Surge Sheath Issue

[WoodsDuck]

So I picked up a Surge last week, and it came packaged with the leather/nylon sheath. I've been carrying the tool in my backpack, and so didn't really test the sheath... Until yesterday.
Spent the day running errands, wearing the Surge horizontally on my belt in its factory sheath, and here is the result;

It tore completely on this side...


And maybe 1/8th of the way through on the other.


It was a pretty typical day, and the sheath didn't receive 1/1,000th of the abuse I would have expected it to endure. I'm rather disappointed.
Is this a common issue with this model sheath, or did I get a lemon? Please post your experiences with this and other Leatherman sheaths.

[SteveC]

I think it is fairly common for that sheath. Leatherman get your act together on your sheaths   

[Aloha]

I only used the Nylon sheaths and now the Molle ones and so far haven't had any issues.  That's not good for one day usage with that sheath.  I don't recall reading of any problems with the belt area on the leather sheaths.  I'd say lemon and wonder will Leatherman replace it? 

[WoodsDuck]

I only used the Nylon sheaths and now the Molle ones and so far haven't had any issues.  That's not good for one day usage with that sheath.  I don't recall reading of any problems with the belt area on the leather sheaths.  I'd say lemon and wonder will Leatherman replace it?

I've now emailed Leatherman about this and asked if they would send me a new one. I know the warranty doesn't cover sheaths and other accessories, but I'm hoping they will help out since it broke so quickly. Probably won't hear anything until Monday at the very earliest, but I will update this thread if/when progress is made.

[NKlamerus]

Cheap sheaths.

Check ebay for the older nylon ones. There is also a few for sale with belt clips and "plier open carry" options.

They will probably replace it, but it might be a good idea to upgrade! (I highly recommend scanning through ETSY for custom sheaths)

[SAKnight]

This is why bonded leather sucks. It's leather only by technicality. It's basically leather shavings pressed together with a binder, which means it has no grain, no continuous pieces to hold strength on thin parts like that. It's the particle board of the leather world 

[AdmSlc]

Those are worthless sheaths. I've had probably 4 of those leather sheaths break in the same way. I don't even try their sheaths anymore, I only use 1000D Cordura sheaths from Maxpedition or Spec Ops brand. 

[WoodsDuck]

I received an email reply from a Leatherman rep today, and they've offered to replace the sheath. I requested they send a nylon model instead of just replacing it with the same one. Nothing more to report at this time.

[Aloha]

I received an email reply from a Leatherman rep today, and they've offered to replace the sheath. I requested they send a nylon model instead of just replacing it with the same one. Nothing more to report at this time.

Well thats pretty cool.  Do you prefer to carry horizontal?

[WoodsDuck]

With a fairly bulky item, or anything that sticks up much past the belt, I do generally prefer horizontal carry.

[WoodsDuck]

So it's been four days since my last contact with them, and today I received a package from Leatherman 
Looks like they were cool with my request for a nylon replacement;



This sheath seems better overall; it has the pliers mode slot on bottom and more room in the accessory storage elastics. Time will tell whether it's more durable, but I have more faith in nylon than bonded leather.

[SAKnight]

So it's been four days since my last contact with them, and today I received a package from Leatherman 
Looks like they were cool with my request for a nylon replacement;

(Image removed from quote.)

This sheath seems better overall; it has the pliers mode slot on bottom and more room in the accessory storage elastics. Time will tell whether it's more durable, but I have more faith in nylon than bonded leather.

Nice! Nylon is one of my favorite materials, super durable and tons of uses.