One thing you should know about my testing and evaluation process, it does not include an “unboxing” video where I remove a new product from the packaging and proceed to talk about how awesome it is without ever using it. I will only do one of these if it’s a radical new design or concept. With a product like the Leatherman Charge + TTi, there was no earth-shattering change to the design from previous generations. So no “unboxing”, I just removed all of the contents from the packaging, inspected that all items and materials were accounted for, inspected the general fit and finish, found no quality control problems, installed the provided pocket clip and placed the tool directly into service.
(This post may contain affiliate links (paid link). If you buy something through one of those links you will NOT pay more, but we may receive a small commission.)
Fit and Finish
The first thing you notice when you open the box and get the Charge+TTi in your hands is the part smooth, part textured Titanium scales. The smooth center of the scale gives way to the textured edges that provide just the right amount of stickiness without being overly abrasive. Both of the external blades move smoothly with enough resistance to stay shut but glide open with
All of the tools, both external and internal, lock securely into place with zero play in any direction and release easily with the release paddle. If kept clean and free of lint and dirt the internal tools generally open without clumping, but if lint and dirt accumulate, some mild clumping can occur, this is not really a big deal to me but I tend to keep my EDC gear fairly clean.
When the Charge+TTi was new the handles were a little on the stiff side when opening and closing the handles to gain access to the pliers and internal tools but that is to be expected with a tool that was built with very precise and tight tolerances. The plier pivot is also very solid with no play and operates smoothly with only slight effort.
There is only one thing with the Charge+TTI that bothers me when it comes to the fit and finish the pocket clip. Now don’t get me wrong, this is only a very
Size, Weight and
Ergonomics
Considered by Leatherman to be a Full-Size multi-tool, the Charge+TTi is 4 inches long. So why does Leatherman classify the Skeletool (4″ long) as a Pocket Size multi-tool if they are the same length? Well, they look at the overall dimensions including length, width, and weight. The Charge+TTi is much wider than the Skeletool and also weighs 8.89 ounces. At nearly 9 ounces the TTi is one of the heaviest full-size multi-tools made by Leatherman.
For me, the size is not too small and not too big it’s just right. The dimensions when closed offer excellent control when deploying the knife blades and when performing tasks with the blades and tools. When the multi-tool is in the open position the slightly rounded edges of the handle allow you to apply a heavy amount of force to the plier jaws without handle edges cutting into the palm of your hand. Also, the butt of the handle is nicely rounded so when you are holding the handles in less than ideal positions the butt does not stab into the palm of your hand.
For some people, the overall size and weight may be too much to EDC with the pocket clip. I personally don’t have any problems with carrying the Charge+TTi with the pocket clip but then again, I’m a larger guy so I don’t notice a few ounces here or there, plus I don’t wear skinny jeans either. I think that most people could practically integrate the Charge into an average EDC system if you want or need the extra tools and capabilities.
Strength and Durability
One thing that can make or break a multi-tools reputation is the choice of materials. The strength and durability of a tool
MATERIALS: The Charge+TTi contains the best of the best in materials of the Leatherman line up. As with most all of Leatherman’s multi-tools, the core of the Charge is built from high-quality stainless steel. The choice of stainless steel offers a good balance between strength and corrosion resistance.
The handle scales are made of Titanium which is substantially more durable than the aluminum ones on the standard Charge Plus but at a cost in price. For those who plan on using the tool quite a bit, it would be worth the extra cost as Titanium is far superior to aluminum in overall durability.
Another thing that is exclusive to the Charge+TTi is the main blade steel. The serrated blade is made from 420HC stainless steel like all other Leatherman’s but the main blade is made from high-end S30V stainless steel. This is another thing that adds to the extra cost of the Charge+TTi. If you want to know more about the different steels that Leatherman uses click here to check out my article: What Steel Does Leatherman Use?
DESIGN: When it comes to multi-tool designs leatherman has the upper hand. Even more so when looking at the butterfly opening design of multi-tools. The Charge takes its basic design from the ever-popular original Wave. This was a revolutionary new design in the mid-’90s but now is a rock-solid proven design with many years of real-world testing. With this design, you have access to the four main tools without having to open the handles. This is important for those of us who use the knife blade often. The only change that I made was to add a zip tie mod to the main knife blade to assist in easier deployment.
BUILD QUALITY: I truly feel that Leatherman’s overall quality is second to none. If you look at every multi-tool that Leatherman makes, from the Micra to the Charge the only thing that changes is the size and features, the quality stays the same across the board. The Charge+TTi is no different than any other Leatherman, exceptional quality. Leatherman has built their reputation on it.
Tools and Features
When you have a multi-tool of this size you often have a lot of room for tools. So it’s important to pack the most useful tools into a pocket-sized toolbox. The Charge+TTi is a great example of a true general purpose multi-tool that covers as wide of a range of tasks as possible. The toolset within the Charge+ is the same as the Wave+.
New to the Charge is the replaceable wire cutters made from 154CM Stainless Steel. This was a long overdue and much-needed upgrade to the Charge TTi dictating the name change from the Charge TTi to the Charge Plus TTi or Charge+TTi.
Other tools and features that are unique to the Charge+TTi include a crimper on the plier’s jaws, a cutting hook on the serrated knife blade and the main knife blade made from S30V premium stainless steel. The Charge also comes with a bit holder with 6 extra bits for the large bit driver.
Tools and Features
- Standard 2.9″ S30V Stainless Steel Knife
- Serrated 2.9″ Sheepsfoot 420HC Stainless Steel Knife with Cutting Hook
- Needle-nose Pliers
- Regular Pliers
- Replaceable 154CM Wire Cutters
- Replaceable 154CM Hard-Wire Cutters
- Crimper
- Spring Action Scissors
- Saw
- Wood/Metal File
- Diamond-Coated File
- Cutting Hook
- Large Bit Driver with 7 Tool Steel Bits
- Small Bit Driver
- Large Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Wire Stripper
- Can/Bottle Opener
Carry Options
The Charge+ TTi has three ways that it can be carried. First is my preferred method, the pocket clip. When I do carry my Charge I usually have the pocket clip installed and clip it in my front or cargo pocket. The included pocket clip is really nice with smooth rounded edges that do not snag or cause wear on your pocket.
The second carry option is the included sheath. My particular Charge+TTi came with the nylon sheath that included three pockets one for the bit holder and one on each side for add-on accessories like an extended bit driver or small light. The sheath also has a high-quality snap and open bottom for drainage. The belt loop can accommodate up to 1.75″ belts.
Lastly and my least favorite method, the just throw it in your pocket or bag. Depending on your particular EDC system or your particular plan for a larger multi-tool you can use the included lanyard attachment to dummy cord the tool to your bag or kit. One cool thing is that if you do dummy cord it to a bag the lanyard can be quickly released and reattached with the push of a button.
Value
When I talk about value, I think of the amount of time I have traded to purchase a tool, will that tool provide a certain number of years worth of service. With the Charge+TTi the lifetime of service that it will provide is well worth it and if you take care of the Charge it will take care of you.
Like the CHARGE+ TTI click here to check current price on Amazon (paid link)
Parting Words
If you have chosen to go with the Charge+TTi you have chosen wisely. I know that it can seem a little expensive but in the multi-tool industry, you get what you pay for. The Charge+TTi, in my opinion, is one of the best general-purpose multi-tools available today. But if the Charge+TTi isn’t your speed check out my Recommended Tools page: Best of the Best: Top Tier Multi-Tools
