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Leatherman Charge
The Leatherman Charge is the tool you take with you to a desert island. That’s the claim Leatherman makes about the Charge line of multitools.
Very few people will probably argue against this claim; the Charge is exquisitely crafted, precision-engineered and choc-full of the tools that have made the Leatherman brand synonymous with quality and reliability.
There are actually three varieties in the Leatherman’s Charge line. Charge AL is the entry level model that nevertheless pushes the envelope for multitools. Charge ALX is its bigger, heftier brother. The Charge TTi combines the Charge AL and Charge ALX into one power packed bundle.
All the Charge models feature four exterior blades that can be opened while the tool itself is closed. There are two knife blades, a straight blade with a smooth edge and a serrated blade. Both blades can be opened with one hand by placing the thumb on the thumb hole at the base of the blade and rotating it until it is fully extended and locked into place. Both knives can only be used when the tool is closed. The two other tools are a saw and a file. All the external tools lock into place and can be retracted by pressing on the corresponding lock mechanism indicated by a padlock symbol.
The Charge AL integrates 17 tools and 8 bit heads. The interior tools can be accessed only when the tool itself is opened, and are brought out of the frame by gripping on the corresponding handle and rotating the tool outward until they lock in place. The interior tools are released by pressing the lock button at the back of the handle and carefully rotating the tool back into the handle. The Leatherman Charge AL features a tough stainless steel body with anodized aluminum handle scales.
The Leatherman Charge ALX features 18 tools and 9 bit heads. The most notable difference from the Charge AL is the replacement of the AL's scissors with a mean looking cutting hook on the serrated blade that can rip through seatbelts, linoleum and leather without breaking a sweat! The Charge ALX is also crafted from stainless steel with anodized aluminum handle scales, and a black oxide version is also available.
The Charge TTi combines all the best and most ruggedly reliable features of the first two but ups the ante by replacing the 154 cm straightedge knife used in the AL and ALX with a S30V stainless steel clip point knife. The TTi also comes with comfort-sculpted Titanium handle scales that make this multi-tool a joy to grip and use.
All three models are expertly engineered. Using the bit driver tool on any of these fine multitools, for example, lets you reconfigure the Charge so that it provides the maximum grip and leverage of a heavy duty screwdriver. Users swear that the black anodized grips and the Titanium grips are the best of any Leatherman multitool. And as with all other Leatherman products the Charge comes with a 25 year warranty against defects in material or workmanship.
What others have said about The Leatherman Charge:
The first multi-tool I owned was a Leatherman Charge. I carried it around for aproximately 3 years. A month ago I was using the flat head screw driver as a pry bar and it bent. I returned it to Leatherman and it was back on my doorstep within a week, fixed and ready to roll! Now that is a warranty to brag about and superb customer service.
I have been a diehard Swiss Army multi-tool man for close to two decades.It was a difficult challenge for me to make the jump to a Leatherman. Overall I am super happy with my Charge TTi. The blades have a heavy feel to them and they are extremely sharp. The ability to use one finger to flick out the main blades is a nice feature and so is the many styles of bits that comes with it. If you purchase the extra bits offered, buy the holder for them as well. The steel is far superior than that of my old Swiss and they definately will hold an edge unlike my old tool. I like my Leatherman Charge so much I have bought many of them to give as gifts.
On the off chance I forget or neglect to take my Leatherman Charge with me I invariably find myself in a situation that I could have used it. This tool is so handy and versitile from the kitchen to the garage and everywhere in between.
Pros: Almost Everything including the nylon sheath.
Cons: The tools have a bit of tension when trying to get them to pull out.
I would highly recommend this compact multi-tool to anyone.
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