Any reason not to buy a Leatherman Charge XTi

[Garnett]

Hi there, Newbie question here.

Having looked at the Leatherman range and not really understood what I'm looking at, the Charge XTi looks like the best multitool I can afford.

I'm after a general purpose tool for camping and doing odd jobs around the house.

Normally I'd go for something with a decent, locking blade, but now I'm working more on electrics and the tools on a Leathermans are more appealing than they used to be.

I've picked one up in a shop and the weight is great. I think I'll use the "extras" on the XTi rather than the scissors and serrated blade on the Ti (as long as the clip point blade is decent - is it?)

I can't tell but does the wave have longer useable blade length?

Anyway can anyone tell me any reason why not to go for this multitool? Are there any others out there that might suit me better?

Thanks for any help...

 

[Tballetta]

here's a resaon not to buy. You already have 16 of them. You won't be disappointed.

 

[gatch]

1) Becuase they are overpriced.

2) Because they are prone to rust.

3) Becuase they bit driver is:

-Almost unusable.
-Prone to breaking.

 

[pakoraman]

i bought one, the second after I was like "why did I buy this?" i was halfway home and too lazy to go back and return it so I gave it away to a family member. :-\

 

[Garnett]

Hmmm. Thanks for the replies, and no thanks! I was hoping for a more unanimous collection of replies!

Tballetta, yours is the wisdom I have been given by most people who own a Leathermans (and, to be honest, what I sort of expected here).

gatch, I take it you mean the steel rusts since I thought the titanium would fare ok?

Is there another multitool you'd recommend in it's place?

Thanks again for the replies. They're greatly appreciated.

 

[gatch]

gatch, I take it you mean the steel rusts since I thought the titanium would fare ok?

Take a look these two Charge reviews:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...erman Charge Ti/Coy Starnes/Long Term Report/

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...therman Charge Ti/Cora Shea/Long Term Report/

Both report rust with minimal water contact. Other people have reported the same, there was a recent thread on it here.

Is there another multitool you'd recommend in it's place?

There are some that love this tool, and that is fine - each to their own - but for me there are too many problems for something of that price.

I would recommend a Victorinox product, either a SwissTool or SwissTool Spirit. These are quality build products. However, some have issue with the fact that there is no one handed opening blade and some have issues with the hightly polished screwdrivers - neither is an issue for me. In the end it comes down to what you want.

 

[Garnett]

Thanks Gatch. Will read those reviews and look for more threads over the weekend. I'll also have a look at Victorinox. I've owned one or other of their knifes ever since my dad bought me one when I was 10 (variously waiter, spartan, explorer and ranger. No have broken except where a "friend" used the waiter's blade as an impromtu screwdriver and snapped the tip! - bah). Hadn't realisedthey sold plier-type tools.

 

[gatch]

Hadn't realisedthey sold plier-type tools.

If you do decided to go for a Victorinox tool then I recommed you speak to Tim "felinevet" who is also a memeber here. He offers very comeptetive pricing and is great to deal with. As a bonus he is a registered animal charity.

He has a shop on SOSAK: http://felinevet.sosakonline.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

 

[znapschatz]

Thanks Gatch. Will read those reviews and look for more threads over the weekend. I'll also have a look at Victorinox. I've owned one or other of their knifes ever since my dad bought me one when I was 10 (variously waiter, spartan, explorer and ranger. No have broken except where a "friend" used the waiter's blade as an impromtu screwdriver and snapped the tip! - bah). Hadn't realisedthey sold plier-type tools.

After having experienced both a Leatherman Super Tool 200 and a Vic Swisstool, I agree with all who report the Swisstool as having a superior fit and finish, and it is tough as nails. The clean design allows easier access to the tools, some of which are not available on the ST. All in all, it's a very impressive product. Had it been on the market when I got my first multitool, I probably would have gone for it then, and only have one now because it was available at a price I couldn't refuse.

All that said, while not quite up to Vic standards of workmanship, the Leatherman is well made. My first stood up to almost 10 years of moderate use and some abuse. When I gave it away to a friend, it was still in fine shape. There was never a problem with rust, although I live in a moderate climate with only seasonal high humidity, which may be a factor.
I find the LT screw drivers far better than the Vic's, which slip easily. More significant is that the Leatherman pliers are a true needle nose, longer and open much wider than the Swisstool. Twice last week, this became an issue.

For me, superior tools trump any other factors. My choice, if currently in the market, would be the Core, successor to the ST 200. Experience has given me confidence in Leatherman reliability. But you can't go wrong with the Swisstool. I'm pleased to own both.

 

[JNewell]

Take a look these two Charge reviews:

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...erman Charge Ti/Coy Starnes/Long Term Report/

http://www.backpackgeartest.org/rev...therman Charge Ti/Cora Shea/Long Term Report/

Both report rust with minimal water contact. Other people have reported the same, there was a recent thread on it here.

True, but the reviewers both really liked their Charges. I am trying to figure out whether to buy one before they're discontinued and am having a hard time deciding one way or the other (which probably should tell me something).

 

[znapschatz]

True, but the reviewers both really liked their Charges. I am trying to figure out whether to buy one before they're discontinued and am having a hard time deciding one way or the other (which probably should tell me something).

How about get one, and if you don't like it, sell it off. My guess is they will hold their value.

 

[gatch]

True, but the reviewers both really liked their Charges.

Yes, but for me a tool that so easily rusts is not acceptable, no matter how useful it is. And at the price they are asking for them I would expect something more durable.

I nearly purchased one once and I am glad I didn't.

 

[yermom]

someone was complaining about using in on saltwater fish? i can't imagine i'll have that problem

i carried a Wave for many years with no rust problems, i just got a Charge last month, so i don't know about rust yet, but i generally don't get my tools wet...

 

[gatch]

i carried a Wave for many years with no rust problems

I believe this acute rust problem is only on the Charge series of Leatherman tools, due the metal makeup of this particular tool. I have heard of other Leatherman tools rusting, but none so easily as the Charge.

 

[Slowstarter]

I´ve own a LT Charge Ti for almost two years. I´m really a Victorinox person but when it comes to more serious work around the house I more tend to use my LT. Not a single spot of rust yet! I love Victorinox knifes but my LT will do the work properly. In my opinion you can´t go wrong with a Charge. They are superior to Victorinox when it comes down to realy hard work. Use a Victorinox Soldier for EDC and get yourself a LT Charge as a work horse.
(Sorry for bad english)

 

[colubrid]

I am going to have to agree with the Vic people here. The Swisstool is the better multi and it is way cheaper than the Charge. Also I bought a leatherman two months ago and left it in the console of my car. No water was in contact with it and it had rust on it after sitting in my car for two months.

 

[dunc5]

1) Becuase they are overpriced.

2) Because they are prone to rust.

3) Becuase they bit driver is:

-Almost unusable.
-Prone to breaking.

Just what I was going to say Yep I would go for a Swisstool . All my Leathermans have now gone and the Charge got sold for the reasons gatch has said . Never had a problem with Swisstools .I done a review recently here
http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25311
Hope this helps

Dunc

 

[s. serafin]

So many different opinions here it could make things confusing on what to buy. I guess I will add to the confusion.

Like I said opinions will vary here but let me say stay away from the Gerber all together I just find them to be junk. Ive given away a lot of multi tools to friends and then had a excuse to buy new ones. I just put the Gerber in the trash instead.

The Vic is a pretty tool but in my opinion the least useable of the bunch. Doesnt have true needlenose pliers. The philips started getting worn out fast. And once the tools get worn out theres no way to take the tool apart for new ones. The mini screwdriver bent the first time I used it. And the reamer I use a lot started wearing out fast. And I wouldnt say the Vic has a better fit and finish there just made a lot different. The leatherman just looks a lot more bulky giving it a less streamlined look.

I think the charge is similiar to the XTI. My only problem I had with the Charge is I found the needlenose to twist and flex easily. In the picture you can see I have it a apart for cleaning a refurb. One of the guys on my maint staff wanted one and couldnt afford it so I was going to give him that one. But he really fell in love with my Surge so I gave him mine. And the Surge in the picture is the new one I bought last week.

The Surge by far is my favorite, its a Charge on steroids. People complain about the reversible bit head but I find it extremely handy able to use in 95% percent of situations. My only complaint is I wish they would remove one of the knives and make it so you have to removeable bit holders for the saw and file. The jewelers screwdriver I find handy for the towel bars with the tiny little screws on the bottom to remove it.

The power lock has really good pliers. Even opens up a little wider than the Surge. But you really have to spread those handles out. The biggest problem with the tool is the clumping of the tools when you open it. And when your opeing your tool 50 times a day that can get very tedious! But I like that you can customize your Powerlock by ordering new tools. I bought a new blade without serrations and this one you can sharpen with the traditional sharpner. The philips heads use a really good steel so I bought 2 of them and made one into a flat head and the other a punch on my grinder. And bought the big flat head and turned it into a medium size. Now its a great one to take with me on the weekends and customized just for me.

Also whatever tool you pick I suggest you get a pocket wrench. Its great for removing small bolts. And its a wonderful prybar. It slips into the second pocket of the leatherman pouch perfectly!

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR CHOICE!!

 

[gatch]

The Surge by far is my favorite

The problem I have with choosing one of the larger Leatherman tools is that none statify my needs over a SwissTool, which can easily be found cheaper. I am willing to admit that the SwissTool is not perfect, but I still believe that is the best of what is out there.

I like the one handed opening on the Surge, but don't like the bit driver or small eyeglass screwdriver.

I like the dedicated screwdrivers on the Core, but it doesn't offer one handed opening. Also I am not too sure about the swap out tool, although I would be willing to give that a try.

And the Charge is a rustbucket.

So if they combine these features in a tool then I would buy one. Ah, but isn't that the bane of us here: finding that perect tool!

 

[znapschatz]

The problem I have with choosing one of the larger Leatherman tools is that none statify my needs over a SwissTool, which can easily be found cheaper. I am willing to admit that the SwissTool is not perfect, but I still believe that is the best of what is out there.

I like the one handed opening on the Surge, but don't like the bit driver or small eyeglass screwdriver.

I like the dedicated screwdrivers on the Core, but it doesn't offer one handed opening. Also I am not too sure about the swap out tool, although I would be willing to give that a try.

And the Charge is a rustbucket.

So if they combine these features in a tool then I would buy one. Ah, but isn't that the bane of us here: finding that perect tool!

So, if it had a bit driver, small eyeglass screwdriver, two-handed opening, maybe a swap-out tool, and prone to rust, you would buy one? Not my preference, but to each his own.