Latest Wave production changes

[Dunc]

Just noticed some slight changes in my latest Wave.

Firstly the handles are finished differently near the plier pivots. Latest Wave is the left one


The file and saw tips sit lower in the handles , latest Wave is on the bottom





and no date codes 

[Dunc]

Found another 

the blade stop bump is bigger on the newer one

[enki_ck]

Cool find.

I think I heard something about them dropping the date codes again but all the other changes are new to me. Did they at least remember to switch sides of the file, so that the diamond side is on the inside and not rubbing against the scale? That would be the first thing I'd change.

[Dunc]

No Diamond coating is still on the outside 

[Zed]

I'll miss date codes  cool finds dunc 

[Bensasupertool]

No Diamond coating is still on the outside 

[kirk13]

Interesting thread Dunc...it's telling me to restore my older Wave

[Dunc]

One thing I have noticed is its a bit more tricky to get the file and saw out due to the tips sitting lower in the handles, at first I just thought it was just an oddball but the file and saw are both low.

Dunc

[hennypenny]

I've just got the latest Wave and the date code is now on the side of the inside of each handle. My has the code 0413. I don't like the saw lying so much lower as it makes it difficult to get the saw out. The file doesn't lie as low as the saw. Overall, it does feel very solid.

[Dunc]

Can't believe I missed that Henry , I have 0313 and 0413.

So your file and saw lay low too then ?

[Dunc]

A reply back from LM

Leatherman Good spot Duncan Moore! Actually nothing changed on the file or saw, but the handle did. They didn’t move down so much as the handle moved up (sort of). It basically got just a TINY bit larger. The reason for this is because we moved the Wave handle to a new press and with that came a whole new die. It’s still within spec, but just a teeny, tiny bit more coverage over the top there. Consequently that’s also the same reason for the date stamp moving to the side of the handle. A new die.

[hennypenny]

Can't believe I missed that Henry , I have 0313 and 0413.

So your file and saw lay low too then ?

Yes, but the saw is lower and more difficult to get to. Another QC fail.

[hennypenny]

Can't believe I missed that Henry , I have 0313 and 0413.

So your file and saw lay low too then ?

The date code is now on the sides.

[Dunc]

The lower tools while they are a little harder to get out doesn't really bother me , I'm more concerned that I had a one off dodgy one lol.
  Its interesting to learn Leatherman has moved production to a new press with new dies. It might just be me but fit and finish do seem to be a little better.

Despite going over both tools I just cant see what changes make the tools sit lower ( and its both knife blades too) , I know LM said the handles are bigger but it must be very slight.

Anyway I'm NOT disappointed with the tool in any way just view the changes as interesting.

[Maxintheuk]

Presumably they would only install a new press/die if the old one was worn beyond spec or offered efficiency cost savings?

[Metropolicity]

The lower tools while they are a little harder to get out doesn't really bother me , I'm more concerned that I had a one off dodgy one lol.

Despite going over both tools I just cant see what changes make the tools sit lower ( and its both knife blades too) , I know LM said the handles are bigger but it must be very slight.

Do you have a micrometer? I want to know if the handle cavities are deeper in anyway, new dies means new tooling, usually means design revisions. It COULD spell the return of the scissors with a Rebar style head.


Where'd you get your Wave?

[Dunc]

No I don't have a micrometer    it was a warranty replacement.

[Metropolicity]

No I don't have a micrometer    it was a warranty replacement.

hmm....looks like it's time to trade in one of my users with a broken plier head!

[sawman]

I have both types of Wave and the only difference I noticed was the date is now stamped in on the inner side.

My question is, do these changes carry over to the Charge TTi?

[Kampfer]

i see the unlock icon for outside tools are different.

[sawman]

i see the unlock icon for outside tools are different.

Thanks, I forgot to mention that one. That is the only other difference I notice though.

[Tengster]

Are the changes an improvement?

[sawman]

Are the changes an improvement?

As far as I can tell just cosmetic insignificant changes. Nothing to affect the form or function. Unless I'm missing something 

[detron]

So,  I was checking my newest Wave  (The one I got for $9.97 at Walmart!!!)

the date codes are 1213/1213 which is much newer than the codes previously talked about in this thread, so I do not know if these are newer new changes, or if they were missed.

FIRST

This,  not sure what to call this part, so I circled it,  anyway the old one is straight, and the new one is rounded.





the blade is shorter than the one I have on my 2011 wave





 I know cameras can trick the eye, so I used the NON parallel nature here to show you

here is a  shot with the Waves standing up, and you can see one blade is longer



The main blade looks thinner when the blades are closed, but I think it the the shape, since it seems as thick in the middle

[babola]

Great find Dunc and Detron, so now we have 1st gen Wave, 2nd gen Long blade Wave and 2nd gen Short blade Wave

[detron]

Great find Dunc and Detron, so now we have 1st gen Wave, 2nd gen Long blade Wave and 2nd gen Short blade Wave

I am afraid there is at least 3 versions of the first Gen Wave alone,  not sure how many on the second gen Wave.

[babola]

Great find Dunc and Detron, so now we have 1st gen Wave, 2nd gen Long blade Wave and 2nd gen Short blade Wave

I am afraid there is at least 3 versions of the first Gen Wave alone,  not sure how many on the second gen Wave.

Yup, sure they are, all with small design changes made over the years but their blades remained pretty much the same length within the main version, no? If there's indeed a blade lenght difference you had shown on your comparo photos then for some this fact alone will be big enough to call it a sub-version.

Cheers.

[DazMechanical]

My BO Wave dated 12/13 on both handles has the file sitting in the correct position whilst the saw sits really deep into the handle and interferes with the lanyard ring. I had a look at the stops on the file and the saw, to my surprise the saw stop is actually 0.06mm larger than the stop on the file. I thought it would be the other way around it must be something within the handle that is not quite right... But it's wierd how both handles are dated 12/13... 

[babola]

Heya Dunc and the guys...just to provide a quick update on the latest Wave changes - I've just received a new S/S Wave stamped April 2014 and here are my observations when compared to my "old" new BO Wave from Dec 2008:

(sorry no pics guys, not at home for few more days)

- the frame depth hasn't changed to the extent the LM employee stated in his reply on page one and would led you to believe, at least not to a degree which will cover or 'sink' the end of the file and/or saw so that they would be hard to reach for opening. As DazMechanical pointed above, it's the tool 'stop' at the top of the blade close to the pivot that varies in width, your's seems to be a little narrower, hence the blade sinking into the handle deeper when closed.

- the top of the handles near pliers pivot is indeed different, it now has a bump, whereas my 2008 Wave doesn't, it's totally flat.

- the date stamp has moved to the inside side-wall of the handle, as others confirmed.

- the main blade is shorter - YES - confirmed, by a full 1.5mm shorter than "old" new Wave, for the tools of this size this makes quite a difference. Not sure why Leatherman decided to do that but it's now even noticeable on quick visual inspection between the two. Kind of becoming a pet peeve for me on the latest Wave

- The liner-lock stops (circle bumps) are bigger as is the lock graphic stamp near the bumps

- I could be worng and need to measure and confirm this - but on quick inspection and comparison the frame and handles now appear to be made of thinner S/S sheet. I will measure when I get back home to confirm

- the 'Leatherman' logo stamp on the handles is now wider, letter font is also slightly wider. 2008 Wave comes with more condensed text.

This is it for now...sorry for appearing to come across as picky and/or obsessed with details, my previous hobby was watchmaking where I developed a little deeper attention to minute details 
 

[enki_ck]

Thanks for the comparison.

And I'm guessing that should be April 2014, not 2004, correct?