Leatherman Bit Kit

I bought this bit kit at the same time that I bought my Leatherman Charge TTi (about 7-8 months ago...and I feel that for the price what you get is a fair bargain.)

Actually the main reason that I ordered the kit in the first place, is that while many early reviewers said that I should have gotten a single tray bit kit with mu TTi when I bought it, I got no such accessory. So right off the bat I popped for the larger kit.

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-934870-Assortment-Nylon-Sheath/dp/B0002H49D0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1256972771&sr=8-1

My first complaint about this kit, is that for its list price (almost twice the price I paid for it) that it does not include the universal bit adapter that allows you to use other 1/4" universal bits. This accessory is yet another $9.40 on Amazon.com.

http://www.amazon.com/Leatherman-931009-Bit-Driver-Extension/dp/B0022G72BK/ref=pd_bxgy_hi_img_b

My second issue with the kit is that I have had several of the bits "round off" upon their first or second use. I am a hard user (by this I mean I use my tool often and repeatedly), but not an abuser (no cheater bars, or hammering on the thing :)

I understand that for the cost of this kit that Leatherman may not be able to use the carbide steel that some of the trade manufactures like Kline Tools use in their screwdrivers (this grade of steel tips are hard enough to produce a screwdriver that will last through daily abuse of an electrician of construction worker for years and years, I have a set of Klien Tools that are 15 years old and my #2 Phillips is just starting to wear out after having been used as knockout punch, and a drywall punch... then a screwdriver!)

I personally would rather pay $25 for the kit (once every decade) rather than $12.50 (twice a year) and have the bits made of this type of super resilient carbide steel...especially since it's always the same bits that get eaten up so fast, and Leatherman does not sell individual replacement bits necessitating buying a whole new kit.

As for the little sheath that comes with it, I rather like it...and it make carry in a pocket rather comfortable. Since i use the little pocket behind my Leatherman MT in the main sheath to store a little pair of slip joint pliers I have to use the small sheath that came with the set to store the bits. BTW, If you do buy the universal bit extender, there is plenty of room to store it in this sheath.

As for extra weight, this kit is very lightweight (maybe 5-7 oz.) so to me insignificant...though some hardcore backpackers will want to count every oz.

One other thing that I would like to see added as an option for this kit is, maybe one more tray of common "security" bits that show up all of the time on electronic products... even if this tray was a separate add on item.

For as much use as I get out of my MT on a daily basis I don't use this kit as much as I thought that I might...nevertheless it is a daily companion in my hip pocket and is on my "don't leave home w/o it" list if you have an appropriate MT to take advantage of it. Most of my complaints are minor details, but as we all know its the details that make a great 5 star product.

I got a kit for my Surge and another one with an adapter for my Core. I do not know what kind of metal Leatherman uses to manufacture these but they wear so quickly. I do not like em at all.