I use the charge daily for work. I'm a cable technician & I use the mini screwdriver inside the handle for factory resetting my modems. I use it regularly for that task alone. That said for the work I do it functions perfectly for my job & use it daily. However, ya just can't beat the super tool imho. It's just a tank & if forced to pick 1 multi tool it's hands down my personal favorite. Keep rocking those reviews Aaron! I really enjoy your channel.
I disagree in preference of the knife blade location. I have never had any concern for slipping forward onto the blade of a Wave or Charge, but in other multitools, I have always disliked the blade being located in the place the Super Tool has it. Mostly because it hinders me from using the entire blade, the lower straight near the pivot doesn't get used much because the whole tool gets caught on things more vs when I have the cutting edge right in line with the rest of the tool. Just doesn't work for me.
I have never heard anyone consider the blade on top a plus. I have seen him say this in a couple of videos now. I totally disagree. The blade belongs on the bottom out of the way of my cutting. I carry other tools but if I had a choice always want it like the Wave, Surge and Center Drive.
I have carried a charge TTi for 12 years as a pocket carry edc. Yes it is a little (a fair amount really) more spendy... but the upgraded steel is way worth it. The S30v blade is amazing. It replace an older gerber (center drive style) prior which I felt was too heavy to pocket carry. I sometimes swap it out with a bug out when I am "light carry", but 99% of the time is it my main blade. If you are EDC it consider replacing the pocket clip with a titanium one. I worked in hospital in a trauma emergency and loved the safety blade for removing clothing. I love the charge so much that when I lost it last year I bought a new one within 2 weeks. I have a super tool, surge, and wingman... and a new centerdrive... clearly the charge tti is my choice never use the screw drive, so your comments are moot point to me
Luca Sirianni its a shit ton better than the early versions. Leatherman has done a lot of rounding and profiling of the edges and because of the size it really is comfortable and doesn’t have too uncomfortable edges digging in.
Bought a charge plus for $111.94 on Amazon with pouch, belt clip, bits and lanyard loop. (Amazon Prime). Btw, one of my favorite part of this tool is the scissors. I owned a old school leather man tool with this feature and I loved it!
I carry my charge plus every day. Pouch carry on the belt. I had the regular charge so I use the horizontal carry pouch for work and the vertical carry sheath for outside of work. I've used almost every tool on it for something. This wins over the centerdrive every day. But to each his/her own. Do/use what works for you
Very good review, Aaron. I do have a few nits to pick, though I've had my Wave and Surge for 2 years and 1 year, respectively. I can now open the pliers on both fairly easily one handed. The replaceable wire cutters are steel on the Leathermans and carbide on the Gerber. I've been told by several sources that the carbide cutters can crack or even shatter under heavy use. Finally, the mini screwdriver is great for things like eyeglass screw, but also as a light-duty punch or awl.
You can deploy the screwdriver bit driver and open the tool to get something that resembles a traditional screwdriver. If that doesn't make sense then open the pliers fully and only close one side...
You can open the Charge one-handed, you have to break it in, though. Just shove your index finger down the middle, grab the side that doesn't retain the pliers, whip it, then lock it. You can also buy the longer bits used on the MUT and shove them in the inner pocket. Frees up one of the loops for a flashlight, pen, or powerbank. Honestly, the Charge Plus seems like a classy policeman's multitool, especially with that guthook. Fits nicely between the Juice and Surge.
Just checking this out in 2024, because I was thinking about picking up a Charge Plus. This is a great comparison, but one I'm surprised you like the inside tools on the super tool so much. The inside facing blades seem like a serious drawback to me. Having the blade face the outside handle gives you more access to the full edge, making the blade/tool more useful in my opinion.
I'm only 2 minutes into the film but I can tell you now- I have the old Charge and it fits perfectly being the only Multitool I own. 80% of the time it is being used in my home instead of the whole plethora of specialised tools I have. It's perfect as the ONLY multitool.
I recently purchased the ST300 but quickly returned it for the charge +. The ST300 is very good but too heavy and big for my taste. Love the charge +; it's light in comparison and can be an EDC. Fits very nicely in my jean jacket pocket.
I'd still choose the Wave or Charge. I got rid of the Supertool 300 when compared to the Surge. The Charge plus is just a nicer Wave, with the upgraded blade, aluminium scales and that seat belt cutter on the serrated blade. I'd rather choose a Rebar over that brick Supertool.
this was an interesting video for me, but I am old, and I still have my very first leatherman, that I bought in the ARMY in 1985. ( PST) I also carried a supertool on my belt while in the ARMY when they first came out with it. about 20 years ago, I got the supertool 200 and an original wave, and last year I got a surge as a gift, then later a supertool 300. it amazes me how much difference in size and toughness they have from year to year, and model to model. my EDC right now is the surge and wave on my belt in their pouches, and a TOP's BoB folder in my back pocket, and I have to say that all of the focus on ounces or grams on your belt seems silly to me. you get used to what ever you carry, and my belt now is a couple pounds lighter than the pistol belt I wore in the ARMY, I don't even notice it on my belt now. cutting tools for the sake of a few grams is penny wise, and pound foolish in my opinion.
Deat Gideon, hello from Greece. In search for a second multitool, i thought that the Gerber would be a nice purchace (half the price of the Charge, but only 15euros less than a wave). When i first touched it, i immediately noticed 3 things: First,the quality is far less lower than the wave (or Rebar for exp). It rattle a lot and felt chanky, cause of the ''rail-system''' plier. Second, because of the ''rail-system'' plier, the plierhead has a lot of movement for a tool that meant to be used for decades. It doesn't feel as sturdy as a leatherman, and that part is something that very few reviewers mention (but it is the first thing the average buyer perceives when comparing the 2 multitools in the hardwear store...). The last thing i noticed is that (becide the over-all low quality) the serrated blade is a joke to say the least: it is no sharp at all!! It is fare to say that the one-handed screwdriver (but you need two hands to successfully screw a screw with a multitool...) is an improvement on multitools and the spring assist is a welcome addition, but the final product in nowhere near the quality of a Wave or Charge. Probbably the most ideal leatherman product to compare Gerber with (except the overall size factor) is the Sidekick, not Wave or Charge.
I have been at work, managing my sales floor when suddenly my glasses just fall apart. I guess my screws loosened over time without me noticing and I had to go blind since my store was out of eyeglass kits. This has actually happened to me many times and the Wave+ saves the day
Wow. That sucks. I carried a 400 for a few years and never had an issue. I carry a Skeletool now. I wanted a clip. I do not like the pouches. No replaceable cutters on the Skeletool but I like how it feels.
Wow. That sucks. I carried a 400 for a few years and never had an issue. I carry a Skeletool now. I wanted a clip. I do not like the pouches. No replaceable cutters on the Skeletool but I like how it feels.
I just ordered this tool, customized, and I may sell my Wave+. I may also add a Reamer/Awl to the Wave+ from the Rebar. I’ve been carrying a custom Rebar lately, and it is a very well rounded tool, one of their best. I wish they would sell the bit kit available for it as a standard accessory, with a nylon pouch the could hold all of it.I will agree the SuperTool 300 is a monster, and the 300M is the one I prefer. It has some tools meant for firearm maintenance, but the longer awl and the pry tool are some awesome additions. I also LOVE that Leatherman put the bit adapter on the SuperTool 300M. I also own a Surge, but typically use it for projects around the house. Then, there is the SOG PowerLock 2.0 I’ve picked up and customized to my liking. That big guy has a straight edge, a serrated blade, but I lost the (questionable) file. The ONLY way the Charge could be improved, would be with an automatic tool deployment on the blades.
Recently bought a black oxide rebar, love it, tried a wave but found it a bit bulky, like the size/weight of rebar even though tools are inside, for me it's more of a back up item than a primary tool, I'm in the building trade so have a van full of dedicated tools. The rebar I find comfortable in pouch or 5th coin pocket if I want it more discreet. For me I think rebar combined with likes of a victorinox compact is s good combo, Victorinox having quick access scissors and knife blade.
Hey Aaron, glad you picked this guy out. Last week i bought the same one as a present. Funny thing, i would have gone with a rebar of super tool, but they would not be presentable enough for the receiver. I mean if you're an average Joe, have like 2 dull knives from Ikea in the kitchen and not in to the knife industry, rebar f.e. would probably look like piece of steel crap))) Anyway i digress, so i took charge out of the box, checked it for defects. Never seen this model in life before. IMHO its too thick with tiny pliers, not my cup of tea, you just cant beat rebar in terms of size to function. Also mine had the same warped not cool bevel on the plain edge knive. Their QC sucks
I have a charge al, used it in an industrial setting and just didn't like the clumsiness of the extension and bits being proprietary. Bought the Gerber because the loadout is perfect for work but it's build quality is not up to snuff. Have Leatherman build the Centerdrive and that's the winner!
Excellent review! I work in the dialysis field and touching on the pocket clip was the selling point for me because I can carry this with scrubs since we don’t wear belts with scrubs. Thank you for that attention to detail, that sealed the deal. Stay safe!
I have many Leathermans and Gerber's. Use the Center-drive most of all. I put the Center-drive on my Honey drop-list in Amazon and waited 4 months to see a price drop. As soon as it notified me i bought it for $49. Have to be patient to get the good deal. BTW that price only lasted a few hours...
Great review, best I saw when researching this. I ended up buying one, the small screwdriver is useful for me for fixing small electronics on top of the rest of it. Wave Plus seems almost as good, but I got a good deal to narrow the price difference and grabbed the Charge. Thanks again.
Great review! I have an older model “Charge ALX”...the jury’s still out on it. I love the 154CM steel and it’s capability. I like the pocket clip, but it’s too thick to pocket carry comfortably. I don’t sheath carry unless I’m only working around the house...consequently, my “Charge” resides in my glove box. I find myself carrying my “Skeletool” as an EDC blade/tool the most; what it lacks in capability it makes up for in comfort.
FOR MY USE THE CHARGE FOR URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND OUTINGS TO THE FIELD. I USE THE SUPER TOOL MORE TO CARRY THE WORK, I AM A HANDYMAN. THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT TOOLS, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU. EXCELLENT VIDEO I KNOW IT WILL HELP PEOPLE TO CHOOSE WHICH IS BEST FOR THEM.👍👍👍
Have owned the charge for several years. Use it occasionally. Are the upgrades worth shelling out another $150? Not to me. The charge has simple heavy duty tools, I don’t need extra doodads.
Bought the Centerdrive last year according to your review, was using it on some fencing, not even that hard of a steel wire fence and the cutters didn't last one cut and crumbled. Gave them to my brother and the money I was saving by buying this instead of a Surge bit me in that azz. Basically bought it because you recommended it and you seem to be still pushing it. Anyways just my experience. oh the blades wiggled too.
lonerezzie1 I am really sorry to hear that. I understand that you are frustrated. If mine had done that I would be too. Gerber has a good warranty, they would fix the issue in short order. I am by no means “pushing” this tool. I like it, it has performs well for me in my usage and testing and I am just giving a data point.
I'm torn between the wave/charge and the rebar. I like that the wave has one handed outside opening for four tools but some of the other tools on the inside aren't very useful to me. whereas the rebar, I find that the tools are much more useful to me, however the two handed opening and all inside tools make me indecisive. Does the two handed and all inside tools bother you at all for the Rebar?
@@aidenlin9878 They both have different tools, which tools will you need? I have found that the two handed opening and inside tools are not an issue at all! Currently the Rebar costs $59.95 and the Wave costs $89.95, the Rebar weighs 189.94g and the Wave weighs 241g (numbers as per the Leatherman website). For me, the Rebar just works, and works very well.
@@grghndy Okay thanks! I have the swiss spirit X and I want to give my dad a present for his birthday. so I found that the spirit X has all the tools I need and the Rebar is quite similar. I'm also probs giving him a Micra along with it to compensate not having scissors. Thanks for the info!
Definitely a step in the right direction with the replaceable teeth. I would LOVE if they made a surge with the charge scales and the ALX's internals. Also with the replaceable saw/file, people have made their own elongated screwdriver (among other stuff). I pocket carry my ALX every day. I used to have it clipped to my pocket, but the clip snapped. Now it just rides on the bottom of my pocket.
If I had to pick one of those I think it'd have to be the Gerber. I have had my eye on that one for a while now already. I already carry an older Gerber multitool and it's never failed me, but there are some aspects of that Gerber over the Leathermans that are deal makers for me. One is the ease of one handed use with the Gerber. If I'm doing a task that requires precision that really comes in handy. Part of that is the spring assisted pliers, that's huge for me. Also huge for me is the universality of the driver bits. I don't have to have proprietary bits, I can use bits of all kinds that you can buy virtually anywhere they sell hardware (many of which I already own anyhow). I also like the horizontal carry and molle comparability of the sheath. I think those are probably the aspects of a multitool that matter to me most, personally...
The blade on the Charge and the Gerber is in the RIGHT position. The supertool shows blades mounted upside down. It's neither more ergonomic nor safe and in such a position you cannot use the blade on all its lenght which you can do on the Gerber and the Leatherman. Nice vid and nice rig dude !
I carry either a rebar a wave or a Gerber mp600 when people ask me for recommendations on a multitools I almost always tell them to go with a rebar I've put it through hell and back and it will not quit while I love my wave and mp600 I have more trust in the rebar to get jobs done
I've switched my Squirt to the Juice as gideon recommended... didn't liked it. Both were S versions (pliers and scissors) but as far the Juice being more robust, I didn't think it overcame the weight/capability ratio of the Squirt for a small EDC tool.
Good David. Mine is the S2. Maybe I get the handle of that, but I think I like the Squirt PS4 better for a EDC. For other heavier tasks I catch my other larger MTs from the drawer.
The only part I had trouble with is when I put a bit (standard/mini) in the extension, I literally had to use a pair of pliers to get it back out. I may have done something wrong but I read all the information I could find and no thing helped.
I love the name drop of the zero tolerance. Love carrying my Microtech or Zero Tolerance. So glad these companies are starting to put good blade steel on these multi-tools.
For a long time back in my major tinkering days, I had a Gerber Dime. Best Gerber there is, in my opinion, and it broke after a year and a half of use. Thing is, yes, Gerber can be cheaper. Yes, Gerber can have good tools, And yes, some of them function in way Leatherman never tried to, such as their one handed pliers pop out of the handle mechanism. But Gerbers, they all just, break. Every last one I’ve ever owned or my father ever owned has broken, sometimes even catastrophically. Leatherman is simply more reliable, I have the super tool 300 and the rebar, the surge and the micra, and none of them have ever once failed. I’ll admit that I once snapped a Corner off my supertool’s small screw driver, it’s just such a perfect size for prying and tight seams... but that was user error, not equipment failure. It’s not built for what I was using it for in that instance, and Leatherman fixed it asap as well. I don’t think any tool beats the supertool, not really.
Pretty good review up until you said that the Gerber replaceable Jaws are about as good as the Leatherman... Anybody who's ever tried cutting with the Gerber vs leatherman knows that not only does the Gerbe have a much worse cut but the cutters shatter on anything tougher than soft wire.
For me it's the charge tti plus it's built like a tank. I refuse to touch gerber ever again. No scissors for me is no buy. What does the super tool sell for.
I have cut hundreds of 1/8", 3/32" and 1/16" 316L stainless filler wire with my Surge and Super Tool without any noticable damage to the cutter blades. The very first 3/32" wire I tried to cut with my Center Drive completely shattered the cutter blades and bent the handles in enough that the pliers don't completely close anymore. Their sliding plier head design sucks and their tungsten carbide cutting blades are absolute garbage. I completely regret buying the Center Drive and went running back to my Surge. (I'm a stainless pipe welder/fitter.) I would bet my life on my Leatherman tools. Gerber has become the new mall ninja brand for all the cool kids.
The Squirt I carry on my key chain is very handy for small jobs. It has scissors, the only tool I have never used. One tool I wish it had, because it seems like I'm always needing one, is an awl. My other leathermans have one, this does not. Leathermans, skip the damn scissors and put an awl!
Any multitool that has a saw but doesn’t have an awl to go with it is an instant fail for me. Personally I’d rather buy the Surge and have way more tool for less money
leatherman will replace it if something breaks while prying with the screwdriver (assuming it doesnt look like you used it as a lever for a sledge hammer), gerber..... no
For someone who is blind.. you wont catch me in the woods without that "tinkering" screwdriver. Ive had lenses fall right out and if it weren't for those screwdrivers, id be screwed.
I’ll stick with my Rebar. Those bit drivers with limited reach are worthless to me, if I need extra bits I will also have the bit adaptor/extender so that “problem” of the Rebar solves itself. As for outside tool access, I’ll take the weight/ space savings of all internal every time.
Very awesome review and i'm a huge Gerber fan. So i would go with the Gerber, because i like the driver and the ease on how to get the tools out. Don't get me wrong i do love the Leatherman products, but you can't bet the price point on the Gerber Multi-tools for what you get. Another great review gideonstactical
My opinion: Gerber is junk. Supertool is awesome, but very big, so pouch carry only. I love my Charge AL with a clip. With the clip it rides in my pocket every day. It is a bit chunky for pocket carry, but I love having all those tools in my pocket (it's a compromise). Love the upgraded blade. So, I agree with you assertion, great pocket carry multitool! BTW, the tiny screwdriver is rarely used, but when you need it, ie your glasses fall apart, you will be glad you had it. Better have and not need it than need it and not have it.
The options are not that you have or don't have the small screwdriver. It's about whether it earns it's own place as an individual tool, or be included in the bit kit for the big bit holder. I'll probably modify my Wave and take out the thing and make it fit in the big bit holder, leaving space for proper tool such as awl that the Wave is desperately missing.
Quality on Leatherman is better, steel is better...Things you didn't touch on. Overall you get what you pay for. usability isn't everything. Great review though.
I don't own the Charge, but I love my Supertool 300. But that Gerber....the wire cutters break....I mean, they even break them in their commerical. The Center-Drive isn't a bad concept, but they only centered it in one direction and not the other. And doesn't really have a lot of tools. Not worth what they are asking....
Here's Gerber's personal video on the Center-Drive. near the end of the video, they use the replaceable cutters, and bust them..... ua-cam.com/video/jLGykRRU-bg/v-deo.html
look at 1:12 when they cut the glasses screwdriver, and you can see the crack right in the spot they cut it...it's more than obvious...instead of making cutters from scratch out of a steel that is made for pressure cutting...they decided to use a cutter meant for a metal lathe...made for peeling off thin layers of steel, not pressure cutting through a whole piece of metal...
Anything that could potentially ding your wire-cutters on the Wave, will definitely crack your Center-Drive wire-cutters. They are brittle, and any Leatherman wire-cutter set-up, be it replaceable or not, will outlast the Center-Drive's. And to compare those brittle Center-Drive cutters with 154CM cutters is ludicrous. Every single review mentions the ability to rotate the Center-Drive cutters. Who cares? The toughest thing you can cut with them is soft wire. You won't be able to rotate them if you shatter them on anything substantial.
Eh i'd say the aluminum is the more "price conscious" but i agree entirely the titanium is the way to go and the crimpers are not useful for everyone but that's where preference and use differentiates.
I use the charge daily for work. I'm a cable technician & I use the mini screwdriver inside the handle for factory resetting my modems. I use it regularly for that task alone. That said for the work I do it functions perfectly for my job & use it daily. However, ya just can't beat the super tool imho. It's just a tank & if forced to pick 1 multi tool it's hands down my personal favorite. Keep rocking those reviews Aaron! I really enjoy your channel.
I disagree in preference of the knife blade location. I have never had any concern for slipping forward onto the blade of a Wave or Charge, but in other multitools, I have always disliked the blade being located in the place the Super Tool has it. Mostly because it hinders me from using the entire blade, the lower straight near the pivot doesn't get used much because the whole tool gets caught on things more vs when I have the cutting edge right in line with the rest of the tool. Just doesn't work for me.
I have never heard anyone consider the blade on top a plus. I have seen him say this in a couple of videos now. I totally disagree. The blade belongs on the bottom out of the way of my cutting. I carry other tools but if I had a choice always want it like the Wave, Surge and Center Drive.
I'm 100% with that. Blades must be located on the bottom, otherwise you cannot use them correctly.
I have carried a charge TTi for 12 years as a pocket carry edc. Yes it is a little (a fair amount really) more spendy... but the upgraded steel is way worth it. The S30v blade is amazing. It replace an older gerber (center drive style) prior which I felt was too heavy to pocket carry. I sometimes swap it out with a bug out when I am "light carry", but 99% of the time is it my main blade. If you are EDC it consider replacing the pocket clip with a titanium one. I worked in hospital in a trauma emergency and loved the safety blade for removing clothing. I love the charge so much that when I lost it last year I bought a new one within 2 weeks. I have a super tool, surge, and wingman... and a new centerdrive... clearly the charge tti is my choice never use the screw drive, so your comments are moot point to me
😂when he said the super tool was ergonomic I almost spat my coffee, I love my super tool but that thing is a massive chunk of steel.
Luca Sirianni its a shit ton better than the early versions. Leatherman has done a lot of rounding and profiling of the edges and because of the size it really is comfortable and doesn’t have too uncomfortable edges digging in.
Luca Sirianni you are totally right it is a brick but not at crazy as other multi tools, I should have clarified
Luca Sirianni, Lol
That's why the Rebar is the very best of Leatheman.
The smaller Rebar is only SLIGHTLY more ergonomic than the Super Tool, due to the smaller size then anything else.
Bought a charge plus for $111.94 on Amazon with pouch, belt clip, bits and lanyard loop. (Amazon Prime). Btw, one of my favorite part of this tool is the scissors. I owned a old school leather man tool with this feature and I loved it!
Thanks for the review. Just got charge plus from white mountain knives. They offered a free rebar heritage as a BOGO Black Friday deal.
I carry my charge plus every day. Pouch carry on the belt. I had the regular charge so I use the horizontal carry pouch for work and the vertical carry sheath for outside of work. I've used almost every tool on it for something. This wins over the centerdrive every day. But to each his/her own. Do/use what works for you
The charge plus is awesome!!! I carry it everyday. I tried the centre drive but did not care for it.
Great video. I have one multitool, the Rebar. Use it almost every day at home.
Very good review, Aaron. I do have a few nits to pick, though I've had my Wave and Surge for 2 years and 1 year, respectively. I can now open the pliers on both fairly easily one handed. The replaceable wire cutters are steel on the Leathermans and carbide on the Gerber. I've been told by several sources that the carbide cutters can crack or even shatter under heavy use. Finally, the mini screwdriver is great for things like eyeglass screw, but also as a light-duty punch or awl.
I’m fine with my blackened Surge. Cheers!
You can deploy the screwdriver bit driver and open the tool to get something that resembles a traditional screwdriver. If that doesn't make sense then open the pliers fully and only close one side...
Thanks for saving me 20 bucks
Leatherman wins all day. I use a Surge for work everyday, and it does the job.
You can open the Charge one-handed, you have to break it in, though. Just shove your index finger down the middle, grab the side that doesn't retain the pliers, whip it, then lock it.
You can also buy the longer bits used on the MUT and shove them in the inner pocket. Frees up one of the loops for a flashlight, pen, or powerbank.
Honestly, the Charge Plus seems like a classy policeman's multitool, especially with that guthook. Fits nicely between the Juice and Surge.
Just checking this out in 2024, because I was thinking about picking up a Charge Plus. This is a great comparison, but one I'm surprised you like the inside tools on the super tool so much. The inside facing blades seem like a serious drawback to me. Having the blade face the outside handle gives you more access to the full edge, making the blade/tool more useful in my opinion.
A lot of people are moving up to the Surge, bigger - more options. Adding jigsaw blades is really nice.
I'm only 2 minutes into the film but I can tell you now- I have the old Charge and it fits perfectly being the only Multitool I own. 80% of the time it is being used in my home instead of the whole plethora of specialised tools I have.
It's perfect as the ONLY multitool.
Drill a hole in bit extender, put a small clip on end and throw it on your key chain.
I recently purchased the ST300 but quickly returned it for the charge +. The ST300 is very good but too heavy and big for my taste. Love the charge +; it's light in comparison and can be an EDC. Fits very nicely in my jean jacket pocket.
Have you tried a wave? Carries even better for edc and offers the same tools the charge does
-“Serrated blade works fantastic..”
-in the background struggling with cutting a belt 😂😂😂
I'd still choose the Wave or Charge. I got rid of the Supertool 300 when compared to the Surge. The Charge plus is just a nicer Wave, with the upgraded blade, aluminium scales and that seat belt cutter on the serrated blade. I'd rather choose a Rebar over that brick Supertool.
Kyron Klain
Surge is nice. Can't pass-up the utility that comes with the T-Shank socket.
Scowler exactly, if I were to choose only one multi tool, it would be the Surge.
this was an interesting video for me, but I am old, and I still have my very first leatherman, that I bought in the ARMY in 1985. ( PST) I also carried a supertool on my belt while in the ARMY when they first came out with it. about 20 years ago, I got the supertool 200 and an original wave, and last year I got a surge as a gift, then later a supertool 300. it amazes me how much difference in size and toughness they have from year to year, and model to model. my EDC right now is the surge and wave on my belt in their pouches, and a TOP's BoB folder in my back pocket, and I have to say that all of the focus on ounces or grams on your belt seems silly to me. you get used to what ever you carry, and my belt now is a couple pounds lighter than the pistol belt I wore in the ARMY, I don't even notice it on my belt now. cutting tools for the sake of a few grams is penny wise, and pound foolish in my opinion.
Deat Gideon, hello from Greece. In search for a second multitool, i thought that the Gerber would be a nice purchace (half the price of the Charge, but only 15euros less than a wave). When i first touched it, i immediately noticed 3 things: First,the quality is far less lower than the wave (or Rebar for exp). It rattle a lot and felt chanky, cause of the ''rail-system''' plier. Second, because of the ''rail-system'' plier, the plierhead has a lot of movement for a tool that meant to be used for decades. It doesn't feel as sturdy as a leatherman, and that part is something that very few reviewers mention (but it is the first thing the average buyer perceives when comparing the 2 multitools in the hardwear store...). The last thing i noticed is that (becide the over-all low quality) the serrated blade is a joke to say the least: it is no sharp at all!!
It is fare to say that the one-handed screwdriver (but you need two hands to successfully screw a screw with a multitool...) is an improvement on multitools and the spring assist is a welcome addition, but the final product in nowhere near the quality of a Wave or Charge. Probbably the most ideal leatherman product to compare Gerber with (except the overall size factor) is the Sidekick, not Wave or Charge.
I have been at work, managing my sales floor when suddenly my glasses just fall apart. I guess my screws loosened over time without me noticing and I had to go blind since my store was out of eyeglass kits. This has actually happened to me many times and the Wave+ saves the day
Gerber is half of a price and half of quality.
Have you used a Gerber and had it fail?
Cutters broke... literally same thing happened with Wranglerstars Gerber.
Wow. That sucks. I carried a 400 for a few years and never had an issue. I carry a Skeletool now. I wanted a clip. I do not like the pouches. No replaceable cutters on the Skeletool but I like how it feels.
Wow. That sucks. I carried a 400 for a few years and never had an issue. I carry a Skeletool now. I wanted a clip. I do not like the pouches. No replaceable cutters on the Skeletool but I like how it feels.
seca021 same thing happened to mine.
I just ordered this tool, customized, and I may sell my Wave+. I may also add a Reamer/Awl to the Wave+ from the Rebar. I’ve been carrying a custom Rebar lately, and it is a very well rounded tool, one of their best. I wish they would sell the bit kit available for it as a standard accessory, with a nylon pouch the could hold all of it.I will agree the SuperTool 300 is a monster, and the 300M is the one I prefer. It has some tools meant for firearm maintenance, but the longer awl and the pry tool are some awesome additions. I also LOVE that Leatherman put the bit adapter on the SuperTool 300M. I also own a Surge, but typically use it for projects around the house. Then, there is the SOG PowerLock 2.0 I’ve picked up and customized to my liking. That big guy has a straight edge, a serrated blade, but I lost the (questionable) file. The ONLY way the Charge could be improved, would be with an automatic tool deployment on the blades.
Recently bought a black oxide rebar, love it, tried a wave but found it a bit bulky, like the size/weight of rebar even though tools are inside, for me it's more of a back up item than a primary tool, I'm in the building trade so have a van full of dedicated tools. The rebar I find comfortable in pouch or 5th coin pocket if I want it more discreet. For me I think rebar combined with likes of a victorinox compact is s good combo, Victorinox having quick access scissors and knife blade.
Hey Aaron, glad you picked this guy out. Last week i bought the same one as a present. Funny thing, i would have gone with a rebar of super tool, but they would not be presentable enough for the receiver. I mean if you're an average Joe, have like 2 dull knives from Ikea in the kitchen and not in to the knife industry, rebar f.e. would probably look like piece of steel crap)))
Anyway i digress, so i took charge out of the box, checked it for defects. Never seen this model in life before. IMHO its too thick with tiny pliers, not my cup of tea, you just cant beat rebar in terms of size to function.
Also mine had the same warped not cool bevel on the plain edge knive. Their QC sucks
Have you ever considered reviewing the Swisstool Sprit or Swisstool?
If leatherman would have a build your own tool option I would totally ditch the scissors
Leatherman needs to build a wrench that works like a pipe wrench so it closes on the bolt while you turn it. Just Food for thought
I have a charge al, used it in an industrial setting and just didn't like the clumsiness of the extension and bits being proprietary. Bought the Gerber because the loadout is perfect for work but it's build quality is not up to snuff. Have Leatherman build the Centerdrive and that's the winner!
Yeah man I love the quality of my leatherman surge but my new Gerber drive is awaome and has proven itself so far
Center drive is a nice tool but try to cut anything even a little bit harder than copper wire and the cutters will shatter like glass.
Excellent review! I work in the dialysis field and touching on the pocket clip was the selling point for me because I can carry this with scrubs since we don’t wear belts with scrubs. Thank you for that attention to detail, that sealed the deal. Stay safe!
The compass attached to the watch is good! It's cool!
I have many Leathermans and Gerber's. Use the Center-drive most of all. I put the Center-drive on my Honey drop-list in Amazon and waited 4 months to see a price drop. As soon as it notified me i bought it for $49. Have to be patient to get the good deal. BTW that price only lasted a few hours...
Great review, best I saw when researching this. I ended up buying one, the small screwdriver is useful for me for fixing small electronics on top of the rest of it. Wave Plus seems almost as good, but I got a good deal to narrow the price difference and grabbed the Charge. Thanks again.
You should have added the Surge to this review. That tool is a beast too!
Great review! I have an older model “Charge ALX”...the jury’s still out on it. I love the 154CM steel and it’s capability. I like the pocket clip, but it’s too thick to pocket carry comfortably. I don’t sheath carry unless I’m only working around the house...consequently, my “Charge” resides in my glove box. I find myself carrying my “Skeletool” as an EDC blade/tool the most; what it lacks in capability it makes up for in comfort.
Excellent presentation, but I have the Leatherman Wave on my belt every waking moment.
FOR MY USE THE CHARGE FOR URBAN ENVIRONMENT AND OUTINGS TO THE FIELD. I USE THE SUPER TOOL MORE TO CARRY THE WORK, I AM A HANDYMAN. THEY ARE ALL EXCELLENT TOOLS, YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND WHICH IS BEST FOR YOU. EXCELLENT VIDEO I KNOW IT WILL HELP PEOPLE TO CHOOSE WHICH IS BEST FOR THEM.👍👍👍
Have owned the charge for several years. Use it occasionally. Are the upgrades worth shelling out another $150? Not to me. The charge has simple heavy duty tools, I don’t need extra doodads.
Bought the Centerdrive last year according to your review, was using it on some fencing, not even that hard of a steel wire fence and the cutters didn't last one cut and crumbled. Gave them to my brother and the money I was saving by buying this instead of a Surge bit me in that azz. Basically bought it because you recommended it and you seem to be still pushing it. Anyways just my experience. oh the blades wiggled too.
lonerezzie1 I am really sorry to hear that. I understand that you are frustrated. If mine had done that I would be too. Gerber has a good warranty, they would fix the issue in short order. I am by no means “pushing” this tool. I like it, it has performs well for me in my usage and testing and I am just giving a data point.
What’s your favorite multi tool
U can also drill holes with the micro screw driver. And it will clean from under your nails .
Still love my Rebar. Would still keep my Rebar over this.
grghndy im also a rebar fan, it's a great size/ weight and tough.
I liked it too. wanted a little lighter so I got the discontinued Leatherman Fuse, you can get em cheap on Ebay.
I'm torn between the wave/charge and the rebar. I like that the wave has one handed outside opening for four tools but some of the other tools on the inside aren't very useful to me. whereas the rebar, I find that the tools are much more useful to me, however the two handed opening and all inside tools make me indecisive. Does the two handed and all inside tools bother you at all for the Rebar?
@@aidenlin9878 They both have different tools, which tools will you need? I have found that the two handed opening and inside tools are not an issue at all! Currently the Rebar costs $59.95 and the Wave costs $89.95, the Rebar weighs 189.94g and the Wave weighs 241g (numbers as per the Leatherman website). For me, the Rebar just works, and works very well.
@@grghndy Okay thanks! I have the swiss spirit X and I want to give my dad a present for his birthday. so I found that the spirit X has all the tools I need and the Rebar is quite similar. I'm also probs giving him a Micra along with it to compensate not having scissors. Thanks for the info!
Definitely a step in the right direction with the replaceable teeth. I would LOVE if they made a surge with the charge scales and the ALX's internals. Also with the replaceable saw/file, people have made their own elongated screwdriver (among other stuff).
I pocket carry my ALX every day. I used to have it clipped to my pocket, but the clip snapped. Now it just rides on the bottom of my pocket.
If I had to pick one of those I think it'd have to be the Gerber. I have had my eye on that one for a while now already. I already carry an older Gerber multitool and it's never failed me, but there are some aspects of that Gerber over the Leathermans that are deal makers for me. One is the ease of one handed use with the Gerber. If I'm doing a task that requires precision that really comes in handy. Part of that is the spring assisted pliers, that's huge for me. Also huge for me is the universality of the driver bits. I don't have to have proprietary bits, I can use bits of all kinds that you can buy virtually anywhere they sell hardware (many of which I already own anyhow). I also like the horizontal carry and molle comparability of the sheath. I think those are probably the aspects of a multitool that matter to me most, personally...
Charles Farley Gerber is for babies only thing they make good is baby food 😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝😝
The blade on the Charge and the Gerber is in the RIGHT position. The supertool shows blades mounted upside down. It's neither more ergonomic nor safe and in such a position you cannot use the blade on all its lenght which you can do on the Gerber and the Leatherman. Nice vid and nice rig dude !
I carry either a rebar a wave or a Gerber mp600 when people ask me for recommendations on a multitools I almost always tell them to go with a rebar I've put it through hell and back and it will not quit while I love my wave and mp600 I have more trust in the rebar to get jobs done
I've switched my Squirt to the Juice as gideon recommended... didn't liked it. Both were S versions (pliers and scissors) but as far the Juice being more robust, I didn't think it overcame the weight/capability ratio of the Squirt for a small EDC tool.
Fábio / I started carrying my Juice C2 on GT’s recommendation and love it for EDC now.
Good David. Mine is the S2. Maybe I get the handle of that, but I think I like the Squirt PS4 better for a EDC. For other heavier tasks I catch my other larger MTs from the drawer.
The only part I had trouble with is when I put a bit (standard/mini) in the extension, I literally had to use a pair of pliers to get it back out. I may have done something wrong but I read all the information I could find and no thing helped.
Nice, what's the weight on those? I have the Supertool satin version. Love #BladeHq . Great review, thank you.
I love the name drop of the zero tolerance. Love carrying my Microtech or Zero Tolerance. So glad these companies are starting to put good blade steel on these multi-tools.
Apart from the keychain models, I wouldn't even consider a Leatherman that didn't include their interchangeable bit driver.
How would the supertool compare to the rebar? I'm looking for a heavier duty tool for my go bag but on a budget.
On the Gerber seems you could buy the cutting tool at any Home depot or Lowe's
ggutierz , you can also get it at Walmart junk Gerber is for babies
Is the charges sheath have only the main and two side sleeves I've heard some sheathed come 4 or 5 configurations
Great review. I liked the comparison to the three different tools
For a long time back in my major tinkering days, I had a Gerber Dime. Best Gerber there is, in my opinion, and it broke after a year and a half of use.
Thing is, yes, Gerber can be cheaper.
Yes, Gerber can have good tools,
And yes, some of them function in way Leatherman never tried to, such as their one handed pliers pop out of the handle mechanism. But Gerbers, they all just, break. Every last one I’ve ever owned or my father ever owned has broken, sometimes even catastrophically. Leatherman is simply more reliable, I have the super tool 300 and the rebar, the surge and the micra, and none of them have ever once failed. I’ll admit that I once snapped a Corner off my supertool’s small screw driver, it’s just such a perfect size for prying and tight seams... but that was user error, not equipment failure. It’s not built for what I was using it for in that instance, and Leatherman fixed it asap as well. I don’t think any tool beats the supertool, not really.
Pretty good review up until you said that the Gerber replaceable Jaws are about as good as the Leatherman... Anybody who's ever tried cutting with the Gerber vs leatherman knows that not only does the Gerbe have a much worse cut but the cutters shatter on anything tougher than soft wire.
Ya, I did a destruction test a year later and discovered that first hand. Check out that video 👍
@@gideonstactical certainly did!
Love how you keep on going mate! Awesome
Are the Charge Plus and the Charge Plus Tti the same thing?
For me it's the charge tti plus it's built like a tank. I refuse to touch gerber ever again. No scissors for me is no buy. What does the super tool sell for.
You said the Charge has polymer scales but I believe they are aluminum.
I have cut hundreds of 1/8", 3/32" and 1/16" 316L stainless filler wire with my Surge and Super Tool without any noticable damage to the cutter blades. The very first 3/32" wire I tried to cut with my Center Drive completely shattered the cutter blades and bent the handles in enough that the pliers don't completely close anymore. Their sliding plier head design sucks and their tungsten carbide cutting blades are absolute garbage. I completely regret buying the Center Drive and went running back to my Surge. (I'm a stainless pipe welder/fitter.) I would bet my life on my Leatherman tools. Gerber has become the new mall ninja brand for all the cool kids.
Replace. Gerber with a OHT Leatherman Multi-Tool.
But I just ordered a charge plus 2 days ago...
Thinking of ordering one, how's it working for you so far?
Great video. Some really good points made.
The Squirt I carry on my key chain is very handy for small jobs. It has scissors, the only tool I have never used. One tool I wish it had, because it seems like I'm always needing one, is an awl. My other leathermans have one, this does not. Leathermans, skip the damn scissors and put an awl!
Travis Hunt I have a Rebar too. But you can't carry It on a key chain.
Love my leather man squirt too. Had it on my keys for 3 years now. Really handy. Used it to pull out plenty of slivers and an occasional car fuse lol
Shadowops365 Hopefully the slivers were in a convenient place to reach. 😁
Stop making me consider a new multi tool. I had money before I subscribed....
Any multitool that has a saw but doesn’t have an awl to go with it is an instant fail for me. Personally I’d rather buy the Surge and have way more tool for less money
leatherman will replace it if something breaks while prying with the screwdriver (assuming it doesnt look like you used it as a lever for a sledge hammer), gerber..... no
For someone who is blind.. you wont catch me in the woods without that "tinkering" screwdriver. Ive had lenses fall right out and if it weren't for those screwdrivers, id be screwed.
Really Awesome New Leatherman tool ever! :D
I’ll stick with my Rebar. Those bit drivers with limited reach are worthless to me, if I need extra bits I will also have the bit adaptor/extender so that “problem” of the Rebar solves itself. As for outside tool access, I’ll take the weight/ space savings of all internal every time.
The gerber centerdrive was a great invention
coreyroddy40
Definitely a good workshop tool. Outdoor tool, not so much.
GERBER center-drive sucks the carbide cutters shattered.
Gerber is for babies get a real multi-tool OHT😝😝😝😝😝😝
except the fact the blade opens the wrong way on super tool that u can't really cut anything on table with such a short blade
Super tool all the way! Thanks for the vid!
Very awesome review and i'm a huge Gerber fan. So i would go with the Gerber, because i like the driver and the ease on how to get the tools out. Don't get me wrong i do love the Leatherman products, but you can't bet the price point on the Gerber Multi-tools for what you get. Another great review gideonstactical
My opinion: Gerber is junk. Supertool is awesome, but very big, so pouch carry only. I love my Charge AL with a clip. With the clip it rides in my pocket every day. It is a bit chunky for pocket carry, but I love having all those tools in my pocket (it's a compromise). Love the upgraded blade. So, I agree with you assertion, great pocket carry multitool!
BTW, the tiny screwdriver is rarely used, but when you need it, ie your glasses fall apart, you will be glad you had it. Better have and not need it than need it and not have it.
The options are not that you have or don't have the small screwdriver. It's about whether it earns it's own place as an individual tool, or be included in the bit kit for the big bit holder. I'll probably modify my Wave and take out the thing and make it fit in the big bit holder, leaving space for proper tool such as awl that the Wave is desperately missing.
Quality on Leatherman is better, steel is better...Things you didn't touch on. Overall you get what you pay for. usability isn't everything. Great review though.
GT speaks highly of the Gerber Center Drive. I had it & sold it. Doesn’t work for me
Boweimer 1 yeah Gerber sucks 😝
hope that they can fix it? leatherman WILL fix it or replace it, that's why you buy leatherman
The screw driver from The Gerber looks very weird
Anyone notice at 7:20 of the video, the pliers look like a sad face / head? :D
I don't own the Charge, but I love my Supertool 300. But that Gerber....the wire cutters break....I mean, they even break them in their commerical. The Center-Drive isn't a bad concept, but they only centered it in one direction and not the other. And doesn't really have a lot of tools. Not worth what they are asking....
Here's Gerber's personal video on the Center-Drive. near the end of the video, they use the replaceable cutters, and bust them..... ua-cam.com/video/jLGykRRU-bg/v-deo.html
so many fail videos out their, it's funny the bigger channels seem to avoid mentioning it....
Randy Yeager I watched this video like ten times and don’t see where they break the cutters
look at 1:12 when they cut the glasses screwdriver, and you can see the crack right in the spot they cut it...it's more than obvious...instead of making cutters from scratch out of a steel that is made for pressure cutting...they decided to use a cutter meant for a metal lathe...made for peeling off thin layers of steel, not pressure cutting through a whole piece of metal...
Randy Yeager you’re right wow that’s horrid
Those scales are aluminum
Anything that could potentially ding your wire-cutters on the Wave, will definitely crack your Center-Drive wire-cutters. They are brittle, and any Leatherman wire-cutter set-up, be it replaceable or not, will outlast the Center-Drive's. And to compare those brittle Center-Drive cutters with 154CM cutters is ludicrous.
Every single review mentions the ability to rotate the Center-Drive cutters. Who cares? The toughest thing you can cut with them is soft wire. You won't be able to rotate them if you shatter them on anything substantial.
Yep same thing happened to my center-drive Leatherman all the way!!!
Dude nothing compares to the charge
Leatherman is getting obscene with their prices.
GERBER center-drive sucks carbide cutters just shatter!!!
Clay McCulloch I'm going to agree with you my friend 👌
154cm is harder to sharpen!
Leatherman Charge is aluminum shit. Charge Tti is better, but it has crimpers in the needle nose pliers, which devalues the whole thing.
Eh i'd say the aluminum is the more "price conscious" but i agree entirely the titanium is the way to go and the crimpers are not useful for everyone but that's where preference and use differentiates.
Leatherman: we need to sell more waves, what can we do?
Let’s add different scales and call it the charge.
Leatherman: GENIUS!
This charge seems a lot like the wave...just with the replaceable teeth and seat belt cutter
Main difference is the 154cm blade steel and the aluminum scales. It's just a nicer Wave.
The charge plus is more comfortable in the hand. No edges like the wave, it is also easier to open due to bronze washers.
I have a wave plus and bought a 154cm blade on eBay love the blade holds a great Edge all for my EDC. 154cm blades are available on eBay great deal.👌
How to open slow please?
"Mul-tie tool"
The mut is the strongest, see the tests😄
It's not useful but Crazy-Price...
Gerber using cheap steel for there whole tool not good at all
Surge all day, every day