beast for such a small tool. The only thing I don't use is the file. I just got the ARC so I'll be putting that through its paces.
@@Popeye823 Oh I do use a Surge for whenever I know I will be doing work or might need it, but a keychain tool just fills a completely different role. Theres plenty of situations where having a massive multitool strapped to you is either uncomfortable, doesnt fit, is socially unacceptable or straight up illegal. Its really nice to still be able to cut, pinch or pry at daily life stuff without it imo
How does the garage series fit into this scenario?
A company this size really ought to move to a cheaper area, plenty of firearms and knife companies did it over the last 5 years.
Definitely. As far as the Garage, I think it was a testing of limited edition runs, that also used up spare parts while also using mostly production ready multitools the engineers had already developed. I think it was a hybrid plan seen as a win,win, win! Use up some unused developed multitools, get feedback for new tools. Create anticipation among buyers. Get feedback for tools already production ready or in the works.
I would like Leatherman to make an updated version of the Mini.
Definitely!
Style ps was Discontinued
That's sad!
I would imagine that with Leatherman's location in Portland, which is the Soviet/Anarchist capital of the US, keeping good workers and getting hit with outrageous taxes and regulations must be getting very difficult there. My advice to anyone who's into Leathermans is to always buy two of your favorite models if you can afford it. This country is heading down a dark and unknown path sadly, and right now is the best time to get what you want/need before it gets worse. Thanks for the video HVAC.
You’re so corny fool 😂
Do we have to inject insane political commentary into every topic?
I wish they would made a new E4 in the four inch frame. An electricians tool with a quality blade a set of tweezers. Something useful for stripping wire and working around conduit when in a pinch and you don’t have your tool bag. A real tool for the trade made with quality like knipex. I always thought that they should come out with a line of tools for the trades. One tool special for each trade. I think that would be successful.
I also don’t think the free series is the right direction. I don’t like the light duty feel of these tools. The one hand opening is not that important to me. I want a quality tool that feels solid and comfortable to use.
I agree! I would love a great electrician tool!
I want a crunch. Maybe eventually a mut. Not because I'm into guns but like the more specialised and unusual tools
They are cool!
I think the LTG wants to enter the luxury level in their tools....from Parker to Mountblanc, so to speak...they seem to think that tools in the Free - style like the Arc, for starters, is the future...setting aside the people & niches that got them there...the other thing is the QC...I hesitate to purchase anything new as their QC is spotty at best....I do not think they have solved the cutter problem yet...what is the point in purchasing a tool, when it has to be serviced just as you start to use it...I agree that they will update certain tools, but they will be at luxury prices at the top level & not across the board...
I think if I was an adviser to the company and Not to the Bean counting crowd is to make sure to keep the name alive. Think Porshe brand for example. Of course one needs to make money and lot of it- nothing wrong with that,Butttt I do Not Believe Mr. Tim Leatherman when he started, the company only thought, " Hey, let's make money. I think it was the curiosity and the lack of the tool that he needed to make thinks or fix things. Money came next. When the Bean counters told the Porsche family to abandon the 911 and demise it, replace with 928 and 924 lines. They rejected. Stay away from the MBA people. They have a tendency to make quick money and jump off the ship and to join another ship. Look what happened and keep happening to Detroit Auto.
Great points!
Im starting to think i should grab a MUT while i can, crunch went mad on ebay the day after they announced it discontinued.
I dont even own a gun😂 just admire the engineering of it
Probably a good idea!
Cool did it jold up ace hardware has one for 12 bucks by me just wondering 🤔
Which tool were you asking about?
@@hvacbudget8600 would you believe that comment was for a review of the craftsman multitool on another channel 🤔 weird can't explain how that happened sorry
@@hvacbudget8600 sorry somehow I commented on wrong video lol sorry brother
I'm really concerned that Leatherman will continue deleting models and heading further upmarket as the Chinese clones destroy them with Wave & Surge copies...
I also wonder if they could have kept more of their range if they hadn't used rivets which made warranty repairs totally uneconomic ?
As always, their complete lack of engagement with their fans has contributed to their lack of market agility.
Great observations! I think those rivets may have been an issue. Also I think the Overseas variants of the Surge/wave may be more damaging than I originally thought.
Not to mention their loyal customer base that got them this far....
Totally agree, well said.
They should revamp or update them rather than discontinue them!
Agreed!
Thanks for the Video. It's said that long menu leads to bankruptcy. Now it's hard times and the Leatherman strives to survive.
As for me, the term "Specialized Multitool" sounds as an oxymoron. By default multitool should be as universal as possible, thats why I don't support ideas for Crunch and MUT ( I think specialized extension kits for Surge could be more useful)
I'm not a Leatherman collectioner (I only have Vawe+, Surge, ARC, PS4, Style, T4 and Skeletool), but it's sad when something you were used to is discontinued. I personally don't understand why they discontinued Juice and PS4. Hope we'll see their renewed versions in the future.
👍🏼
The crunch is a great tool and nothing else like it except the knockoffs which are terrible. Too bad they discontinued it.
Bean counters are destroying the company.
Actually, I think is their marketing people...
They have convinced me they want to lose money. They are discontinuing highly sought after items like the juice and the ratchet driver accessory
I have a leatherman juice. I would like it a lot more if it had a better tool set.
They should never had killed-off the Crunch… and this is the second time they’ve done it. 🙄
I get it when they discontinue a tool that is similar to other models they make, but the Crunch was a one-of-a-kind in their lineup and should remain a legacy tool and ALWAYS be made. It’s really the only true SPECIALTY they make. All the others have something in common with other tools in their line, whereas the Crunch does not. They made ONE lone tool with locking pliers and that one was it. Way to go Leatherman. 😡
That is very frustrating! I wish at least the Crunch clone Amazon used to sell was still made as a budget option.
@@hvacbudget8600 I guess it’s time for one of the others to clone it. I’m not gonna buy a third one simply because they discontinued it a second time. When they did it the first time, I bought a second one so I wouldn’t have to retire the tool for fear of losing it, breaking it, etc., and not being able to get another one. Then was happy when they brought it back and thought… hey, they listened to us. And they go and do it again.
I purchased two as well when they came back for the same reason. I have a spare just in case.
What the hell is this collection!! 🔥🔥🔥🤌🏽 Too damn good!!😮
I think Leatherman was losing money on the keychain plier models. People would try to cut nails with them and break them using them beyond the capability. Then send the broken tool in for warranty.
Probably so unfortunately.
You are wrong. It is not impossible to manufacture in the USA, North America, or South America. Maybe leatherman should do a better job listening to customers. I never got a crunch or oht because I wanted them with different tool sets. Regarding the arch, since they put scissors on the outside and it is made in America I plan to buy one in 2024.
I hope I am.
i never got a crunch cause shitty ass leatherman wouldn't sell me one
Great observation mate. Leatherman will always be Leatherman, they keep their customers intrigue then brings out something different & functional. After all it is a tradesman's "just in case" tool. Ours does not have the Leatherman's prestigious fame but it work just as good. We're just Tinklers whereas you are a collector & a "mad" one at that. Either way it's fun to be "that guy" with the best, the most & crazy including the unusual multitool. We get our crazy mods from watching your show. Have a great Christmas & safe New Year. Cheers from Australia.
Have a great 🎄 Christmas as well!
What's so weird to me, is if they are cutting back their SKUs, why so many 4" tools? No offense to the classics, but who needs a PST anymore when the Wave exists? They could easily consolidate the 4" category and just have the tools that are best for their general price bracket. But they have a bewildering selection of very similar tools, bookended by obviously entry level or obviously premium options. But everything in the middle, you have to know way too much about these tools to pick the "right" one... Except that it's pretty much always the Wave. Can't afford it? Wingman. Have too much money? Arc. Wait, what's the Charge again? Just a Wave++ basically.
Don't drop good tools like the Crunch, drop stuff that's outdated, stuff that doesn't make sense anymore.
Definitely wish there was more variety!
Leatherman is trimming off the fat to deal with the currently miserable economy.
And they're no longer in home depot 😮
because they are a complete joke of a company they have no idea what they are doing and they have zero ability to take in what there customers want and do the complete opposite of what the customers ask for
Signal horrible
P2 p4 tool set horrible
Arc perfection but $$$ love mine
Wave imo overall best value
I think leatherman is just at the end of the road as a company. It's got to the point where a $40 knock off is performing just as well a $150 named version for MOST people. People have been asking them to drop the stupid proprietary bits for like 20 years and they still haven't done it. They are just disconnected at this point.
Spot on. 👍
Those knockoffs are crap. The steel is brittle and easily chip or break when you get hard on them. Not only that, but every one of those Chinese clones you buy goes towards the funding of CCP hypersonic missiles that are pointed at our sailors in the Pacific.
I really dislike the arc
I'm curious: why?