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Frustrating reminder of why I now prefer older Leatherman tools...

gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Right, because I'm stuck up north for a bit I thought I'd treat myself a wee bit to a new toy to play about with. So, I splashed out and ordered a brand new BO Surge+ and it arrived this morning. I'd briefly had a couple of Surges way back, but not one with replaceable cutters or the improved blade exchanger... or in fact one in black oxide, so I was intrigued and quite excited.

However, even before I opened the box, something just told me, I just had that feeling, my excitement was misplaced and deep dark black (literally) disappointment was going to ensue...

I've not bothered taking pictures, I'm sure you'll all know what I mean with the following: blade grind on the plain edge blade all over the place, wobbly rattly (as in it RATTLES!) lockup on the serrated blade and in fact the grind is pretty gash on that too, lock doesn't engage DOESN'T ENGAGE on the scissors, handles misaligned when closed.

Why did I smurfing bother... I'm off to hit things with a spade... 


ie Offline Don Pablo

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I'm sorry about that, Fuzzy. >:(
Hooked, like everyone else. ;)

All hail the hook!


gb Offline Wspeed

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The Surge has definitely not got
the same quality as the Wave+ >:(
fail to prepare prepare to fail


it Offline SirVicaLot

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Sorry to hear that Fuzzy, I always thought LMs QC would be pretty good. But this is not just a small issue, that is a whole tool messed up  :oops:


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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I'm sorry about that, Fuzzy. >:(

Ah, it's okay, I'll get my money back... eventually... Hundred odd quid though, not to be sniffed at.


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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The Surge has definitely not got
the same quality as the Wave+ >:(

Aye, I agree Speedy.


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Sorry to hear that Fuzzy, I always thought LMs QC would be pretty good. But this is not just a small issue, that is a whole tool messed up  :oops:

Nah, their QC has been pretty poor for a while now... in my opinion anyway... is that Gerberleatherthingy I can hear running towards me? Is that a gun? :think:
« Last Edit: March 28, 2020, 03:32:23 PM by Fuzzbucket »


it Offline SirVicaLot

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You can hide behind me  :D


00 Offline Sam Lim

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That's awful Fuzz.... Though not surprising.. I too have came across brand new sealed LM that should had gone straight into the trash rather than out of the factory. Quite a few times actually. So much for their alleged QC. So now I only buy used tools. At least I know what to expect and very often are more than pleased with the stated condition.


00 Offline Sam Lim

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Nah, their QC has been pretty poor now for a while now... in my opinion anyway... is that Gerberleatherthingy I can hear running towards me? Is that a gun? :think:

Run Fuzz!!  :ahhh


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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That's awful Fuzz.... Though not surprising.. I too have came across brand new sealed LM that should had gone straight into the trash rather than out of the factory. Quite a few times actually. So much for their alleged QC. So now I only buy used tools. At least I know what to expect and very often are more than pleased with the stated condition.

Very good point.  :tu:


us Offline SteveC

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Sorry to hear that cuz   :(  There is no excuse for sloppy grinds  :twak:  As far as the scissors go, on mine I have to make sure I open them with a authority to get them to lock but I think with use they have gotten better. The grinds on mine are nice and even.






gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Sorry to hear that cuz   :(  There is no excuse for sloppy grinds  :twak:  As far as the scissors go, on mine I have to make sure I open them with a authority to get them to lock but I think with use they have gotten better. The grinds on mine are nice and even.

I was dreaming of such a thing... (sigh)...



us Offline Aloha

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 :facepalm:  LM come on  :twak:.  Tools cannot leave without someone actually looking at the tool  :pok:
Esse Quam Videri


us Offline Nix

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Fuzzy!  WTF!?

Didn't I warn you that the current Surges are crap?!   :twak:



gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Fuzzy!  WTF!?

Didn't I warn you that the current Surges are crap?!   :twak:

I know... I remember... but I'm weak...  :facepalm:


us Offline LoopCutter

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Fuzzy!  WTF!?

Didn't I warn you that the current Surges are crap?!   :twak:
i recall your complaint regarding the grind on the PE blade being curved, but not aware of the complete tool being crap?


I have only one Surge, a clamshell package, in SS. Besides the PE recurve awl other functions were tight and snug. Took a challenge to loosen up.  But, I will admit, the SURGE is not my favorite MT. 


Fuzz, I am curious if your just received tool was packaged in a box or clamshell?


Sorry to learn of your issue, it should never happen.  ;(
If I start and end the day above ground, it is a good day!

Hope yours is as good!

A SMART man always knows what to say!
   A WISE man knows whether or not to say it!!!


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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i recall your complaint regarding the grind on the PE blade being curved, but not aware of the complete tool being crap?


I have only one Surge, a clamshell package, in SS. Besides the PE recurve awl other functions were tight and snug. Took a challenge to loosen up.  But, I will admit, the SURGE is not my favorite MT. 


Fuzz, I am curious if your just received tool was packaged in a box or clamshell?


Sorry to learn of your issue, it should never happen.  ;(

In the great scheme of things it's not that great a deal, it's just frustrating and definitely puts me off buying new Leatherman tools.

In answer to your question Loopy, it was in one of their new(er) boxes... the ones with the new angry bird logo...


us Offline Nix

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i recall your complaint regarding the grind on the PE blade being curved, but not aware of the complete tool being crap?

The overall quality was crap. Scissors were dismal. And, yes, the grinds were atrocious.

I'm no longer buying new LM products. Full stop.

Vintage Supertool? You betcha.

Vintage PST? Absolutely.

Swisstool?  Why.....yes.


ie Offline McStitchy

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Sorry to hear Fuzz  :-\
I hate to chime in.
But the last two new Leatherman I've bought (New Surge & Rebar) had plier problems (pivot play, seize under pressure) and other things. The warranty replacements are good.

I agree with Jack  :tu:
Hope you have your OG Supertool still  :pok:


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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I think the last good Leatherman I bought new was a post BO Wave in about 2012, something like that, and even that was a second attempt purchase as the first one sent out was absolute mince. I can't remember specifically what was wrong with it, but it was pretty major and shockingly so... Like in a how the smurf did that get boxed never mind leave the factory kind a way.

I also remember paying full price for a new style Charge that had an absolutely stunningly beautiful main blade. However, everything else from the slidey scales that slipped about in use to the file that carved a neat arcing channel into chassis was garbage.

Sorry, bit of a mini rant... (sigh)...


gb Offline AimlessWanderer

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I've only been a Leatherman owner for about 10 years, so I missed their glory days, and I've only seen the downward slope. I think the only currently available Leatherman I own is a Style PS, and even that is broken and in the mod project box. I'm sick of sending if back.


The cantankerous but occasionally useful member, formally known as 50ft-trad


be Offline Top-Gear-24

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I'm sorry to hear Fuzzy  :(.

On the last Surge I bought the scissors failed after some very mild use (used 3 or 4 times to cut regular paper).  The replacement Surge I got had a very questionable grind on the PE blade (it had that "oversharpened" look you normally find on your grandfather's knife after being re-sharpened for over half a century...), the handles were misaligned and they had quite a bit of scratches on the them.

Send that one back as well (after a short discussion with the webshop), and the third one I got was the right one.  But by then, I'd already paid 32 Euro (2 x 16 Euro) for shipping the Surge back to the webshop  ::).

Buying Leatherman tools has become a true ordeal sadly enough.  Buying them at the local shop means paying an arm and a legg for them, and 90% of the time all the tools there are packed in those awful blister packaging so you can't inspect them before you buy them.  Buying them online makes them a bit more afordable, but obviously you can't inspect them either, so it truly has become a game of hit and miss...

That's why I'm always excited when I find an old stock NIB Leatherman tool somewhere, the last two I bought were an original Supertool and a Blast, and both were absolutely perfect, awesome "classic Leatherman" fit and finish, like we were used to get from Leatherman in the past... :cry:

Edit: I do have to say that every Wave + I own (2 stainless ones and one BO) and both of my Charge +'s are perfect in every way.  Could it be that they pay more attention on those because they are their best selling tools? (at least I guess the Wave is one of their bestsellers, could be wrong about that).


00 Offline Mechanickal

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I'll stick with my Charge AL, TTI and PST then...

Wtf are they doing??


us Offline Nix

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They are killing their brand.


gb Offline Fuzzbucket

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Just had another look at it... Ah, it's awful...  :facepalm:


nl Offline nitram

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Edit: I do have to say that every Wave + I own (2 stainless ones and one BO) and both of my Charge +'s are perfect in every way.  Could it be that they pay more attention on those because they are their best selling tools? (at least I guess the Wave is one of their bestsellers, could be wrong about that).

Not so sure about that. It took two returns before I got a Wave+ with functioning locks on the blades.


be Offline Top-Gear-24

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Not so sure about that. It took two returns before I got a Wave+ with functioning locks on the blades.

After posting the above I read Fuzzy's story about his 2012 Wave, and now yours...

Maybe I was just extremely lucky receiving 5 "modern" Leatherman Tools without any flaws, I just assumed the QC on these was better since I'm never that lucky ... Maybe I should've played the lottery instead of buying those tools  :think:.


 

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