Two Leatherman Questions

[znapschatz]

1. Every once in a while, someone posts to the effect that current manufacture Micras are inferior to earlier ones. Since mine is from 1997, I suppose it is the better, but just examing Micras in blister packs doesn't show any differences I can see, other than "tool" instead of "USA". Could somebody explain, please?

2. Can happiness be found with an AL series Charge instead of a TTI, or is the extra $$ worth it?

 

[Millhouse]

Can't help you with your Micra series as mine was bought back in about 2004.

With regard to the charge, I much prefer the titanium handles to the aluminium. For me it was worth the extra.

 

[mp510]

1. Every once in a while, someone posts to the effect that current manufacture Micras are inferior to earlier ones. Since mine is from 1997, I suppose it is the better, but just examing Micras in blister packs doesn't show any differences I can see, other than "tool" instead of "USA". Could somebody explain, please?

All of my Leatherman Micra's are recent manufacture, and the quality on them is fine. They had to remove the USA mark, because they use some imported parts in the manufacturing process, and apparentely California went after Leatherman over the use of Made in USA to describe a product made in the USA with domestic and foreign made components.

 

[BIG-TARGET NJ]

Leave it to Kalifornia to "bleep" things up.

To answer the second question. TTi,,,,,thinkn of it as making love to the most beautiful woman in the world

 

[znapschatz]

Leave it to Kalifornia to "bleep" things up.

To answer the second question. TTi,,,,,thinkn of it as making love to the most beautiful woman in the world

1. In that scenario, there is nothing, including a sensuous multi-tool, that can possibly subsitute for the most beautiful woman in the world.

2. I am married to her.

3.

 

[KILLAFORNIA]

2. Can happiness be found with an AL series Charge instead of a TTI, or is the extra $$ worth it?

I'd say no its not worth the extra dough. I have the TTI, and can tell you I would of been just as happy with the AL, I got the TTI because it comes in
s30V, although I've seen older Titanium ones with 154CM but they didn't have the scissors,
.... but there's something funny with the S30V blade as it doesn't stay as sharp for long as my Spydercos' that have CPM s30V, I was seriously wondering if this blade was heattreated right. My LMs s30V might as well be 440B

 

[JNieporte]

I can only answer your first question...
I have both, a 1997 Micra and a 2007 Micra. Three differences are obvious.
1. The stamping, as pointed out here already.
2. The tweezers on my new Micra aren't as stiff as the earlier ones; they actually feel like a softer metal and don't have the "tough" feeling that the older ones have.
3. The top tine of the tweezers on the new Micra protrude when closed; it rests on the shelf of the handle. You have to definitely close it carefully to get it flush.

Difference #1 is on every new Micra I've handled (about 8)
Difference #2 is on every new Micra I've held (about 8)
Difference #3 is on about half of the new Micras I've held.
The older ones are definitely better, at least for me.

 

[znapschatz]

I can only answer your first question...
I have both, a 1997 Micra and a 2007 Micra. Three differences are obvious.
1. The stamping, as pointed out here already.
2. The tweezers on my new Micra aren't as stiff as the earlier ones; they actually feel like a softer metal and don't have the "tough" feeling that the older ones have.
3. The top tine of the tweezers on the new Micra protrude when closed; it rests on the shelf of the handle. You have to definitely close it carefully to get it flush.

Difference #1 is on every new Micra I've handled (about 8)
Difference #2 is on every new Micra I've held (about 8)
Difference #3 is on about half of the new Micras I've held.
The older ones are definitely better, at least for me.

The post about stamping you referred to is not on this thread. Could you please direct me?

I'd say no its not worth the extra dough. I have the TTI, and can tell you I would of been just as happy with the AL, I got the TTI because it comes in
s30V, although I've seen older Titanium ones with 154CM but they didn't have the scissors,
.... but there's something funny with the S30V blade as it doesn't stay as sharp for long as my Spydercos' that have CPM s30V, I was seriously wondering if this blade was heattreated right. My LMs s30V might as well be 440B

Comparing the TTi with an AL reveals that the pivot caps on the AL are those knurled flat ones like on the PST, Micra and others of the earlier Leathermen instead of the more rounded or flush fasteners on the later ones, like the Charge and New Wave. I don't know if for better or worse, but it seems a cheaper manufacturing step, and the sharper edges may abraid the pocket somewhat. Also, since the only other apparent difference between the Wave, at a much lower price, and the Charge AL is aluminum scales and 154CM blade. While it might be nice to have a blade that needs sharpening less often, in truth, I was never unhappy with the various 420-ish steel on my other Leathermen, which for me held a good edge for a reasonable amount of cutting.

So, I have been going around on whether to spring for a Wave, Charge TTi or Charge AL. Because of not knowing if these issues are theoretical or practical is why I posted this thread in hopes that those with experience can offer some guidance.

 

[JNieporte]

The post about stamping you referred to is not on this thread. Could you please direct me?

MP510 said: "They had to remove the USA mark..."


On the older Micras, near the rivet that holds the scissors together, there was a "USA" stamping. Now, for the newer Micras, it's gone. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the older packaging said something to the effect of "Made and Assembled in America" while the newer ones just say "USA Made".

The older Micra. Notice the "USA" stamping under the "LEATHERMAN" stamp.

The newer Micra. The "USA" stamp is gone.

 

[znapschatz]

MP510 said: "They had to remove the USA mark..."


On the older Micras, near the rivet that holds the scissors together, there was a "USA" stamping. Now, for the newer Micras, it's gone. Also, if I'm not mistaken, the older packaging said something to the effect of "Made and Assembled in America" while the newer ones just say "USA Made".

The older Micra. Notice the "USA" stamping under the "LEATHERMAN" stamp.
The newer Micra. The "USA" stamp is gone.

My mistake, I thought you were referencing the quality of the stamping, not its content.