Charge Disection Quiz

J-sews · **on:** September 07, 2007, 03:01:16 AM

Pop quiz: guess how many individual pieces are there in a Leatherman Charge ALX?

(on your honor now, no fair looking at yours and counting if you've got one!)

I've got one stripped to the bones here in front of me. I'll take a picture and post it on Saturday. So c'mon, how many pieces?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #1 on:** September 07, 2007, 03:12:46 AM

my educated guess would be 64 ;D

trickknife · **Reply #2 on:** September 07, 2007, 03:41:35 AM

My guess is 49. Not including the accessories or sheath.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #3 on:** September 07, 2007, 03:48:06 AM

I'll say 46.

Def

zackhugh · **Reply #4 on:** September 07, 2007, 03:59:38 AM

56?

CQC-7 · **Reply #5 on:** September 07, 2007, 04:02:58 AM

J-sews · **Reply #6 on:** September 07, 2007, 04:07:33 AM

Good answers guys. Some close, but no cigar yet.

I tell ya...it's amazing to think about producing all of these individual parts, then assembling them into a finished tool. It gives me a whole new appreciation for the modern multitool.

prime77 · **Reply #7 on:** September 07, 2007, 06:54:35 AM

Hard not to take mine of my pocket and look but I'll say 52. Either way I can't wait for the picture Bob.

CQC-7 · **Reply #8 on:** September 07, 2007, 03:57:25 PM

So, just how many are there?

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #9 on:** September 07, 2007, 08:49:17 PM

I'll take a shot... I'd guess 39. Thats not with the two bits, removable pocket clip or ring. I would also add about 11 more peices if you count separate parts that can't actually be disasembled (lock buttons, lanyard ring, 2 plier halves, riveted "inards", and steel plates on handles, spring in bit holder).

Quote from: J-sews on September 07, 2007, 04:07:33 AM

I tell ya...it's amazing to think about producing all of these individual parts, then assembling them into a finished tool. It gives me a whole new appreciation for the modern multitool.

It's pretty crazy, I sure wouldn't want to be in charge of QC for them!

665ae · **Reply #10 on:** September 07, 2007, 08:58:13 PM

I'm going to guess about 84. There's probably a bunch of little washers in that thing...

trickknife · **Reply #11 on:** September 07, 2007, 09:30:49 PM

NE has a good point. So what components are you actually counting. I assumed that you are counting everything in the tool as it goes into the sheath (but not counting the sheath). I figured you meant rivets as separate parts, cuz I think there are several on there...scissors rivet, plier rivet, etc.

NeitherExtreme · **Reply #12 on:** September 07, 2007, 09:44:18 PM

Hmm... yeah, I didn't even think about the sheath etc., that would add a few...

Leatherman123 · **Reply #13 on:** September 08, 2007, 01:08:13 AM

I figured it out... there is 43

J-sews · **Reply #14 on:** September 08, 2007, 04:37:31 AM

Eeek, I guess I should have specified a little more clearly...JUST the Charge ALX, not the sheath, pocket clip, lanyard ring or spare bits & carrier.

In other words, every single individual component that goes into the multitool itself, even the ones that can't be taken apart. For example, the plier head is made up of three components. (left jaw, right jaw, and pivot axle) Think also: washers, rivets, screws......

Here's another point of reference: the old original Leatherman PST tool was made up of 26 different parts. The Charge is a bit more complex, so.......

Anybody want to change their guess?

zackhugh · **Reply #15 on:** September 08, 2007, 04:39:42 AM

Why didn't you say so? Then I change my answer to 55.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #16 on:** September 08, 2007, 04:40:02 AM

46 is the only number I know, so I will have to keep guessing that....

Def

trickknife · **Reply #17 on:** September 08, 2007, 06:44:17 AM

Okay, I'll up it a couple to 51. Just in case there's washers in there. Not sure how many since it doesn't look like there are any gaps anywhere.

665ae · **Reply #18 on:** September 08, 2007, 09:00:27 AM

I'll go with 44

Spoonrobot · **Reply #19 on:** September 08, 2007, 09:40:31 AM

57.

Man, this thing is packed with features! I never even noticed the over-travel tab for the rocker-bar in the handles.

J-sews · **Reply #20 on:** September 08, 2007, 01:16:23 PM

Quote from: Spoonrobot on September 08, 2007, 09:40:31 AM

57.

Man, this thing is packed with features! I never even noticed the over-travel tab for the rocker-bar in the handles.

By golly, neither had I. Good eye there Spoon!

J-sews · **Reply #21 on:** September 08, 2007, 01:25:55 PM

And the answer is........62!

Which was a real eye-opener to me. (My guess was in the low 40's)

Note that the handle-channel sections at the top each consist of 5 different parts, and the two black scales with the Leatherman logo plate actually consist of four parts each. Also can't forget those little springs on three different bit drivers, and the 3-piece plier head.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #22 on:** September 08, 2007, 01:30:50 PM

I take it we aren't considering the chromed plates in the handles as separate components?

Kinda like a train wreck- gruesome, but I can't look away!

Def

CQC-7 · **Reply #23 on:** September 08, 2007, 04:26:35 PM

Wow.

I never would have thought that there were that many parts in a charge.

I wonder how many parts are in a swisstool?

NO! I am not taking mine apart either.

prime77 · **Reply #24 on:** September 08, 2007, 10:44:22 PM

Awesome pic Bob, been waiting for it for the last two days.

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #25 on:** September 08, 2007, 10:48:17 PM

Quote from: prime77 on September 08, 2007, 10:44:22 PM

Awesome pic Bob, been waiting for it for the last two days.

Great picture's mate!

Now that's my kinda puzzle ;D

J-sews · **Reply #26 on:** September 09, 2007, 03:25:21 AM

There's all sorts of little hidden features that we take for granted on this thing. First picture shows the overtravel stop that Spoonrobot pointed out.

Second picture shows how the pivot axle has flats on it, which engage a flattened hole in the frame. This keeps the drivers and blades from clumping like Leathermen of old. (a flat-hole washer goes between each pair of drivers/blades)

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #27 on:** September 09, 2007, 03:35:26 AM

Isn't that basically the same system that Gerber uses, only implemented a bit differently?

Def

Spoonrobot · **Reply #28 on:** September 09, 2007, 07:57:27 AM

Quote from: J-sews on September 08, 2007, 01:25:55 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/jooliesews/Bobbys/Chargeparts.jpg

Wow. Quite an educational picture there, like the others have said, it really makes you appreciate the design going into these tools.

cryptrick · **Reply #29 on:** September 09, 2007, 12:32:53 PM

Great pic J-Sews. I wouldn't have guessed there were than many parts in one tool. Hope you can remember which parts went where!

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