How to break in a new Leatherman

[@bruceinnawoods3610]

How to break in a new Leatherman: 1. Squirt oil in all moving parts 2. Start using it

[@BrendanBrown1]

Yeah, I've found that some wd-40 and a couple hours strait of opening and closing it while watching some TV really breaks it in. Also, I'm obsessed with fidgeting leathermans so it's a win-win for me.

[@cmptar]

@@BrendanBrown1 Fidgeting with my new squirt right now. I'll try not to ever say that again.

[@niko1even]

@@BrendanBrown1 try not to use wd-40, it is not meant for lubrication and can actually make it easier to gather gunk in between moving parts. Use something like mineral oil

[@travispratt6327]

@@niko1even Wd40 itself is a cleaner and solvent, it’s great for getting the junk and/or moisture out, then you use a light oil after.

[@cjlane4465]

Literally.. i got a wave + for my birthday and i sat watching tv and just opened and closed it with 1 hand over and over, now only 3 weeks later, i can easily open and close it with 1 hand. Definitely not as smooth as a few year old tool, but just using it is the best way to break it in.

[@BX138]

I thought he was going to say, "If you live with someone, have them do it for a while and help out."

[@Hexsyn]

I thought he was going to say "if you have a roommate who is bothered by this, find a new roommate" lol

[@vtdrive12]

I would recommend a food grade oil. Victorinox uses food grade oil, for good reason. If you use your knife to cut food, in the wilderness or at home(I do it all the time), why have a toxic multitool. I coat a new tool daily, work it in, and put it in a sheath. The sheath will absorb some oil and provide some corrosion resistance. Cleaning the tool with q-tips does work great. Just my 2-cents.

[@joshthecomputertech]

I was literally going to comment this exact same thing. If you buy Victorinox oil during Black Friday, it's only $3.00/bottle w/ free shipping (to the US). I stock up then and use it on all my folding tools and knives, as I never know which I will use for food. And I use a quick bath of Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm water, then IPA 91% for stripping the old oils/lubricants off, then lightly apply Victorinox oil to the joints and surfaces. Works great!

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

In culinary that's how I keep my cooking tools oiled up.

[@cwd1232]

Like vegetable oil? Very curious because sounds like a smart idea to not use something toxic or synthetic!

[@vtdrive129]

@@cwd1232 food grade mineral oil. Veggie oil can go rancid. I use my knives to cut food items, so wd40, not so tasty to eat...

[@tommyhighwaytv1998]

Frog lube

[@Tom-uj4uf]

Breaking in a new tool is never a problem for me because I always can't stop playing with it

[@TotallyNotNuclear]

same

[@Oooo-bi7bi]

Got mine today. The more I open it and the tools. Its getting smoother.

[@craigmooring2091]

That is exactly what I've been doing when I get a new Leatherman (or other brand of tool with folding parts), but I have an additional step that is usually necessary to make the Leatherman easily one-hand openable. I carefully unscrew the pivot points just a touch at a time and only if I have to after working it as you demonstrated. Nothing rattles and none of the ones so treated has loosened up any further after years of use. The SOGs come that way, but a Leatherman usually needs that little tweak.

[@stephenabm7779]

I enjoyed this video and makes good sense, my first Leatherman was the super tool and just used it but this was back in 1993. I did just purchase the Leatherman wave for my son who turns 16 in a week. I will review this with him. Thank you for assembling this video.

[@The_truth_hurts25]

I was about to to use 3 & 1. Glad my 13 year old son showed me this video. Thank you. Love these leathermans.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

I've used 3-in-1 on my knives and multitools for decades. I've heard from several people that readily-available reel oil works well

[@festushaggen2563]

I’ve used 3 in 1 on mine and it works great. A couple of drops on the end joints, work it in and done.

[@icecreamgecko]

When I first got my Leatherman Wave I was astounded by the overall fit and finish of the thing. It is hard to live with when you are used to the Victorinox craftsmanship.

[@christopherschmahl2252]

Yep, just got my first Wave+, I thought it was a cheap fake....poor finish, burrs, not lubed in any way....wow. Very different that Vic and Mora.

[@shawnpepin7890]

I almost returned my surge due to this same issue.. tools were loose, blade play in all the outward tools.. but man, those pliers were knipex quality.. after I took a step back, and thought about it, I saw what leatherman was going for.. awesome pliers with some ok tools attached.. if was a tough choice to not return as it cost 200 Canadian dollars, and at that price I expected more, but then I thought about the 25 year warranty, and how I will almost certainly need to have it repaired or replaced before it runs out. I think that leatherman is assuming you’ll be getting at least 2 tools over the 25 year period with that warranty, and if you think about it that way, and are tough on your tools, then it’s a solid choice...

[@scotthaddad563]

My wife made me stop breaking in my leatherman wave while having sex. She said it was it or her. I love my leatherman so much that I let her go. Her new guy carries a Gerber Goober Grabber.

[@romanator30]

scott haddad that is not the reason your marriage failed. Be truthful and improve yourself.

[@Rikhardi]

Roma nator woosh

[@ricev7071]

Of course!! Gerber Guys always get the girls!!

[@BillCoSmith]

That’s because they’re Gerber babies 👶

[@neeko7878]

The be all end all to any tool pivot tightness is valve lapping compound. Daub it on, work the pivot, hear the grinding, keep working and applying the compound… 5 minutes later work some WD-40 through the pivot until no more grinding sound and done. Works amazing on any tool pivot as it actually lightly removes material inside out. Amazing

[@Mr1Alex91]

Good advice at 4:40 lol my pregnant wife wasn’t a fan of me opening and closing mine while she was trying to watch tv lol

[@chriscon8463]

Good video. My wife loves it when we’re watching TV & I’m fiddling with a new knife or Leatherman (or an old one for that matter)!

[@AROTTWEILERR]

yeah my girlfriend loves watching me honing my blades, she stops watching tv to see a precision master at work, women love proper men

[@faethe000]

@@AROTTWEILERR Calling BS.

[@abc456f]

I love that sound! Good tip. I have a surge and the bit kit, extender in my get home bag but want to get the wave plus for a Vanquest edc huge organizer. Will try your method to help break it in. Seems like you got yours nice and smooth. We know how stiff new ones can be. Subbed.

[@rogeliosolis8723]

i took a dremel to mines but all outside and plier head i left the pivot points alone just been using some silicone oil and working them over and over they have definitely broken in a little more from oiling the pivot points and opening them and closing them .

[@festushaggen2563]

3 in 1 oil does the job for me. Used it on 2 multi-tools. One old and stiff, one new and stiff and loosened them up both as expected.

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

Like CLP?

[@davidsiegel9847]

You can also do nothing but basic cleaning and oiling. Breaking-in is not necessary--just use the tool. Cleaning depends on your use environment. If very dirty run a compressed air hose over the tool. Tiny drop of lubricant. Most casual users can do fine with minimal maintenance. Many do fine with no real maintenance and have their Waves many years.

[@Heikki_Finland]

Yes. Wave has a kind of brake that slows down the opening making it always feel more or less brand new, which i like. Lubricating may add a bit of certain smoothness maybe, but some extra dirt may stick to the oil compromising the benefit.

[@teddysickels1857]

@Gear Nut have you ever tried using a dry GRAPHITE after you clean it the first time? My grandfather was a locksmith and they've used it as a lubricant for many years simply because it doesn't cause any form of buildup in those tight places and helps to polish the internal components of the locks. I've been using Graphite on all of my Leathermans since 1983 and all of them still operate very smooth.

[@archonblaze]

I don't know about multi-tools, but my experience with locks was the dry graphite powder works WAY better than any type of liquid lubricant. Not many people know about this. So it makes sense that dry graphite would also work best on a Leatherman. Interesting. It's counter intuitive because you don't want to put a powder in the small crevices of such a tool!

[@SineEyed]

@@archonblaze so just scratch some powder off a pencil lead to get some usable graphite?.. 🤔

[@archonblaze]

@@SineEyed Hardware stores often sell dry graphite powder in little squeeze bottles. A puff of power comes out of the nozzle.

[@SineEyed]

@@archonblaze hmm ok. What's the intended purpose of these bottles? I'm asking so I can maybe narrow the scope of my search to a particular department. That way I'm not walking the whole store, looking high and low for a little bottle of stuff..

[@robertferguson9178]

My new wave plus deploys pliers easy out of the box, external blade tools are very tight

[@ding174]

Best way is what you said at the start. Just use the damned thing ! Good video. And mine worked fine out of the box so...just use it. New car just drive it, new gun just shoot it, new cell phone just start texting, new heart, run a marathon. New kidneys, start pissing, new liver, start drinking etc.

[@cynthiaabsher9069]

Thank you! Couldn't get my husband's closed. Bless you!😄

[@paulhanson6387]

Very helpful video. I was able to refresh my leatherman wave following the ideas, so thank you!

[@kenk7451]

Oh wow, the pinched fingers breaking in such a great tool! I actually had a product called Marine Guard which was a great lubricant, but now I'll try the Blue! Thanks!

[@alfred1925]

Cheers. Just got one and couldn't close it! Thought it might be broke or there was a special release button. But it was just stiff.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

Keep it lubed and fidget with it. After just a few months of working it, I could open both my Wave and Surge one-handed. It takes a bit of a wrist snap, but it's possible.

[@usernamemykel]

When not extended/locked into place for use, the Philips screwdriver droops - what's with that and what's the cure? Thanks for the great vid!

[@BX138]

I must have lucked out, because my Wave+ came out of the package butter smooth.

[@rogaldorn605]

Same with my surge

[@nomsterdude]

Same with my Signal and my brothers Wave+

[@markk917]

Singer All Purpose Oil has worked great for me.

[@johnwesleyhardin5867]

for a tool such as a Leatherman, does it make the tool perform better by being so finicky about how clean it is?

[@michaelcolloton6971]

You don't have to be finicky about it, but it should be cleaned a few times a year. :"A few times" depends on Where you use it. If you're in a salty or sandy environment, you might have to clean it every couple months or so.l

[@alexwei8666]

I took my charge plus apart and cleaned it inside out with Flitz then applied some Super lube, it turned out pretty good. The opening and closing is smooth with some fine tuning. Wish I had watched this video but I learned something new so not bad ❤

[@reneemeyer9107]

It hasn't. Why are there no slowed down detailed instructions on how to open and close the plyers? Mine are stock open, and I cannot fold the tool back up.

[@Kaevinlaw]

Sometimes when breaking in the tools, it gets smoother and smoother. And then all in a sudden it gets really gritty or even stuck. I suspect there may be metal dust from breaking in build up, or some burr broken loose and trapped somewhere in between. I would try to clean all the lubricant out and reapply to hope to get them out.

[@kenk7451]

Yeah really, probably the most useful video I have ever seen. My Leatherman is the second most used tool, next to my pocket screwdriver. 🙂

[@yannst-pierre719]

I got a pst in a brown sheat,,,,, can’t see date inside handles,,,,, been carrying and using this thing for soooo many years,,,,,, Tool is in great shape;;;; wondering if it’ steal worth something ?

[@Kyrelel]

The number 1 question is ... how the heck do you get the tools out of the handle

[@artstech]

I've been using Hoppes No. 9 lube.

[@jondell2521]

I need information on my Leatherman Wave

[@250rapid]

I use M-Pro7 Gun Oil LPX on the slide rails, springs and all mechanism moving parts and metal surface of my pistols and AR and everything runs like butter, a little goes a long way and doesn't get sticky or dry out. I also use it on my multi-tools as well and it works wonders, you'll be surprised!...Does excellent job as cleaner, lubricant and protecting against wear and humidity.

[@govindanchandran5326]

Very good and informative video. Very practical & Hands-on instructions. 😊

[@uwanitbad]

Like many mentioned, just use it. Anyway the tool get all sort of gunk in those tiny cervices. Trying to keep your handy tool in pristine condition is just not possible. Try sawing something with your Wave and there you have it. Cleaning time. Thanks for sharing though.

[@nimitz9280]

Nice SKX. Like the NATO.

[@Peterjameslewis69]

What lubricant would you recommend for use for someone in the uk?

[@joewatts4839]

My supertool 300 was so loose I could use it like a butterfly knife. Sadly there are many broken parts.

[@bellathechocolatelabrador3498]

25yr warranty: no questions asked.

[@peddypeoples941]

my brand new swisstool x came out of the box with very nice action, butter smooth. Even my 13 year old wave feels still stiffer:P

[@markh9875]

Technical know-nothing asking: would WD-40 work just as well or is there something about Blue Lube that makes it necessary here?

[@robknott1687]

Tool oil for pneumatic tools works so well best thing i have ever used and cheaper

[@travispratt6327]

I’d wager there isn’t an owner in the world that hasn’t got a good pinch from their wave lol. I did two things to fix it, took a dremel to the pinch points to debur/chamfer them, plus took some fat aluminum wire and fashioned myself a nice little ring on the thumb hole of the straight blade, it not only rolls over my hands now instead of pinches but it allows me to know where my normal blade is and keep orientation of the tool better, the wave should come with a ring =)

[@thesceptic1018]

mine came absolutely covered in oil - I should remove it all and start again?

[@MyUnquenchableThirst]

my problem is not the the part you lubed, it is with the pliers opening. I'd like to be able to hold one handle and the other handle can swing freely. PLEASE HELP

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

You’ll have to loosen it.

[@ZERO_42069]

“So i bought a couple of them” Huge flex

[@nosreuter]

Honestly more of an novelty to have an Plus model without the '+' I think it's cool👌

[@IAmTheLaw1983]

Does it make the leatherman oily or greasy if you lubricate that

[@michaelcolloton6971]

Not if you wipe the excess off with a swab or any clean cloth you have handy.

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

A little bit, but that’s kinda what you have to expect. It doesn’t need to be soping wet but a nice thin layer will be great but will def have a slight oily feel. Better than to leave it bare.

[@usernamemykel]

I very recently received a new Wave+, wiped off the excess black oxide, drenched it with Ballistol, cleaned, cleaned and cleaned some more - but at one point I just couldn't close the pliers - they were stuck open, resisting every effort to close and retreat into the handles. I emailed Leatherman - no response. I questioned YT creators - no response. FINALLY, after many manhandling attempts, one side gave in, so I was 50% on my way. Eventually, the other side folded into the handle. WHY they make the hinges so TIGHT is beyond me! Anyway, I sprayed (again) with silicone lubricant, then WD-40, and kept challenging the hinges to be more respectful. So, the tool wasn't "locked up" as it thought it was (and I was not able to find the unlocking mechanism), it was just those TOO TIGHT hinges. So the tool needs an initially difficult breaking in period. When I initially read Amazon reviews about the Wave +, I noticed that folks were naysaying the nylon pouch, believing that it can only accommodate a 1" wide belt. If they had EXAMINED the pouch, they would have found that if they unsnap it, the loop can be pulled up, making it wider, after which one should close the snap, EZPZ!

[@TheKiteak]

do you have any experience with using nano oil?

[@CXonthefly]

Are you stamp paper and Polished the outside

[@wvoilfield1247]

Could you use reel oil.. I've used it on knives for awhile never had any problems.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

I've never used it, but a lot lot of people think it works as well as dedicated knife oil at a fraction of the cost.

[@desmo5514]

You've had 30 Leatherman tools ?Damn , I must have got mine a few years after its release...so 20-23 yrs old...only got the 1 Wave plus, just give it a wipe over with WD 40 on a rag...good to go. It's a working tool. Just use 'em 👍

[@tomtommy7900]

Can someone please tell me where I can find replacement blades for a leathermen? Can be non specific just don't know where to find blades and I need a new one on my oht....maybe Damascus one if possible?? I've seen some people with it and it looks sweet.....thanks in advance

[@Baruch-Hashem]

Save money, buy a gallon of food grade Mineral Oil, muti-tools, knives, firearms, even cutting boards and wooden scales and stocks, it may be all you ever need for decades. I learned this from a gun smith long ago and it works great. Saves you a lot of money and most of those other products use mineral oil as there primary ingredient. The only disadvantage, some applications need grease, but not in the multi-tool world. BTW, Mineral Oil grease is called petroleum jelly and it works great wear grease is needed. Say bye bye to all the many many snake-oil companies ripping you off by just selling you mineral oil plus coloring agents or negligibly "beneficial" additives. Sorry modern snake oils sales people, the secret is out.

[@valtervalter6441]

Can I use WD 40 Bike to clean my Leatherman?

[@vinishshetty8055]

hey I bought a surge black oxide and when I open the pliers and if i press the handles further the pliers get stuck and one of the handle moves further inside giving the pliers a slant look, Is this a defect or is this normal? please help

[@themaskedfisherman8596]

Break in? Mine was dead smooth straight out of the box

[@Moloch6666]

mine was really hard to open and close, and forget about using the pliers with one hand - impossible

[@JustCallMeHonda]

Congratulations you’re the exception.

[@outdoor044]

I think the "chunks of steel" bit was a little over sold 😁.

[@nmtoolsandgadgets4963]

Try soaking the pivot areas with wd40 and then work it in by opening and closing it and in a few mins your good to go. Used it in all of my leathermans even the black oxide and also offers rust protection.

[@Jmh8913]

Hey new to your channel feel like I was missing out my whole life! Thanks for the great videos!

[@arncj18]

wd40 soak for days doesn't help?

[@jeremytheys]

My process is to open it all up and let it swim in my ultrasonic cleaner for 30 mins. Then rinse and blow dry with air compressor. Then hit all pivot points with KPL, and work it in. Clean and everything opens Smooth!

[@marni2903]

When I try to open the blade it opens the file does any1 know why?

[@warblerab2955]

What about WD-40? would that work?

[@michaelcolloton6971]

WD-40 isn't that great a lubricant. It won't do any harm and it works great if your tool is wet, as it's a water displacement fluid (hence the name). I've been using 3-in-1 oil on my knives and tools for at least 40 years without a single problem. Just wipe off the excess with whatever clean cloth you have handy..

[@SquidCashFilms]

Good video man thanks

[@morganmccomas9247]

Can skate bearing lubricant work?

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

Almost any oil will do the job. I don't use anything for my leatherman. Time will smooth it out

[@michaelcolloton6971]

I don't see any reason why not. Just wipe off the excess with a clean cloth.

[@jasonronin6814]

Great vid!

[@ritesideofthefence5857]

I just put a couple drops of FP10 . Good to go no worries.

[@spookshelves9834]

Got a micra for me and my lil brother and gave one to him as an early Christmas present, the whole time I thought the micras just had super stiff scissors and then all of a sudden my brothers using his like a damn pro while my scissors take the might of Zeus to use, just a lil bit of blue lube and boom. What the hell, had my micra acting like crap for a few days before I gave my brother his for no good reason

[@norwoodzomboy]

Hey Gear Nut! I did the Windex & Blue Lube combination 4 times today; the residue coming out of the joints was REALLY dirty! The stiffness has only marginally improved. Suggestions?

[@GearNut]

I would wash it with dish soap, dry it and repeat. You want all the metal parts to polish each other.

[@norwoodzomboy]

@@GearNut I'll do that next - thanks!

[@sparkybonehead]

...OR.......just get the Coyote Tan model with black finish blades. Ain't gotta be pretty.......just has to work well. Good vid, bro.

[@BB-jq6ek]

youd think it break in faster without lube to remove metal and polish surfaces thats why we add oil to our car engine to prevent wear...

[@edadpops1709]

Ballistol cleans and lubes .

[@dualsportoutdoors]

I just use it. I use mine so often they break in within a couple days

[@ricev7071]

I break them in by simply just using my Surge every chance I get, that way, it works just how I want it to!!

[@skoffco]

Excuse me a moment, I’m going to my room and polish my tool😀

[@evankelly2459]

Nano oil is awesome.

[@jkn2k]

Using it regularly could be the solution I guess

[@amisanthropicman]

I just spray CLP in it, blow it out with compressed air and consider it ready to go.

[@OscarCelorio]

Will gun oil/lubricant work or damage my new Wave plus?

[@Mikey-ym6ok]

That works better or clp oil

[@gerardorockerman69]

Not at all

[@250rapid]

Seems like you did a deep cleaning when you replaced the pliers head.

[@greenfish144]

I dropped my Wave+ on the wooden floor. When it’s closed, it sort of “bends” a bit. Is that normal? Are there ways of tightening it again?

[@nomsterdude]

I have dropped multitools from $1-$120 and have ever seen anything bend except on one $45 tool. Using a screwdriver to tighten it might help but if not you may wanna send it in to Leatherman with a warranty paper to get a replacement! :) Edit: The $45 tool was a Gerber not a Leatherman. I have abused leathermans to what I thought would be the breaking point and seen minimal damage(nowhere near enough to consider the tool "damaged")

[@greenfish144]

@@nomsterdude that’s awesome. Thanks for the information!

[@HWGAFoundation]

You got to be jocking if you search for this topic. Just use the d... thing.

[@nosreuter]

My straight edge knife is still significantly harsher to open web after years of (sporadic) use.. On closer inspector I just now realized that something (scales or blade) seems to be bent so that they actually are pressing against each other causing friction! Had it since 2013 so Leatherman should warranty this, right?

[@tommy6gun2]

Break free clp will do the job smoothing things out all gunk from manufacturing will work its way out

[@-BananaLollipop-]

3 in 1 makes me cringe. I've had 2 bottles of it eat through their own bottle in the space of 2 years or so. Why do they put it in bottles that fail?

[@mraidymaddful]

Just remember folks, every man needs a clean tool, ahem..............

[@josteinrekustad2758]

Could I just use WD-40?

[@officialWWM]

Yes, or olive oil. If you ever cut food with the knife, you should use food grade oil.

[@josteinrekustad2758]

@@officialWWM Thanks. I might try olive oil.

[@pieterdeklerk914]

Thank you I was gonna ask the same question

[@kenichicazares543]

What is the price range for the wave?

[@ManuelofAnime]

My local walmart had them on clearance for $21

[@davidsiegel9847]

In Israel, around $100 equivalent for new model with replaceable cutters. But through the Net maybe a lot cheaper. However, you cannot check out the tool ahead of time. And, here the shop handles warranty shipping. Buying through some private supplier in Ukraine or Alabamba or Honduras--you have to pay to ship a lump of metal air express yourself. I always check pliers head alignment and all tools in the shop. Too many problems mail ordering and getting major problems.

[@christophershurety8865]

I paid over £100 in the UK in May 2020...!

[@redbeard0183]

WD-40 and an air nozzle from the air compressor. Wipe off any excess with a cloth. 30 seconds. Done. I get where you're coming from, but that's a lot of time spent when it's going to get dirty again the next time you use it.

[@Tahoe2002Md]

on the Leatherman site they tell you to NOT use WD-40, it can corrode the washers they use. Check out Rust and Corrosion on this link www.leatherman.com/CustomerService-Maintenance.html

[@philipjackson2135]

The UK website says you can use WD-40 !!! Is the WD-40 different in the US to the U.K.? www.leatherman.co.uk/maintenance.html

[@KadSkirata]

@@philipjackson2135 Maybe the UK website manufactures there's in the UK, so moght use a different washer than the US location?

[@mackjones7688]

@@Tahoe2002Md Not sure when you read the maintenance suggestion for your Leatherman from their own website. It clearly says TO use WD40 or similar products such as liquid wrench to clean and lubricate your Leatherman and prevent corrosion.

[@Римованакс]

How to break in a leatherman, Put half a drop of motor oil in the moving parts.

[@fc436]

Using hard a new leatherman for 5/7 days and come SUPERSMOOTH! Who say they are stiff, never use them for real wirecutting or never use the plier. I have 7 leatherman multitool (surge,wave, charge g 10, PST original, skeletool, and Sidekick) and all were stiff for 3/7 days and now.are super super smooth. I also have 3 Victorinox swisstool and they come more smooth from the factory.

[@12thsonofthelama86]

That’s what she said!!

[@KarlBassermann]

My Victorinox didn't need to be broken in, took it out of the box and started using it, hasn't needed maintenance or sharpening for the past year of multiple uses every single day.

[@fremountstsongsrich2453]

What about good ol.WD40??

[@wainwj11]

WD40 is a degreaser, not a lubricant.

[@mgtowanonymous3120]

Mineral oil. Safe to eat in case u need survival reasons with ur tool. Mineral oil the sht out of it problem solved 8D

[@iLykeCahrs]

cleaning and lubing where you did ruins the opening of the plyer. You need friction in the handles to open the plyer