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Colibri Carving Tools - Leatherman 830685 Charge TTi with Nylon Sheath and Gift Tin
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List Price: $160.00
Our Price: Too low to display
Availability: N/A
Manufacturer: Leatherman
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Tools & Hardware
Brand: Leatherman
EAN: 0037447225437
Feature: TTI clip-point blade is crafted from S30V stainless steel for optimal edge retention, flexibility, and hardness
Label: Leatherman
Manufacturer: Leatherman
Model: 830685
Publisher: Leatherman
Studio: Leatherman
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Features
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TTI clip-point blade is crafted from S30V stainless steel for optimal edge retention, flexibility, and hardness
Lightweight corrosion resistant TTI handles made from premium alloyed titanium
Cutting hook slices through seat belts and linoleum just as easily as leather or canvas
Multiple bit drivers let you customize your bit selection to fit any activity
All-locking blades are easy to use and over 50% stronger that our orginal locks; 25-year warranty
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Editorial Reviews:
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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.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Unparalleled - as close to perfect as I've found for a multitool.
Comment: The Leatherman Charge TTi replaced my venerable Leatherman New Wave as my every day carry closing in on two years ago. I've loved everything about this gear since I got it. About the only thing I've found is that the titanium really didn't decrease the weight much. 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. 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. I'm going to break down why you should be buying this tool vs. one of the many others on the market:
Pros:
1. Pound-for-pound, I've found no other gear that packs so many high quality tools in such a clean and comfortable design. Much attention was given to the layout and ease of use. It's solid when doing any task and still feels comfortable and "beefy" in your hands. Its definitely not cheap feeling in any way.
2. The S30V steel blade is one of the highest quality knives out there, and better than most dedicated knives I've used. Many manufacturers skimp on the steel quality when it comes to where it's needed the most: the knife. But this has great shape, steel, and sharpness.
3. 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. 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. 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.
4. All of the tools lock out, and the locks are all solid.
5. The knife, file, serrated knife/gut hook, and saw are all accessible without opening the pliers. This makes the most frequent tools convenient.
6. The grip is nicely knurled, and I've never felt once that I was going to drop the pliers. 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.
7. The tools themselves are all well designed and deliver on craftsmanship. The steel seems to be of good quality all around.
8. 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. They all open fairly easily and have all proven very useful in my time with it. The gut-hook works well to cut cordage. 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.
9. The nylon sheath has room on the sides for a penlight, pen, or other tube-like item. Over the years, I've carried a Mini-gel pen, arc light (AAA battery), mini sharpie permanent marker, and a tube lighter. There is a slot in the back to put in a set of the Leatherman bits. Two fit, but I find that carrying one pack of carefully selected bits works very well. I've yet to need the other bits, but YMMV.
Cons:
1. Not made in the U.S.A. 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.
2. I think, based on the name, that some of these tools should have been made in titanium. I don't see why a few couldn't have been. And the frame itself should have been all Titanium instead of using steel inserts. The TTi is a bit misleading here as only the exterior of the handles is Titanium as far as I can tell. They could certainly cut off a bit of weight by doing this, but Titanium is expensive, so there would be a tradeoff. Maybe someday they'll have a special edition version.
3. The file could have had a release mechanism so it could be used to sharpen the main knife in a pinch.
4. They used secure torx screws to put it together. And while I have YET to see anything come loose after near-daily use for 2 years, this was probably a mistake. 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.
I couldn't be happier with my selection. It's an improvement over my LM New Wave in many ways, but most especially the much better knife. I still carry a dedicated knife, but this one is fantastic. The fact that it's part of a multi is significant. Most multis come with cheap steel knives and they aren't exactly bragging about it. If they had made more of it from Titanium, the cost would be more, but it would have shaved off some of the weight.
Without hesitation, I give this a 5. The cons are seriously nitpicking to find flaws. 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've even left feedback on design in the past. I understand the need to lower costs to compete, and that's why everything gets outsourced. Perhaps that decision could be rethought, at least for a more "professional" tool such as this. Even so, my hat is off to them. I absolutely never leave home without it unless I have to fly. I would recommend this over every multi-tool I've ever used and owned, from Gerber to SOG to Victorinox.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good not Great
Comment: I love everything about this knife except the pliers. 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. Consequently the pliers jaws do not open by opening the handles and one must use both hands to pull the jaws open. Very irritating. 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. Gerber has a better design.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great multitool!
Comment: This is a great multitool for sure! I can think of no negative things to say about it.
The feel and build quality is top notch. The rounded titanium handles feel great in the hand and the pivot and lock up of the tools is rock solid.
If you are considering a multitool, the titanium handles and the s30v blade make this a great choice!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good tool but still has room for improvement
Comment: I've had a number of multi tools over the years and the Leatherman Charge TTi is the best one I've ever used. One area that I would like to see improved is the quality of Philip screw bit. It's nice to have a replaceable bit but after only using it for a week it looks like it won't last. It's also on the expensive side compared with other similar tools.
Customer Rating:
Summary: In some respects, in a class by itself
Comment: I was a big fan of the L-Man Wave and carried one for several years. I loved the convenience of having the blades, saw & file open from the outside. These components also featured high quality cross-locks similar to the ones on a lot of premium pocket knives. These basic design features are maintained in the Charge TTi.
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. The quality and design of one screwdriver bit or can opener is pretty much the same as that of another. And the good multi-tools all have "decent" pliers. But it is not so with cutting blades, saws and files. Here there can be a big difference.
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). I believe this is possible because of the fact they are accessed from the outside. 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.
The saw, file and the blades are not only larger but also of very good quality. The saw cuts as effectively as any I have used with very little clogging or sticking. One side of the file is diamond coated, making it more versatile. 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. If you know knives you know this is top quality stuff (and not cheap). Most other companies - even the good ones - don't even publish what they are building their tools from. I get the feeling there is a lot of 440a (or lesser steel) out there.
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. And compared to the Wave the Charge TTi has a better look and feel to it.
There are extra niceties. At nearly 9 oz, the Charge TTi is (to my tastes) "slightly too big for comfy pocket carry". And using a sheath doesn't work well for me since I wear sweats a lot. The "pocket" clip is therefore a definite bonus, allowing me to tuck the Charge TTi in my waistband where I hardly notice it. The built-in lanyard attachment is nice, too, and an improvement on the Wave's. (I don't like accidentally dropping and losing my expensive tools - so a good lanyard attachment is a must for me.)
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). 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). 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. And if I could only keep one, this would be it.
Post Script: See my other reviews for a head to head comparison between the TTi and Victorinox's excellent Swisstool X.
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