Leatherman Charge TTi 2013.

[Chako]

When I first bought the Texas Toolcrafter version with the Damascus blade, I had assumed that the scales were custom. I was wrong. I quickly found out that they changed the handles for the Charge TTi for the 2013 year. I still sort of wonder whey they changed the look of the TTi. What this did mean for me though, is that I needed one for my collection.

Here are 2 2013 TTi tools compared to a 2009 dated TTi on the bottom.
















Newer and cheaper scissor tab on left. Older and I think better made scissor tab found on a 2009 TTi on right.

[Zed]

Nice dan  still prefer the old ones though  hope I never need to send my Ti in 

[kkokkolis]

I find the new one much nicer.

I wonder how the hole on the pliers (crimper?) is used.

[Monrogue]

Nice set of pics Chako   Looking at all the pics, I'd have to say I really like the newer scales.  Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely I'd ever own one as I already have a TTi and don't see that there would be a reason, beyond the new scales, to buy one

[Outback in Idaho]

  A while back someone complained on Leatherman's facebook page about the letters on the scales that turned into a return frenzy. Letters on the raised portion had lines, letters were not as detailed - even the two ® got hammered on about, or the letters were ground down too much.
  Never understood the reason for the complaints as the scales did not affect the tool's performance any.

  The new scales do not have them ®'s there, and I guess Leatherman put the letters T I T A N I U M to appease those that did not know any better as if they were indeed titanium. 
  Also the new scales also allow a surface for engraving. Reckon that Leatherman was trying to compromise on various suggestions and/or complaints and ended up with that.

  If I ever send mine in for repair am going to use the Sentimental feature and keep the older scales. Only thing I ever wanted changed (besides a version with an awl instead of a flathead driver) was one without a cap crimper. 


  Still would like to make small wood inserts to glue into the older recesses (and letters). Would have to be a small veneer most likely.

[Smitty44]

Great photo's Dan,really like the looks of that Damascus blade.

[stealth007s]

Yeah, that Damascus blade is Very nice pics and comparison

I still wonder why they're still putting the cap crimper on the TTi pliers There should be an option of going without it IMO I know that some use it for other than crimping blasting caps but not everyone needs or wants it Oh yeah, and replaceable wire cutters are needed....................

Dear Leatherman..................

[Monrogue]

Yeah, that Damascus blade is Very nice pics and comparison

I still wonder why they're still putting the cap crimper on the TTi pliers There should be an option of going without it IMO I know that some use it for other than crimping blasting caps but not everyone needs or wants it Oh yeah, and replaceable wire cutters are needed....................

Dear Leatherman..................

I agree with this.  Eliminate the cap crimper and give it Rebar pliers

[stealth007s]

I agree with this.  Eliminate the cap crimper and give it Rebar pliers

EXACTLY!¡!

[Monrogue]

I agree with this.  Eliminate the cap crimper and give it Rebar pliers

EXACTLY!¡!

I know some here have sacrificed their Rebar to give a Wave or Charge those pliers.  I wouldn't mind having that done, but I don't think I could decapitate my Rebar

[stealth007s]

I know some here have sacrificed their Rebar to give a Wave or Charge those pliers.  I wouldn't mind having that done, but I don't think I could decapitate my Rebar

I like my Rebar too much to do that. I guess I'll wait until they fix it.

[Monrogue]

I know some here have sacrificed their Rebar to give a Wave or Charge those pliers.  I wouldn't mind having that done, but I don't think I could decapitate my Rebar

I like my Rebar too much to do that. I guess I'll wait until they fix it.

Yup, same here.

[Chako]

Likewise. It does amaze me that the Charge doesn't have replaceable cutters these days.

[Outback in Idaho]

Likewise. It does amaze me that the Charge doesn't have replaceable cutters these days.

  Leatherman's timeline is not a human timeline. We'll be old men and too dern old by the time they get on the ball. If someone set up shop and started mass modding the two versions, or sold a DIY mod kit, then Leatherman would hop in there and get it done. And if no one does, then they'll sit on it for at least another ten years.


  And no competitor has really made a tool the people want, but yet another close instead of leading the pack in innovation.

[Outback in Idaho]

Likewise. It does amaze me that the Charge doesn't have replaceable cutters these days.

  Leatherman's timeline is not a human timeline. We'll be old men and too dern old by the time they get on the ball. If someone set up shop and started mass modding the two versions, or sold a DIY mod kit, then Leatherman would hop in there and get it done. And if no one does, then they'll sit on it for at least another ten years.


  And no competitor has really made a tool the people want, but yet another clone instead of leading the pack in innovation.

[Outback in Idaho]

     No idea what happened there. Fixed a letter issue in a word and ended up with double posts. 

  close should have been clone.

[Mr Biriyani]

Nice pictures Chako !
When I first saw pictures here on the forum of the new scales I thought they looked ugly.
But since I saw them in person in a store it changed my mind and now I really want one.

[Chako]

Right now, I am waiting for the BO version to come out.

[Teofilo]

I like the looks of the new version! I'll start saving to buy me one!
Nice pics Dan!

[ducttapetech]

I like the looks of it.

sent from Ducttapetech's roaming device

[hennypenny]

Right now, I am waiting for the BO version to come out.

I assume this is a joke!!!
Leatherman can't do black finishes well. Even a Chinese company like Sanrenmu can do beautiful black finishes. I just hope the 30th anniversary ST300 with DLC finish will not be a disappointment. I just bought 3 knives from them and there are of such good quality, you cannot imagine there only cost between £6 and £8 each.

[Chako]

What? You don't like Leatherman's BO application or quality?

No I am not joking. If they make a BO version, I am on it like a fat kid on a smarty.

[hennypenny]

What? You don't like Leatherman's BO application or quality?

No I am not joking. If they make a BO version, I am on it like a fat kid on a smarty.

I really thought it was a joke about having a BO version of the titanium handles, but I've just found a Charge TTi with BO tools.....now I realised what you meant!
I only ever bought a BO once, and that was for a Surge. The finish on it was so bad, I sent it in to Whitby & Co (Leatherman UK) and swapped it for a Stainless steel version, losing £15 in the process, including the postage. I'm hoping to get my Spirit RT from Felinevet today. That is the kind of black I like. Actually I do have the Skeletool CX, which does have a DLC finish. That is nice!

[hennypenny]

What? You don't like Leatherman's BO application or quality?

No I am not joking. If they make a BO version, I am on it like a fat kid on a smarty.

Dunc has a BO Charge ALX for sale if you are interested.

[stealth007s]

What? You don't like Leatherman's BO application or quality?

No I am not joking. If they make a BO version, I am on it like a fat kid on a smarty.

 

Dunc has a BO Charge ALX for sale if you are interested.

I think Chako is referring to the new style Charge.

[Breezy12]

Likewise. It does amaze me that the Charge doesn't have replaceable cutters these days.

  Leatherman's timeline is not a human timeline. We'll be old men and too dern old by the time they get on the ball. If someone set up shop and started mass modding the two versions, or sold a DIY mod kit, then Leatherman would hop in there and get it done. And if no one does, then they'll sit on it for at least another ten years.

  And no competitor has really made a tool the people want, but yet another clone instead of leading the pack in innovation.

I have said this before in a different thread, but I'll say it again here -- this is clearly a business decision for Leatherman.  The Rebar has only been available for about a year, and there are plenty of indications that the Rebar is still selling very well.  If Leatherman were to add the Rebar plier head into the Wave/Charge series, the Rebar sales would instantly be cannibalized, hurting their bottom line.  (Yes, they are still a company trying to make money.)

Think about it this way: how many people are rushing out to buy a Surge or ST300 right now, given that we know the new Surge with the replaceable cutters is coming out later this year?  my guess is that the ST300 sales slowed down, and this refresh is a way to revive sales of the Surge without having to worry about killing the ST300 sales.

Leatherman has stated many times that the Wave is far and away their best-selling tool of all time.  I don't think they're in any rush to refresh that product line, especially if it's going to cannibalize the sales  of one of their other, newer tools.

Give it a few more years for Rebar sales to decline a bit, and I have no doubt that we'll see the Rebar plier head appearing in the Wave/Charge line.  Considering the ST300 came out in 2009, and we're seeing the refreshed Surge in 2013, I'm thinking it will be sooner than "at least another 10 years."  Maybe in 2018 for the 35th anniversary...

[hennypenny]

Perhaps Silverline can make the improved Charge TTi with Rebar pliers. They did such a good job on the Crunch.
I'm selling my recently acquired Charge TTi, so please check out the For Sale section.

[stealth007s]

Perhaps Silverline can make the improved Charge TTi with Rebar pliers. They did such a good job on the Crunch.
I'm selling my recently acquired Charge TTi, so please check out the For Sale section.

You don't like it?

[hennypenny]

I prefer the original Charge Ti. The fact that I can't even sell it for £90 suggests to me that many people don't like it either. This costs around £150 brand new.

[hennypenny]

I've just noticed the date stamp on my 2013 Charge TTi is 1112 on both handles. Does that mean it was made in November 2012, so why did they call it the 2013 version?