Finally got my Leatherman Charge Ti yesterday afternoon 
First impressions, it's a lot sturdier than the original Wave, with only a very small amount of handle play evident. Locking of the internal tools seems very positive, probably better than the liner lock on the outer "blades".
It looks more business like than previous models also and feels extremely solid in use.
The tool selection seems to cover most bases, if the standard phillips/straight screwdriver bit is in place 90% of the usual multitool tasks should be possible without the additional bits being carried. The scissors are smaller than those on the original Wave and are of a similar design to those on the PST II but with a much more positive "spring" action, I like the new satin-y finish on the internal tools. The reversable "eyeglass screwdriver" bit seems a bit of a tight fit, I needed the pliers from my wave to change it round, maybe this will ease a bit with use. The raised "nicks" allow for very easy extraction of all tools with little evidence of "clumping" although the scissors do seem to lift their neighbours a bit, a quick shot of WD40 could well put this right.
Now, the blades.
This is the real plus with this model, a much wider blade made of decent steel, passes the left arm test straight out of the box. The serrated blade is also of new design and although I haven't actually tested it yet it seems as serviceable as it's plain neighbour. The saw is of the same design as that of the Wave and should be just as efficient, likewise the file/diamond file, the finish on the latter seemed a little more abrasive than those previously fitted to Leatherman tools but this could be due to the one on my Wave having seen considerable service.
The sheath, leather in my case, I don't particularly like although adequate for the job, it's ugly, reminding me rather of those "robocop" boots that gothic/metal girls attempt to run about in, the metal brand tag might be responsible for this image. It's also rather "skimped" being just large enough to contain the tool and the bit holder and still snap closed, the snap itself does not seem that positive, I'd be concerned about losing the tool particularly if it was carried in the horizontal position as I intend to do. It's not possible to have the lanyard ring attatched while the tool is sheathed which might have relieved by worry about losing it somewhat. I'd also have prefered a fully enclosed sheath, rather than what amounts to a leather frog with elastic sides, it seems like a fairly petty cost cutting measure and I'm not impressed. Although the Leather may "give" a little with use and thus make the snap closure a little less straines and more positive I'll be looking both at the Leatherman nylon sheath and some of the aftermarket alternatives from other makers, perhaps even a custom leather number as it will now become my EDC.
One other gripe that I have which is entirely unrelated to the function of the toll is the packaging, the large tin box with a plastic liner and cardboard inner packaging is IMHO overkill, if the costs of this presentation had been directed into a slightly better sheath and the tool sold in the plain brown cardboard I got my Wave in I'd have been a lot more impressed.
All in all I'm extremely happy with the Charge Ti itself, the ancilliaries could be better. I'll wax the leather of the sheath a bit to see if it softens a little, but I've little faith in it and will probably replace it anyway, for peace of mind.
The only other downside is that I feel just a little sad at "retiring" my trusty Wave as EDC. It'll doubtless work it's way into my bag kit in some capacity but It's been a trusted friend for some years and I almost have a sense of guilt about not having it in my back pocket.
Should add that I got it from GadgIT, a chain store, in their sale for £91.20, the cheapest I could find locally
First impressions, it's a lot sturdier than the original Wave, with only a very small amount of handle play evident. Locking of the internal tools seems very positive, probably better than the liner lock on the outer "blades".
It looks more business like than previous models also and feels extremely solid in use.
The tool selection seems to cover most bases, if the standard phillips/straight screwdriver bit is in place 90% of the usual multitool tasks should be possible without the additional bits being carried. The scissors are smaller than those on the original Wave and are of a similar design to those on the PST II but with a much more positive "spring" action, I like the new satin-y finish on the internal tools. The reversable "eyeglass screwdriver" bit seems a bit of a tight fit, I needed the pliers from my wave to change it round, maybe this will ease a bit with use. The raised "nicks" allow for very easy extraction of all tools with little evidence of "clumping" although the scissors do seem to lift their neighbours a bit, a quick shot of WD40 could well put this right.
Now, the blades.
This is the real plus with this model, a much wider blade made of decent steel, passes the left arm test straight out of the box. The serrated blade is also of new design and although I haven't actually tested it yet it seems as serviceable as it's plain neighbour. The saw is of the same design as that of the Wave and should be just as efficient, likewise the file/diamond file, the finish on the latter seemed a little more abrasive than those previously fitted to Leatherman tools but this could be due to the one on my Wave having seen considerable service.The sheath, leather in my case, I don't particularly like although adequate for the job, it's ugly, reminding me rather of those "robocop" boots that gothic/metal girls attempt to run about in, the metal brand tag might be responsible for this image. It's also rather "skimped" being just large enough to contain the tool and the bit holder and still snap closed, the snap itself does not seem that positive, I'd be concerned about losing the tool particularly if it was carried in the horizontal position as I intend to do. It's not possible to have the lanyard ring attatched while the tool is sheathed which might have relieved by worry about losing it somewhat. I'd also have prefered a fully enclosed sheath, rather than what amounts to a leather frog with elastic sides, it seems like a fairly petty cost cutting measure and I'm not impressed. Although the Leather may "give" a little with use and thus make the snap closure a little less straines and more positive I'll be looking both at the Leatherman nylon sheath and some of the aftermarket alternatives from other makers, perhaps even a custom leather number as it will now become my EDC.
One other gripe that I have which is entirely unrelated to the function of the toll is the packaging, the large tin box with a plastic liner and cardboard inner packaging is IMHO overkill, if the costs of this presentation had been directed into a slightly better sheath and the tool sold in the plain brown cardboard I got my Wave in I'd have been a lot more impressed.
All in all I'm extremely happy with the Charge Ti itself, the ancilliaries could be better. I'll wax the leather of the sheath a bit to see if it softens a little, but I've little faith in it and will probably replace it anyway, for peace of mind.
The only other downside is that I feel just a little sad at "retiring" my trusty Wave as EDC. It'll doubtless work it's way into my bag kit in some capacity but It's been a trusted friend for some years and I almost have a sense of guilt about not having it in my back pocket.
Should add that I got it from GadgIT, a chain store, in their sale for £91.20, the cheapest I could find locally
