Leatherman Charge

Leatherman has a range of multitools leading their full-size models known as the Leatherman Charge. They come in three slightly different guises known as the AL, ALX and the flagship Charge TTi.

I've owned my Leatherman Charge TTi for about 4 years and it has rescued me from trouble numerous times. This Leatherman multitool is a real workhorse it's packed full of features and sets the bar for other manufactures. I chose the Charge TTi because as it is the top of the range pocket tool from Leatherman it's loaded with the most features out of all Leatherman multi tools. The Charge has outside-opening blades for quick and easy one-handed access and all tools are locking for added safety. Locks are easy to use and are over 50% stronger than original Leatherman locks. The Charge includes a removable pocket clip and also includes the option for a Leather or Nylon sheath. As we have come accustomed to, Leatherman includes a 25-YEAR WARRANTY.

The new Charge jaw design includes wire cutters with 58% more cutting area than before. Charge wire cutters can consecutively cut 12-penny nails and still cut the finest monofilament. Charge pliers were redesigned to withstand 133% more squeezing load. Charge TTi has a blast cap crimper built into the pliers. The Charge plier jaws are ground to perfection and tempered to a Rockwell hardness of between 49-53 on a C scale.

The three models of the Leatherman range of Charge are very similar, except for a few subtle differences. Leatherman TTi are crafted from stainless steel with premium titanium handles whereas Leatherman AL and Leatherman ALX likewise made from stainless steel but have adopted 6061-T6 hard-anodised aluminium handles finished in black. Leatherman ALX is available in black oxide. It has to be said I didn't buy the Leatherman TTi for looks, if you're after a museum masterpiece perhaps consider the Leatherman Skeletool. My requirements were for functionality over aesthetics although I like the look of the Leatherman TTi with titanium handles it looks strong and menacing. Leatherman Charge multitools are built as rugged as they look and the quality of construction sets a standard so high that it'll probably out live other brands. The Leatherman Charge is very sturdy, if you're looking for a tool to chuck in the toolbox without fear of damage this is a good choice. Leatherman Charge components are cut from high-grade stainless steel and cleaned up by running over a rock shaker to remove unwanted burrs. Any flaw in the Leatherman Charge finish bigger than a grain of salt means it fails Leatherman's precise standards. Leatherman Charge are truly an engineering marvel of fine craftsmanship.

Whilst we're discussing materials all three Charge include 420HC Sheepsfoot Serrated Knifes and where the Leatherman Charge TTi and Leatherman Charge ALX benefit over the Leatherman Charge AL is the inclusion of a Cutting Hook at the tip. As a safety tool, it's perfect for cutting without risking damaging items below the target, such as parcel tape on packages or seat belts in a car accident. I find the Leatherman Charge TTi & ALX Cutting Hook very useful, the blade is locked, the target material is guided by the hook onto the cutting edge so it's safe to recklessly slice, a great feature of the Leatherman Charge TTi and Leatherman Charge ALX!

Further to the materials used in constructing the Charge range, the Stainless Steel Clip Point Knife of the Leatherman ALX and Charge AL are manufactured using 154CM stainless steel whereas the Leatherman Charge TTi boasts S30V© which is far superior for maintaining sharpness. Indeed my Charge TTi hasn't been sharpened and still it hasn't lost any sharpness in 4 years! The Leatherman Charge TTi S30V© is heat treated for hardness. Knives on all the Charges are substantial, useable blades measuring 2.9" (7.37cm). Access to the full cutting blade is ensured with the Leatherman Charge's as the blade opens from the outside of the multitool. This is an important point that the Charge overcomes as some other multitool blades open from inside the tool, one has difficulty with blade edge nearest the handle fouling the target to be cut.

The Charge TTi has a fixed large flat screwdriver plus 2 bit electric car, 1 large, 1 small allowing you to pull out the driver, rotate or replace with a different bit, this gives you full customisation. The Charge bits are made from S2 Tool Steel making them 35% stronger than stainless and engineered to Leatherman's exacting standards. The Charge screwdrivers are ground to perfection and tempered to a Rockwell hardness of between 49-53 on a C scale and checked with laser micrometer to guarantee ANSI standards of strength and dimensions. The Charge bits are zinc coated for extra corrosion resistance. The Leatherman Charge TTi includes the following bits: Phillips and Flat Tip Eyeglasses Screwdriver Bit, Hex 5/32, Hex 1/16" and.050, Square Drive #2 and #3, Screwdriver 1/8" and Torx #15, Philips #1-2 and Screwdriver 3/16".

Charge ALX has in my opinion a better combination of screwdrivers, rather than the fixed large flat screwdriver it has an extra large universal bit driver. In total the Leatherman Charge ALX has 2 large universal bit drivers and 1 small bit driver. The Leatherman Charge ALX includes the following bits: Phillips and Flat Tip Eyeglasses Screwdriver Bit, Hex 5/32" and 9/64" Bit, Hex 1/8" and 7/64" Bit, Hex 3/32" and 5/64" Bit, Hex 1/16" a.

The Charge AL has the same combination as the Charge TTi and includes the following bits: Phillips and Flat Tip Eyeglasses Screwdriver Bit, Hex 5/32" and 9/64" Bit, Hex 1/8" and 7/64" Bit, Hex 3/32" and 5/64" Bit, Hex 1/16" a. Although this may lead you to think that the Charge ALX is the multitool to choose, it's worth noting that the Leatherman ALX is the only one of the three which doesn't include scissors.

To summarise, carrying the Leatherman Charge multitool you will be very happy, it has the strength to last a life time or two and the features meet the demands of even the professionals. Which particular version of the Charge you choose will be very much a personal decision but having put into perspective the differences I hope this article has helped you.