New charge with flaw???

[liO]

Hi guys,

I just bought a charge tti and i found a flaw in the ti handles, is that common? looks like a little hole.

[Mr. Whippy]

If the file doesn't rub, I'd be fine with that, assuming it doesn't snag your hand.

[Benner]

They do have the odd tiny blemish or small hole here and there. It is purely cosmetic and wouldn't bother me.

[Threeme2189]

It wouldn't bother me either, my Supertool 200 has bigger dings, and scrapes than that.

[liO]

threeme2189,

But came with it?

[Threeme2189]

threeme2189,

But came with it?

No, but I figure it's gonna get banged up anyways, so what's one more going to matter?
And if it does break, I can always warranty it 

[sawman]

What you show pictured IMO is extremely minor.  I would not consider that a defect by any means.  Be happy with your new TTi 

[Gareth]

I'm going to go against the tide here a bit.  I have no issues with marks and scratches I put on tools myself, but it would really bother me if a brand new tool arrived like that. 

Lets look at it another way; if you bought a brand new car and it had a noticeably large scratch on the bonnet (hood), I'm going to guess that almost everyone would complain.  If, a week later, you scratch the bonnet yourself, well that's a different story.  The scratch makes absolutely no difference on how the car preforms, nor does it really matter how it got there, just that you'd never expect to have a brand new one turn up with it.  Why should we expect less in our tools? (Or anything else for that matter).

Sorry to be the grumpy one.

[thebullfrog]

I'm with Gareth. I agree it's not that big a deal in and of its self, but for how much LM charges for the Ti tools, that would really really smurf me off.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Would it bother me?  If the tool was new, yes.  If I bought it second hand and got a good deal on it, no.

It migt also not bother me much on a Kick, or even a Wave if it didn't affect the function of the tool.  However, as a premium tool with an even more premium price tag, I think I would contact Leatherman Warranty about this.

Oddly enough, some things slip past even the most stringent QC checks, which is why companies like Leatherman stand behind their tools so well.  I wouldn't hold it against them, but I would want it made right.

Def

[thebullfrog]

Exactly. The flaw on it's own is minor and "who cares?", but on a brand new tool that cost over $100 I would be rather irritated.

[J-sews]

The handles are made from cast titanium, and castings occasionally have tiny air bubbles in them, called porosity. Its not uncommon, it doesn't really hurt anything, but if you don't like it, by all means send it back.

[Mercury]

That looks like a casting bubble, and that is something that shouldn't make it past QC, especially because the the tech that is grinding the flash off the handles would have seen it, then the Assembly tech would have seen it, and finally, QC would have seen it.  Unacceptable for a new tool.

I'm with Def and Gareth though, it wouldn't bother me on a used tool.

[sawman]

As you can see some of us would be ok with it, others not, but it's your money.  If it happens to bother you that much LM warranty is sure to take care of it 

[Marlinaholic]

In my opinion you are pretty much paying for materials on the higher end Leathermans, but workmanship wise I think they are all assembled to roughly the same standard, which is generally pretty good I think.  I wouldn't be real happy about such a flaw, but to be honest it wouldn't get me to send the tool back either unless there was another problem.  If it bugs you, send 'er back by all means.  I have a Charge ALX I am thinking of sending back myself as the ruler markings are screwed up.  It's hard to explain, but they used the "5, 6, 7/ 12, 14, 16, 18" side for BOTH handles!  Makes the ruler feature kinda worthless.  Only one I've ever seen goofed like this, but mistakes happen.

[nbmaine2007]

I agree with others. If you spent $100, I'd probably want a replacement. But if you're going to put it right to work, it's just adding to the character of the tool.

[liO]

I bought from lighthound.com, i sent them a e-mail and they offer me a $50 refund, its a good deal, I live in Brazil and the EMS shipping was $46, send it back would be expensive.

[Benner]

Wow!  $50 when it isn't even really there issue is a cracking offer!

[sawman]

It sounds like they want you to be a happy customer...  Do what you think is best 

[Gareth]

I bought from lighthound.com, i sent them a e-mail and they offer me a $50 refund, its a good deal, I live in Brazil and the EMS shipping was $46, send it back would be expensive.

God company Lighthound.   I think that's a very decent offer.

In my opinion you are pretty much paying for materials on the higher end Leathermans, but workmanship wise I think they are all assembled to roughly the same standard, which is generally pretty good I think.  I wouldn't be real happy about such a flaw, but to be honest it wouldn't get me to send the tool back either unless there was another problem.  If it bugs you, send 'er back by all means.  I have a Charge ALX I am thinking of sending back myself as the ruler markings are screwed up.  It's hard to explain, but they used the "5, 6, 7/ 12, 14, 16, 18" side for BOTH handles!  Makes the ruler feature kinda worthless.  Only one I've ever seen goofed like this, but mistakes happen.

Annoying as that probably is, that actually sound like a piece someone might want. Big factory gaffs are pretty unusual (as you say) and there are folks who like unusual.

[VicX]

Take the money and use it to buy more MT's!

[Top-Gear-24]

... I have a Charge ALX I am thinking of sending back myself as the ruler markings are screwed up.  It's hard to explain, but they used the "5, 6, 7/ 12, 14, 16, 18" side for BOTH handles!  Makes the ruler feature kinda worthless.  Only one I've ever seen goofed like this, but mistakes happen.

Annoying as that probably is, that actually sound like a piece someone might want. Big factory gaffs are pretty unusual (as you say) and there are folks who like unusual.

My Charge TTi arrived today and guess what ...  (view picture below)

[New_World]

I have had very good experiences with lighthound as well. =)
highly recommended.

[Crouton]

Irregularities in the cast Ti scales are a common flaw with the TTi.  This is actually more severe than normal.  I would return it for repair personally but you have to gauge whether it is worth it to you to pay return shipping to Leatherman and then wait for it to return.

It is unfortunate that this made it through QA inspection.

[Gareth]

The two halves of the ruler are the same, yes? 

[Top-Gear-24]

The two halves of the ruler are the same, yes? 

Yep,

I think I'm going to keep it, I've just tested the ruler and it's usable (just a bit more complicated as with a "normal" Leatherman ruler, but not impossible).  And like I said in my other topic about this Charge TTi, apart from the ruler, the rest of the Charge TTi is flawless, no problem with the file-rubbing, no flaws in the titanium scales ...

Like I said, I'll think of it as a Limited edition, most Charges will be different than mine  .

[AHB]

The two halves of the ruler are the same, yes? 

Nice move Leatherman... 

Go post it on their FB page...

[Gareth]

I'd keep it as well, it just adds a touch of 'character' IMO.

[sawman]

I'd send it back.  That is unacceptable, especially on a multitool of that price    I actually use the ruler on my Charge and if I recall correctly, they specify the ruler as one of the tool's "features".  It's this kind of thing that keeps me asking "How much shall I pay you for a correct product; $100?, $200, $300?"   Please give me a price that you can produce it for and I will save my money towards this "proper tool"...

[BIG-TARGET]

I'd keep it as well, it just adds a touch of 'character' IMO.

Now that is a concept in MT collecting:"THE BOO-BOO COLLECTION"