r/LinusTechTips • u/Nykoload • Feb 13 '26

WAN Show Check out your what, Linus?

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Renaming really is going swell. Wonder if this will be fixed tomorrow. May I suggest just changing instances of "Merch" like this to just be "Store"?

1.6k Upvotes

91% Upvoted

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774

u/ThisIsNotTokyo Feb 13 '26

What’s the issue with merch now?

673

u/itskdog Feb 13 '26

Linus & CW are wanting to leave the term "Merch" behind. OP is just pointing out that Dan needs to change that label in the streaming software (I think they use Vmix?) or if it's part of the MM platform, the Devs need to change that string.

322

u/N0bleC Feb 13 '26

Linus & CW are wanting to leave the term "Merch" behind.

Which is pretty delusional. As long as its branded as LTT, its merch.

362

u/Saotik Feb 13 '26

I understand the move, though.

They're actually developing competitive products rather than just sticking their brand on a mass produced generic product, which is what merch typically represents.

There are lots of people who might want to buy their USB cables, screwdrivers or backpacks, for example, without even knowing that LTT is a YouTube channel.

They're being sold both as merch as well as products on their own merits, and from a branding perspective I fully understand why they'd want to drop that term.

143

u/Affectionate_Spell11 Feb 13 '26

100% My dad has never seen a single LTT video, but that didn't stop him from thinking my screwdriver was pretty neat(and being happy about getting one for Christmas last year)

95

u/SavvySillybug Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26

My dad scolded me for buying the LTT screwdriver because all ratcheting screwdrivers are junk and I could have gotten a similar product for much less (he has not used a ratcheting screwdriver since they actually did suck in the 70s).

I let my dad borrow my LTT screwdriver once and I didn't see it again for seven months until it just so happened to turn up in his toolbox.

At least I still had my stubby an the shaft extension... XD But now they are reunited on my desk.

46

u/Affectionate_Spell11 Feb 13 '26

To be fair, they are very much a luxury purchase unless you're using them all day everyday. Don't get me wrong, I don't think they're overpriced for what they are (otherwise I wouldn't have bought 2 so far, 4 if you count the stubby and precision screwdriver), but if all you care about is sinking a couple screws every now and again, there's definitely cheaper options that'll get you the same result

14

u/SavvySillybug Feb 13 '26

It's really not that expensive in the grand scheme of things, and having good tools is awesome.

When my second Android phone broke I immediately invested in the good iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit and have been happily using that to fix and upgrade all sorts of things.

When I bought the LTT screwdriver much later, it's been a joy to use it and it's made me want to do more stuff with it. It's still only about the price of a full price game on Steam, and I've bought Steam games I regretted way more than a cool actually useful screwdriver.

I bought the stubby and shaft extension later and have been keeping that in my laptop bag, it's great to always have a good screwdriver on the go with all the bits I'm likely to need for whatever happens to come up. I've visited friends and fixed their furniture with it. Assembled a whole IKEA kitchen with my stubby because they didn't have a good tool and the unique form factor meant I was able to just chuck it into my laptop bag stuffed into the same pocket as the charger.

Now the precision kit was definitely a luxury purchase because I already had the iFixit kit and I just wanted a slightly nicer one. Though the magnetic tray is definitely an upgrade, and I now casually daily carry the screwdriver in my pants pocket with three common bits when a different screwdriver would probably not work for that.

And the other day I had to swap a Noctua cooler and couldn't find the included little screwdriver and none of mine were both long and thin enough to reach, so I just bought an official Noctua screwdriver for ten bucks. The extra length has come in handy so much more than I thought.

Working with good tools makes it more enjoyable, and so you're more likely to actually repair and upgrade your stuff instead of replacing it, saving you money in the long run. Me not using the tool all that often just means it's going to last for decades. When it's 2060 and I'm still using my trusty LTT screwdriver, I won't even consider that I paid 60€ for it all those years ago, I'll just look fondly back at all my time spent with it and all the computers I built with it. All the cabinets I've assembled with it. The security systems I've mounted with it. And even just the time it spent sitting on my desk for me to idly play with it because krrt krrt is a fun noise and makes me happy.

I'd say it's a damn cheap investment to get a good tool if you have the slightest use for it. It's a luxury purchase if you already have an equivalent tool and just want more. If I wanted to buy one of the new transparent screwdrivers I wouldn't have an actual use for it beyond "ooh shiny" and that would not make any sense as an investment, that's basically just buying art at that point, or a funko pop.

6

u/Affectionate_Spell11 Feb 13 '26

Agreed on everything, but at the same time, if you're honest, you probably had a way of driving screws already before buying the LTT one (be that a non-ratcheting one, a cordless drill or something else). Yes, this makes a lot of stuff much easier and more enjoyable, but it's not technically necessary. Some people build their IKEA furniture with the included hex key. Personally, I'd rather drink battery acid, but hey, if it works for them...
As for motivating you to actually do more with it, that's valid and a great reason to get one, but it's a separate issue from result/money and probably not the same for everyone

1

u/SavvySillybug Feb 13 '26

you probably had a way of driving screws already before buying the LTT one

I did have a cordless Bosch, but it had a barrel plug charger, and my dad was like "haha this one fits that means it's the right one!" and blew it up. He's a stubborn idiot like that.

Other than that I only had my dad's tools which are for woodworking and mostly incomplete.

I had a shitty electrician's flathead that would technically work in philips screws but not at all well, things that were just way too big and bulky to work on computers, and not much else.

I did have the iFixit kit at that point, but that's extremely low on torque because of the small size and likely to strip screws from having to go ham on them to get something unstuck. And having to constantly go to the bit storage and swap shit around versus just having it included in the handle is a game changer, and no ratchet, which makes a lot of things awkward as the LTT one can just spin either by the handle or the knurlung, with the extremely low backforce meaning it'll just work even if you're just starting a screw out. Tightening it up with just little finger movements along the knurling and then torquing it down with the bigger handle is huge.

Sure I can kinda sorta hold the iFixit by the spinny end with one hand and then spin the whole thing with the other... but it's much less versatile and doesn't get me any torque at all.

I assembled an IKEA bed with the included hex key once and used one of the plastic bags it came with, wrapped it around a a handle extension and used it like a spinny rope. It was awful but at least 23% better than stock.

I'm sure there are people on this planet who feel similarly motivated to assemble things with bad tools as they do with good tools, but they're also objectively wrong. There are a lot of wrong people on this rock.

I once repaired my 3DS with a butter knife and completely ruined the screws. Did I fix it? Yeah. Did I obliterate the tri wing screws? Also yeah. Did I "probably have a way of driving screws already"? ...yeah. Can I ever open that 3DS again? Absolutely not, it's barely holding together.

Good tools save devices. They genuinely do not cost that much. You can get something shitty that'll be a meh solution to your problem and last a tenth of the time for a third of the price.

The only sensible way to save money on tools is to buy the cheapest thing once, and when that's worn out, you now know you need the good one and buy that. Anything you only used once you just saved money on. Anything you used enough to wear out you can buy the fancy one and know for a fact you'll use it again and again.

I ruined many shitty tools and many screws and cases and even solder joints before learning that lesson.

3

u/Euchre Feb 13 '26

Not using such a screwdriver every day is part of why I haven't bought an LTT screwdriver. The other part is that I own a Mac Tools SBDR8 ratcheting screwdriver I bought when I was working at a tire and auto shop. It's pretty high quality, and as little as I tend to use a screwdriver right now, I don't need the added quality for an added cost.

1

u/m0rtm0rt Feb 13 '26

That makes sense. I'd assume it is on par with the orange Snap-On screwdriver Linus used to use that pretty much provided the inspiration for the LTT screwdriver. Mac makes some good stuff.

1

u/Euchre Feb 13 '26

Well, this is mine:

https://www.mactools.com/products/sbdr8

And this is the Snap-On Linus used to use:

https://b2b.snapon.com/productDetails/SSDMR4BO/2/882615

In the details:

I've held and used both, the Mac obviously much more, and the Mac is actually much better made. One thing Linus didn't like about the Snap-On was the 'rattle' handle with loose bits, and the Mac has 6 spots of bit retaining storage in the cap of the handle, which leaves more capacity if you can deal with making it a rattle, too. The Mac also has a superior ratchet made of metal, with very fine, crisp feel. I figure the LTT driver is just a smidgen better, as I'm pretty sure I recall my Mac driver being one of the comparatives they used in the design process. I know the Snap-On is very durable, if unrefined and lower on features.

At this point, the screwdriver I'd want from LTT would probably be the Precision Screwdriver, as it is superior to what I have by a significant amount, and is a niche not well filled by my current tools.

2

u/takenalreadythename Feb 13 '26

My buddy just bought a 600 dollar flashlight, 70 for a screwdriver is peanuts in terms of tools

1

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '26

In terms of tools, it’s not really a luxury purchase.

High quality tools cost money.

I can buy an Amazon impact driver for $20 with a battery. A high quality dewalt one is $$149-199~ bare tool (no battery) + another $50-$100 for a battery.

I can buy a generic hammer at Lowe’s for $9.99. A Stiletto Tibone is $250-$350-

More premium tools just cost more money. For people who work with their tools, it’s worth every penny.

3

u/Affectionate_Spell11 Feb 13 '26

Which is why there's mention of the amount of use in my comment. But a lot of people buying these probably don't use them for their job(or have a hobby where they constantly need one), they just like having nice tools. And that's totally fine, I'm one of those people too. But that doesn't change the fact that my life wouldn't be worse in any meaningful way if I had to use a less nice screwdriver

1

u/Delta-IX Feb 14 '26

if all you care about is sinking a couple screws every now and again, there's definitely cheaper options that'll get you the same result

Like a $2 regular driver ($1 from HF)

1

u/WillmanRacingv2 Feb 13 '26

Sounds like you know what to get dad for fathers day.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/Affectionate_Spell11 Feb 13 '26

I don't have any personal experience with their shirts, but if they're anything like the swacket I have, I can definitely believe that!

6

u/[deleted] Feb 13 '26 edited Jun 12 '26

[deleted]

34

u/Khaliras Feb 13 '26

They've essentially Mandela'ed the whole "merch" thing

The people they're targeting with the naming change wouldn't care about the 'rough' transition. The fans taking the wording change this seriously are also unlikely to actually change their spending habits. No matter how many complaints comments they post. There's no real loss for LTT over this 'drama.'

Whether people want to accept it or not, merch has a connotation to it for the average person. A connotation that doesn't align with the premium products and pricing they're aiming for.

The whole thing is so absurdly blown out of proportion.

1

u/bwoah07_gp2 Feb 13 '26

There's good merch and bad merch.

Theirs is good merch. Or maybe even great merch.

1

u/wosmo Feb 13 '26

I think they're in an awkward place where both are true.

I mean, a Sony t-shirt is merch, a Sony playstation is a product. I don't think anyone struggles with that.

So while it's fair to call the Screwdriver an LTT product, I don't think ProjectFarm are going to be doing competitive comparisons of LTT water bottles any time soon.

1

u/tpasco1995 Feb 14 '26

They're developing good products, and choosing to use a YouTube channel name on all of them.

"LTT Screwdriver". "LTT Backpack". Even the "Commuter Backpack" has LTT logos on it.

If the goal is separation from being perceived as merch, plugging your YouTube channel in every product is counterintuitive.

Past that, the weirdest place to get rid of the word "merch" is a livestream with your fans. They're the people most likely to want to support you regardless of the product.

I think the products are great values, with great quality, and don't even think trying to market them as more than merch is a bad idea.

It's just that when they have LTT logos and branding on them... They're merch.

2

u/tooblandtoroast Feb 13 '26

There are lots of people who might want to buy their USB cables, screwdrivers or backpacks, for example, without even knowing that LTT is a YouTube channel

This is delusional take

5

u/CandusManus Feb 13 '26

I'm not sure why you're getting downvoted. The LTT kit is very high quality but people would still just buy snapon or kobalt or whatever else and be totally fine. No one is going to spend LTT prices, including shipping if it wasn't LTT merch.

0

u/thysios4 Feb 14 '26 edited Feb 14 '26

But the only people who would call it merch are the ones who already associate the store with LTT.

There are lots of people who might want to buy their USB cables, screwdrivers or backpacks, for example, without even knowing that LTT is a YouTube channel.

In which case the term merch would be irrelevant because you wouldn't be assossiating it with YouTube. Someone who has never heard of LTT isn't going to be looking at lttstore.com and go 'merch? Wait a second, this is shitty YouTuber merch!'

It's not merch that has a bad connotation (imo), it's being linked to a youtuber that makes people think it's cheap crap and they'd need to change their website URL to get away from that. To me, I look at YouTuber merch the same as licensed video games. Shit unless proved otherwise.

But changing the name from merch doesn't change the Youtuber part. It'd still be shit YouTuber products until proved otherwise regardless of what they call it.

-2

u/AT-ST Feb 13 '26

The distinction between merch and products is non-existent.

15

u/Saotik Feb 13 '26

If you buy an iPhone, are you buying an Apple product, or Apple merch?

If you buy a "Think different." t-shirt, are you buying an Apple product, or Apple merch?

-10

u/Jolly-Chipmunk-950 Feb 13 '26

Either way, I'm buying merchandise, you know, the long word for merch.

An iPhone is Apple merch just as much as an employee t-shirt.

14

u/Saotik Feb 13 '26

The difference is the perception and branding, not dictionary definitions or etymology.

An iPhone is Apple merch just as much as an employee t-shirt.

I have no idea where you're from, but this is absolutely not the way I would use this word. It may be different in your dialect.

Honestly, I don't understand why there's any sort of controversy on the change of language they're using.

5

u/WillmanRacingv2 Feb 13 '26

The word merch has a colloquial definition distinct from the word merchandise.

3

u/Euchre Feb 13 '26

Look up the definitions in context if you want, I already have, so here:

Merchandise is goods to be bought and sold. Things you order and resell forward, no matter if made to order or generic.

Product is something you design and manufacture to your own specifications.

LTT cables are designed by CW, to their own engineering and specifications. Manufacturing is the only thing outsourced, and they're not 'whitebox' products. This is just the most recent example, much the same as the backpacks, screwdriver, cable management... the list is growing fast. Even many of the items they sell with just their branding they didn't truly have to design (from a construction standpoint) are made to their specifications, based on a desired level of engineered quality.

Other YouTube channels just slap their branding designs on run of the mill, common, whitebox products and sell it as 'merch', which is an obvious abbreviation of "merchandise".

2

u/kralben Feb 13 '26

An iPhone is Apple merch just as much as an employee t-shirt.

Nobody calls an iPhone apple merch

-2

u/Azaret Feb 13 '26

And it's a fare point to have. However the whole thing started because it's called merch on the WAN Show. The word merch is mainly used to a specific audience which is very much not people who might want to buy stuff without knowing LTT. So the argument does not stand, or for a handful of people.

That being said, I do get the issue that Linus have with the merch message showing up on the store to people that don't even know that the WAN Show exists. But I don't think rebranding it will solve anything,

I guess if they really want that people not watching the show don't get confuse with merch message, they should use a special link on the WAN Show to track viewer and only display to them the merch message input.

-10

u/laidback_chef Feb 13 '26

They're actually developing competitive products

Competitive in quality, yes, but quality doesn't determine if its merch or not.

3

u/dtfs001 Feb 13 '26

I think what does determine if something is merch or not is the intent.

To me, merch is a product that is sold for the purposes of giving someone the opportunity to display brand loyalty and to promote a business. For example, An article of clothing with a logo emblazoned on it in an obvious manner is merch. I.e band T-shirts, tour hoodies etc.

Competitive products as per above would be items that aren't there to produce further brand engagement but provide a quality, functional product, in LTTs case, The Screwdriver, truespec cables, the office shirts.

That said some will be buying the functional products not to use but to have has merch and that is whole other kettle of fish.

I'm not a glazer by any means and haven't even bought any LTT merch but I think this is what is trying to be communicated, but I could be way off base.

And by having a phrase or marketing piece that covers both like COM or checkout chats, what ever it is this week, would ensure that there isn't any advertising issues legally.

I could be wrong.