The only time I broke anything was the phillips head on the original Leatherman and that was beacause I was trying to undo a screw on a rusty engine and torqued it to much. Leatherman replaced it with a Blast model free of charge.
In 13 years with several Leatherman models in different sizes I have yet to break any of them, although a couple came out of the box with flaws and needed warranty service to make them right. Each time the tools were returned, functioning perfectly, in 10 days or less. Although there have been reports of rust problems, that has never happened to mine in either earlier or current models.
I am willing to bet the only reason you see alot of threads of broken Leathermans is because people tend to post more problems with their tools then they post good comments. If you ever did have a problem, Leatherman will take care of you. They have a 25 year warranty.
Although I don't know which manufacturer sells the most, I would bet a tidy sum that would be Leatherman, which originated the pliers based multitool as we know it. That means an awful lot of them are in circulation. Even if manufacturing glitches occur (inevitable), they may be in no greater percentage than other makes, but sheer numbers would turn up more reports of problematic Leathermen.
Every company can have a bad batch but I wouldn't let those threads worry you. Besides, there are some people, not alot of people, out there who really don't like Leatherman and can't wait to post a problem with one just to try and make them look bad for personal reasons.
AFAIK, the only thing Tim Leatherman ever did to honk off "some people" was to endorse John Kerry for Prez in 2004. Leatherman was one of 40(60?) people in the outdoor/sporting equipment and clothing industry who signed a statement critical of the Bush administration on environmental policies, supporting Kerry as an alternative. There is no document I could find with an internet search that has him weighing in on any other public issue, yet from that time on Leatherman has been the target of a boycott, accused of being anti gun and on the wrong side of many other hotbutton issues. I regard this as wrong, also nuts. Leatherman supported Kerry on one known policy matter, the other guy won anyway, so why the hate? In that election, the country was divided almost 50/50. Isn't it time to move on?
I currently have three and looking at getting a fourth one and haven't had anymore problems other than the original phillips that I broke. I have a Micra, Blast and a Supertool. I am thinking of getting a Core or a Wave, can't decide.
Since the Core is basically an upgraded Super Tool, which you already own, why not go with a Wave (for now
) so you can experience the joy of OH opening? It could change your life :twothumbs . Then take a look at the Super Tool 300 when it comes out in September. Despite the name, it replaces the Core, may be worth it but not a known quantity as yet.
I used it for a long time with one tip broke as I couldn't stand to be without it even though I usually only carry it on the weekends as I EDC a Squirt P4.
