#35765 - 12/28/04 06:47 PM
Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Old Hand
Registered: 04/16/03
Posts: 1076
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Anybody got field reports on the Leatherman Charge Ti? Used the heck out of my old Wave over Christmas, doing some impromtu fix-it work at my inlaw's place. More than once I wished for all-locking tools on the Leatherman, and began dreaming of the Charge.
Any feedback from you guys on the Charge? Thanks!
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#35766 - 12/28/04 07:20 PM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 835
Loc: Maple Grove, MN
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I don't have a lot of mileage on mine, and I haven't had a multi-tool before, but I like it a lot. The only thing that would make me like it more is more selection of bits, specifically torx bits.
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- Benton
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#35767 - 12/29/04 01:13 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Despite having Titanium components (hence the Ti abbrevation), it's still quite heavy in my opinion. Granted it DOES have a lot of tools I can't say I like the weight of it all.
But then again aren't most mutli-tools heavy to start with?
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#35769 - 12/29/04 01:55 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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My wave is still kicking out the jams, use it regularly and it saves me beaucoup hassle.
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#35771 - 12/29/04 03:27 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 835
Loc: Maple Grove, MN
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Paul810,
Thanks, when I first got mine the manual talked about a bit kit, but the only one I could find at the time looked like it was just a replacement of the bits it came with. I just did a search, and this has two inserts, for a total of 21 bits, or 42 tools! Now I'm happy.
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- Benton
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#35773 - 12/29/04 03:49 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Old Hand
Registered: 08/28/04
Posts: 835
Loc: Maple Grove, MN
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Yep. But no Torx-5. Also, none of the "security" bitz, like the torx with a pin in the middle or the triangular ones that hold the gameboy together, but that's to be expected.
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- Benton
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#35776 - 12/29/04 06:34 PM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Pooh-Bah
Registered: 04/08/02
Posts: 1821
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doug, any chance that you have reviewed the other new leathermen tools aswell? I'm at the moment searching for lighter tool than my swisstool. Since i lost my only one hand openable folder i own, i need to order a new one, but wenn i order from there i might aswell order a new tools aswell to save some S&H.
I'm looking at the LM Blast, the Ti and XTi looks fine, but i really don't use bits that often and i really don't use knifes on multitools. Carried one always with a multitool ( untill i lost it yesterday... ) So the Blast looks like it going to fit the bill for me, but the LM pulse also looks very nice and are at the moment very reasonable priced.
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#35778 - 12/30/04 01:37 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2210
Loc: NE Wisconsin
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I have a Charge Ti and like it a lot. As mentioned earlier, it was a lot heavier than I thought it would be, but considering the content, I guess I understand.
I really like how the two main blades open - smooth and easy to find without looking.
Just to make sure it is understood (and this is mentioned in Doug's earlier review of these new multitools), the new 2004 Wave is exactly like the Charge Ti, EXCEPT that it has a staninless steel "handle", and a non-154 CM blade.
It doesn't seem to come with the removable pocket clip & lanyeard ring. For those who like pocket clips, the Charge's clip is pretty cool and truly easy to put on and take off (though secure when on - it uses the same locking device as the tools). I assume though that these removable accesories can be purchased separately and will fit the Wave '04. Can anyone confirm that?
A concern that I've heard voiced by some is the suseptability of the driver bits to rust in moist conditions.
One last thought, when I bought mine, I originally purchased it with the leather sheath ... and didn't really like it. So, I purchased the nylon case and find I like that one a lot better.
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#35779 - 12/30/04 03:58 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Veteran
Registered: 03/02/03
Posts: 1428
Loc: NJ, USA
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I wrote up a comparison between the charge ti and swiss tool for another forum, so I thought I would share it. After hearing a lot of opinions on both I decided to sit down with a notebook, a pen, a caliper, both tools, a can, and a wood block. I compared the features of both and ended up with five written pages of observations and comparisons. Here is what I observed: ("L" refers to the Charge, "S" refers to the Swiss tool)
Weight: S: Feels slightly heavier Weight feels very close.
Size: S: Longer (Taller), Wider L: Thicker
Handles: L: More Grip, Feels more positive S: More flex when squeezed together L: More flex when side scales squeezed together L: Wider, Thicker S: Longer S: Steel handle scales L: Titanium handle scales
Opening of handles: S: Harder to open S: Difficult to open and close one handed without assist of leg, side, ect. S: One stop while opening (90*) L: Can be opened and closed one handed L: One stop while opening (greater then 90*) L: Has kind of a V opening channel to keep pivots from becoming loose. (No more butterfly knife tricks)
Pliers: S: Held into handles by pins (non adjustable) S: Regular nose style S: More steel around pivot pin at bottom/top S: Large teeth grip better S: Thicker at base S: Better grip at tip L: Held into handles by pivot screws (non user adjustable) L: Needle nose style L: Bigger Pivot pin L: More steel around pivot pin on sides L: Larger wire cutter L: Spot to cut thicker wire without damage L: Small teeth grip better L: Wider at base L: Opens wider L: More small teeth in contact with object being gripped
Ruler: S: Longer S: Holding pliers head closed keeps it from folding L: Used to aid in handle grip L: Designed to not fold when pushed against object being measured Both accurate
Carry options: L: Pocket clip* (easily removable), Sheath, in pocket, and Lanyard (both built in hole and removable hole, paracord fits) S: Sheath, In pocket Both fit well in jeans watch pocket *Pocket clip has a side to side movement of about 3 mm
Tool locks: S: Near impossible to open tools one handed S: Dead bolt style lock (similar to axis it seems) with back spring like a slipjoint to create a stop/snap open S: Very difficult to identify tools blind L: four main tools use liner lock, aux. tools use a lever style lock L: Difficult to open inner tools one handed L: Tools can be identified blind L: Lock spring looks like it will last longer (comparing L: Lever lock to S: sliding lock) L: Easier to work one handed (comparing L: Lever lock to S: sliding lock) L: More thumb purchase (comparing L: Lever lock to S: sliding lock) L: More thumb grip (comparing L: Lever lock to S: sliding lock) Both locks can be worked one handed (comparing L: Lever lock to S: sliding lock) L: Definite advantage with the liner lock (on 4 main tools) L: Tools on average lock up tighter (especially tools using liner lock)
Tool/Implement selection (L): 1. Can opener 2. Wire stripper (triangle style) (on can opener) 3. Large Bit driver (with spring to hold bit in) 4. Large/Medium-Large screwdriver 5. very small screwdrivers in small bit driver (both standard and philips) (held in by compression) 6. Scissors 7. Build in lanyard hole 8. Knife (one handed opening) (clip point) 9. File (crosscut on one side) (diamond dust on other) (hacksaw part) 10. Serrated blade (one handed opening) (no stabbing point, but not completely blunt) 11. Opposing teeth saw (angled teeth)
Tool/Implement selection (S): 1. Regular SAK style blade 2. very large screwdriver 3. Wood Chisel 4. Wire stripper (Triangle and round) (on chisel) 5. Bottle opener 6. Medium screwdriver (on bottle opener) 7. Can opener (with small screwdriver) 8. Opposing teeth saw (straight teeth) 9. Full Serrated SAK style blade 10. awl 11. philips screwdriver 12. file (crosscut style on both sides) (hacksaw teeth)
Tool/Implement observations: S: Most tools are too polished to get a good grip S: File hacksaw teeth farther apart S: File thinner S: saw cuts equally on push and pull S: saw thicker S: no real lanyard hole S: corkscrew attachment available S: longer screwdrivers on average S: 440A steel or its equal used throughout L: Bits in large driver get an excellent grip (the allen bits are some of the best I ever used) L: Better can opener, the S's can opener would not work on a few cans L: Scissors can slip off spring of cutting under certain side pressure L: File hacksaw teeth closer together L: File Thicker L: Less file flex L: Saw works faster L: saw cuts more on pull then on push L: saw thinner L: tiny screwdriver gets stuck if pushed to hard while using philips side L: no real awl L: short screwdrivers L: 400 series stainless steel, 154cm steel main blade, S2 steel bits L: bronze bushings on 4 main tools L: When the pliers are open the main blade and serrated blade are locked closed (nice touch) Both have optional bit drivers
Final observations/comments/opinions: For my uses I prefer the Leatherman Charge Ti, and see it as the better tool. I find it easier to carry, the one handed opening blade of 154cm held by a liner lock means I can carry it as my only folding knife and feel comfortable, the ability to open things one handed I find very important, the needle nose is a must, and the lanyard hole is a must. The ability to change to allen bits and torx (which I use often) is a big plus. However, the two big things I like about the Swisstool are the longer screwdrivers and the awl.
For me the swiss tool is too polished, the polished outside is annoying because it shows scratches like crazy and I constantly find myself wiping fingerprints off (Not really important, but it is annoying). The polished screwdrivers slip easily, which is very annoying (and could be dangerous). The lack of a real lanyard hole is very sad too, I find a lanyard to be extremely useful working up high or out in the woods.
One thing people often say about the Swiss tool vs. charge is the selection of tools, while the Swiss tool has more the only tool the Swisstool has that the charge doesn't that I find useful is the awl. The chisel and bottle opener (especially when there is already a can opener) I don't really find that useful for the amount of space they take up. I think the charge makes better use of space. If Victorinox would trade the chisel and bottle opener for scissors it would have probably the best selection of tools out there. As it is now I see it as being better then the Supertool 200, but not as good as the Charge.
Well, those are my observations and opinions. My only qualifications are I am user and collector of multitools (owning roughly 30). Therefore, take what I have written for as much as you think it is worth.
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#35780 - 12/30/04 04:05 AM
Re: Any feedback on the Leatherman "Charge Ti"?
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Registered: 08/16/03
Posts: 11
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Been following the Forum on and off for the past couple of years.
I bought the new SwissTool Spirit. It's worthwhile checking out if you favor SwissTool over Leatherman. One shortcoming of the TiCharge is the length of the Phillips bit: the Wave and SwissTool have dedicated longer Phillips screwdrivers, which are great for opening cabinets with recessed screws. All of the Juice offerings were not useful to me precisely because Phillips was too short. Unfortunately, the TiCharge and New Wave also give up that advantage.
I'll also join in the criticism that the TiCharge has simply become too hefty and cumbersome for a useful multi-tool.
Now, I know Doug will likely criticize the SwissTool Spirit because of its lame cutting tool. But I cannot imagine carrying the multi-tool and not also having a separate folding utility knife.
A happy and healthy New Year to all!
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