I received a Charge XTi from my girlfriend last year as a present. I was interested in both Charge models, but I was torn on which I wanted more. Ultimately I couldn't decide and told my girlfriend I would be happy with either. I also told her I would be perfectly happy with the Wave, which would've cost her less. The way I see it, the only significant drawback to the XTi is the lack of scissors. Personally I don't see why Leatherman couldn't have made just one model with the best of both. All they had to do was add the crimper and cutting hook to the Ti. It's almost as if they made it difficult on purpose. Anyway, I found a solution for the lack of scissors on the XTi. You can buy small, folding scissors and store them in one of the side pouches. The fit is a little tight; any larger and it would probably be too much. But it works, at least with the leather sheath that I have. I imagine it would work fine with the nylon sheath as well. These scissors are rather easily found, are inexpensive, and I imagine are better than the ones on the Ti (which I admittedly haven't used). You're adding a little more bulk, but I think it's a fair tradeoff to complete the tool. I also think it's a good idea to carry a reversible slotted / phillips pocket clip screwdriver in the other side pocket, for those situations when the stubby drivers get in the way of getting to a recessed screw.

The reason they don't put everything on one is so we'll "buy both".

Has anyone tried the scissors from the Swisscard?

I can get it as a replacement part.
http://www.swissknivesexpress.com/scisforswis3.html

That's rather pessimistic, but probably true. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd like to see LM do something like Gerber and have the "built to your specs" for a Wave or Charge or whatever. I really like the Gerber jig-saw blade option but find the LM screwdriver bit even more useful (as well as the overall design). But it would be great to add/remove specific features.

But there are tradeoffs to any design, but I can't see LM leaving the gap unfilled too long.

They are ok, but I think a better option is to carry a Micra and the non-scissors XTi in tandem. You get a backup knife (and some tools) as well as a VERY nice scissors.

The ones from the cards are difficult to grasp well (very thin) and have very short blades that make cutting anything longer than an inch difficult. They are difficult to gain leverage with and the spring also leaves a little to be desired.

While they aren't my primary EDC or camping knives, I really like my LM Micras for only $20. I have several of them tucked in several places in my house.

I like them so much I have a spare still in the package in the drawer of my desk. I figure in a pinch it serves as a gift for a forgotten special day or if I need to replace one of my carry LM-Micras if they get themselves lost or stolen.

I can't have enough of them! :-)

The XTI is designed for Emergency Personnel, who carry Tuff Cut sissors anyway. That is why no sissors.

I have tried the Swisscard scissors, and the LM Micra also. I was impressed with the Swisscard scissors, but the folding scissors I was referring to are much stronger. I no longer have my Swisscard but I believe they didn't fit well in the side pocket. I should have provided a link the first time. These are what I'm talking about:

http://www.botac.com/folscisslips.html

As for the Micra, I think that's also an excellent choice. Not only for the scissors but for two other implements that the Charge doesn't have: the tweezers and the nail cleaner. I didn't like that the Micra stuck out of the side of the pouch quite a bit, though. Of course you could just put the Micra on your keychain.

Oh, I've used those before and they are quite good (at least the ones I've encountered). The Micra has more tools in about the same form factor though... I still have to go with it if you can fit it in to a pouch, pocket or keychain.