Need New Leatherman: But Which?

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
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I'm looking at the Wave, New Wave, Charge and Charge Ti. I also have a bit tool packet but no Leatherman tool to use it with, so I have to get something. So far, the best price I can find is on Amazon.com.

The reviews of these things are all over the board. The Ti is supposed to be stronger, have better locks (actually, I think all the Charges are good in this regard). I just don't know whether the scissors or the crimping tool and slicer would be the better choice.

The Charge is supposed to have a 133% better grip strength, but doesn't it come with nearly all the bits I have in my little kit?

There's not enough difference between 154CM and S30V in the blades to make me choose one over the other; however, with the scissors, I think you get the regular 420HC stainless; ditto with the slicer.

Anyway, if anyone can offer any advice, I'd appreciate it.
 
I'd say go for the charge. It doesn't cost much more then the wave but has better blade steel, and its lighter and you get the hook blade. I have the wave myself, I would've rather got the charge but it wasn't in stock at the time. :p
 
Get a Leatherman Charge especially if you use the plain knife blade a lot. I also find the fit and finish better than a Wave.
 
The Charge comes with 6 piece (double sided) bit kit, most of which are hexagonal...not sure what driver type this is, a torx, one small flathead, and 2 robertsons. There's also a flathead/phillips and an eyewear driver in the charge already. The bit kit has all of these, I believe, but you might want to double check. The Charge also comes with the pocket clip and the lanyard ring, which the Wave does not.
 
Ditto on the Charge. I have had many multis from Leatherman, Gerber, and SOG (SOGs suck). I got my Charge TTI about a month ago. It ROCKS! Blows all the others away in every way. I found it for $110 at Knifeworks.com.
 
Well, Charge Ti it is! Wish they had them in an all black....

I've also heard the scissors stink on the new models, but I guess that's the way things go.

Thanks, guys!
 
I'm seeing some Tis being sold with 154CM blades. Is this an older model without the reinforced locks and beefier pliers? Not all that much difference between 154CM and S30V, in my view for such a tool, but I do like some of the other features. Oh, and there is a black version of the Ti w/154CM blades.

Any advice?
 
The Ti is 154CM, the TTI is S30V. I prefer S30V over 154CM. Cabelas has a camo version with black oxide coated tools for $130. I just know how the worn coating makes things look after you use it for a while, so I didn't go that way.
 
Confederate said:
I'm seeing some Tis being sold with 154CM blades. Is this an older model without the reinforced locks and beefier pliers? Not all that much difference between 154CM and S30V, in my view for such a tool, but I do like some of the other features. Oh, and there is a black version of the Ti w/154CM blades.

Any advice?
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Except for the crimper, cutting hook on the SE blade spine and S30V PE blade steel, the Ti and TTi are identical. I had a Ti and now a TTi, and don't think there is a meaningful difference between them. There is a Charge AL with 154 CM blade, but only the aluminum handle onlay is black. Some people can tell the difference in use between 154CM and S30V, but I'm not one of them. Both hold a good, sharp edge for a long time.

Confederate said:
Well, Charge Ti it is! Wish they had them in an all black....

I've also heard the scissors stink on the new models, but I guess that's the way things go.

Thanks, guys!
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Unless you plan to sneak up on an enemy sentry in the dark of night, black finish is unnecessary and looks like hell after not much use.
At first I didn't like the Ti scissors, thought them too small, but with experience I find they work better than expected. Should not be a deal breaker.

I love both the Ti and TTi :).
 
Yes, I, too, am one who can't tell much of a difference between 154CM and S30V. The latter is supposed to be a bit easier to sharpen and to hold its edge slightly better. The fact that Leatherman is making the blades a bit larger and more accessible makes them more of an attractive buy.

Again, thanks for the advice.
 
Confederate said:
I've also heard the scissors stink on the new models, but I guess that's the way things go.
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The Surge has the largest scissors of any Leatherman MT. I'm waiting for my new Surge to arrive and I'll see for myself whether the scissors suck or not.
 
I had a new Wave, and I have a couple of old Waves. I prefer the old. I'd rather now have to carry the bit set, and I want a nice selection of long screwdrivers, and the old Wave meets those needs. Nothing wrong with the others, though.
 
To follow up...the scissors on the Surge don't suck. They're very useful. Much better than those on my new Wave.
 
Just out of curiosity, why only a LM? which are a fine MT, but why not a Swisstool or SOG (which don't suck to me, they have the strongest pliers in the MT world and they are the only MT made for customizing yourself). Just wondering.
 
Dantor said:
Just out of curiosity, why only a LM? which are a fine MT, but why not a Swisstool or SOG (which don't suck to me, they have the strongest pliers in the MT world and they are the only MT made for customizing yourself). Just wondering.
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The thing I like about the Charge by Leatherman is the steel of the blade. and the two blades (one serrated, one not) instead of half and half on one blade.

The reason I think my SOG sucks is the stupid door-flap things that you must open and close to access the tools. It is also less comfortable in your hand and less "tight" feeling in the hinges. I do agree that the cam type pliers are stronger, but that's not enough to make them better than a good Gerber or Leatherman (not even close, in my opinion).
 
Hey everyone.

I'm going to have the odd man out opinion. I have the Charge TTi and if I would do it over again I would buy the Wave. The reason is the wave pretty much does everything the TTi does and it is only about .2 ounces heavier (I believe).

As for the better blade on the TTi, truth be told, I never use it. I always have a dedicated knife to use.

I'm in Vancouver and the Wave is almost half the price of the TTi.
 
So the question becomes is the Charge Really worth the extra 40-50 bucks over the wave, Especially if you always have a dedicated folder on belt.
 
OK. I agree! The Charge TTi probably isn't worth the extra $ over the Wave just for the better blade steel. I just like to have the best if I can. And in this case, I can. So I did. I, too, always carry a "real" knife and have not even used my Charge's blade, yet. I think the titanium probably makes the overall tool stronger, but that may be negligable, as well.
I still don't regret buying my Charge TTi, I personally think it is worth the extra $.
 
Charge TTi, have it, use it, LOVE it.

Got it for my B-day some time ago. Use it a lot and love it even more. Can't imagine not having it anymore.

Those Waves are nice too but not nearly as nice asmy TTi.
 
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