Leatherman Charge + TTi: Say Hello to My Little Friend

The Leatherman Charge+ TTi is a versatile multi-tool. I bought it for excursions into the bush as we can’t bring half the garage when we go. But I quickly found myself wearing it as an edc! I don’t leave home without it, and I mean that. It’s time we give this top-tier Leatherman tool the review it deserves. You may even find more than a few reasons as to why you would want a Leatherman Titanium Charge for yourself – its applications are endless.

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What is a Multi-Tool?

Simply put, when you have several tools in one device, it’s called a multi-tool. We know them as pocket-sized gadgets from brands like Swiss Army, Leatherman, SOG, Gerber, etc.

Let’s stop right here and think for a second. Even if we look at tools in general, take a big screwdriver, for example – it’s a screwdriver, but it does double as a prybar. So, while everyday tools are not multi-tools, they can be multi-use.

What Leatherman has done brilliantly is jam several tools (like 19 of them) into a single multi-tool. Many of these tools are multi-use. Following that logic, you have a pretty powerful gadget at your service.

Now, generally speaking, and for the record, I’m not a fan of multi-tools. Wait for it – I mean the As Seen On TV stuff that claims to solve your life’s problems. Good tools typically do one job only and very well. You would need to buy several tools for a decent SET, and there’s no way around that. Any gearhead reading this will know exactly what I mean – because I am one of you as well. But that very gearhead also needs to understand that we are not always in the comfort of a well-outfitted garage. So, this is where our mindset needs to change.

The Leatherman Charge Packs a Lot of Function for its Mini Size

During our outdoor adventures, whether deep in the woods or out on a stroll – we sometimes run into things that require fixing. That’s why we have multi-tools we can slip into a pocket. I’ve come to learn that the Leatherman Charge+ TTi does indeed do MANY things VERY well. From fixing the ATV to fixing guns to unhooking a fish, I’ve done it all with a 4″ pocket-size tool! A tool that won’t weigh you down on a multi-kilometre hike.

What Tools Are in the Leatherman TTi Charge?

The Leatherman Charge+ TTi comes with 19 tools in one. I’ve added some descriptions, but straight from the Leatherman site, here’s their list of what you can find in Leatherman Charge TTi:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
Electrical Crimper
Wire Stripper
S30V Knife (S30V is stainless steel)
420HC Serrated Knife (420 HC is a higher carbon, stainless steel)
Saw
Spring-action Scissors
Cutting Hook
Ruler (8 in | 19 cm)
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond-coated File
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Medium Screwdriver

Below, we compiled an image of the features located on the multi-tool.

BushLife - Leatherman Charge Plus TTI - Labelled

Real-Life Application of the Leatherman Charge Plus

I bought my Leatherman Charge TTi at MEC. I was eyeballing and mulling it for a while, as it’s not exactly cheap. This was in my fiscal years when I was in the city and buying with the intent to use it in the country on the weekends. Naturally, I started wearing it under my suit. It was a shiny new toy, and I wasn’t leaving it at home.

Driving the kids to school, they were upset that their toy wasn’t working – the batteries died, and the cover had a screw. Pulling over for a quick stop, out comes the Leatherman multi-tool, and boom, the toy is fixed, and Dad’s a hero.

In other words, 12 hours later, it’s put to good use in a real-life situation. It won the battle, albeit a minor one, but it started to justify the purchase. These situations started happening day after day. So, for good reason, I wear and use it every day!

Further Reading: Top 3 Reasons Why You Should Bring a Multi-tool Camping

Review of the Leatherman TTi Charge by Function

The multi-tool is a fancy piece of steel, and I can’t exactly write a book about it. At least not an interesting one that anyone would read. However, I will tackle this Leatherman Charge+ TTi review by addressing what each tool can do and how we can apply it in real-life situations. So let’s get started.

Pliers: My Favourite Part of the Leatherman Charge

Hands down, no questions asked – the pliers are the biggest difference between the Leatherman multi-tool and the Swiss Army Knife. There are INFINITE uses for pliers.

Just yesterday, I popped hinge pin latches into place on an RC car body in the middle of a park. A job is not possible without pliers. In the bush, it can mean removing a hook from a fish’s mouth, pulling a stuck empty shell out of a rifle or tightening a loose nut on the Side-by-Side. Boiling water in a metal cup on a fire with no cloth in sight? Use the pliers. I can tell you, I’ve done them all.

Leatherman Charge Plus TTi feeding BioLite Camp Stove — Using the Leatherman Charge+ TTi to feed the BioLite Camp Stove

The Leatherman TTi has a pair of needle nose pliers and regular (wider) pliers a little farther back for bigger jobs. This area also includes a replaceable wire cutter. It’s genius, and it works.

The electrical crimpers are on the underside of the pliers. Are the crimpers as good as dedicated professional crimpers? No, not really. But they work more than well enough, as none of my crimped connections made by the Leatherman Charge Plus ever failed. Nor have I had to replace the cutting blades after years of use.

It should be noted, that the pliers are of immaculate precision. They fit tight and have no wiggle when manipulating the handles. That’s a sign of a quality tool, even in professional hand tools, let alone a multi-tool.

Screwdrivers

The Leatherman Charge+ TTi excels in this department. It has a fold-out, flat, large screwdriver, which doubles nicely as a prying tool. Imagine popping tight batteries out of things or prying something open.

Next comes the bit driver. The bit driver holds double-ended bits. Ie. Philips on one side, flat on the other. Fiver bits = 10 screwdrivers. The Charge+ TTi comes with a partial bit kit. That means some bits and a flat plastic holder that neatly slips into a dedicated pocket inside the Leatherman sheath. Brilliant!

Lastly, you’ll find a mini-size, bit-based screwdriver with one bit. One end Philips, the other flat. Simply flip the bit to change it. Also, brilliant. I may be wrong about its rarity, but I’ve yet to see this on other multi-tools. For someone who wears glasses, it’s a big bonus.

Cutting Tools / Blades

Knife

Leatherman ships with sharp knives, and the TTi is no exception. It’s also pretty good at staying sharp, and I can’t say the same for any of the several Swiss Army knives I own.

I don’t have to tell you that having a knife has a million uses. From opening mail to opening boxes, to cutting birch bark off a tree for tinder, or even cutting up that sausage at a hunting camp. If you don’t carry a folding pocket knife, try it, and you’ll see what I mean.

At first, the Leatherman TTi Charge knife does not seem very big. It even looks insignificant. But, compared to the Morakniv Garberg Carbon bushcraft knife, which has a blade size of 4.29″, we’re talking about a full tang belt knife. The Charge’s knife comes in at just under 3″. In other words, when you put it in perspective, the TTis knife is a very respectable size.

Further Reading: Morakniv Garberg Carbon: What Makes Bushcraft Knives So Special?

Serrated Knife / Cutting Hook

Yes, the Leatherman Charge+ TTi has two blades. The second is a separate serrated knife, which is excellent at cutting rope.

The serrated knife also has a cutting hook on its end. That means blade number 3! Imagine cutting off zip ties tightly bound to something – you’ll have ample precision. When you need speed, think of cutting a car’s seat belt in an emergency.

For those who like gut hooks, I don’t see why you couldn’t skin an animal with it. The “cutting” hook looks like a typical gut hook. I wouldn’t use it myself in light of the cleanup of the multi-tool. But I will admit it’s comforting that it’s there. In a survival situation, 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

Scissors

While not very big, they are tiny – I will admit they are functional. I wrapped my Ferro rod with gorilla tape as a flame extender and cut the tape to a precise size using the scissors. It’s one of those jobs you can do with a knife, but it’s easier with scissors.

I do have one small complaint. As tight and solid as the pliers feel, I can’t say the same for the scissors. Mine has a lot of wiggle in it. It works fine – however, it does cheapen the feel of an otherwise flawless product. I think Leatherman could have done a better job with this.

Saw

BushLife - Multi-tool Saw — Using the Leatherman saw to saw a branch

The saw is an amazing tool to have. Don’t expect much in terms of size, and now is a great time to remember that the Charge Plus is only a 4″ tool:) However, it is more than enough to cut down some branches and get a fire going, especially in the winter when trying to source dry wood for a fire in the snow. Or better yet, maybe you need finer sawing work on a bushcraft project.

What the saw also has is a perfect 90-degree spine. For the non-knife folks, the “spine” means the back side of a blade. If you know where I am going with this, it’s excellent for striking a Ferro rod to get that very fire started!

Further Reading: Silky BIGBOY: Why A Saw Beats an Axe Every Time

Can / Bottle Opener

For bush purposes, this is invaluable. For opening a can of beans or soup, that bottle opener grips the edge of the container. The angled blade end of that tool cuts the can open as you work your way around. It saves you from using a knife for the task and risks losing sharpness – not to mention it’s a lot safer than repeatedly trying to stab a can all the way around.

Files

Invaluable. Files have a million uses, and this one is wood/metal on one side and diamond-coated on the other. I’ve rounded corners on wood with the wood file. I’ve also filed back fine burs on metal with the diamond file to re-slip tight-fitting parts.

I thought the diamond coating was slowly wearing off, but upon further inspection, it’s just black from use and looks dull. After years of use, the diamond coating still retains its grit.

Ruler

Oh boy, I don’t know what to say about this:) I guess there was an opportunity to toss in a freebie and chalk it up as a selling point. The ruler is cut into the body of the handles so it is there for the taking. Unless you measure tiny things, Ie. 8″ or under, there’s no real use for this. It might be useful for reading distances on maps, but we always carry a dedicated protractor/ruler for this. Right? Maybe? Fingers crossed. Anyway, I did want to cover it as it’s officially listed as one of the “tools.”

Leatherman Charge TTi Sheath

The sheath is a ballistic nylon in a neutral black colour. The flap with snap enclosure securely holds the Leatherman Charge+ TTi in place, and it’s all nice and compact.

Pro Tip!

I wear my Leatherman on my belt and hardly notice it’s there. It’s also far less likely to get lost and frees your pockets for other things.

When in the bush, I highly recommend carrying certain things such as your knife and multi-tool on your person. Should you get separated from your pack, you’ll still have the most vital tools you’ll need in the woods.

The sheath has a loop on both sides. Leatherman designed it to hold the optional bit extender. I like to keep a Ferro rod in one of these loops. This ensures the ability to make a fire is always there.

To secure the Ferro rod, wrap the Ferro rod on one end with Gorilla Tape, which stops it from falling through the loop. The tape has many uses in the bush. Use it as tinder, repair gear/clothing, or use it in emergency medical applications. If there’s a hole in the Ferro rod, put a small hank of paracord through it and tie a loop. You can then fold the cordage over the top of the tool before closing the snap enclosure, and your Ferro Rod isn’t going anywhere!

The other loop used to house a small flashlight, but sadly, it broke, and I can’t find a small enough replacement. At least not in any retail store I’ve been to. An ongoing effort is taking place to look online, and I’ll even link it here if I find one:)

The Ferro rod and flashlight are not included with the Leatherman sheath, but it does extend its function as a small survival kit!

Leatherman Charge+ TTi Specs

Length: 4 in (10 cm) closed, 6.25 in (15.87 cm) open
Knife Length: 2.9 in (7.37 cm)
Width: 1.2 in (3.0 cm), Overall Thickness: .76 in (1.9 cm)
Weight: 8.89 oz (252 grams)
Material: Stainless Steel with Titanium Scales

I’m not certain if it’s still the case, but any time I review pricing, the Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the most expensive of all the Leatherman multi-tools. It’s also their flagship model, and I’m not surprised. It does all the right things in a small package.

Comparing Leatherman Favourites

	Charge+ TTi	Surge	Arc	Signal
Price (US)	$199.95	$149.95	$229.95	$139.95
Tools	19	21	20	19
Weight	8.89 oz.	12.5 oz.	8.6 oz.	7.5 oz.
Closed Length	4 in.	4.5 in.	4.25 in.	4.5 in.
Blade Length	2.9 in.	3.1 in.	2.76 in.	2.73 in.
Materials	Stainless, Titanium	Stainless	Stainless	Stainless
Sheath	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes