Leatherman has redesigned their Charge TTi – their most premium mainstream multi-tool – with new handle scales, while the tools and functions are said to remain unchanged.
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In this recent Facebook post, a Leatherman representative says the changes were done mainly to reduce waste. That may be so, but personally I think the style changes deliver a much-needed cosmetic improvement.
Here’s the older drab-looking Charge TTi for comparison:
I purchased a Charge TTi in mid-2012, and while it’s definitely a nice model, it lacks some of the visual oomph I expected from such a pricey multi-tool. (Luckily I used gift cards to help ease the cost.) Hopefully the reduced waste in the production of the new handles will translate to lower retail prices.
While the Charge TTi is a popular favorite among Leatherman fans, I tend to favor it slightly less than the OHT (here’s my recent review), Wave, Skeletool, and Super Tool 300 multi-tools. With its new looks the TTi would probably be my 5th favorite model, assuming its performance is unchanged or even improved.
Leatherman Multi-Tools (via Amazon, our preferred LM multi-tool vendor)
Charge TTi Product Page (via Leatherman)
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Noah
But no replaceable cutters?
Stuart
Unfortunately the pliers and cutters appear to be unchanged.
Maikeru
Yeah, from what I understand it’s functionally the same tool. Unfortunately for now I think that the replaceable cutters will continue to stay only on the larger or military geared tools.
However, one thing that I’ve wondered about the redesign is whether the scales will provide the same amount of grip as the previous ones.
Stuart
Good question, and one I’m afraid I cannot answer at the moment. I think it’s reasonable to assume that Leatherman wouldn’t update one of its flagship tools with downgraded handle scales. The handles look better, and I can’t imagine that they wouldn’t provide at least comparable gripping performance.
RandomAnswer
I just received a replacement Charge in the mail, and it’s going right back to the store. THE HANDLES ARE NOT ONLY DIFFERENT, THEY ARE SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE. The metal panels you see on the new ones are only connected where the allen screw is, and it bends slightly when the tool is squeezed. The ergonomics are TOTALLY RUINED. The handle has several new hot spots (painful points and edges) that didn’t exist in the old model. In fact, the way it is now, I think the Wave might be a better choice. BUYER BEWARE!
RandomAnswer
Also, to answer your question, the scales DO have worse grip. I was shocked too, trust me. Who would think Leatherman would start downgrading their best gear?
Stuart
Yikes, that sounds awful! Thanks for sharing your feedback with the redesigned Charge! Hopefully the one you received is a defective unit and that they’re not all like that.
Don
I’ve try’ed them all and using the Charge TTi since a few years with a rate of 40-50 times a day i must say that the Charge is the most comfortable to hold in your hand. The supertool or the other bigger models ( Surge very heavy!! ) are very cool but for day to day use the Charge XTi or TTI wins every time. Talking about the old model ofcourse…..
Graham
I have the new charge TTI and I couldn’t be happier with it! for me personally, the grip is great with no hot spots. I have had had no problems with the metal panel and really no problem at all! very happy with the new handles and I agree that this gives it a better look. Although that’s not what having a multi tool is about, it is a plus.
Mike
I just sent in my old charge tti and received a new one in return. So far the functionality seems the same and rather like the new look. I have not really tested it out but I don’t think that it feels much different in my hand. In fact it might be rougher and allow me to have a better grip on it.