Customer Reviews

Leatherman 830005 Charge Ti Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I hadn't even considered replacing my much loved Wave as I considered its design almost prefect but then I received the Charge Ti as a gift and the subtle improvements make it may every day carrier and relegate the wave to the car glove box. The Ti is more solid and a little more chunky than the wave without gaining any extra weight.

The improvements are subtle but cover every aspect of the tool. For me, the biggest improvement is the better design, higher grade (154CM), easier opening main blade. The finger hoop is larger and protrudes from the liner a bit more than the old wave but opening is so much easier one handed now. The pliers jaws are also more strongly built and the whole thing feels more solid when used in the pliers configuration.

Other improvements include locking mechanisms for all tools and blades rather than just the external blades on the wave. On my wave I have had the main flat screwdriver tool fold on my while trying to press too hard into a screw head. with the locking tools of the Ti I will no longer worry about this. Also, all tools have a finder nail notch and you can open just the one you want - on my wave you seemed to pull out all the tools on one side and then put back all but the one you want to use.

The ruler makes a comeback from the original Leatherman tools which I'm glad to see. It seems that the Ti has less tools until you realize how many more options the interchangeable tool bits add. The tools themselves seem very hard and come in a holder which conveniently stores in the nylon Ti's pouch. The leatherman logo is riveted onto the pouch which I'm not sure about but time will tell. I'm also not sure about the new scissor design - it doesn't fold in the same way as the older wave resulting in a smaller cutting surface although leatherman claim that they are easier to cut with and will hold their edge better than the wave design. Again, time will tell.

Back to the positives; the Ti comes with a removeable belt clip (for those time you don't want to use the pouch and you want to carry the tool in your pocket) and lanyard ring. The new lanyard ring is larger than the old wave's swing out ring and is useful for those times you're near water or up a ladder. In the new, removeable configuration you can leave a cord attached permanently to the ring but will still be able to remove the whole thing at will, Attaching a cord to the lanyard ring will also make this small ring more difficult to use. Finally, I'm sure the new jewelers, reversible screw driver will come in handy.

If you're happy with your Wave it is difficult to justify upgrading to the Ti, however, the subtle changes are very apparent when compared side by side. If you want the best though this tool seems to be it.

After decades carrying victorinox swiss army knives, then SOG multitools, then finally the Gerber Urban Legend, I have finally ended up with the Leatherman Charge Ti - and it's the best yet. I've been carrying the Charge Ti for a month now, and I'm ready to weigh in:

Hots:
1) Single handed opening blades of excellent quality. I don't know if the "154CM steel" business is marketing hype or not, but the clip point blade is the sharpest most slickly ground blade I've ever seen on a multi-tool. It rivals a high-end pocket knife. The liner lock is easy, secure, and well implemented. The serrated blade on the other side is pretty awesome too.
2) Titanium side pieces are thinner and slicker than the the steel ones on the Wave. Others have derided this as a marketing gimmick, but the thinner profile is appreciated in my book. It helps keep this loaded tool nice and sleek. Compared to the Gerber Urban Legend, this is positively svelt.
3) Diamond file for you nails and aggresively cut file for everything else. Cross hatching goes all the way to the tip. This is the best file I've ever seen on a multi-tool.
4) Awesome saw. Ultrasharp double row dual pitched teeth are virtually the equal of the ones on a victorinox swiss army knife (or swiss tool) (they are a tad shorter) - but exceeds the victorinox's by having the teeth extend all the way to the tip.
5) Both big blades, the file and saw all all openable without opening the tool up (like with the Wave) and all lock with liner lock mechanisms.
6) The pliers are a work of art. Nicely shaped needle nose with aggresive internal teeth that truly mesh for excellent grip. Improved wire cutters are great - but still the weakest link since once they get blunt there's no fixing them.
7) Internal tools all lock with a slick push-button release mechanism. This is especially key for screwdrivers - so that you don't bear down and then have them pinch your fingers when they accidentally close.
8) True micro-sized glasses screwdriver comes in handy for a host of applications. Unlike other implimentations, this one is attached to a beefy piece of steel and locks like all the rest.
9) All tools accessible individually - with normal fingernails.
10) Interchangeable bits on the main screwdriver. While some have questioned the choice of included bits, the expansion kit isn't over expensive and the fact that extra bits are in stored in a plastic tray that is included - and has space provided in the sheath combines to make me say this is the best screwdriver bit arrangement I've yet seen.
11) Combo bottle/can opener. Nicely done - nice to be able to open cans in a pinch. This is omitted by some.
12) Like the Wave, the arrangement of blades opening directly from the outside means that when you open the tool to use the pliers the blade liners make a thick non-pinching handle for you to hold - far preferable to the old-style multi-tool handle where you had to squeeze the thin metal edge of the handle. This is comfortable handle - and it has good useable metric and english style rulers marked out on it to boot. The rulers measure out to 8".

Nots:
1) Scissors isn't as good as the one they used to have on the Wave. It's unusual to see the quality of a component go down in a Leatherman. I wonder what the story is. The scissors is still good (very sharp), but it's very tiny and bit wimpy. Good for small jobs but can't cut anything thick - like plastic clamshell cases or more than 5 sheets of paper at a time easily.
2) As good as the pliers are I miss two features from the Gerber Urban legend: i) interchangeable wire cutter blades. ii) spring loaded jaw opening. I understand that the spring opening plier jaws of the Gerber meant that the pliers didn't open as wide - which compromised them - but it make their use for fine work really nice.
3) Flat screwdriver tool. Instead of the second bit driver of the Xti, the Ti has the scissors and a permanent flat screwdriver tool - a bigger chunkier flat screwdriver than the one on the bit. This is nice - but since there's already a flat screwdriver on the bit tool, there was an opportunity to put another kind of tool here - like an awl. This is a bit of a quibble. I prefer to have a scissors, so I give the nod to the Charge Ti over the Xti.

How would I compare it to the Gerber Urban Legend (big one)? The Charge is a far more refined beast - better engineered and layed out. The Urban Legend is comparitively big and ungainly, with dumb rubber side pieces that fall out after a while and silly tool arrangement that prevents you from opening some tools without opening others to get access. The Urban Legend also has only one blade, which they've opted to make 1/2 serrated and 1/2 (the tip half) straight; clearly a weakness. In practice I didn't mind this blade much, though. The Legend lacks rulers - has a silly arrangement for interchangeable bits (and no case to hold the bits and the knife together). No option for leather case. Inferior file. All that aside, the Urban Legend's spring loaded pliers were really memorable - the best I've yet used, and I miss them. Overall, though, the Leatherman smokes the Legend. I can't comment on how the Charge compares to the new Wave, but compared to all the multi-tools which have gone before, the Charge Ti improves virtually every area in virtually every way. This is a hot multi-tool - highly recommended.

I've had my Wave almost 5 years-it never leaves my side. I bought a Charge so I wouldn't be without while I sent the Wave in for refurb(yes, I wore it out-didn't break,just got loose after years of use). Many of the improvements over the Wave are just what I was looking for, although a detachable diamond file would be nice for emergency blade sharpening in the field. It also would be nice to get the xTi model with the scissors included. By the way, B. Wong, you don't seem understand the design purpose of the Leatherman tools. The Swiss PE323 is a multi-function pocketknife designed primarily for camping and small tasks, not a true multi-tool for heavy everyday use. Over the last 5 years I have used my Wave dozens of times a day for everything, including computer and electronics repair on the job, running fence on my farm, hunting, fire starting and cooking in the field, canoe repair on the river, vehicle and bicycle repair on the road, horse tack repair on the trail, etc. etc. It is almost part of me now, and your PE323 could never match it in utility. I will carry on with my new Charge and do the same tasks with greater ease in the future, while my retired Wave remains as standby. Come to think of it, your review shows that you must buy your tools based on how "gadgety" they are- you obviously don't have the field experience with multitools that the rest of us "biased" reviewers have. Real tools like this are worth the money to people who need them and know how to use them.

Leatherman has always produced a quality product. I have owned a wave since it was introduced. Recently in Iraq my wave and I parted company. Searching the military supply stores I was surprised at the cost of the TI. But, upon searching Amazon I found exactly what I wanted at a much reduced cost. The tool is everthing as advertised. It works wonderfully and is tougher than the Wave. The nylon sheath is sturdy and has the horizontal carry configuration that works with body armor. I also like the addition of the carry clip as now the tool can be carried in a pocket if need be. The additional sockets are well thought out and yes I have already repaired my safety glasses with the small jeweler tool. The locking mechanism is strong and holds the tools in place. The knife is much better than the previous knife blades and easier to grasp and open. The scissors are much tougher and yes they do cut seat belts. Overall another big design score for Leatherman.

I have one of the original leatherman tools, from the 80's when they first came out. I have seen them improve over the years, but this one takes the prize.

First and foremost, the 154CM knife blade is superior to anything in a previous multi-tool, by any manufacturer. It is well designed, and sharp. 154CM is a great steel, so I have no doubt that it will be up to any task that a blade of this size could be expected to handle.

I like the locking components, and the solidity of the pliers. If I had any criticism at all, it would be that the whole thing is a bit heavy, and a bit thick. But I can't see any way to cram that many tools into a smaller package. This is not a tool to be carried in the pocket of flimsy dress pants, or even casuals like Dockers. But in the pocket of a good pair of jeans, or in the sheath, it is a winner.

Leatherman's always made good tools,but there was always something about each of them that I thought could've been done better. With my new Charge Ti,I'm finally satisfied. This is what the Wave should've been.

First,let's look at the blades. The main blade is now 154CM(the American cousin of ATS-34). This means it's made out of proper knife steel. Leatherman claims it'll hold an edge 3 times better than before. From what I've seen with other knives made out of this,I believe them. The serrated blade is still 420,but serrated edges stay sharper longer anyway,so no loss there. Plus the new blades are much smoother and safer. Bronze washers make them slick to open and larger opening holes mean no more slicing your thumb when you're in a hurry. The file and saw are just like the Wave's;they were fine the way they were. I've always liked Leatherman's diamond coat files and the saw's plenty aggressive.

Next is the interior tools. Now they all lock. The Crunch's slick locking mechanism is used,along with individual springs,so no more tool clumping. The plain phillips screwdriver has been replaced with a bit holder so you can extend the usage of your tool without adding an extra part. And you can carry the rest of the bits in a plastic holder in the back of the belt sheath.

The pliers have been redone with beefier pivots and thinner tips. So they are both stronger and more precise. The ruler now runs along the inside edge of the handles allowing you to lay it flat. There are still gaps at the ends and middle,but they're not as pronounced as the old rulers that ran down the handles' spines. They've also added a removable pocket clip,so now you don't need a sheath.

So far my only negatives are with the bits. Instead of standard 1/4" bits,they're using special flat bits. This makes them take up less room in the handles,but means that you can only get them from Leatherman. Not too big of a deal,but there are a couple of extra bits I would've liked added(I ride a Harley and would've put in a T28 and bigger hex). I also miss the reach of the long phillips screwdriver. The bits are a little stubby.

Still,this is the first Leatherman I've owned that's a true 5 star tool. Other than a couple minor points,I can't think of anything I would change. Good on ya,Tim!

One of the best new features is the ease of opening the outside blades. They open smooth as silk, with much less effort required than the Wave. This, combined with the larger thumb holes, means that everyone can now truly open and close the blades with one hand. Another major improvement is that the pliers are obviously beefed up, and will take loads of abuse without shifting off center. In addition, the handles have much less "play" when closed than previous Leatherman models. The only thing I don't like is that there is no good place to store the lanyard loop and belt clip in the pouch; none of the pockets have any type of securing mechanism. Overall, the Charge is a serious step above anything else out there.

ok i have owned a few leatherman in my time. but ever since my trusty pst was taken by airport security a few years back, i have been reluctant to drop 100 bucks on a new one. then one day a few weeks ago i randomly went to the leatherman site to see what was new or different, and behold their was the charge ti! i read all i could find on this little marvel and found mostly positive reviews. i also always wanted a wave, but missed the boat on that one. so i figured since my birthday was only a few short days away, i would buy myself a charge ti!

it arrived in just a few days, and was gorgeous. the blades all locked into place with a crisp snap, and the outside blades are razor sharp. the only gripe i have is that the screwdriver bits lock in rather well, and can be a pain to get out and switch if your fingers are wet or oily. i have to say though that overall its much better than my pst.

i wear and use this little guy almost everyday along with my crunch and the swiss champ. i have a pretty complete toolset between these 3. if you want quality, buy a leatherman!

By definition, a "multi"-tool is a compromise: smaller and lighter at the expense of beefier and tougher, sub-optimized for one usage in order to highlight or favor some other one. Well, Leatherman has once again answered most of the criticisms of its last innovative multi-tool, the Wave, with the new Charge Ti (w/ scissors)/XTi (w/cutting hook). Each tool can be deployed, locked/unlocked and closed individually this time. Extra-large blades (plain and serrated) feature extra-large thumb notches for easier one-handed opening. And exotic materials: use of Titanium handles cuts more than 4 ounces off what the weight would be with all-steel construction, and the elegant brass bushings make all hinges perfectly balanced. It's 154CM-steel main blade is 3 times as hard/sharp & durable as a 420 stainless steel one, and huge for a 4"-long multi-tool. The 8 double-ended bits (incl.) are made of S2 tool steel. Even the end rivets do double-duty, as anchors for the included pop-in/out lanyard/key ring or handy pocket clip, for those who reinforce theirs to hold a 1/2-lb. Suffice to say, I love this thing. Tim Leatherman Rules Tools!

7 years after I bought it, I am placing my review... 7 years of camping, fishing, home improvements, car work, bike work, electrical work, water, sea water, sand, mud, coconuts, fruits, spears, and the list goes on and on and on... BEST TOOL EVER!