New Leatherman Arc Makes The Leatherman Charge Multi-Tool Obsolete?

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[@kerrymower1321]

I am so impressed with the S30V blade on my Charge TTi. I am a professional sheep shearer and sheep producer. I cut open hay bales every day. I cut straps and ropes constantly around livestock. I would not even consider carrying the Arc without a serrated blade. In a farm setting, the serrated blade might save your life. Moreover, that “gut hook” is also a seat belt cutter, and it also might save your or someone else’s life. I’ve said for years the Charge TTi is the best multi tool Leatherman has ever made, and I’m sticking with it.

[@hvacbudget8600]

I do like that strap cutter!!

[@davidbausch6245]

Agreed. Serrated blade is a must. Seems like some want to swap the saw with the serrated blade from the free. I say, why lose a good tool? Solution: remove the micro-bit holder, and replace it with a serrated blade and gut hook. Then get the micro bit adapter off of Etsy to use in the regular bit holder. Done. THAT would be the perfect multi-tool. Too many people need a serrated blade to eliminate it.

[@JhanDeCal]

I got the Wave Plus and replaced the saw with the gut hook.👍👍👍

[@iNowHateAtSigns]

Agreed. I don't use the serrated blade often, but I was once able to cut myself out a pretty bad jam on a radio tower. Now I won't climb without one.

[@93MichiganFootball]

I’ve got way more folding knives, fixed blades, and Leatherman’s than I’ll ever need in 30+ different steels, and while I’d like to have the Arc, Magnacut on just the blade is basically a marketing gimmick because the edge retention and toughness at the reported heat treat is practically the same as the S30V blade on the higher end Charges. The only improvement is the corrosion resistance which is wonderful on a standalone knife, but far less so on a multitool where all the other tools are still 420HC and prone to rust.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Interesting points!

[@oni-one574]

So what you re saying is... We need magnacut tools...

[@cyclopsamurai]

Yes! ​@@oni-one574

[@reg428]

I work for a telecommunications company. I keep a Rebar in my bag as a back up if I'm not near my tools. I have to say I haven't wished it had more tools. I'm happy with it

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Same. Rebar is nice.

[@Sparky02Stang]

I put a rebar awl in my wave in place of the micro driver and I love it, perfect tool set imo

[@hvacbudget8600]

Very nice!

[@Echo22WC]

​@@hvacbudget8600I put a rebar awl in place of the flathead/scraper on my charge+

[@hyund9i]

I got both. I have the charge g10, got it for 90ish dollars when it was on sale last year. I used my medical discount to pick up the Arc for $160. I lot of people are not aware of the medical discounts that leatherman offers for doctors and nurses. There is even a discount for 1st responders which is even better. You probably don't need the ARC if you have the charge and actually carry the Juice more often than any other multitool. I bought the ARC out of FOMO.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Nice!

[@w00ey21]

Until i really started carrying and using the P4 i never really understood how good the one handed operation is, i dont think i can go back now😂

[@fufimi6660]

thanks for touching on the metal shaving point, still having no issues with the magnets. also i dont mind the hot spots on my 005 honestly, reminds me that hey this is expensive pocket jewlery pliers dont squeeze too hard lol

[@hvacbudget8600]

Good to hear!

[@dualsportoutdoors]

For me it's the Arc all day because I have huge hands and the Wave/Charge series pinch the hell out of the meat of my hands between the blade and file when using the pliers which leads to blood blisters. Again, my ONLY gripe with the Arc is the lack of a serrated blade. Pocket clios mean nothing to me. I remove them and belt carry my tools. Ergonomic wise, I have no gripes with either tool because for years, I carried an Ozark Trail that was hot spot hell

[@Autobotsunited]

I totally agree about the hand pinching. That’s one of the biggest issues I have with my Charge TTI. I’m on the Free P4 now and i love it. No more pinches. Still have the TTI of course. I also had the TTI prior to them getting the replaceable wire cutters, so mine is just the standard wire cutters, which are not as nice.

[@onearnedbandit]

Nice comparison was going to try a arc will still with classic charge

[@Se7qtum]

Totally bummed they didn't keep the spring-action pliers from the 40th anniversary version of the Arc..

[@MrSixxshooter]

I agree . Should be there for the price . 🙄👎

[@hvacbudget8600]

I agree!

[@EliKirkMusic]

Arc seems great in my toolkit, an upgrade over my charge tti? Maybe. But here in europe itll be nearing the $300 mark sadly.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Wow!

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Wished they kept the V-notch wirestripper. Other thant hat, the Arc looks really good.

[@grega4450]

My charge has never let me down

[@thestateofdec4y]

I agree that the Arc has a better toolset but I’ve never really liked the aesthetic of the free series. With regards to the Wave, Surge, Rebar, etc I don’t really take aesthetics into consideration because at that price point they are a tool in my opinion. At the price point for the Arc you begin to break into the lower end of the price range for a premium folding knife. Obviously comes down to my personal opinion but I’d rather have a Surge and a Rebar that I can split across two tool bags (or vehicle and home). I’m extremely underwhelmed that Leatherman didn’t do a full redesign and basically punted with a lazy Free update. Could have released this years ago. I would have been much more thrilled with Leatherman building out the tooling and capability to offer custom orders for the Wave or Surge where you could pick your toolset. Or simply offer several variants such as a Wave with outboard scissors.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Good idea!

[@ElementalistCondor]

Being able to choose your toolset would go against Leathermen's business model.

[@kvernesdotten]

4:16 - Yeah im with you on this one. If I can, I will go get an actual wire stripper because its less of a pain in the ass to go get the dedicated tool than to fiddle with something like this, and if im in a pinch and have to repair a wire on the go, id much rather just... Use the knife. Electricians did it that way for decades, and while it sucks compared to a knipex precistrip or whatnot... Its still better than fiddling around trying to strip a wire with a damn can opener haha

[@hvacbudget8600]

Agreed!

[@andrewcole851]

Here in the UK the arc is onsale for £250 that is $304 absolute rip off

[@shamitoson]

IMO magnacut is a bit too much for a multi tool. Wish it was S30V and cheaper. I carry a separate knife anyway.

[@uzbeck2006]

Price. 160 vs 230 is hard pill to swallow 😢

[@hvacbudget8600]

Definitely!

[@alexp974]

But, but, butt…MaGnaCUt!!

[@hvacbudget8600]

@@alexp974 LoL!

[@uzbeck2006]

@@alexp974 make America Magnacut again!

[@edwardfletcher7790]

It's much worse outside the US. In Australia, the Charge is AU$360, the MUT retails for AU$389, so the Arc will be close to AU$500 😲 ! I just wish it had the T shank adaptor 😕

[@ModernInka]

The charge tti is 189, wish it had been 160 all in all lol also the Leatherman free with magnets I returned within a week because it’s a HUGE PAIN IN THE ASS when you Actually use the tool in a metal fabrication shop, not just keep it in your pocket and I had to give it a good clean every Single Use, Hated the magnets.

[@ModernInka]

Might get that magnacut blade and try to fit it into my current charge 😂

[@hvacbudget8600]

@@ModernInka Unfortunately you'll have to reshape the pivot end and may have to add metal as well. Leatherman totally changed the mold with the free series and now they don't fit other tools unfortunately.

[@ModernInka]

@@hvacbudget8600 really wanted to love the free series, hard to beat that super smooth open, would be my go to hands down if I didn’t own this shop. Do also appreciate how the charge stays closed thru a fall from height, where the magnetic one sort of rag dolls. Appreciate your content, brother 🔥🔥can’t wait to see more !

[@hvacbudget8600]

@@ModernInka Thanks! Appreciate you being part of the channel!

[@MrSixxshooter]

I’m not paying that price . I’d rather have the Charge or a Surge . Even the Victorinox MXBS .

[@vlatkotemelkov3035]

Charge in Eu/ Balkan countries its 300€ 😅

[@stevesager4032]

I would pick the arc

[@Tbone84_]

When I get rich, I'm gonna buy two.

[@iNowHateAtSigns]

I've never purchased a Free series tool, and I use my Charge TTI every day at work. This tool will be the first in the series I'll consider buying. I will say losing that "gut hook," which is a perfect zip tie remover, might really hold me back from this.

[@hvacbudget8600]

That gut hook is a nice tool!

[@FokkerBoombass]

I don't use it much myself but when I do, it is indeed for cutting zipties or plastic parcel straps and it damn excels at that stuff. Other than that I don't think of it much, however it may just be the one thing that will keep my Charge+ on my belt and my wallet happy.

[@42Hertzer]

Another Charge TTi owner here, ordered the Free P4 but returned it, found it to be too flimsy compared to the Charge, also missed the bit holder mire than i thought, BUT now I'm waiting for my ARC, I hope I will get along with it, will keep my Charge though. =)

[@cc37991]

Waiting on the Arc as well, but my charge will be at the ready

[@cc37991]

Charge is back! The Arc pliers are not up to Leathermans standards. The fit and feel of the charge is just too good.

[@Blobjonblob]

Jeez were getting to that price point where I think the pliers head should be forged and butter smooth right out of the gate. I remember buying my charge tti for 200 euros and the plier head was so stiff. At that price point it was unacceptable. I dont mind paying for more quality steel or even tool but Leatherman's QC has been very sloppy the past few years.

[@Man_Cave]

The Arc is substandard to the Surge, outside of the Magnacut blade. They did away with the serrated blade, went to an inferior design can opener and put a huge slot in the file. I would take the Surge over the Arc any day.

[@BlueGearReviews]

I'm happy with my Charge TTI

[@hvacbudget8600]

It's a great tool!

[@p4inmaker]

Arc looks great, but the charge has much better ergonomics than the free series.

[@hvacbudget8600]

Agreed.

[@DenyTheZeitgeist]

Really? I felt the opposite. Interesting. I’m gonna have to hunt down a charge to try now.

[@poknyet8950]

Does the Arc wooble Ben?

[@hvacbudget8600]

It has the same slight handle play as the Free P4. Not much really.

[@victorediaz1]

CHARGE CHARGE CHARGE FOR ME.

[@tonymendestv]

Thats why i keep claiming leatherman is sleeping since the Free serie.. they didnt unvent sheet they just used the inovations that dedicated leatherman clients found and marketed with en expensive price to thank them

[@phootnote]

Why is the magnacut blade black? Is magnacut steel easily susceptible to corrosion?

[@hvacbudget8600]

No, it is actually pretty resistant to corrosion. It is an anti reflective surface that protects the blade from scratches.

[@shamitoson]

Truly makes no sense. I hate coated blades. Plus it’s stainless!

[@andrewfett142]

👍🏼

[@PreparedGuy]

You paid $250? Yet you got it Weeks before the release date? 🤔🧐

[@hvacbudget8600]

It was a glitch at REI. They released about 50 units early before they shut down sales.

[@farmking5088]

Good review! I would much rather have the Charge or an MX Clip for the money. Way over priced in my opinion.

[@-blackwindsgeography8133]

Arc has no seat belt cutter

[@hvacbudget8600]

No it doesn't.

[@uzbeck2006]

Only bc of magnacut..maybe..

[@RB-xv4si]

Which Leatherman you’d prefer if you were using it for hours in a day? How about getting a set of real tools at that point? 😂

[@hvacbudget8600]

True.

[@hectorrivera6624]

Just the blade.

[@DellMoney_]

LAST CHANCE TO BUY THE OHT!!!!

[@MrFlyrod7]

Go Charge and Wave! Arc is significantly overpriced for a multitool. Nice to have all the tools on the outside, but not worth the price. To bad Leatherman, this may be a fail due to overpricing for the people that really use your tools

[@DenyTheZeitgeist]

That’s MagnaCut. Everyone wants premium steel till they have to pay for it.