How the Leatherman Charge Plus, the multi-purpose genius in your pocket, works

We tried a boating icon. And it is not a boat, but a utility knife. Not just any accessory, it is a Leatherman, an icon of boating essentials that every true sailor owns and always keeps on board, in his or her pocket.

Leatherman Charge Plus – Our Test

The model is the Leatherman Charge Plus, 19 tools for 199 euros, among the flagship models of the U.S. company, which was born 40 years ago from the ingenious idea of Tim Leatherman who combined a knife and pliers into one object.

The Leatherman Charge Plus, we said, packs a myriad of functions into an item made of ultra-professional materials (420HC Stainless Steel, 154CM Stainless Steel, Hard Anodized 6061-T6 Aluminum, Stainless Steel) that weighs only 236 grams and measures 10 cm closed.

Here are the tools packed in this little item: Flat nose pliers, Regular pliers, Premium replaceable wire cutters, Premium replaceable wire cutters, Crimping machine for electric wires, Wire stripper, 154CM steel knife, 420HC steel serrated knife, Saw, Spring scissors, Sharp hook, Ruler (19 cm), Can opener, Bottle opener, Wood/metal file, Diamond file, Large bit holder, Small bit holder, Medium screwdriver.

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In short, a tool for every use!

Testing it

Why is a Leatherman so highly valued? We understood why after putting it to the test on the boat at the Vela Cup stages in Chiavari in late April and in Cala de’ Medici in late May.

First evidence. We test the boat after the winter break, check if everything goes on deck. The button on the outdoor hand shower has the button locked. No problem, we have the new Leatherman Charge Plus in our pocket. We look for the right tool among the 19 that the ingenious tool offers. In a few moves, the button, stuck due to saline, is unlocked. We first used the classic knife and then the sharp hook.

Second test: finally going out to sea. Let’s take the mainsail halyard, the shackle to attach to the pen is stuck, by hand you don’t pare. Here, too, the Leatherman comes to the rescue.

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Just open the clamp, tighten the shackle leg and apply little pressure, and the shackle will open effortlessly. We continue the operation by unscrewing the shackle by hand.

Third proof. After hoisting the sails and attaching the autopilot, a toast must be raised with a nice cold beer. To open the cap, the Leatherman Charge Plus always comes to our aid. We break out the bottle opener and uncork.

Then, unfortunately, it’s back to port. Once again the Leatherman Charge Plus comes to our aid. It is the turn of the wire stripper function. An electrical contact is oxidized and must be reconnected to the instrument with new wiring. In truth, we also use pliers to tighten in new copper cap.

Evening falls. Dinner time. We are at the end of the meal at a waterfront restaurant. There is a tip to be left, out of the pocket along with a bill also comes the Leatherman Charge Plus. But the “tip” function does not have it. Otherwise, almost everything is there.

• Learn more about the Leatherman Charge Plus