Charge ALX Locks Poorly

[Stuey]

Hi all!

Okay, so I have a Charge ALX and it's been bugging me since I first purchased it. The straight edge knife doesn't lock fully. It locks somewhat securely, but the spring lock doesn't engage fully. The same thing happens with the serrated edge. The file rubs against the side handle as well a bit, but that doesn't bug me too much. On the other hand, the file and saw locks engage fully.

At this point I'd rather try to deal with this minor annoyance myself than deal with the hassle of shipping it back to LM. Is there anything that I can do about this? I also have a Wave, but all four outer blade locks engage fully and perform flawless. I wish that the higher end Charge ALX was manufactured as precisely.

Thanks for any advice you can offer!

Stuey

[Leatherman123]

I don't think there is anything you can do besides sending it in for warranty.

But you have mail! Look under the ads and click on messages! 

[Spoonrobot]

Depends on what you believe about liner-locks.

It is my understanding that when a liner engages 100% of the tang there is no room for wear and over time the knife blade will loosen up, creating a potentially dangerous situation during heavy cutting.

Thus, I prefer to see my liners engage between 30-50%, allowing for wear and usually allowing the full portion of the liner to engage the tang.

Now, if you prefer that liners go 100% you can seat the locks quite easily so they always engage 100%. Hard striking on the edge of the blade usually seats the lock and stop-bar and creates a 100% lock-up. I like to strike a piece of soft wood a few times to seat my folding knives with liner locks.

[edap617]

Welcome Stuey!

You might void the warranty of your Charge ALX if you try to make some remedial measures yourself. I suggest you avail of its warranty.

Eddie
 

[Stuey]

Hmm, I guess I'll consider sending the tool in for warranty, or perhaps try to break it in for a bit more.

The liner is locking fully with the blade tang, but what I meant was that it isn't "snapping" out all the way.

Attached are photos of the locks in questions, and a photo comparing the uniform file gap on the Wave vs. that of the Charge ALX where it rubs the handle.

I purchased three Charge ALXs at the same time and gave two as gifts. I checked them all just to be sure. All three tools suffered from similar locking issues, which is why I decided not to hassle with LM about it at the time.

I can live with the liner issue as long as I can be convinced that it won't pose a safety issue now or in the future.

Thanks again for your comments & suggestions.

Hmm. So it seems that one lock has too much spring, and the other too little.

[Spoonrobot]

The liner is locking fully with the blade tang, but what I meant was that it isn't "snapping" out all the way.

That is what I was referring to. Left-Right engagement of the liner and the tang, not front to back.

To me, your liners look fine. If you're really bothered by it I would try the method I described earlier or send it back. Not much else to do other than use it a lot and have it wear in a little.

Bending the locking liner with a pliers to increase "spring" is another option I've seen recommended but not one I ever found to work well.

This thread may help you some.

[Sea Monster]

Looks fine to me.

Better that they stop there than go too far eh?

As for File Rub, eh. It happens.

[Benner]

My original Wave has exactly the same issue.  I tried to bend the liner out a little which didn't really work, so I now open the blade more forcefully so the liner lock engages further.

[jzmtl]

That looks like a proper engagement of liner lock. My wave file rubs the ouside handle a bit too.

One test you can do is to open the knife, hold it edge down, one hand on spine of blade and another on spine of handle and try to fold the knife. If theres anything wrong with the lock you'll overcome it.

[getpower]

I'd send it in for warranty. I just received a Charge ALX a little more than a week ago and I dont have any of the problems that you said you are having.

The only thing that I do notice on mine is that when you press the lock releases in, it has a little clicking sound that I think is caused by the casting marks on them.

[Benner]

IMO there is nothing wrong with your liner locks.  They look fully engaged and I doubt that Leatherman would see any need to change or replace anything.  I can't personally comment on the file rub though, but I know that this is a very common thing with the Charge models.

Personally, I would not send it in for warranty.

[Stuey]

Alright, sounds good. I feel better now knowing that my "problems" are relatively normal! Thanks for helping me dismiss my hesitation.

[Benner]

Alright, sounds good. I feel better now knowing that my "problems" are relatively normal! Thanks for helping me dismiss my hesitation.

I'm planning on taking a few pics later, so I'll stick some up of my Wave just so you can see.

Apart from these niggles, how are you finding the ALX?

[Stuey]

I'm planning on taking a few pics later, so I'll stick some up of my Wave just so you can see.

Apart from these niggles, how are you finding the ALX?

To be honest, I'm more inclined to reach for my Wave than the ALX since I'm not particularly fond of the black alum scales' feel. I'm reallying liking the cutting hook on the serrated knife, although not sure how I'm going to sharpen it.

It's certainly not a bad tool, but I expected more for its extra cost. I haven't really taken advantage of the second bit driver yet, and as far as I can tell, it's only there as bit-storage. I think that the TTI would have been a better choice.

[jzmtl]

I'm reallying liking the cutting hook on the serrated knife, although not sure how I'm going to sharpen it.

Any rod shaped diamond/ceramic file would do nicely.

[Benner]

Ok, here are the locks on my Wave.  I have left the pic really big so you can see it a liitle clearer, although I haven't got the light quite right.

[bobofish]

I just posted in another thread, the best way I've found to sharpen the gut hook is an EZE-Lap tapered diamond coated pen sharpener. It's a little rod that can close into its own included pen-cap. Made in the US for $5.

[thebullfrog]

Yep, thats the same problem my ALX has. The blades collapse on it scary easy as a result. The serrated blade actually tried collapsing on my hand while using the cutting hook.

[edap617]

I just checked the locks of my Wave and Charge TTi to make sure I don't have defective locks. I was satisfied with all the locks.
Here are the pix.





 

[umc]

edap617,

The locks look similar on my Charge TTI, especially for the plain edge blade, the liner lock goes all the way to the frame/handle, which leaves no room for wear but it locks up solid so I don't think I'll worry about it unless it starts to get a little sloppy in time.  Is that kind of your thought as well?

[Leatherman123]

All of my oho LM MT's all have perfect liner locks. But, my Cabelas Charge TTi has terrible locks-I have heard of someone else having this problem also. But I quick ship to warranty and it is perfect now!

[trickknife]

Here's trick I tried on my wave just now.  If you file (diamond file) off a very tiny amount off of the back of the knife where it bumps into the handle (opposite side of the pivot from your pictures) it lets the knife travel a little farther.  My locking liner moved in just a tad bit more into the beveled area on the lock.  It's worked great for me.  But whatever you do, don't file off too much, then the lock will be sloppy loose.

[edap617]

edap617,

The locks look similar on my Charge TTI, especially for the plain edge blade, the liner lock goes all the way to the frame/handle, which leaves no room for wear but it locks up solid so I don't think I'll worry about it unless it starts to get a little sloppy in time.  Is that kind of your thought as well?

I won't worry about that. How can there be wearing if the tip of the lock and the back end tip of the knife will come to a point that they barely touch each other. Since there will be no more rubbing action, further wearing will cease.

Eddie

[umc]

edap617,

The locks look similar on my Charge TTI, especially for the plain edge blade, the liner lock goes all the way to the frame/handle, which leaves no room for wear but it locks up solid so I don't think I'll worry about it unless it starts to get a little sloppy in time.  Is that kind of your thought as well?

I won't worry about that. How can there be wearing if the tip of the lock and the back end tip of the knife will come to a point that they barely touch each other. Since there will be no more rubbing action, further wearing will cease.

Eddie

+1, I agree with that.

[Benner]

Just to update this, I have noticed that after opening the blades on my Wave many times, that my locks now engage further.  Stuey, have you found this as well?

[Stuey]

I've actually shelved my Charge and use my Wave much more often. The lock has improved slightly since I purchased the tool about a year ago, but it's still not as secure (at least visually) as the Wave. I'm fairly certain it won't buckle under use, and my concerns have eased. I still wonder why so many others have reported similar problems. Perhaps that is why the Skeletool has been delayed, because LM decided not to release tools with less than 100% perfection ever again.