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Leatherman 830685 Charge TTi with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin
The TTi combines the features of the ALX and the AL into a single package (There is one small exception: the ALX is the only Charge to have two large bit drivers.). For example, if youre looking at the ALX or the AL youll have to choose whether you want a cutting hook or scissors, because neither has both (the ALX has a cutting hook while the AL has scissors). If you think you might need a cutting and scissors in the same multitool, then you should strongly consider the TTi. Full TTi specs: Features: Titanium handles (exclusive to TTi). Needlenose pliers. Regular pliers. Wire cutters. Hard-wire cutters. S30V Clip-point knife (exclusive to TTi). Saw. Serrated knife. Wood/metal file. Diamond-coated file. Scissors. Large bit driver. Small bit driver. 9 double-end bits. Ruler (8 inch). Bottle/can opener. Wire stripper. fixed lanyard ring. Quick-release lanyard ring. Removable pocket clip.
Charge's pliers have been redesigned to handle
133% more squeezing load. | | 
Charge's locks are 50% stronger than Leatherman's
original tools. | 
Bronze bushings make the interior tools smooth
and quick to open.
selection to fit any activity and the Charge sheath
allows you to carry the additional bits anywhere you go. | | 
The TTi clip-point blade is crafted from S30V stainless steel, which offers an optimal combination of edge retention, flexibility and hardness. The handle is made from ultra-light, super-strong titanium. | | 
The Leatherman Charge TTi packs a knife blade with one of the longest and strongest cutting edges of any multi-tool on the market today. | | 
The Charge TTi and ALX are the first multitools with a cutting hook that slices through seat belts and linoleum just as easily as leather or canvas | |
When it comes to multitools, there?s one brand that stands out from the rest: Leatherman. The name is synonymous with quality and innovation, and each successive generation of Leatherman tools improves upon the last. Sticking with its tradition of pushing the design envelope, Leatherman introduces the Charge TTi, a high-end, ultra-compact multitool featuring titanium handles. If you?re looking to carry the best of what Leatherman has to offer, the TTi is for you.The Charge Family
The Charge TTi is part of a broader line of Leatherman multitools bearing the Charge name. Originally, the Charge line consisted of the Ti and the XTi, two high-end tools whose major distinguishing characteristic was having handles made from titanium. For 2007, Leatherman has added three new members to the Charge family: the TTi, the ALX, and the AL. As you might expect, the TTi is an upgraded version of the Ti and XTi. The AL and ALX, meanwhile, come with handles made from 6061 T6 aluminum, an ultra-light and super-strong material used in aircraft construction. There are also minor variations among the tools included in each unit. We?ll discuss those shortly. Leatherman has added several key design elements to all of these gorgeous new Charge tools. For instance, the knife blades are bigger and wider to give you more cutting edge. The pliers can withstand 133% higher squeezing load than Leatherman?s original tools, enabling a tighter hold for tough jobs. You?ll never have to worry about the Charge coming unhinged, either, thanks to a 50% increase in lock strength. Multiple bit drivers also are a standard feature, and each tool has bronze bushings at the hinges to make opening components a snap. Titanium vs. Aluminum
You may be asking whether you want to buy titanium or aluminum. Although both offer superior durability and strength, titanium has an edge in both departments. Titanium is also slightly lighter than aluminum, so it would be a good choice if weight is a major concern. However, titanium also costs more, which is something to factor in if saving .2 ounces doesn?t matter. The Charge TTi
The TTi supplants the XTi as Leatherman?s top-of-the-line multitool. Not only is the TTi .10 ounces lighter than the XTi, but it also packs an S30V stainless steel knife that delivers an optimal combination of edge retention, flexibility, and hardness. This is an upgrade from the XTi?s 154CM steel knife, which previously was the highest grade knife you could get from Leatherman (incidentally, Leatherman outfitted the Charge ALX and AL come with 154CM blades, an upgrade from the standard 420 series knife). The TTi also has a crimper and a cutting hook. The crimper is an ideal accessory for anyone working with electrical wires or metals, while the hook is a fantastic addition for those who need to be ready for emergency situations. The TTi combines the features of the ALX and the AL into a single package (There is one small exception: the ALX is the only Charge to have two large bit drivers.). For example, if you?re looking at the ALX or the AL you?ll have to choose whether you want a cutting hook or scissors, because neither has both (the ALX has a cutting hook while the AL has scissors). If you think you might need a cutting and scissors in the same multitool, then you should strongly consider the TTi. Full TTi specs: - Titanium handles (exclusive to TTi)
- Needlenose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Wire cutters
- Hard-wire cutters
- S30V Clip-point knife (exclusive to TTi)
- Saw
- Serrated knife
- Wood/metal file
- Diamond-coated file
- Scissors
- Large bit driver
- Small bit driver
- 9 double-end bits
- Ruler (8 inch)
- Bottle/can opener
- Wire stripper
- fixed lanyard ring
- Quick-release lanyard ring
- Removable pocket clip
All three Charge iterations come with a premium leather or nylon sheath. Both versions will carry the tools in their open or closed position and two side pockets hold your extra necessities?even a mini-flashlight. An inside back pocket holds Charge's included bits and has room for a full Bit Kit (sold separately) giving you up to 42 bits to choose from. Don't want to wear a sheath? Then clip your Charge to your jacket, backpack or car's visor with the removable pocket clip. Or, choose the quick-release lanyard ring. With it, you're able to safely keep the tool on any lanyard and detach it quickly when you need it. What's in the Box
Leatherman Charge TTi multitool, nylon carrying case, 8 double ended drill and screw bits, removable pocket clip, quick-release lanyard ring The Leatherman Story
The Leatherman phenomenon began in 1975 when founder Tim Leatherman embarked on a trip across Europe and the Middle East in a cranky Fiat. Leatherman, an engineer by training, became so fed up with breakdowns and other hassles that he fashioned a prototype of what he called a Pocket Survival Tool out of cardboard. Two years later the first PST was born in his basement, and the rest is history. Today the Leatherman company produces dozens of different multitools, knives, pruners, and accessories, and is recognized across the world for its cutting edge designs and superior quality.
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Leatherman 830685 Charge TTi with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin Reviews
This makes the most frequent tools convenient. I've yet to need the other bits, but YMMV. one of the many others on the market:. The S30V steel blade is one of the highest quality knives out there, and better than most dedicated knives I've used. Even so, my hat is off to them. 4.
Although I think they source parts from all over and assemble in various places (including the U.S)., I'd like to see at least their higher end models being manufactured and assembled locally. I've been carrying a multitool in a sheath (and sometimes clipped in a pocket) for many years now, and I've made it no secret in my other reviews that I've come to appreciate the Leatherman line. 4. But this has great shape, steel, and sharpness. The knife, file, serrated knife/gut hook, and saw are all accessible without opening the pliers. I'm sure anyone could successfully argue that a dedicated tool for each of those jobs would perform better and have more surface area for the job. Not that you would need to get into it often (see number 3 in cons and 8 in pros), but not everyone has secure driver bits handy like I do.
Pros:. It's an improvement over my LM New Wave in many ways, but most especially the much better knife. They could certainly cut off a bit of weight by doing this, but Titanium is expensive, so there would be a tradeoff. The fact that it's part of a multi is significant. 7.
They used secure torx screws to put it together. Over the years, I've carried a Mini-gel pen, arc light (AAA battery), mini sharpie permanent marker, and a tube lighter. All of the tools lock out, and the locks are all solid. In fact, I've used it quite often one handed, opening and closing the pliers as well as most of the tools when the job demanded it. And while I have YET to see anything come loose after near-daily use for 2 years, this was probably a mistake.
Maybe someday they'll have a special edition version. I absolutely never leave home without it unless I have to fly. I don't see why a few couldn't have been. The steel seems to be of good quality all around. Perhaps that decision could be rethought, at least for a more "professional" tool such as this.
But, this is a multitool and I've used every one of these and they did the work I needed, and it's all together. The TTi is a bit misleading here as only the exterior of the handles is Titanium as far as I can tell. Much attention was given to the layout and ease of use. There's a lot of tools here: Crimper, pliers, needle nose, soft/hard wire cutters, wire stripper/bottle & can opener, the Leatherman bit interchangeable screw driver, scissors, mini screw driver (for eye glasses or small electronics), dedicated flat head screw driver, knife, 3-suface (wood, metal, diamond) file, saw (as good as any saw I've used) serrated knife with gut hook, & metric/imperial rulers. The gut-hook works well to cut cordage. I still carry a dedicated knife, but this one is fantastic. 9. Two fit, but I find that carrying one pack of carefully selected bits works very well.
2. The grip is nicely knurled, and I've never felt once that I was going to drop the pliers. It's solid when doing any task and still feels comfortable and "beefy" in your hands. The nylon sheath has room on the sides for a penlight, pen, or other tube-like item. The tools themselves are all well designed and deliver on craftsmanship. 8. Without hesitation, I give this a 5. I couldn't be happier with my selection.
1. The file could have had a release mechanism so it could be used to sharpen the main knife in a pinch. I've loved everything about this gear since I got it. I've even left feedback on design in the past. 3. 2. I understand the need to lower costs to compete, and that's why everything gets outsourced. 6.
The pliers deliver a lot of functionality in one nicely performing package: soft wire cutter, hard wire cutter, standard pliers, crimper, and needle nose pliers. The cons are seriously nitpicking to find flaws. 5. If they had made more of it from Titanium, the cost would be more, but it would have shaved off some of the weight.
1. Not made in the U.S.A. Its definitely not cheap feeling in any way. Pound-for-pound, I've found no other gear that packs so many high quality tools in such a clean and comfortable design. 3.
And the frame itself should have been all Titanium instead of using steel inserts. I think, based on the name, that some of these tools should have been made in titanium. I'm going to break down why you should be buying this tool vs. They all open fairly easily and have all proven very useful in my time with it. It's a near perfect instrument, and for those of us who like to keep a solid multitool handy at all times, this should be the one. There is a slot in the back to put in a set of the Leatherman bits.
About the only thing I've found is that the titanium really didn't decrease the weight much. I have yet to need to return a tool to Leatherman, but from most postings I've read on many sites, they are prompt and courteous when it comes to replacing or repairing their hardware. I would recommend this over every multi-tool I've ever used and owned, from Gerber to SOG to Victorinox. The Leatherman Charge TTi replaced my venerable Leatherman New Wave as my every day carry closing in on two years ago. Many manufacturers skimp on the steel quality when it comes to where it's needed the most: the knife. Cons:.
Most multis come with cheap steel knives and they aren't exactly bragging about it. There's also a permanent lanyard ring (though you have to take apart the handles to release it) but the quick-release lanyard ring that comes with it may prove more useful.
The pliers jaws do not lock onto the handles, so once you close the jaws and try to open them again the handles pivot but the jaws stay closed because the handle hinges are looser than the hinge of the jaws. Very irritating. I love everything about this knife except the pliers. Gerber has a better design. What's worse is that the handle hinge has a tamper proof screw so it can not be adjusted with out sending it back to the factory. Consequently the pliers jaws do not open by opening the handles and one must use both hands to pull the jaws open.
If you are considering a multitool, the titanium handles and the s30v blade make this a great choice. This is a great multitool for sure. I can think of no negative things to say about it. The rounded titanium handles feel great in the hand and the pivot and lock up of the tools is rock solid. The feel and build quality is top notch.
These are very respectable tools in their own right and the SOG in particular seems a little better than the L-Man Charge TTi in a couple of respects (see the upcoming review). And compared to the Wave the Charge TTi has a better look and feel to it. I believe this is possible because of the fact they are accessed from the outside. The L-Man Charge is NOT the largest multi-tool I own but its two cutting blades (my others have just one) saw and file ARE the largest featured on any of them (no longer true, as I now have a Swisstool X). Here there can be a big difference. The quality of these particular items - blades, files and saw - seem to me to be the things that set one multi-tool apart from the other. But it is not so with cutting blades, saws and files. Most other companies - even the good ones - don't even publish what they are building their tools from.
And if I could only keep one, this would be it. And using a sheath doesn't work well for me since I wear sweats a lot. But on balance I feel that the Charge TTi is the best tool I own and the only one I would rate as high as a 5. The saw cuts as effectively as any I have used with very little clogging or sticking. The quality and design of one screwdriver bit or can opener is pretty much the same as that of another. The "pocket" clip is therefore a definite bonus, allowing me to tuck the Charge TTi in my waistband where I hardly notice it. Their size need not be limited to make room for the pliers to fold into the handles as with tools whose blades are all accessed from inside.
There are extra niceties. These basic design features are maintained in the Charge TTi. These components also featured high quality cross-locks similar to the ones on a lot of premium pocket knives. The "inside" tools on the Charge TTi now have a very smooth and solid locking mechanism which was lacking on the original Wave. This is a definite improvement. Post Script: See my other reviews for a head to head comparison between the TTi and Victorinox's excellent Swisstool X. At nearly 9 oz, the Charge TTi is (to my tastes) "slightly too big for comfy pocket carry".
The saw, file and the blades are not only larger but also of very good quality. I loved the convenience of having the blades, saw & file open from the outside. There is a serrated sheepsfoot blade with an integral cutting hook (very useful) and best of all the main, straight-edged blade is of premium S30V steel.
In addition to the original L-man Wave tool, I have used a Gerber Compact Sport 400 (smaller, lighter) and an SOG Powerlock S63 EOD (larger, heavier). The built-in lanyard attachment is nice, too, and an improvement on the Wave's. One side of the file is diamond coated, making it more versatile.
I was a big fan of the L-Man Wave and carried one for several years. And the good multi-tools all have "decent" pliers. I get the feeling there is a lot of 440a (or lesser steel) out there.
(I don't like accidentally dropping and losing my expensive tools - so a good lanyard attachment is a must for me). If you know knives you know this is top quality stuff (and not cheap).
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