It's really a pleasure for me to write about a product that I truly love and fully endorse without hesitation. I cannot say enough superlative things about the Leatherman Charge TTi and the Leatherman Corporation. To me, it is American ingenuity at it's best and truly a model for how small corporations should be run if you want to succeed. My sterling relationship with Leatherman goes back to the early 80s when I first saw these unique folding compact multi-tools, ingeniously built around a pair of pliers. I was among the first to buy one and actually test them out in the field. The first version decidedly had a few "bugs" to work out, as I immediately damaged some of the tools under hard use, but that was ok. Leatherman true to their word, either repaired or sent me a new tool to replace it, no questions asked! This was just fantastic for a new soldier, who used and abused such pocket tools for things it was probably never intended, prying open stuck doors, hammering nails for booby traps, punching holes through metal, and even throwing it. The second significant thing about the Leatherman Corporation is that it actually listens to it's customer's feedback, the end users out in the field. We could write in to Leatherman and suggest improvements to the design, or give "wishlists" of certain tools we wanted added or removed. And Lo! Leatherman would actually respond. We got beefier pliers, matte finishes so it didn't shine in the sun, handy mini-scissors, specialized EOD det crimper, the return of ruler, etc, etc. As Leathermans evolved, I avidly gobbled up the new versions, so I think I've owned as many as 8 in my lifetime. I still retain 4, my 4 faves.
The Leatherman Charge TTi is one of those responses (to "wishes" posted on their forum). I like to say that I had a hand in designing it, because they implemented all of my best suggestions in this one unit. It's the best of all the multi-tools if you compare features. In this world of a hundred different knockoffs and competitors, many of which are great in their own right, this is an awfully bold statement.
It is basically a "New" Wave with Titanium scales. It now has the popular serrated blade with the hook (useful for cutting straps quickly, or gutting), as well as the very sharp regular blade. Both main blades are smoothly one-hand opening and locking. There is still the saw and the file. It has the one large bit socket which can be adapted with double ended bits to like 20 different driver heads and instead of the redundant 2nd bit socket (like on the XTi), the very functional and useful scissors are back. The small bit socket fits the micro-screwdriver heads. The decent can opener and a medium flat head screwdriver are also still there. ALL the tools on the Leatherman TTi lock into place, unlike earlier models or off brand copycat multitools. Another favourite golden oldie to return is the metric and SAE "ruler" along the edge of the tool, which is usually my readily available measuring device and great for giving close-up photos of small specimens "scale". The needle nose pliers are a serious pro-grade tool, with that oval cam for improved leverage, and the wire cutters at the apex. It now includes the crimper (ostensibly desireable for EOD work). The handles with Titanium scales are very comfortable with beveled edges and rounded end caps. In it's current configuration, it is simply the perfect combination of REAL tools, but then they added the wonderous super-metal, Titanium! Why? probably for weight savings, but more likely just to show off... LOL. Titanium is stronger than steel, but is as light as Aluminum. It's incredibly heat resistant (used in everything from space capsules to hyper-sonic aircraft). It is non-magnetic and it does not corrode (like in seawater). The Aluminum scales version is probably just as effective in practical use, but the Titanium scales version was brought back by popular demand (for those that don't mind the extra expense for the ultimate in quality).
This probably does not mean much to most people, but Leatherman is an American product, made by an American company out of American materials. Unlike Gerber, Victorinox, and SOG, which are Leatherman's top competitors who manufacture overseas. Yes, Gerber, despite the fine name and past reputation is manufactured in China (cheaply, I might add). And let me say this again in case you did not catch it, Leatherman is backed by a LIFETIME no questions asked replacement/repair guarantee. Talk about "value added". For what you get, I think that Leatherman's are very fairly priced.
Multi-tools, being as useful as they are, are just ubiquitous in the military. I'm really surprised that the Pentagon does not just make Leatherman Waves standard issue to every member of the Armed Forces. Make it the official "American Army knife".
The Leatherman Charge TTi is one of those responses (to "wishes" posted on their forum). I like to say that I had a hand in designing it, because they implemented all of my best suggestions in this one unit. It's the best of all the multi-tools if you compare features. In this world of a hundred different knockoffs and competitors, many of which are great in their own right, this is an awfully bold statement.
It is basically a "New" Wave with Titanium scales. It now has the popular serrated blade with the hook (useful for cutting straps quickly, or gutting), as well as the very sharp regular blade. Both main blades are smoothly one-hand opening and locking. There is still the saw and the file. It has the one large bit socket which can be adapted with double ended bits to like 20 different driver heads and instead of the redundant 2nd bit socket (like on the XTi), the very functional and useful scissors are back. The small bit socket fits the micro-screwdriver heads. The decent can opener and a medium flat head screwdriver are also still there. ALL the tools on the Leatherman TTi lock into place, unlike earlier models or off brand copycat multitools. Another favourite golden oldie to return is the metric and SAE "ruler" along the edge of the tool, which is usually my readily available measuring device and great for giving close-up photos of small specimens "scale". The needle nose pliers are a serious pro-grade tool, with that oval cam for improved leverage, and the wire cutters at the apex. It now includes the crimper (ostensibly desireable for EOD work). The handles with Titanium scales are very comfortable with beveled edges and rounded end caps. In it's current configuration, it is simply the perfect combination of REAL tools, but then they added the wonderous super-metal, Titanium! Why? probably for weight savings, but more likely just to show off... LOL. Titanium is stronger than steel, but is as light as Aluminum. It's incredibly heat resistant (used in everything from space capsules to hyper-sonic aircraft). It is non-magnetic and it does not corrode (like in seawater). The Aluminum scales version is probably just as effective in practical use, but the Titanium scales version was brought back by popular demand (for those that don't mind the extra expense for the ultimate in quality).
This probably does not mean much to most people, but Leatherman is an American product, made by an American company out of American materials. Unlike Gerber, Victorinox, and SOG, which are Leatherman's top competitors who manufacture overseas. Yes, Gerber, despite the fine name and past reputation is manufactured in China (cheaply, I might add). And let me say this again in case you did not catch it, Leatherman is backed by a LIFETIME no questions asked replacement/repair guarantee. Talk about "value added". For what you get, I think that Leatherman's are very fairly priced.
Multi-tools, being as useful as they are, are just ubiquitous in the military. I'm really surprised that the Pentagon does not just make Leatherman Waves standard issue to every member of the Armed Forces. Make it the official "American Army knife".
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