Leatherman Surge: Blade Upgrade (M390)

Finally, I have an upgraded blade steel for my Leatherman Surge. Unfortunately, it does not come from Leatherman. This M390 blade from AliExpress is not a perfect fit out of the box, but with a little tweaking, it fit pretty well.
M390 Replacement Blade - www.aliexpress...

[@txtoolcrib]

I had stated that this blade was purchased from Alibaba, in fact it was from AliExpress. I apologize for the confusion. I have included a link to this blade in the description of the video. Amazon Links Leatherman Surge - amzn.to/49YX9zV Wiha GoBox Security Bit Kit - amzn.to/3BKXABg Klein Security Bit Screwdriver - amzn.to/4iPCX7N Dewalt Trigger Clamp - amzn.to/3BN9qLm

[@AshGreen359]

What do you think of the VG10 core Damascus blades they sell? They don't make the M390 in the serrated blade

[@Edcreviewer]

First thing I want to say is im a part time knife maker and have been for a very long time now and I have a Rockwell machine and I have access to a PMI scanner and I have seen 4 of these m390 aliexpress (3 was bought at aliexpress and one at DHgate) Leatherman blades that people bought and have asked me to test to verify m390 and all four of those PMI scanned and came back as a compositional variation of 440c with some trace elements that are not in 440c so I presume that it's just typical China 440c analog with some odd trace elements in it due to lower quality China steel production with much wider compositional tolerances than in non China manufacturered steels. But trying to burst your bubble, you seem happy with it and for that reason alone I would love it to actually be m390. I'm just commenting this so you know there is a possibility it's not so you arent sending people to the link to buy and them having no idea that it could possibly be not m390. I may buy one from your link just to do a Rockwell and PMI test on it and post a video so people can see what they are actually getting and if it is indeed m390 even if it's soft then for the 25 bucks it's a fair upgrade. It really makes me mad when these companies bald face lie about compositions and sell people steel that aren't what they say. Personally I would be very wary of telling my viewers that it's m390 and putting a link to where they can get it until you know it's m390 as if it comes out it's not then those people may be upset at you for guiding them to a fake product. All four of them tested right at 57.5 to 59 so I still fully expect them to have a good bit more edge retention than the 420hc it's replacing. I think I'm gonna buy one from your link so I can test its hrc and PMI scan and post the video with the PMI scan and Rockwell. I would be very happy if it came back as m390 and tested at 60+ that would surprise me in a good way. Sadly I would be willing to bet that it's not in fact m390 but will be exactly the same 440c-ish composition that the other 4 was. 10:30 Alox Stones and ceramics both have the same abrasive medium in it and that's alumina oxide. So if ceramic will cut it then alumina based stones will cut it as well. The average China done m390 is ran in the 57-59rc range and being ran that soft don't expect no huge jump in edge retention between the 420hc and the m390, I mean there will definitely be a noticeable increase in edge retention but it won't be a huge difference like it would be if it was ran at 62. M390 doesn't really start to show the performance it's capable of until 62rc that's where it really comes alive sub 60rc m390 is not gonna perform great but so long as the price is right it's all good as you will definitely get more performances over the stock blade just based on the composition so long as it is indeed m390.

[@billybunter3753]

@@Edcreviewer I just subscribed to your channel in the hope that you do this test! 👍

[@SilverbackBubba]

I would also like to see a video of you testing one of these blades. I have subscribed to your channel.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

Thank you for sharing this info. I always expect to get scammed on AliExpress... SIGH 🫤

[@familyengineering5591]

Hey did you do this test?

Imagine Leatherman selling replacement kits for files, scissors and knives. Nah, it would be madness, nobody would want that. Or a kit that would made it UK or EU legal ... madness sheer madness. There is no money in that. :o)

[@ComUnSas]

Imagine Leatherman designing scissors with easily replaceable springs like a SAK. Then we might still have Squirts and Juices, instead of Leatherman discontinuing them and their spontaneously crumbling scissor springs. Imagining Leatherman bits not made out of pot metal would, obviously, be a dream too far

[@nightshadefern162]

Better to have a bit too much metal by the liner lock than not quite enough. Looks good.

[@snesleywipessqueegeeservices]

Fantatsic! The tweak looks like you got it. Good work.

[@maxlvledc]

I'm really hoping it holds up to specs.

[@kameelramdhin7403]

I really enjoy yoir Leatherman videos especially the videos dealing with the Surge

[@kvernesdotten]

Theres a bunch of asian people hanging out in tool / leatherman groups and claiming to make these by hand, usually selling for about 100 USD and im so skeptical about the whole thing. Especially since the same guy can pump out 6 different blades in different shapes, grinds and different super steels daily and they refuse to answer questions like how they heat treated them. I have a gut feeling that premium steel replacement blades is a new scam plague washing over us. Very tempted to pick up a couple of these just to have them tested to see if its even what they claim it is. I dont doubt they perform better than the original blade though, but that really doesnt take much.

[@edwardfletcher7790]

They're just reselling them....

[@kvernesdotten]

@@edwardfletcher7790 Obviously, but this thing seems to spread in popularity

[@kennogawa6638]

I hope you do a follow up after using it fir a while.

[@dualsportoutdoors]

Better send that off to a metallurgist. I doubt it's actual M390 at $72 and if it is, it's guaranteed to be un-heat treated

[@JC_1095]

I’d be very interested in some type of retention test on that steel just to see if it performs similarly to other m390 blades.

[@Feanor821]

I would like to upgrade to this blade, but dang 70 bucks for that little thing? Not to mention you can never be sure of its authenticity. I bought the Bibury spare parts kit so I could get the scalpel holder, which I then modded to fit the t-shank adapter on my Surge. But Leatherman really should be offering accessories like this themselves. Scalpel holders, metal saws, corkscrew, blade upgrades. These Chinese companies respond so much faster to customer feedback, while Leatherman seems to take eons to make any improvements.

[@namelesske]

🎉 Every new TX Tool Crib video is a gift 🎉 I never noticed the Curl in the Surge 😅

[@ericayers5690]

Love the videos. Can you make a video on how you sharpen your blades?

[@billybunter3753]

NO...DO NOT TAKE METAL OFF THE BLADE FOR THE LINER LOCK! Just use both washers that came with the blade! One on the inside and one on the outside! A little oil, adjust the tension on the screw to your liking and that's it! I've done it and it's a vast improvement over standard in every way! 👍

[@LeathermanSurge-q6l]

might have to get this for my leatherman surge even though I get a lot of use out of the 420hc i think it's a good blade

[@VonZekk]

Hope they make other leatherman models too

[@hobowithashotgun48]

I wish there was a reputable company that sold these. I dont know how much I could trust the material and heat treatment of a random seller on aliexpress....

[@fletcher0601]

Have you had chance to test the steel out yet, i think everyone is waiting for an update and hoping it's real hahaha

[@erikbetancourt7194]

Would it be easy to add another t shank to the surge. I was going to take out the serrated blade and add another t shank. So i can have the file and saw for wood carving/ working?

[@3wheelmannc860]

There are huge possibilities for upgrades on Leatherman's. The company is clueless on aftermarket growth...this can be done via internal creations or allowing the aftermarket to do its thing... Just think Glock pistols... Very solid pew tools and Glock continues to be Glock, but the aftermarket is an almost unlimited venue for expressing personal tastes / demands...Glock aftermarket is only limited by the individuals budget...and the vast majority can be performed by the owner as Glock's are simple. Leatherman...wake up. This can also be viewed with Harley-Davidson...very good products from the manufacture, but the aftermarket is amazing for customization...need? Maybe not so much. Want, sure, get the wallet out.

[@DavidDoingLife]

Are you sure it is infact m390? I've heard of AliExpress selling fake steels on knock off knives

[@SMS2884]

Unless it's from a reputable person doing reblades, I would NEVER believe that is an M390 blade. Especially from China.

[@DavidDoingLife]

@SMS2884 my thoughts exactly

[@billybunter3753]

It's real, it's Bohler M390. Beautifully made.

[@-joe-davidson]

@@billybunter3753 Based on what data?

[@SMS2884]

@@billybunter3753 Even if you shape a block of m390 into a blade it doesn't mean it's been heat treated or has the proper HRC. Poorly heat treated metal is garbage. Plenty of examples of it out there. I did find the listing. $70. If it's good it's good. But I'd need to see proof.

[@w00ey21]

Game-changer if its legit treated M390, wish they'd gone a step further and made a thumb stud instead of the cut-out

[@DellMoney_]

I've been thinking of reshaping a D2 knife blade to fit the surge but I don't know if i got the time or skill to do io

[@MechanicallyMusical]

That seems like a great option as an upgrade I would always rather have too much material than too little it may intentionally oversized to fit within spec Im sure if you took your time you could get the engagment better than factory. Would love to see a sharpness test between factory edge of both blades then both edges stropped with a true convex grind as well as HRC test. I have just recently started learning a little more about various blade steels, where does M390 generally fall between 420,1095, CPM3V, S30V, S90V & Magnacut when it comes to edge retention and overall toughness if heat treated properly?

[@sterlingarcher46]

How did your warranty claim on your Surge go btw ?

[@tylerwilliams2272]

Sure it's M390?

[@HammerAndFlame]

This is my concern with places like AliExpress. And who's to tell what the heat treatment is like?? For like $30 or so I'd roll the dice, but not $70.

[@Steel_addiction71]

I doubt these are actually bohler m390. One of these blades was Rockwell tested on Reddit and it came back 57 HRC. Chinese pot metal 😆

[@merkyworks]

Would be a cool upgrade but no way I trust the blade is actually M390.

[@rodneybonner7906]

i must have a newer model cause i don't have that curve in mine

[@deadweight2049]

I'd be really suspect of this blade. Even at the advertised 60hrc, that is way, way too soft for it to even be worth the while. 63-64hrc is the sweet spot for m390, and the heat treat protocol for this steel can be temperamental. Even companies like spyderco had a hard time dialing in the heat treatment for it.

[@TheTuneAce]

describing 2014 as "a long time ago" 💀

[@williamwimmer5473]

You should really look at the Rocktool GenR, its the best parts of a surge and wave, without putting up with the BS and poor quality you get from a modern leatherman. Leatherman wants to be a brand not a tool, and my wallet is done supporting that.

[@ericbaier]

Why not shave the back stop of the blade so it swings farther to engage the lock? Prob easier than filing down the liner lock side.

[@txtoolcrib]

That’s what I did

[@edgedtalons]

That's one thing that's always disgusted me about Leatherman are there pathetic sorry excuse for their blades. Not only is the steel and heat treat horrible, but they're grinds make gas station knives look like perfected art knives. Absolute horrible fit and finish on leatherman's supposed American made 420 steel blades. Then getting into that lawsuit with that Texas company is like Leatherman saying either you use our crappy blades or none at all. Thank God China has stepped up to the plate not giving two hoots about what Leatherman thinks. All the upgrades I've seen for Leatherman on all the Aliexpress are executed with absolute perfection from Damascus to m390 with perfect grinds fit and finish. I think Leatherman is an embarrassment to America by stating american-made. But hey that's just my opinion.

[@optimuscrime608]

Do an HRC test. You’ll be surprised to find out this is just junk steel sir