Charge Tool Bit Made in Asia

[edap617]

Last Sunday afternoon I showed my Charge to my buddy. By the way, my buddy’s knowledge about multitool is limited, even though I introduced him to multitools 2 years ago. I encouraged him to buy a few MTs and now he has a SOG, a Gerber, a Bucktool, a Schrade and 2 SAKs.

My buddy scrutinized first the Charge then the tool bits and its plastic casing. He noticed the “Made in Taiwan” marking at the back of the plastic tool bit case and now he has the impression that the Charge itself is made in Taiwan.

Why does Leatherman have to outsource even a simple plastic tool bit casing? I tried to convince my buddy that it is only the casing that is made in Taiwan but he won’t believe me.

I believed the tool bits are also made in Taiwan because its black finish is not nicely done.

Here are some pix.

[Leatherman123]

I strongly believe that it is only the case that is made in Taiwan!

[David Bowen]

Same here, Leatherman does do some outsourcing but it's on a few parts and nothing major. I don't know the actual number but something like 95%+/- is all from the Portland, OR HQ.

David

[J-sews]

The Charge is made in USA, but I wouldn't be surprised to learn that the screwdriver bits are from Taiwan.

[Leatherman123]

Edap, if his Gerber is a Suspension then tell him that his MT is garbage and it is all Chinese made!

[edap617]

Edap, if his Gerber is a Suspension then tell him that his MT is garbage and it is all Chinese made!

LM, my buddy's Gerber is the same as mine, 600 Pro Scout.

Bob, I also believe that the Charge is made in USA but since it is Leatherman's flagship all accessories included in the box should be all made in the USA.

Eddie

[J-sews]

Edap, if his Gerber is a Suspension then tell him that his MT is garbage and it is all Chinese made!

LM, my buddy's Gerber is the same as mine, 600 Pro Scout.

Bob, I also believe that the Charge is made in USA but since it is Leatherman's flagship all accessories included in the box should be all made in the USA.

Eddie

I do hope they are Eddie.

[Leatherman123]

Oh, that would have been a good conversation Edap!

[BIG-TARGET]

I strongly believe that it is only the case that is made in Taiwan!

At least it's not make in the People's Republic of China..

The old cold war mentality pops out once in a while

[Biru]

It wouldn't surprise me if the bits and holder were made in Asia. I believe my Gerber Legend's accessory bit kit was made there (this was before the current Asian-made Gerber lines). Whenever you get one of those bit kits from Craftsman, you have to be careful as about 80% of the kits are made in Asia, and about 20% are American. I wouldn't mind so much, but the Asian bits seem to round off or break so much easier than the American bits.

[silentio]

As an Asian, I'm offended by this thread.



Kidding . But I do like to point something out.

I know the reputation that China has for cutting corners to make a quick buck. I try to avoid foodstuff from there altogether. I don't know the manufacturing history of multitools enough to comment about that category, but in general, we regard Taiwanese stuff here as pretty all right compared to Made in China. They may seem very close to you guys in the West, but there's a world of difference in the way those 2 countries do things.

[Grant Lamontagne]

As I've mentioned before, the problem isn't with Chinese manufactured items, it's with guys on this side of the planet buying the absolute cheapest crap they can find (usually from China or Pakistan) and flooding our shores with it to make a quick buck.

Multitools like the new Gerber Flik are perfect examples of tools made in China that don't stink.  Not all Chinese products are garbage, and if you have a Chinese knife or tool that's crappy, well blame it on Wal Mart!   

That having been said, not all Asian countires are made the same- Taiwanese and Japanese products are usually equal to or better than US made stuff...

Def

[Biru]

Actually, silentio, I was truly concerned I HAD offended someone. I apologize if I DID.

I don't mind the country of origin, but as I said, I've had bad luck with the foreign made driver bits. Use them on deck screws and see how many it takes to put a couple of boards in- some foreign made (I haven't seem any of other than Chinese origin, thus my comment was not meant as a slight solely to the Chinese) will round off or break on the first board. For whatever reason, I can usually get at least 10 times as many screws in before the bit begins to wear appreciably. Some of the US made bits don't seem to wear at all. I've also got one extra-long Phillips driver bit made in China which seems very good, so go figure...

I have had some very good luck with a pair of Chinese-made "Popular Mechanics"-branded pliers and wouldn't trade them. But man, it's another thing entirely to compare them to a Klein. As a matter of fact, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go fondle a Klein...

Regards, Bill.

[silentio]

Actually, silentio, I was truly concerned I HAD offended someone. I apologize if I DID.

I don't mind the country of origin, but as I said, I've had bad luck with the foreign made driver bits. Use them on deck screws and see how many it takes to put a couple of boards in- some foreign made (I haven't seem any of other than Chinese origin, thus my comment was not meant as a slight solely to the Chinese) will round off or break on the first board. For whatever reason, I can usually get at least 10 times as many screws in before the bit begins to wear appreciably. Some of the US made bits don't seem to wear at all. I've also got one extra-long Phillips driver bit made in China which seems very good, so go figure...

I have had some very good luck with a pair of Chinese-made "Popular Mechanics"-branded pliers and wouldn't trade them. But man, it's another thing entirely to compare them to a Klein. As a matter of fact, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go fondle a Klein...

Regards, Bill.

Hey, no worries. I was just kidding, no offence taken.

Def: yup, gotta agree, Japanese and Taiwanese stuff are pretty good. Korean too, though I've never heard of tools and knives coming out of there. Probably Samsung branded if there is.

[bobofish]

I seem to remember a thread here about a year ago that had some info directly from Leatherman that the bits definitely were made in Asia, I think Taiwan. Not just the plastic holder.

I also did quite a bit of research before buying my charge, as for years I've carried a micra and heartily and proudly recommended Leatherman's to all my friends here and in Europe as being a Portland OR product. The results of my research led to my understanding that the majority of each tool is made and assembled in Portland, while most accessories are made overseas. Pliers heads are also apparently Mexican in origin.

It is what it is; I decided to go ahead with the Leatherman since it was MOSTLY Portland made. I completely agree that all parts of the charge should be made in Portland, but I further think that EVERYTHING that they can POSSIBLY make without losing their shirts should be made in Portland. But then I'm an idiot, so ignore that.

[Sea Monster]

If it makes anyone feel any better, there's a factory (or several) in Sweden that pumps out pliers and handtools in the bottom end range for numerous budget companies.

Leaving for a moment Def's oft repeated and quite true comments that it is not really the country itself that defines quality- in my experience I'd rather see "Made in Taiwan" than "Made in Italy"

[bobofish]

But would you rather have a Taiwanese car, or a Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Alfa or Pagani? 

[Sea Monster]

Mate, I've driven a Fiat. You can keep it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

The Russians made Fiat designs better than the Italians- those Ladas never evolved much beyond the 60's, but they go forever and can be fixed almost anywhere with only a few hand tools!

Def