My Leatherman Charge XTi is too heavy, replacements?

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
1,421
I've had this for several years now, and for about 2 years it was my EDC, before I got some nice folders. It's hard for me to carry it w/o an additional folder. But, I really like to have my knives clipped into my front right pocket. This multitool is awesome, but, I think it is time for it to find a replacement. I don't like the Charge in its current leather sheath, as it's pretty bulky.

My plan is to still carry a folder in front right pocket, but to have a ultra slim kydex setup for my Nitecore D10 and my new "tool". I think that this done right, could be a very slim option.

When I don't carry my multitool, the things that I want most are philips/flat head bits, scissors, and pliers. I'm not really that interested in even having a blade, although an extra blade never hurts!

I really like the feeling that comes with carrying a stout multitool, the feeling that I could conquer anything that comes my way with these man-pliers. But, usually the pliers are used for light tasks anyways.

SO, recommendations? I've got a SAK Farmer that I like, but the lack of pliers and scissors makes it not much of an option, except it is lightweight!

I've been looking at Leatherman squirts and juices, but I feel the Squirt pliers to be too pansy. The Juice S2 looks pretty nice.

Are there other options that I'm missing?!

Thanks hivemind.

L
 
DOC-CANADA said:
Absolutely! Victorinox Swiss Spirit!

Doc
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was just about to say the same thing. best lightweight multitool i own. the fit and finish is superb (personally i think its better than leathermans F&F).

theres one available with the bit kit if you need it for urban use.
 
This really belongs in our multitool forum, so I'm going to move it there from Wilderness.

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I agree that the Spirit may be the best all around multitool available today. But if you're looking to really lighten up, you could do what I do: carry a Skeletool. I have the CX with the better steel, but either will do fine. Pliers, flat & philips drivers, and a small knife blade. Scissors? Get a Vic. Classic. :)
 
I'll echo Esav on this one. The Skeletool is great. I'm not a huge fan of the combo blade, but it does hold an edge pretty well. If you want a pretty light tool with pliers and scissors, the LM Fuse is a great one.

The zytel inserts lighten it up, it has all the tools i normally use (less a saw), and all the tools lock. It's not as new of a design as the uber-light skeletool, but it really makes good use of the tried and true LM tool set up. Heck, if you even WANTED the tool not to have a blade you can get the knifeless version.
 
I'd go for the Spirit. It is far less bulky feeling than most Leatherman tools. It also has more useful functions, along with a higher quality and very compact leather sheath.
 
Since you are carrying a folder, there's no need to bulk up with another major piece of knife. Leatherman Juice S2 would be perfect for you; I had one and I loved it. It has decent pliers, scissors, and philips head screwdriver. The other stuff (tiny knife, 3 flat head screwdrivers, and bottle/can opener) are not the best around, but they do the work just fine.

In a pinch, you can put the Juice 2 in your jeans' watch pocket. It's small enough that it only protrudes a little. As a matter of fact, this was the way I carried it most of the time.

Juice S2: 3.25" at 4.4 Oz
Swisstool Spirit: 4.13" at 5.75 Oz
Charge XTi: 4" at 8.3 Oz
Skeletool CX: 4" at 5 Oz

As you can see, if your goal is to reduce bulk and weight, the Juice S2 is the clear winner. It has everything that you need, and almost none that you don't. Swisstool spirit is slimmer than your Charge, but it's longer. Skeletool is just as long as the charge (although slimmer) and it carries a big knife you don't need while lacking scissors.
 
Sep said:
Since you are carrying a folder, there's no need to bulk up with another major piece of knife. Leatherman Juice S2 would be perfect for you; I had one and I loved it. It has decent pliers, scissors, and philips head screwdriver. The other stuff (tiny knife, 3 flat head screwdrivers, and bottle/can opener) are not the best around, but they do the work just fine.

In a pinch, you can put the Juice 2 in your jeans' watch pocket. It's small enough that it only protrudes a little. As a matter of fact, this was the way I carried it most of the time.

Juice S2: 3.25" at 4.4 Oz
Swisstool Spirit: 4.13" at 5.75 Oz
Charge XTi: 4" at 8.3 Oz
Skeletool CX: 4" at 5 Oz

As you can see, if your goal is to reduce bulk and weight, the Juice S2 is the clear winner. It has everything that you need, and almost none that you don't. Swisstool spirit is slimmer than your Charge, but it's longer. Skeletool is just as long as the charge (although slimmer) and it carries a big knife you don't need while lacking scissors.
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The Swisstool Spirit weighs 7.23 oz (205 g.) I don't know how this other weight keeps popping up, but it seems to be some kind of chronic error on the internet. These things have a life of their own. Very annoying.
 
znapschatz said:
The Swisstool Spirit weighs 7.23 oz (205 g.) I don't know how this other weight keeps popping up, but it seems to be some kind of chronic error on the internet. These things have a life of their own. Very annoying.
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That's because Victorinox for whatever reason doesn't list the official weight of their products on their site, unlike Leatherman. I got my weight from Amazon IIRC.

At 7.2 Oz, the Spirit is 60% heavier than Juice S2.
 
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