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Thursday, 23 August 2007

Leatherman Charge XTi

When it comes to kayak fishing there are a number of items that I could happily leave behind. My Leatherman Charge XTi Multitool isn't one of them. I've always been a fan of multitools, especially as a kayak fishing companion. Most models are equiped with pliers, straight and serrated edge cutting blades and various screw driver tips. Some have scissors, files and even saw blades. The most user-friendly of them include a locking mechanism for tools and a one-hand opening action for blades.

A lot like their predocessor - the Leatherman Wave - the Charge multitools have all of these features packaged into a pocket-sized toolbox. Having previously owned a Wave I didn't need much convincing on the design principles of the Charge models, which is very similar. There are, however, a few stand out features that do make it a more attractive proposition for kayak fishing.

Pocket clip is a handy addition for yaking

One of these might seem like a small thing to many, but it was practically a deal-clincher for me: the Charge multitools come with an optional pocket clip. This can be exchanged for a lanyard holder and depending on your preference, both will be useful on the kayak. If you opt for the lanyard holder you can easily attach a small carabeena clip fastened to a bungee cord for security. Otherwise you can use the pocket clip to attach the tool to your PFD, which is what I typically do. This makes it easy to secure and easy to reach.

Another notable difference is the steel used in the main cutting blade, which is 154CM stainless steel - a premium high carbon stainless steel that boasts a big improvement in edge holding capabilities over 420C steel (used in the Wave). Add to this, the outer handles are made of lightweight and rust proof titanium. Note: the newer model TTi uses even better SV30 stainless steel in the main blade.

Those features aside, the Charge multitools are clearly influenced by the Wave, albeit a little larger overall and marginally lighter. Perhaps the biggest selling point of these tools as a kayak fishing tool is the shared one-hand opening design, which makes accessing the blades much easier than most other models. With a simple circular action either blade can be easily opened with your thumb. Some other designs require the use of 2 hands to access the blades. 2 free hands is a luxury that kayak fishermen don't always have.

Another plus for the Leatherman Charge and Wave tools is that they incorporate a diamond file (on the opposite face to the metal file) and this is a brilliant little sharpening device. Mine gets used frequently to touch up the fileting knife, as well as making sure all deployed hooks are razor sharp.

Although the handles are made of Titanium, the liners and locking mechanisms are made from stainless steel. Note that stainless means exactly what it says: stain less - not stain proof. Ergo, under the corrosive elements of blood and salt water, Leatherman tools till rust if not attended to with a good rinsing in fresh water soon after use. Fortunately it's easily removed from most parts with a scour brush. Leaving it to the point where you have to do so is not recommended though because some of the nooks and crannies are difficult to reach. Admittedly, I've been relatively neglegent with mine and a bit of surface rust has appeared in places. My particular model has a black powder coating that I suspected might help prevent rust forming. I was wrong. If anything I'd suggest that spot rust would be easier to remove from the standard silver models.

Neglected but still going strong

Even though my current Charge multitool is showing signs of nelgect, it's actually still in perfect working condition. Although it looks like 40 miles of rough road, it continues to operate much like it did from the day it was purchased. A little bit of Innox goes a long way.

The Charge range has recently been altered and renamed, now with the Titanium flavoured TTi as well as the aluminium based AL and ALX models. The TTi most closely resembles the earlier XT models, essentially combining the best of both. It also now uses S30V Stainless steel in the main blade, which is an excellent high carbon steel, with better rust resistance and edge holding ability than the 154CM steel used in the ealier XT and new AL and ALX models. It might pay to be aware of that if you go shopping for a Charge multitool, as the new TTi is definitely the pick of the bunch.

The fact of the matter is that you couldn't go too far wrong with any one of them. Covered by a 25 year guarantee, you can be assured that all Leatherman tools are manufactured to very high standards. I have a bit of a history with Leatherman tools that dates back to the late eighties, where I was introduced to them while working in an outdoor store. I continued to sell them for almost a decade and even though we sold more of them than competitor brand models, we received a lot less faulty returns. There's a lesson in that, which is probably why I'm still using them more than a decade later. At over AU$200 they're not cheap, but the Leatherman Charge tools are probably the best on offer.