Steve

I purchased 4 Waves last year and 3 Charge ALX tools. One of each for myself and the rest as gifts.

I have found that the quality control is somewhat poor, with inconsistencies between the tools. Knife locks which don’t fully engage, pliers which only close with a struggle, leather sheaths which feel cheap and ill-fitting, packaging which doesn’t always include instructions, and pivots without adequate lubrication.

Still, the Skeletool looks hot and I’ll likely still purchase one. Leatherman is still near the top of the multitool brands, and it shouldn’t be surprising if they join nearly everyone else in moving manufacturing overseas.

Having said that, its strange that a leftist would manufacture a tool that leaves out lefties.

I currently use the Benchmade mini-griptilian and I love it. The clip puts it in my pocket but still accessible and I can still get my big ole hand into the pocket itself.

But…there are times when I need a screwdriver, maybe pliers, etc.
How’s come no one puts a clip on the multitools?

I really like the look of this tool and the carbiner is cool. But how about a side clip too.

I won’t ever buy a Gerber multi-tool after the plier jaw broke in half on a friend’s. I still like their knives, but that multi-tool was crap. Admittedly, that was when they first came out back in ‘91. They may have improved them since then.

Politics aside, leatherman tools seem way too expensive for what they are — gloified pocket knifes that don’t really fit in a pocket. I guess you are paying for the “Made in America” sticker.

I’m glad that the political viewpoints of the company were exposed here. I’m not a fan of either political party right now but until the dems actually get a clue about the second amendment (its a RIGHT get over it!) I won’t spend a dime of my money on them or anyone who supports them.

I have the wave and think its a great tool, though I do wish the interior tools locked out.

-Brent

And this is sensible to you?

Note that both companies have manufacturing facilities located primarily in Portland, OR, but include parts made both in and out of the US.

Could we leave the political rhetoric at the door? Instead debate the worthiness of the *tool*, or whether or not you think the design is “cool”.

For some knives making a lefty version requires a whole other knife. Liner locks are hard to work left handed and they basically have to make a mirror image of the right handed knife. Lockbacks and the AXIS lock from Benchmade work well in both hands though.

To attempt to stay on topic. A multi-tool has too much going on on to make the knife lefty capable. Some multi tools (like my SOG Paratool) do let you re-arrange the tools and add new ones.

Thanks for the heads up Chris B.

Stuart, a five second google search will give you a list of links as long as your arm. Specifically, Leatherman is a VERY heavy democratic donor, was a big donor to “america coming together”, and moveon.org; and wrote an anti-bush letter, as well as making numerous statements against bush and for Kerry in the 2004 election.