Update on Leatherman Cutters for the ARC (and potential solutions)

[@JohnnyJuke]

Leatherman has NOT handled this well. I ordered the replacements. They sent me the same crappy cutters. Now I own two sets of garbage!

[@JVan-ic6ic]

Can you not send it back and exchange it? Really pathetic if you can’t

[@franio1991]

Idź you want great cutters, i made it from sw7m steel.

[@Jam35Gr3g0ry]

Eff that. Not getting an Arc. Not until Leatherman puts better cutters onntje tool itself. Having to request replacements is BS.

[@TripFiveParkour]

What exactly is leatherman doing to fix it? From your video it's seems they reached out to a popular youtuber not every customer.

[@maxlvledc]

I don't think they will reach out, I think they are only acting reactively to those who have an issue.

[@IamACanadian47]

It’s very useful to watch videos by yourself and others who keep us updated. I am particularly grateful I didn’t get on this particular train teetering down the track, I’m watching from the station hoping for the best for all of you.

[@deykno87]

Got mine for 160 with military discount this thing is amazing!!!

[@form4li7y]

Silence isn't just a tough thing to manage, it is another misstep that can vary from just confusion to a worse offense than the original issue. And no matter where the severity falls it can damage trust in the person/company. I have done everything from knocked companies down a few rungs on their place in the hierarchy of where I spend my money to swearing them off completely when they go silent on a issue with their product. They would have been better of addressing the issue up front. 3:39 Cutting like butter! THAT is how it should be. It's one of the things that got them their reputation back in the day. Good to see it again. 9:37 Great info! I never even knew about that extender. Thanks.

[@dcnx5417]

I’ve recently bought a Leatherman Wave + in addition to my surge. Production date is 0223 and it has also the new wire cutters. Also the bit extender has a new design w/ a magnet instead of the tension ring

[@maxlvledc]

Oh??!?!?! I didn't know that!

[@dcnx5417]

@@maxlvledc I think the new bit extender is better and easier to use and the magnet is well balanced between strength and ease of use. I like it

[@Thomamps]

I have a surge 1221 that has the new cutters. They have been around for a long time.

[@edgaraquino2324]

Good video, Dominic...Ink & Iron's cutters would not cut, & his pliers tightened up significantly afterwards....& this after he sent them to Leatherman under warranty to be checked...

[@shanes1112]

I don’t think they’re on it. I ordered a new Charge + TTi and an extra set of cutters directly from Leatherman for my Wave +. The Charge came with the rounded cutters installed and the replacement cutters were exactly the same. Rounded. Both of these were ordered the 1st week in May 2024. I guess they’re still unloading some of the faulty stuff on nobody’s like me. Even though I’ve been a loyal customer for 30 years.

[@stritheor]

I just ordered some of these last night due to your subliminal messaging (buy them. Buy them). Now I'm wondering if they'll come with the correct cutters installed or if they'll keep selling crap and replacing with crap, as some of the comments have suggested so far. Should I just immediately return them?

[@billbog25]

They should send cutters to everyone who purchased. Free of charge. Yet won't

[@bbro5399]

It's Jan 14, 2024 and they are still selling the same shitty replacement cutters.

[@chattifactory]

leatherman is hands down the worst most over priced company there is they completely against what there customers want and they just discontinue things with no for warning of any kind they are a total joke never give them any money

[@frankschieren6817]

I had the Problem with the stiffness too. Out of the Box, the Pliers where pretty smooth and "free floating" but after i used it for the first time, the stiffness increased considerably.

[@LosRiji]

Gunk and dust. Use Silicon oil or graphit lube

[@user-zh4vo1kw1z]

So they had a heat treating issue with one batch? One batch that they installed on all their tools for the past year or two? An issie that happened to have gotten noticed when the people who in effect pay to do their online marketing made some comments on it? I know I am cynical when it comes to Leatherman, but... Man, they really have a QC and consistency issue, don't they? And I would soone place my trust in a company who publicly admitted "hey, we messed up, that's dumb of us, but here's how we are planning to address it" than one who tries to ignore it until it is time to do some very minor damage control. All of the above weighs double for the prices they charge.

[@maxlvledc]

For the record...they pay me nothing lols

[@user-zh4vo1kw1z]

IThat's what I mean: You pay them to do marketing for them. You buy their products and channels like this are a great way to get online word of mouth advertising for them. When looking for multitool advice online these are the most common source (perhaps next to content farms, but I have a feeling those wouldn't be able to farm without original content creators). They should damn well try and keep you a happy customer ;)

[@jakehoover4751]

I reached out to Leatherman about it and they acted like they had no idea what I was talking about. They opened a ticket and emailed me asking for information so I emailed them, never heard back after multiple times reaching back out to them via the email they sent me. Terrible service.

[@maxlvledc]

not good.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

Good to see the plier stuff is being fixed. Sold my Arc on sunday though

[@bobcat5AM]

Thanks for putting this out there. I'm a long time leatherman user and have several modles. I've always championed Leatherman and their tools. I purchased the Arc the day it was released. I have to say, for the 1st time ever, I'm disappointed in Leatherman. Personally i don't like the sheath. It is way to big and bulky. And the issue with the cutters is unacceptable. I emailed Leatherman but have had no reply. Not sure if that is because I'm in the UK? Also my Surge came back from a warranty claim and it now has the new style cutters. I purchased several sets of cutters but all were the newer rounded type. My fix for this whole situation has been to install EOD cutters on my Surge and third party cutters on the Arc. I feel this is a major issue for Leatherman which needs addressing but so far here in the UK there is a deafening silence.

[@jbull1178]

Which third party cutters did you get? I am also in the UK and would be interested in getting those as an alternative/ replacement

[@BenCase88]

My $25 Flissa Wave clone cuts coat hanger wire perfectly.

[@F3udF1st]

There's never been a brand to my knowledge that has as many warranty cases as Leatherman. I'd love to buy a Crunch, but they're not available here. The Arc is, at a completely laughable price ($380 US, 4000 SEK). Also noteworthy is the absolute patriotism connected with LM, seems every american is super passionate about them haha.

[@kristenvanpatten3854]

Just a heads up, Leatherman recently updated their standard bit extender. The new one uses a magnet instead of the spring. The images online still show the old version, but the new version is the one that ships both from Amazon as well as from LM. So no need to order the sight adjuster version anymore.

[@muppet21alvaro]

Great, I will buy it then, I need an extender with a magnet.

[@cole141000]

Got mine yesterday, came with the same issue. Hopefully it’s one of the last batches

[@ChrisLoew]

Doubt it

[@BUCKSHOTSTV]

I went to BPS today and was about to buy the arc, even though I told myself to wait, but I saw the cutters and decided not to do it. Hopefully they get fully replaced soon

[@jonathanconsiglio166]

I bought my Arc a few weeks ago direct from Leatherman and it came with the gap at the bottom of the cutters so I swapped them with my Wave. But, I looked at my P4 from at least 2.5 years ago, and oddly one side was the old style and one side had the rounded corners. Which I also ordered direct from Leatherman and have never changed the cutters. But it’s ok, as those seem to work ok.

[@The_RC_Guru]

They don’t have the balls to address it. And the new design is probably from some engineer who wanted brownie points and just blames the customers for being stupid.

[@rickyricardo3551]

I just got in my replacement cutters I ordered and they are unfortunately the rounded style . Regardless the black cutters look awesome on the arc . And I have found a use for the rounded cutters, ive been using them for polywire and its been useful. I take the polywire and put it into the gap then I close the pliers and pull backwards , it seems to cut that 12 strand stuff pretty well and is faster than using the jaws of the cutters to chew at it .

[@EriclesMH]

I bought replacement cutters within the last month. Same as the new rounded cutters.

[@babydriver6860]

Would you still lean towards the Surge, Super Tool 300 or the Arc?

[@maxlvledc]

Surge or ST300 for sure...both have a hard wire cutter built into the space behind the handle.

[@babydriver6860]

@@maxlvledc Where would you upgrade? This is my partial setup for both my EDC and Urban Survival Kits * Leatherman Surge * Benchmade Osborne 940 * ESEE 4 * ESEE 5 * Knipex Pliers Wrench * Knipex Cobra * Wera Metric and Imperial Bit and socket sets * Knipex Lineman Pliers * Knipex Bolt Cutters * Silky Gomboy Folding Saw

[@redoc2287]

They are not on it. The cutters on their website look exactly like the bad cutters, and an arc I bought just last week has the bad/rounded cutters on it.

[@TripleEhEnt]

I got the rounded cutters. Ordered through SAIL in Canada.

[@Zerog461]

I replaced the cutters on all my tools with he EOD cutters and love them.

[@EssexCountyPhoto]

I've got spare cutters for my 15 year old MUT, would they fit the Arc? Cheers!

[@uzbeck2006]

Recall on all arcs cutters voluntarily? I guess that would do it. I guess i need to reach to them and ask for mine??

[@uzbeck2006]

True. I have like 3 other tools that have cutters with a gap.

[@gpock8]

Also new aqua signal have bad cutter

[@MikeBaxterABC]

1:50 I think everyone knows why they are not being vocal, the VAST MAjority of the Leathman Arc Multitools' will just never have the cutter insert break, Lets face it .. a HUGE volume of the Arc's will be placed in a sock drawer, or a zombie apocalypse bug out bag, or fishing tackle, and never be seen again. From a business standpoint, why bother searching down, contact and arrange warranty service for tens of thousands, Leatherman Arc's that will never need the service. It's better to oil the squeaky wheels, die hard fans, and replace the 8% to 12%% of tools that are actually affected.

[@johnkraemer5505]

That’s Leatherman…… Their a sleep at the wheel again! Maybe they’ll full wake up and say…. We should probably notify the customer base about the cutter issue…………. Let them know about the issue and we’re working on a solution. Yeah ….. That might be a good idea! 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@MattLitkeRacing]

I’ve tried contacting Leatherman multiple times because my order with the Arc wasn’t complete. It’s been 3 weeks now and still no reply. Plus the pliers the Arc are so tight they are not usable on my pair

[@Maikel_Maan]

Waiting for the replacement Leatherman will send me. (Fingers crossed that I will receive the old style cutters)

[@Jam35Gr3g0ry]

Wouldn't dremnel on the cutters destroy the heat treat?

[@luismedina8502]

I wouldn't "hound" you. I would send the crappy over priced Arch multitool back and buy a Swiss X.

[@nitric75]

bought a pair of replacement cutters (m42 steel) from aliexpress for my arc. Initially bought the original leatherman cutters but looked just the same as those that came with the ARC.

[@cyclopsamurai]

Grabbing large nuts! Love your channel. That statement just comes funny when one is studying these tools, lol : ) Emailing about the Arc before purchase and hoping for a non-rounded hard-wire cutter version. Cheers!

[@jeffstrains4014]

Does not sound like bad heat treat caused the gap!

[@CKarhu85]

Good call on the bit extender! I have the normal one, but I removed the collar and put a small neodymium magnet in there instead. Doesn't need to be glued or anything, it sticks and stays. Don't make the mistake of putting high quality bits in, like S2 steel ones, and lock them in the collar. I did that, causing my Charge+ TTi getting ugly marks in the plier when I removed the bit from the extender. The bits were harder steel than the plier...

[@marcink9073]

I have this shitty cutters in LM Charge ALX - production date 01.2023.

[@cwsmith17]

Thank you for this video

[@dennischin9303]

I had some customization (my design)issues with their final production to me at first. They send me a whole new replacement with a new customization engrave.

[@MicaelSantana450]

Ive recieved my Arc this Monday the cutters are Rounded but I exchanged them with the EOD cutters anyway way better to cut Chicken Duck or Turkey feathers or to cut small branches but sure Im missing out the abbility to cut harder wires Thats where my surge comes in

[@maxlvledc]

wait, were you able to drop in the EOD cutters?

[@MicaelSantana450]

@@maxlvledc no, i was not I had to grind them down down top right corner only did the same on my surge but you have your hardwire cutters build into it , wich work flawless

[@JhanDeCal]

My Wave Plus has that gap at the bottom of the cutters. Have not tried to cut any wire hangers...but I hope when I have to cut a fishing hook out of my hands...it holds up. 😮😮😮

[@rjflippo]

I wonder if a supplier had a bunch of cheap Chinese knockoffs that they unloaded to Leatherman. Glad you are finding a resolution, of sorts.

[@RamiroSosa-n5l]

I have not gotten an email or received anything, what exactly needs to be done Also the regular bit extender no longer has the spring in it, it's also a magnet. I ordered one with my ARC and it's perfect

[@thomaslearn1136]

@5:45 woah! lol... sorry, my inner child just showed himself.

[@corrielawton8551]

Leatherman customer service told me they designed it with the gap that way because they found out during testing it last longer. They also said it does tee as take more careful placement of wire to cut it properly.

[@MikeBaxterABC]

Great Video!! ... Very Informative! .. nice solutions!!!!

[@paul_miller43]

I'm going to talk to leatherman about my arc cutters and about the wave ones I got earlier this year. And for extensions zapwizard turned me on to the glory that is the 711L. I'm loving this thing so far

[@richardsullivan1776]

Mr. Max I still have the stock rounded cutters on mine. The densest material I personally cut is small 17-gauge tie wire from time to time. I didn't cut the wire in that opening but upward near the soft wire cutters, no damage to the hard wire cutters or soft wire cutters. That doesn't determine if the heat treat is bad on my cutters, but they have no edge deformation.

[@kennywheelus6857]

Ok so not to get the EOD cutters

[@NutSAK955]

Still wouldn't pay $230 for a trip saver

[@fufimi6660]

ive been cutting tig welding wire nearly everyday since i got my 005 with the "new style" cutters, idk what to think

[@737driver8]

I'm about too pull the trigger on these direct from leatherman. Is this still an issue?

[@Amber-287]

recently i just decided to replace them with my older surge cutters, i at least know that those ones worked pretty well, and i do like how they don't have that weird negative space. i also do like how the surge cutters i had were black, and they stand out from the silver pliers. that part doesn't really matter, but i like how it looks

[@EatsDishSoap]

I just got my arc a week ago and it has the same old cutters with the round edge and gap.. :(

[@Spanky8402]

Sweet, this is very good news. Thanks you so much for sharing this. You are awesome. 😀

[@uzbeck2006]

So do i need to contact them?

[@maxlvledc]

Yes

[@thedestroyer9512]

Good to see this is fixed, for now. Side note, I lost a screw for the pivot on my free P4. Any tips on where I can get one?

[@uzbeck2006]

See. We need nore vids on this from you! If they learn from you (only) 😅

[@maxpayneau]

I received a warranty refund a new ARC. The reason was that the cutters did not even touch each other after full close position. Everything works in the new one, but the cutters are still rounded and there is still a hole at the bottom. I had enough. I ordered cutters from a third party source.

[@imgadgetmanjim]

Who from? I had looked at replacement sets but didn’t buy right away thinking maybe they are the same crap and then they sold out?

[@kennywheelus6857]

When i looked st their dite today,i saw two different sets of cutters on the site,so should i get the EOD cutters of the stainless cutters

[@maxlvledc]

they may only fit an EOD however.

[@kennywheelus6857]

@@maxlvledc ,oh ok ty, gotcha

[@lestagez]

what’s the best way to get this process started. i emailed them weeks ago and got no response

[@ThueyOutdoors]

Tried to bring up the issue about the cutter shape to letherman, they said they are satisfied with its performance and there wouldn't be replacements sent to me

[@maxlvledc]

Sigh

[@ASnakeintheGrass]

Thanks for the info. As a side note, my ARC just developed some stiffness in the plier head, too. I hope that's not a new issue

[@uzbeck2006]

Off topic. Do you know if i can bring xs cobra knipex in my carry on?

[@bowdimohawk]

Just got my arc in. Should I email leatherman about getting replacements in?

[@maxlvledc]

potentially, I am not sure of their exact policy.

[@KungFuTweety1]

They should be more proactive

[@modofatak]

“Grabbing large nuts”

[@texasbryan]

It appears that they do have the non eod replacement cutters on their website for order.

[@michaellendel1958]

Thanks! Very useful indeed!

[@snosov]

finally some good news from the multitool corner

[@dannybroddy]

Good catch, I took a look at my Leatherman with replaceable cutters, I have a Supertool 300 which I have owned since 2010, the cutters cut through a coat hang like butter. However when I tried my Signal and Garage #5 40 Anniversary I noticed the gap and also had great difficulty cutting the coat hanger unless I took the time to line the wire up. Do you suggest I contact Leatherman before purchasing new cutters for each?

[@maxlvledc]

my guess is that they can't do anything in that case because the cutters they would send you are also identical. A lot of ppl are saying they got a replacement of the new style cutters.

[@dannybroddy]

@@maxlvledc I have reached out to them to see. I will let you know what they say!

[@volodia1210]

How come your voice changes so much after 0:28 ?? I had to go back to make sure lol 🤯

[@maxlvledc]

I normally audio correct and forgot to do it for 1st part...the mics really Raise the octave

[@jack.charlesc4750]

Good video and thanks for the info Have you seen nitecore lr70 ? Please have a look very interesting !

[@maxlvledc]

wierd light, not sure of exact time I would carry it.

[@dankefurnichts]

so should i write the leatherman servics and ask for replacement even before the cutters are broken?

[@maxlvledc]

I don't think they will replace them unless they are broken, I could be wrong.

[@vashock]

Will leatherman only send replacements if the og cutters are broke?

[@maxlvledc]

Not sure

[@Yooper05]

When will I get mine?

[@michaelstringfellow6443]

Great vid 👍👍

[@RenedeDon]

Leatherman are trying to dodge a recall

[@DNMEBOY]

My son just ordered a Signal and his cutters have the same gap as my arc, just bigger. My arc barely has the gap but it is there.

[@beepboopbeepboop190]

Same here. Got a Signal a couple of weeks ago, also rounded edge. Not the best first impression as this is my first Leatherman, even if it is on a replaceable part. I agree Leatherman should address this more publicly.

[@maxlvledc]

Not good..

[@Filmingtherush]

Any idea if the new magnacut blade would fit in the signal?

[@maxlvledc]

Definitely not, completely different architecture

[@Filmingtherush]

@@maxlvledc Bummer, would've been pretty rad

[@garengatorlope1004]

Nice

[@IlmarBeekman]

I think they are handling this well enough with the exception of communication. If they just announced that they are aware of the problem and are working on a a solution everything would be perfect. As it is it appears they have made the right choice in replacing these cutters so that much is excellent.

[@LowPriceEdition]

The review form they send out asks your gender and has a 'non-binary' option thus it's safe to conclude the culture inside leatherman is compromised or at the very least chaotic.

[@rankin242]

Goat tool will not cut hanger wire. And the knife blade broke on me😢

[@maxlvledc]

Reach out, they will send you one immediately

[@rankin242]

@@maxlvledc I did and I have to pay shipping. And I don't think that is fair.. I will when I get the money. Not cutting hanger wire is not good 😞

[@imgadgetmanjim]

Knife blade broke? Wow. Mine came dull. Sharpened it and fine. Haven’t been able to use mine much with multiple broken bones.

[@rankin242]

@@imgadgetmanjim hope you heal fast. Get better 😊

[@imgadgetmanjim]

@@rankin242Thank you. Been 5 weeks and can barely lift arm, tore rotator cuff etc.

[@dxace1]

Can you provide a URL to the bit extender you identify here as being preferable? Tks...

[@maxlvledc]

sure! www.leatherman.com/sight-adjuster-bit-driver-extender-931029.html?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA9dGqBhAqEiwAmRpTC4uhKrbznHrXSDxvqcAnI5sJlChbt5BGguX0c-Ty6obWhTJJ3myBbRoCDbkQAvD_BwE

[@thepreparedgamer4200]

I'm lucky. My Arc has the first generation of Leatherman cutters. The 154cm cutters. And I couldn't be happier with my Arc

[@jimbeswetherick5750]

I'm not suprised about the Arc having cutter problems, I have replaced mine twice but I use a Surge. I would have thought the workhorse of the Leatherman line could cut similar coat hanger but NOPE....first cut chipped the cutter. I was VERY disappointed but bought a new set of blades and decided to o ly cut copper wire. It's a pity it won't cut coat hanger because I use them lots in my vineyard.

[@unfi6798]

Seriously...how often do any of us cut a coat hanger with a multitool..?! Cheers for sharing mate.

[@maxlvledc]

not often..but I've had to cut a hook out of my flesh twice in my life...If it didn't work during that it would have been a major issue.

[@jimbeswetherick5750]

coat hangers are free with leased work clothes, they also make great tools for various applications. That said if I buy ANY tool and find that it does not perform as advertised I expect the mfg address issue or downgrade claims

[@R463R]

You use a tool incorrectly, break it, and then blame the company for your ignorance. I seriously have no idea how everyone is having this problem, because they are *using the cutters incorrectly,* and shocked when their cutters break. It’s unreal to me. The cutters are not designed to cut wire in the extreme back position of the cutter, *because it’s not a wire cutter!!* the gap is meant to be a wire stripper. It says it right on my Charge+ TTi manual with the description of the tools available the gap is there as a wire stripper. The cutters work perfectly when used correctly. The fact everyone is acting like the gap is a new “problem”, when they have been available on the Charge+ TTi for at least 5 months (since I bought mine) baffles me. You might as well try to cut wire with the scissors next, and say they are faulty, as well.

[@R463R]

@@utubesurfer71 I just seem to be having no issue using the correct portion of the wire cutters. I understand previous models may have allowed for the ability to cut pressing the wire all the way to the back, based upon the previous design with the right angle. Although, if you are aware the wire can not possibly be cut using the gap, yet continue to apply pressure to the pliers anyways allowing for the catastrophic failure of the tool… repeatedly; whose fault really is it? Especially, when the wire can be cut using the correct portion of the wire cutter denoted by the manual included with the product. I could see someone saying they take issue with the design of the cutters leaving a gap based upon ease of use, and finding them _preferable_ over the gap left by the current style cutters; but I just feel everyone bashing Leatherman over using their own tools incorrectly to be extraordinarily aggravating considering the 11tyBillion+ videos released of people throwing hissy fits trying to cut wire using the gap, rather than using the _actual_ wire cutters, themselves. To each their own I guess. I would think the easier way to _solve_ the issue of wire cutter _preference_ would be to simply *buy a set of the **_Replacement EOD style Wire Cutters_* made with a right angle, no curve to close the gap, and even comes in black to be more aesthetically pleasing when used on the Arc based on the color scheme is a better solution than continuously breaking your tool over & over using a gap not meant to be used for cutting, seems to be getting a little out of hand. Call me crazy.

[@R463R]

@@utubesurfer71 so I’m crazy for _NOT_ using a gap to not cut a wire until it fails catastrophically, but rather cut it correctly without any issue!? I seriously give up on this one. I honestly will not be surprised by the video someone will release depicting the “catastrophic flaw” with the Magnacut blade being unable to cut through a rope, while they use the *back* of the knife blade to then blame it on Leatherman, for releasing the Arc unsharpened. This is the nearest equivalent to all of this nonsense. Have fun breaking you wire cutters, and not going the obvious route with the EOD replacements to customize the tool to your preference. Just keep on waiting on Leatherman to “fix” the problem you are bringing upon yourself. Have a good one.

[@gerrya2133]

Go to the Leatherman Arc product page, look at the image naming all the tools, tell me what area #10 is pointing at. Now look at the name of #10.

[@177agic]

I just got my Arc, called customer support about the wire cutter issues and I was told this is by design 🫠

[@maxlvledc]

Bullshit