where is the new wave review?

ckl

Joined
Jun 1, 2004
Messages
261
i think it is gd but anyone can review for it?i know the eye-glasses screwdriver is stupid,it just like to install a small gun in a tank!plus,the scissor is smaller.....i dun like the bit driver too...any comments? :cool:
 
At least it has a 154CM blade, Ti handles, and bronzewashers.

But those things you mentioned does make me question whether I am going to buy it...
 
underaged! said:
At least it has a 154CM blade, Ti handles, and bronzewashers.
the new Wave doesn't (for the bronze washers, I think it has them, but I'm not sure), the Charge does.

I think the reviews of the Charge may give you a good idea of the new Wave, as it's exactly the same components...
 
choubbi said:
the new Wave doesn't (for the bronze washers, I think it has them, but I'm not sure), the Charge does.

I think the reviews of the Charge may give you a good idea of the new Wave, as it's exactly the same components...

sorry, but wht is bronze washers means? :confused:
 
It's supposed have smoother action. Oh ya, I was refering to the Charges in my first post... Sorry.
 
I think you're stuck. Everyone here is obsessed enough to spend an extra 20-30 bucks and got the Charge. I don't know anyone who got the new wave.

The charge reviews should be close. Wave has fewer bits and a plain stainless blade (not 154CM).
 
so other than the handel and 154 cm blade,the charge and new wave are the same??? :eek:
 
I never really checked out the new Wave. Sorry, but the Charge is notably lighter than the old Wave (haven't handled the new Wave if you are willing to wait, I'll go check it out sometime after christmas, and post up a short review). It is more comfortable closed, using blades. I though it was not as comfortable open, using the pliers. The larger bit driver looked ok, but the eyeglass one, would probably be most useful when used as a toothpick. The scissors did look really wimpy as well.

The blades were easier to open, smoother, the lock was better, it locked up better with out the spring being hard to push down. The push button lock system was good as well. Once I sliced my wrist with the small screwdriver, when I put pressure on it, from the wrong side. That won't happen anymore when I get the Charge :)
The larger holes lets you open the blades with out having edge brush up against your thumb, like on the old Wave.


I'd say, if you have the chance to check out both, you should do it. If you have the money for the Charge, might as well. The Wave is good to though.


Let us know what you deside and post up your own review. :D
 
underaged! said:
the Charge is notably lighter than the old Wave

They felt about the same weight to me but when I looked it up the Charge was actually heavier than the old Wave.

The Wave was listed at: 8 ounces / 224 grams
The Charge was listed at: 8.4 ounces / 238 grams
 
ckl said:
so other than the handel and 154 cm blade,the charge and new wave are the same??? :eek:

Yes. The only differences are the 154cm blade and the titanium handles plus the Charge comes with more bits and a pocket clip but those can be purchased separately for the new Wave.
 
Bodieism said:
Yes. The only differences are the 154cm blade and the titanium handles plus the Charge comes with more bits and a pocket clip but those can be purchased separately for the new Wave.

Add, the charge XTi has the gut hook if you want to get technical.
 
Bodieism said:
Yes. The only differences are the 154cm blade and the titanium handles plus the Charge comes with more bits and a pocket clip but those can be purchased separately for the new Wave.

thx!leatherman is lazy!

btw,but do u know how many bits that are come with the new wave?hey,i dun like the bit drivers for the new LM's line but i would like to know.... :)
 
Bodieism said:
They felt about the same weight to me but when I looked it up the Charge was actually heavier than the old Wave.

The Wave was listed at: 8 ounces / 224 grams
The Charge was listed at: 8.4 ounces / 238 grams


God, I feel so retarded now... :(
 
I just bought a new Wave because of the locking blades. It only comes with the single bit (phillilps) that is inserted in the tool. So, it is kind of brain damaged without the bit kit. You would be giving up the small and medium blade flat drivers from the old wave. I like my old Wave, but I HAVE HAD IT with the blades closing on my fingers one two many times.

The tiny eyeglasses screwdriver is such a total, total waste of a bit slot. I have one on my Charge TI and I have yet to EVER use it. If their marketing showed that this was an important bit then they should have put it in the same way that SAK does with their toothpick or something. To use such a bit holder is stupid and a waste of such a useful bit slot. I mean, give us another fixed screwdriver blade.

I think any of the new tools - Charges and New Wave would have been totally awesome if they came with a fixed phillilps and flat blade screwdriver blade, the interchangeable bit holder and dropped the eyeglass screwdriver. EVERY tool, without exception must have a basic phillips and medium straight blade screwdriver.

The Wave's scissors are the same scissors that are on the Charge TI. They are about 2/3 the size of the scissors on the old Wave. What is worse is that control end of the scissors (the part you press to cut) is significantly shorter which means a lot less leverage. The old Wave's scissors are much superior.

I have a Charge TI and I picked up an XTI and will eventually sell the TI because the scissors are not very useful and the Charge set up is screwdriver blade challenged. So, with the 154 blade sharpened up well and the cutting hook on the XTI, you can do about 90-95% of what you would have been able to do with the scissors but you gain the extra bit slot.

On the Wave, you really need to purchase the bit kit in order for it to be very useful. This is true with both the Charges (TI more so than XTI) but to a lesser degree. I have the Bit Kit and it is really nice, all the best blades - multiples of phillips, straight screwdriver, torx, posi-drive and allen. In general, you get about 2-3 bits of each.

The new Wave uses the same goofy sheath that the Charge's do. It has a lot of places of dirt and grit to penetrate and I would recommend getting a better sheath very quickly. The provided sheath does give you a place to hold the bit holder but find an alternative or be planning on cleaning the grit from your tool on a weekly basis otherwise. The thing is basically a loop of leather with elastic sides. I expect the elastic to eventually (sooner than later) give out and either lose its stretch or start to fray.

The New Wave handles also seem to twist much less than the old Wave handles. There really isn't that much difference to the Charge TI. In fact, the Wave is a cheaper version of the TI basically losing the 154 blade for a more traditional SS blade, the Ti handles for handles like the old Wave, and the bit holder with more bits. Other than that, there is no difference. The both have the same blade layouts.

In some ways, buying the New Wave with the bit kit (about $99) would be a more useful combination than just buying a Charge TI ($99) to which you really need to add the bit kit.

The fit and finish on the Charge is better than the Wave. The Wave is smaller and will fit into the old style Leatherman leather or Cordura sheaths sans the bit holder.

Anyhow, just my $0.02.

J
 
Anybody thought of swapping tools within their Charge? I looked at buying a Fuse or Kick and pulling the small flathead screwdriver out of it and replacing the eye-glass screw driver in my Charge Ti. Any thoughts?
 
Kennyroo said:
Anybody thought of swapping tools within their Charge? I looked at buying a Fuse or Kick and pulling the small flathead screwdriver out of it and replacing the eye-glass screw driver in my Charge Ti. Any thoughts?

If you get the secure torx (for the Charge), a pair of vice grips (for the kick etc.) and some loctite (to replace the loctite that cements the pins), you probably could do it. If it doesn't fit, you could grind it thinner or add a spacer. It may be worth the effort if it is exactly what you want.

Before you try it, make sure the length of the driver would fit, you cannot shorten it :)

If you try it, be sure to let us know.
 
Back
Top