Leatherman Charge TTi - thoughts/opinions?

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KC8QVO

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Apr 7, 2011
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I happened to stop in Cabelas today in Omaha, NE. I've never been in that one before and was sort of on a time crunch but figured I'd stop in and do a "fly by". I'm glad I did... I lost my Swiss Army Swiss Champ knife back in November and have been without a multi-tool since (and that one hardly left my side for about 15 years, sorry to loose it but it had it's age and some things were broke/missing anyway). So I stumbled in to the Leathermans at Cabelas. They had almost a whole wall of them in their knife section. After scanning them for quite some time and comparing specs/tools/materials I landed on the Charge TTi.

There were a few things that drew me to it. One is I need a good metal file, both fine and coarse. I wanted the better quality blade steel (this one is S30V - never had that before but I know it is a better steel). The interchangeable bits seems like a good idea too. Although it was probably a bit on the pricy side and I could have got it cheaper somewhere else I figured I had my other knife for many years so whatever this one was it was worth it. For the functionality I think it is still somewhat of a bargain.

So those of you here that have been around Leathermans for a while, what are your opinions?

One of my concerns, even before I walked out the door with it, is that I saw some other models with replaceable wire cutters on the pliers. The cutters on the Charge TTi are part of the pliers = molded with them = not replaceable. I can see using those a fair amount. How about the rigidity/durability of the bits/socket? The bits being interchangeable also means they are replaceable which is a plus - but the socket that they attach to - can it stand real "use" without breaking/weakening/still hold bits? I also noticed that the regular blade is quite "rough", it even feels like there is a bit of a burr. I will have to look at that closer when I get time. It is still real sharp, just feels weird but it may be the way this steel is too.
 
I have owned and used near all leatherman tools. the mut and surge are a bit to weighty for me to have it always with me. the charge is the best tool i have ever had. the pliers, the bit holder and the bits are very durable and reliable. the Ti(154cm) blade is also very durable (also have the TTi(S30V) but never used). my newest edc multitool is the skeletool cx but i am only testing so far.

conclusion: the charge will always be my serious edc/edu multitool!

go with the charge, you will be satisfied.
 
I've got 2 Charge Ttis and never had a issue with the cutters. I don't go around cutting things I know won't be cut, so I haven't had any deformation on cutter heads. The bit socket is very secure and I've never lost a bit, and it has held up just fine. I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Another question regarding the sheaths. I noticed some of them had a leather-like sheath and others had a nylon sheath; the leather seemed a bit cheap. I see on their website they call the leather "premium" and the nylon "standard". Can you offer any feedback on either and durability/functionality?
 
I've received the newer style leathersheath with my latest Charge. Its not as snug as the older style and it feels bigger and bulkier. I haven't carried it, but I suspect it's just as durable as the old style leather sheath. I like the looks of the older one more and they can still be bought for a few dollars.

I've carried that one for a long time and it has held up well. I cannot comment on the nylon sheath as i haven't owned one for the Charge. I did have one for the Kick and Fuse and they held up just fine.
 
The Charge line are very nice! I dont care for the cap crimper on the TTi version so I would chose either a Ti (if you can find one) or the AL (aluminum scales). :)
 
The Charge TTI is nice and durable. The cutters work well for me cutting copper and aluminum wire without any deformation. The bit holder looks a little flimsy but has held up well after quite a bit of use. I do find myself carrying my swisstool spirit a little more often, however, due to its ergonomics and the fact that it has an accessory that accepts normal hex bits.
 
It is almost 6 years since I got my Charge TTi. It replaced an original Super Tool I had carried 9 years and liked very much, but the TTi had enough worthwhile features for me to make the move. Based on my experience, I can recommend it highly for EDC as tough, versatile and reliable.

KC8QVO said:
Another question regarding the sheaths. I noticed some of them had a leather-like sheath and others had a nylon sheath; the leather seemed a bit cheap. I see on their website they call the leather "premium" and the nylon "standard". Can you offer any feedback on either and durability/functionality?
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The "premium" leather one has too much space around the tool, allowing the Charge to shift enough so that it is possible to lose it. It is also stiff and uncomfortable, hard to get accessories in and out. There is also a "standard" leather sheath, but it rides too high for me and doesn't have space for the accessories. Of all the Leatherman offerings, I prefer the nylon sheath, finding it better designed, comfortable to carry and more secure. Mine takes the Charge TTi, a bit card, bit extender, mod awl, Surge removable file and Fenix EO1 flashlight. It wears out more quickly than the leather ones, though, but cheap enough to replace and well worth it. My first lasted @ 4+ years, now I am on my second. Sometimes I use an old Vic Nylon pouch which works well enough but without any space for accessories. That's whenever I had previously carried a SAK and was too lazy to switch out the sheath from my belt.

mcconnad said:
The Charge TTI is nice and durable. The cutters work well for me cutting copper and aluminum wire without any deformation. The bit holder looks a little flimsy but has held up well after quite a bit of use. I do find myself carrying my swisstool spirit a little more often, however, due to its ergonomics and the fact that it has an accessory that accepts normal hex bits.
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Using the hard wire notch, I have cut stiff wire such as clothes hanger, although I always dread doing it. So far, no damage, but I usually try to have a dedicated tool on hand whenever in that situation (or someone else's Leatherman :D). Many years ago I did manage to dent the cutters on my original Super Tool, but a quick trip back and forth (free) to Leatherman Warranty set things right. If you are careful (I wasn't), you should be all right. Or, you could wait for a Charge version with the replaceable cutters, but a new set would cost more than simply sending it to Leatherman for a freebie fix.

I love the "large" bit holder. It adds way much versatility in a compact format. The small bit holder is worthless. I wish they had put an awl there instead, but I do have a mod that works well enough.

sir_mike said:
The Charge line are very nice! I don't care for the cap crimper on the TTi version so I would chose either a Ti (if you can find one) or the AL (aluminum scales). :)
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+1 on the Ti, although the TTi cap crimper wasn't a deal breaker for me, and I can't really say it has ever been a problem. My view is that it exists as yet one more reminder that only God is perfect, and Leatherman just one of us.
 
The TTi is a great Multitool with a terrible sheath. I usually carry mine with the clip or stash it in a Maxped EDC pouch in my school pack. After over a year of use it has held up very well. The double sided file is one of the TTi's most useful features for me, I often use the diamond side to do reprofiling on smaller knives with harder steels that resist some of my more mild abrasives. The S30V blade was ground a bit roughly when I got it, but was armhair-shaving sharp out of the box. With a bit of stropping on leather and compound and metal polish on leather, the edge is now highly polished and hair-whittling sharp, and still fairly aggressive. Not a big fan of S30V but Leatherman's HT is spot-on. The tool has been used extensively at the range for breaking down varied guns and removing stuck casings from chambers, in addition to normal around the house use. Dad owns a Ti and has a similar high opinion of the Ti. Only real difference between the two is that The 154CM is a bit easier to resharpen and dulls slightly quicker than the S30V. Look around and you can find some decent prices on these tools, really have to recommend both.
 
I did a little research here and elsewhere on the subject of replacement parts for Leatherman tools. Apparently they aren't available and you have to send your tool in for repair? I found a few "parts" on their website, however they are limited to replaceable cutters, bits, belt clips, and scrapers, among a few other things. That sounds like a bummer. It sounds like Leathereman's warranty is pretty good though so that may make up for it.

I am checking out the line up for replaceable cutters. It looks like the Surge is a good option. If I am looking at their offerings right it is the only one that has replaceable cutters on the plier jaws and a bit socket.

Which brings me to another observation - the bit extension looks like it will take regular 1/4" bits. That may be just what I need. I have two empty round stretchy pockets on my Charge holster so that would be a great place to put it.

Has anyone had any experience with the can opener? I used to use the one on my swiss champ as my go-to opener on backpacking trips. The one on my Charge seems a bit cheap/dull comparatively. I'll have to give it a try some time.
 
KC8QVO said:
opinions?
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My view is that there is no real advantage to getting the Charge instead of the Wave. Its essentially the same tool, but it does have better steel that's true. But for the price difference I would stick with the Wave if you like that format.

But I prefer other MTs over the Charge/Wave. I have a real hangup with the short, stubby 2-dimentional drivers on the Charge/Wave. That's just my neurosis. I like a long shank, real 3-dimentional phillips because so many screws are buried deep and you need that reach. I also dig replaceable cutters, though honestly I have never jacked up the non-replaceable cutters on other tools.

Considering how inexpensively you can find the Rebar and ST300, and as they have real phillps drivers and replaceable cutters, I prefer them to the Charge/Wave. But honestly, I love all MTs from the Sidekick to the Swisstool, and they all work pretty much the same. The differences are in the details. Rock on.
 
Ah ha. Time for a hack.

I see the bit extender is a regular 1/4" hex drive and still accepts the Leatherman "flat" bits. So I think I am going to try taking one of my bit extenders to the grinder to see if I can replicate the Leatherman flat end. We'll see how it goes... I'll post a picture as I get it done.

Has anyone tried that before?
 
This actually works pretty good. I was careful with the grind to make sure it was a secure hold. I actually tapered the shaft just slightly so it goes in easy (no slop though) then tightens up as it goes in = press fits itself in there, aside from the latching spring's pressure. It takes a bit of pulling to get it back out, but not much more than the bits themselves.

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I started by sizing up the extender with one of the Leatherman flat bits. I wanted to make sure I got the notch in the right spot.

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Then I went to work grinding - carefully. My grinder is a cheap Delta or something from Lowes that is variable speed, I set it to the slowest setting and used the fine grit wheel. As you can see in the outlines I was being careful to follow the scratch marks on the Leatherman bit so I had enough material off the shaft. I went a bit further actually. The notch location is the important one, and in fact I need to cut mine back about 1/64" for the spring to fully seat.

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The final result. Again - the extender seats real snug in the socket on the Charge. You can see the shaft goes all the way to the base of the socket, just like the bits. I am not sure if there is any extra holding power, it looks like once the bit gets to the opening in the back it is through the "socket".

That is an easy way to save $20-30 for the Leatherman one/shipping. Plus I have a bunch of 1/4" bits already, and they are readily available at every hardware store.
 
powernoodle said:
My view is that there is no real advantage to getting the Charge instead of the Wave. Its essentially the same tool, but it does have better steel that's true. But for the price difference I would stick with the Wave if you like that format.
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Basically, my view is the same, but while I was shopping for a Wave I stumbled into a deal on a Charge that was only pocket change more, so I got a TTi instead. Six years of living with it has mostly confirmed my original thought. For my purposes, the difference in blade steel doesn't matter much and I don't care for the pliers jaw mounted cap crimper at all (what mass market is there for this feature anyway?) For that reason, the Wave might actually be the better choice, although I must admit the crimper hasn't been a problem. On the plus, the handles are much more comfortable in sustained use, and the "cutting hook" has many times been useful.
All considered, even though the differences are minor, I would spend the extra money for the hand comfort alone. Viewed as a long term purchase, the price difference is swallowed up over years.

powernoodle said:
But I prefer other MTs over the Charge/Wave. I have a real hangup with the short, stubby 2-dimentional drivers on the Charge/Wave. That's just my neurosis. I like a long shank, real 3-dimentional phillips because so many screws are buried deep and you need that reach. I also dig replaceable cutters, though honestly I have never jacked up the non-replaceable cutters on other tools.

Considering how inexpensively you can find the Rebar and ST300, and as they have real phillps drivers and replaceable cutters, I prefer them to the Charge/Wave. But honestly, I love all MTs from the Sidekick to the Swisstool, and they all work pretty much the same. The differences are in the details. Rock on.
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In my situation, I find the versatility of the bit exchanger offsets the stubby and can be partly made up for with the bit extender. Like just about everything, YMMV.

+1 on the Super Tool 300, which I usually reserve for heavy duty use or when reliability is a priority. Much as I like my TTi for EDC, the ST 300 is better suited for tough jobs. There is a Rebar in my inventory as well, but not long enough for me to have really wrung it out. It's kind of a tweener, not really heavy duty but not light weight either. I'm not sure what niche it fills. I think the reason I bought it was nostalgia. Instead of the PST I got way back when, it's the Leatherman I would have wanted instead. But that was then.
 
znapschatz said:
+1 on the Super Tool 300, which I usually reserve for heavy duty use or when reliability is a priority. Much as I like my TTi for EDC, the ST 300 is better suited for tough jobs.
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Can you explain your thoughts further on the ST 300 in terms of the reliability? I'd be curious to see where you came up with that opinion, and likewise, what the weaknesses may be of the TTI. Is it in the feature/tool set? Construction of the jaws? Frames? Design/construction of the fold out tools/locks?

There are only a few differences I see:
1. Supertool 300 has replaceable cutters on jaws
2. Supertool 300 has a fixed phillips driver, Charge TTI has bit socket
3. Supertool 300 does not have an eyeglass bit/socket
4. Supertool 300 has an awl
5. Charge TTi has a cutting hook on the serrated blade
6. Supertool 300 weights 9.6oz, Charge TTi 8.2oz

Though, I've never held a Supertool 300 and I've barely used my Charge TTi yet so there could be something obvious that is apparent when using them that I am not seeing.
 
I do love my Charge TTi but have also used the ST300 on numerous occasions for more 'heavy duty' tasks. The weight difference between the two is very noticeable to me - in fact I rarely carry the ST300 in my pocket.
If it helps I put together a nice comparison guide to my favorite Leathermans which may help you.
Unfortunately I've become a bit of a multitool addict these days. I'm driving the wife crazy each time I buy a new one!
 
I just received a Tti and on opening it a thin copper washer fell out! Casual inspection doesn't reveal a place where a copper washer is missing, but I did notice a rather large gap in the device next to the Phillips driver. Does anyone know if this is normal?
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