Sending in Charge Ti, What to get next?

L

Leatherman4life

Joined
Jun 4, 2005
Messages
134
I'm sending my Leatherman Charge Ti in for repairs. When I open the reg. blade one handed it catchs on something. If you pull it open using two handed it seems fine, but if you put any pressure on the blade when trying to open it one handed it catches.

From the couple other leathersmans I have sent in over the years and from what I have read I believe Leatherman will just return a new on to me. :)

I am lost without a Leatherman on my side. I will be picking up a new Leatherman Saturday and I can not decide if I should go with the Wave or the Surge. I do like the Ti, but no point in buying another one if I will be getting one back in the mail soon.

I bought one of the first waves when Leatherman first came out with them and I loved it. I have tried a number of Leathermans over the years and I think the wave was my favorit. Now the new one has locking tools along with other improvements.

But what about the Surge? It looks to be something between a Super Tool and a Wave. I see the size of the Surge and think back to the Super Tool 200 I used for a year. I liked the size of it in my hand and it was great to work with, but was kind of large to to cary on my belt and that was back when I was 50 lbs heavier and my waist 8 inchs bigger!


I have alway's only had one leatherman at a time. I buy a second when one is being sent in or after I buy a second I decide to sell the old one as it just ends up sitting around.

I'm starting to think I may have to buy two this time (wave and surge) so I can give them both a good try before being able to really decide what my next EDC Leatherman is going to be. :)

I would love to hear the thoughts from the Wave and Surge owners. How do you like yours?

Also what sheath do you have? The velcro on the sheath I got with my Ti wore out really fast. I loved the leather sheath I had with my old style wave. How are the new Leather Sheaths? Do they all come with the extra side pockets? I put a mini sharpie in the one side pocket and find it very handy.
 
If you already have the Charge I would go for the Surge to be sure.
Its like a giant version of the Wave but with better features such as the removable file/saw, much larger more useful scissors and a Awl with thread loop.

Kap
 
Yeah, guess I do not gain anything because it's just like the Ti other then the handles. Just that I know I will like the wave becuase I like the Ti I have.

After reading your post it does make me lean more towards the Surge just to try something different if nothing else. If I end up not liking it I will have my Ti back soon.

Can I get the Surge with eather sheath type?
I have only seen the Surge in the Target store blister packs with the nylon/velcro sheaths. I would like to try one of the leather sheaths.

I will be going to a large sporting good store Saturday that has Leatherman. Hope I can get the surge with the leather sheath if I decide to go with that one.
 
Hello Leatherman4life, I choose the leather sheath just cause it looks better and I am not found of velcro.....Leatherman knife/tool....Leather sheath

Cheers,
Kap:D
 
I've carried several supertools for years. I ordered a "old style" leather sheath for it, before they retired the supertool for $5. It has served me very well. I say "old style" because IMHO Leatherman is cheaping out on sheaths. My old sheath is double stiched, riveted thick leather with a brass snap. The new leather sheath on my Core (replaced a broken supertool) is thin, "plasticky" and far less substantial than what I'm used to. Perhaps, an aftermarket sheath would be idea :confused: Make no mistake, I use and endorse Leatherman products. It's just a little disappointing . . .
 
Leatherman4life said:
I'm sending my Leatherman Charge Ti in for repairs. When I open the reg. blade one handed it catchs on something. If you pull it open using two handed it seems fine, but if you put any pressure on the blade when trying to open it one handed it catches.
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I know what's causing that. :)

When Leatherman redesigned the Wave (which, other than the sides of the handles, is the same thing as the Charge), they added a new "feature" -- a passive lock to prevent the blade from opening when the tool is open.

There's a tapered ridge in the pivots that connect the handles to the plier jaws; inside the handles is a spring tab, one end of which fits along the ridge, the other protrudes out through the side of the handles, right where the opening thumbholes are on the plain and serrated knife blades. When the handles are swung open, the ridge cams the tab outward, where it engages the thumb hole to prevent the blade from opening.

I'm pretty sure that on yours, the side tab was sticking out just a bit too far, and was catching the blade. I know, because mine caught just a little when it was brand new, not enough to stop the blade opening, but enough to produce a slight "catch". It quickly wore down a tad, and now never gives me any trouble.

Leatherman4life said:
But what about the Surge? It looks to be something between a Super Tool and a Wave.
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Yeah, that's a pretty accurate description. It's a big 'ol beast, but structurally, very similar to the Wave (and Charge).

I don't EDC mine that much now, it's just too big, unless I know I'm gonna be needing a whole lotta tool that day. I'm sure the T-shank saw adapter is a godsend to folks with specialized cutting needs; me, I just leave the file in 90% of the time. The bigger scissors are obviously sturdier than the Wave/Charge, but oddly enough, I find that the latter's smaller scissors are sharper and cut most materials better. (Clam-packs are a notable exception -- big and sturdy is the only way to go for those damn things.)

Leatherman4life said:
Also what sheath do you have? The velcro on the sheath I got with my Ti wore out really fast. I loved the leather sheath I had with my old style wave. How are the new Leather Sheaths? Do they all come with the extra side pockets? I put a mini sharpie in the one side pocket and find it very handy.
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I looooove the "leather" sheaths. :thumbup:

I don't like velcro, though, so I use a New Wave leather sheath (which has a snap instead) for my Charge. Mine has the pockets; I keep a Peak Matterhorn AAA LED light in one, a Mini Sharpie in the other, and the extra bit kit in the rear. The only problem I have is with the side elastic: it gets shredded by drawing / stowing the tool a few times a day. Mine lasted about a year -- I got my Charge for Christmas in 2004, and the inner elastic on one side is totally gone. I just ordered two new replacements from KnifeCenter.com for $7 each, should be here Monday.

The Surge sheath is almost identical, other than size. However, the side elastic on mine is a little to tight -- it's a major hassle to draw the tool. The tightness is compounded by the fact that the implement lock bars on the Surge are smaller than those on the Wave/Charge, and smooth, too. I'm used to grabbing the Charge by those grooved lock bars. But, those grippy surfaces are also what's trashing the elastic on my Wave sheaths! :rolleyes:
 
I know what's causing that.
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That is what I thought was happening too when I took a look at it. I also think I know what caused it. One thing I use my tool for often is to remove house door pins. I do appliance repair and delivery. I often have to remove the door to the house to get things in. If I can not just pull the door hing pin up with my leatherman I have to give it a rap with a hammer. Often times it's more like a little tap, but there are them pins that just don't want to come out and instead of going out to the truck for a hammer and punch I take the hammer the home owner often has and start hammering on my leatherman.

I broke the tip off my old style wave doing this the second day I got it, lol...
My supertool 200 was great for heavy use like that and held up good. I got it after the wave and did not like using a tool with the knife blades inside after having a wave. The heavier ST200 was better for the jobs I use it for.

I think the Surge maybe the best of both worlds, ST200 heavy duty built, and wave outside blades, :)

Thanks for all the great replies, makes the day go by fast well I have to wait for a new Leatherman.
 
BTW: I could take a screwdriver and bend that tab back in from inside the handle, the tab that was catching on the knife blade. It would be better for a day or two then start acting up again.

I know leatherman will make it right, that is why I will be buying another leatherman this weekend.
 
Leatherman4life said:
One thing I use my tool for often is to remove house door pins. I do appliance repair and delivery. I often have to remove the door to the house to get things in. If I can not just pull the door hing pin up with my leatherman I have to give it a rap with a hammer. Often times it's more like a little tap, but there are them pins that just don't want to come out and instead of going out to the truck for a hammer and punch I take the hammer the home owner often has and start hammering on my leatherman.
Click to expand...
If you ever ask to borrow one of my Leathermen, don't be offended if I tell you "NO!!!" ;)
 
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