Anyone have experience with aftermarket Leatherman blades?

Squinty · **on:** June 25, 2014, 01:09:29 PM

I like the 2014 Surge, and would consider buying it, but for 2 issues - I would really miss the tiny "glasses" bit driver, and I like the premium steel on the ChargeTTi knife blade.

Does anyone know if an s30v "Charge" blade could fit on the Surge?

Has anyone had any experience with an aftermarket maker of replacement blades? I could only find these guys:

http://www.txtoolcrafters.com/products/surge-damascus

Damascus seems a bit fancy for a working tool, but they claim it will outperform 420 HC in edge retention and sharpness, which I would like.

Anyone have any experience with txtools, or other aftermarket bladesmiths?

enki_ck · **Reply #1 on:** June 25, 2014, 01:35:43 PM

TTC are the only ones that sell them as far as I know, but they only do Wave/Charge blades and I see now for the Skeletool as well.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/m.html?_odkw=&item=390807478282&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&_osacat=0&hash=item5afdf0e00a&_ssn=texastoolcrafters&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR11.TRC1.A0.H0.Xreplacement+blade&_nkw=replacement+blade&_sacat=0&_from=R40

The Wave/Charge blade is too small, it won't fit the Surge.

TheDude · **Reply #2 on:** July 09, 2014, 02:37:22 PM

I just ordered a Surge and I feel your pain. Apparently Damascus is very similar in performance to 154cm steel. I bought a replacement S30V from Texas tool crafters for my Wave and apart from the international postage costing a fortune it has been a good experience. Be mindful that you may ruin the washer underneath the blade when you change it over. Others will give you better advice than I can in that regard. I couldn't be bothered modifying standard 6mm washers to replace the original so I just didn't use one.

sawman · **Reply #3 on:** July 09, 2014, 02:46:39 PM

Just a small tip:

If you buy a tool from TTC that already has the Damascus blade, the entire tool will be warrantied by TTC if there's ever any defects.

firefightingjosh · **Reply #4 on:** July 09, 2014, 04:47:45 PM

No need for the tiny eye glass bit holder. You can put the bit in where the side clip goes. I will try and get pics.

Josh

sawman · **Reply #5 on:** July 09, 2014, 06:21:32 PM

Quote from: firefightingjosh on July 09, 2014, 04:47:45 PM

No need for the tiny eye glass bit holder. You can put the bit in where the side clip goes. I will try and get pics.

Josh

I've seen that trick but what if I already have a clip in place on my Wave? It's stuck in there pretty good too and hard to remove/replace.

Kampfer · **Reply #6 on:** July 09, 2014, 07:07:08 PM

Click below link for the mini bit driver->

Quote from: Kampfer on February 06, 2014, 08:09:33 AM

Syph007 · **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2014, 04:00:27 AM

Maybe I'm a bit of a steel snob, but non stainless damascus just isn't for me. I had a charge with their serrated and main blades done in damascus and its no where near in the same league as the swedish stainless stuff that Vic uses. If they dont want to pay for the Swedish stuff I think they shoudl upgrade to using the Chad Nichols stuff http://www.chadnicholsdamascus.com/

I felt it was a downgrade so I didnt keep the charge. I will say though that the blade craftsmanship was first rate, good shape and grind work.

Here is what I had.

MultiMat · **Reply #8 on:** July 10, 2014, 05:15:47 AM

Quote from: Syph007 on July 10, 2014, 04:00:27 AM

Maybe I'm a bit of a steel snob, but non stainless damascus just isn't for me. I had a charge with their serrated and main blades done in damascus and its no where near in the same league as the swedish stainless stuff that Vic uses. If they dont want to pay for the Swedish stuff I think they shoudl upgrade to using the Chad Nichols stuff http://www.chadnicholsdamascus.com/

I felt it was a downgrade so I didnt keep the charge. I will say though that the blade craftsmanship was first rate, good shape and grind work.

Here is what I had.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

Syph did you have corrosion issues with your Charge's damascus blades

or was it a edge/hardness issue

detron · **Reply #9 on:** July 10, 2014, 05:23:14 AM

Quote from: Syph007 on July 10, 2014, 04:00:27 AM

Maybe I'm a bit of a steel snob, but non stainless damascus just isn't for me. I had a charge with their serrated and main blades done in damascus and its no where near in the same league as the swedish stainless stuff that Vic uses. If they dont want to pay for the Swedish stuff I think they shoudl upgrade to using the Chad Nichols stuff http://www.chadnicholsdamascus.com/

I felt it was a downgrade so I didnt keep the charge. I will say though that the blade craftsmanship was first rate, good shape and grind work.

Here is what I had.

(Image removed from quote.)

(Image removed from quote.)

I just want one because it's purdy

Random_Username · **Reply #10 on:** February 27, 2018, 03:30:49 PM

I replaced my Surge's main blade with one from Texas Tool Crafters within six months of receiving the tool. I couldn't get the factory blade to hold an edge to save my life. Maybe that was user error, sure, but I've never had an issue like that before. It was as if the stock knife blade was made out of an old gum wrapper.

Sure, I could've sent it in for warranty repair/replacement, but then I'd have to give up the tool for some time. And lets face it, the TTC blade just looks cooler