Neil Youngs song - Piece of Cr@p

[Wapiti]

I know what he was talking about, once great brands now May-in-Chyna and now junk.

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Now I'm not a feeble bloke, but I wasn't trying to test my trusty Wave when I was pushing the pliers through some very tight bowhitches on an old tarp I wanted to get the tie-down ropes off. It actually snapped with a loud PING.
My wife says, what about welding it? there's nothing you haven't been able to weld up yet. That welder that starts with "T".
Now that would be an achievement.
Is there anything once-sacred that isn't now covered by Neil's very apt song?

[fussy]

Last I checked, L has a 25y guarantee.
Take it back and ask for a new (real) one)

[Damo300]

That's not a Leatherman.
That's a vynaltranny.

Send it back.
Pretty sure they'll replace it.

[Wapiti]

I'm not sure where I bought it, so can't send it back.
And the last one I had prior to this, I was caught trying to free the balljoint from a roo leg with the straight knife blade, and it broke off at the swivel with another loud PING,
Yes, not a great tool for the job but I was caught out on foot without a real knife embarrassingly.
I contacted what was supposed to be the distributor here and even Leatherman in the US with a pic, and although several follow-ups was completely ignored. Nothing. All I wanted was to be able to buy another blade.
So the guarantee is just words on paper, for me at least, it's just bullsh*t.

So now, if someone asks I will tell whomever to buy another brand, because in my experience Leatherman are a "piece of crap" who lie about back-up, parts and service to hoodwink the purchaser who still believes that past history US quality is still relevant.
If you have one yourself and it hasn't broken yet, lucky you.
For those who have another brand of tool that's still going, congratulations.

[Wapiti]

Just found a supplier that has the pliers set to at least get the things in use again.
In Germany! Go figure.
Leatherman US again has not responded over the last 3 days, just like in the past, so I'll go here.

https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/4452115 ... 6280282580

[Die Judicii]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.
When made in CHINA, they invariably do the hardening,,, and then either completely omit the tempering, or just don't get it right.
So being hard and brittle, of course it will snap with a "ping"

[Damo300]

Seems they've changed then.
They used to be good. Like everything I suppose. Not surprising in 2026.

I hope the Victornnox Swiss tools are still quality. They're similar to leatherman.

[Wapiti]

I've said this before and I'll say it again.
When made in CHINA, they invariably do the hardening,,, and then either completely omit the tempering, or just don't get it right.
So being hard and brittle, of course it will snap with a "ping"

I was thinking that yesterday mate, the way they snap suddenly, almost like a hacksaw blade. I notice that they are supposed to me malleable and strong, that's why they now have replaceable (carbide? Probably not...) cutting edges so they rest can be tough.
And add to this, the difficulty of getting stainless steel to actually perform in a tool role, other than that of a fragile knife blade.
Obviously a great idea, just made now where taking the p*ss of the consumer is an art form.

And to replace the small jaws, by the time I get them here they'd be $150... for a tool over $300. I bet in quantity, they don't cost more from the huge factories that $25 apiece.
I don't know what direction to head after this, no way am I going to buy another one of these "Piece of crap" insults. Problem is that in the past they were so useful.

[rossfrb]

The lack of response from the distributor is a ******.
You are not alone with your experience by the looks of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1IZQuaENQ

Victorinox now have versions that would be equivalent.
No idea how good they are, but all supposed to be Swiss made.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victorinox- ... s_p0493741
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victorinox- ... l_p0493728

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/prod ... BoostOrder

[Wapiti]

Appreciate the time you took to put up those links mate.
I won't ever buy Leatherman again, now I have three with different bits broken off them, all different models unfortunately so parts swapping won't help.
Those Victorinox are ridiculously expensive, and don't look like those thin open edges would feel real nice when squeezing down on something.
When I last worked in Northern China, in Dalian or Qingdao I think it was, there was this line of tool shops in a row on the street below these high-rise expanses full of industrial workers, and a Wave was $40. To a sucker white man too, mind. I think the locals got them for about 80 Yuan.

[Damo300]

The lack of response from the distributor is a ******.
You are not alone with your experience by the looks of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1IZQuaENQ

Victorinox now have versions that would be equivalent.
No idea how good they are, but all supposed to be Swiss made.
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victorinox- ... s_p0493741
https://www.bunnings.com.au/victorinox- ... l_p0493728

https://www.bunnings.com.au/search/prod ... BoostOrder

Ahhh crap.

If that mob have their greasy mitts on them then I fear the quality will be in par, if not, exactly the same steel.

Maybe there's a non hardware store product line.
What a shame.

[straightshooter]

There is an old proverb "Pick the right tool for the job".
The reality is any brand of multi-tool is less than optimum for just about any job it might be asked to do.
Had the O.P. bought ten knockoffs instead of the high priced glamour unit there would be none of the bleating reminiscent of a woman who broke one of the handles on her Dolce and Gabbana handbag.

[Wapiti]

Geeze it must be great to have all the answers.
Write a book on being perfect for us mere mortals to never screw up again, big man. Then those below your level on forums will be a thing of the past.