Leatherman Wire Cutters Under the Scope

Joe puts a optical comparator to work analyzing some measurements off the Leatherman wire cutters. The geometry of these replaceable tools was altered in 2021/2022 and were finally noticing. In the aftermath of wire cutters binding up plier heads and even breaking during reasonable use we hope that Leatherman will address the issue. In the meantime, let’s take a close up view of these cutters to see exactly what’s changed since the last iteration of this Multitool component.
For a video about Joe’s new wire cutting technique (revised specifically to address the new cutters) go here: I Was Wrong. My New Hard Wire Cut Technique and Attempt at Wire Stripping
• I Was Wrong. My New Ha...

[@Zoofactory]

Best content I’ve found in weeks!👍

[@inkiron3907]

Thank you!

[@treebossmike8818]

Thank you for this video. Sucks that Leatherman went this route with their replaceable wire cutters. They also used to be made from 154cm steel. Now, who knows what kind of steel they are using. They just call them “premium” wire cutters now. Leatherman was always an American company synonymous with high quality tools. Not so much anymore.

[@vJaxz]

If they are not using real 154CM, means Leatherman are resorting to cheap tactics to make customers spend more! If no one is replacing Hardwire cutters regularly then Leatherman earns less so they have to intentionally make the hardwire cutters weaker to make consumers to spend more regularly!

[@DamionJR4923]

@@vJaxzjust like the auto industry

[@iceR0G2W0]

You just earned my subscription regarding multitools and ofcourse fountain pens. I only have 2 MTs currently in use P4 and Arc and ofcourse 2 FP currently in use Vanishing point and Sonnet.

[@inkiron3907]

Sweet, thanks! I really want to put a fountain pen under this scope. Nice choices of MTs and FPs btw 👍

[@merkyworks]

Nice technical work

[@inkiron3907]

Thanks! I’ve gotten proficient at it. Though it can do a whole lot more than I know how to accomplish now. Someday… especially if people want to watch because I enjoy looking through this thing 😁

[@cwsmith17]

They did fix this. Maxlevel EDC did an update video. Happy they fixed the cutters back to square edge.,

[@form4li7y]

Another informative video. Thanks for making them I hope the theory about why they redesigned the cutters is wrong and that they go back to the old style. The reason that I am more likely to believe the theory than not is that it's just cheaper to replace cutters than the whole plier head. Also, they can claim that you abused the cutters, refuse to replace them, and most people will just pay the $10 to replace them. If the theory is true it's just another step down for the company. What a shame.

[@tagwache88]

@ink&iron I ended up being more interested in the camera and software.
What do you use? Thank you!

[@inkiron3907]

This is actually at my workplace. It’s a Keyence VHX 5000 and it’s a hugely expensive piece of equipment 😅

[@garrisonboyd1701]

@@inkiron3907this is so cool!

[@garrisonboyd1701]

I believe the metal is 154CM

[@Fiber64]

How do I get me one of those microscopes? Love you can see the grain of the steel

[@inkiron3907]

I get to use this at my work, which is a laboratory. This is a Keyence VHX 5000 and it’s enormously expensive 😅

[@zippolit4485]

I emailed Leatherman about there cutters not working and being unable to cut coat hanger wire like the older ones and they utterly ignored my email and still haven’t received any reply back. So I sent a follow up email and am still waiting.

[@vJaxz]

I think qestions like this will be waiting long long to be answered, intenionally buried under dusts and ignored.

[@mick4790]

Hi, thank you for the excellent informative video, I will not be purchasing the Leatherman Arc!

[@inkiron3907]

Thanks! Yeah I’m not convinced the Arc is worth it…

[@vJaxz]

@@inkiron3907 Arc cost 500 bucks in my country.

[@bobcat5AM]

Another great video. It really highlights the fact that the new design of the cutters is flawed. Will this be enough for Leatherman to redesign the cutters or go back to the previous design who knows.....

[@vJaxz]

Multi-Tools Pliers aren't exactly a direct replacement option to real tools, they are just for emergency, so who cares the Original Hardwire Cutters cause the Plier Heads to break off eventually due to Material Fatigue, Strain and Stress and repeated stress-loading? Those Plier Heads aren't exactly going to break off immediately the moment you abuse them.
The problem is due to the age-old 25 year warranty that is working inefficently for Leatherman now. With modern technology Hard Wires are made tougher and more durable than dacades ago in the past, which cause pre-mature plier heads failure for Leatherman if push to the limits of modern hardwire cutting, resulting in cost-losing waranty replacements.
Since Leatherman isn't coming out a solution for their Warranty issue or enhancing the durability of their Plier Heads, but instead purposely and deliberately resort to changing design of the Hardwire Cutters to make it weaker, might as well boycott Leatherman from now on and start using those low-cost AliExpress clones. Even without Warranty, no worries if the plier heads break due to abuse.