Leatherman FREE P4 vs Charge+ TTi

Leatherman has a history of pushing boundaries in multitool design. The original Charge TTi came out around 2007-2008 and lather on the upgraded version Charge+ TTi brought something new to the market: titanium handles. These make the multitool extra tough and built to last a long time. More than a decade later, the FREE series, which includes the FREE P4, was launched in April 2019. It introduced a special feature called the Magnetic System. This lets you open any tool from the outside with just a thumb press. Both tools represent major leaps forward—but in different directions.

Summary

If you prioritize premium materials, durability, and performance for tough, hands-on tasks, the Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the better match. But on the other hand, if you want maximum tool accessibility, smoother one-handed operation, and a lighter everyday-carry experience, the Leatherman Free P4 takes the lead.

Leatherman FREE P4 vs Charge+ TTi – Overview

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Leatherman Free P4 Tools

• Needle-nose pliers
• Regular pliers
• Premium replaceable wire cutters
• Premium replaceable hard-wire cutters
• 420HC straight knife blade
• 420HC serrated knife blade
• Spring-action scissors
• Saw
• Pry tool
• Package opener
• Awl
• Can opener
• Wire stripper
• Ruler (1.41 inch)
• Wood/metal file
• Bottle opener
• Electrical crimper
• Phillips screwdriver
• Medium flat-head screwdriver
• Small flat-head screwdriver
• Extra-small flat-head screwdriver

Related: Complete Leatherman FREE P4 Review

Leatherman Charge+ TTi Tools

• Needlenose pliers
• Regular pliers
• Premium replaceable wire cutters
• Premium replaceable hard-wire cutters
• Electrical crimper
• Wire stripper
• S30V stainless-steel plain-edge knife
• 420HC stainless-steel serrated knife
• Saw
• Spring-action scissors
• Cutting hook
• Ruler (8 in)
• Can opener
• Bottle opener
• Wood/metal file
• Diamond-coated file
• Large bit driver (for bits like hex, Torx)
• Small bit driver
• Medium screwdriver

Related: Complete Leatherman Charge TTi Review

Key Differences

• Primary Blade Steel – The Free P4 has a 420HC stainless steel blade. This is a common steel used in many Leatherman tools and sharpens easily. The Charge Plus TTi uses S30V steel for its main blade. This steel stays sharp longer and performs better.
• Cutting Hook – The Charge Plus TTi has a cutting hook that the Free P4 doesn’t have. This hook lets you cut straps, seatbelts, or cords without opening a blade.
• Ruler – The Free P4 has a tiny 1.41-inch ruler that’s not very useful. The Charge+ TTi has a full 8-inch ruler, which works well for basic measuring tasks.
• File – Both tools have a file that works on wood and metal. The Charge Plus TTi also includes a diamond-coated file, which is better for sharpening and smoothing edges.
• Bit Driver – The Free P4 doesn’t include a bit driver. The Charge Plus TTi comes with two-bit drivers—one large and one small. If you have a Leatherman bit kit you want to use, the Charge Plus TTi is the better choice.
• Screwdrivers – The FREE P4 doesn’t have a bit driver, but it includes 4 built-in screwdrivers: extra-small, small, and medium flathead, plus a Phillips screwdriver. The Charge Plus TTi only has one built-in screwdriver (medium flathead) but includes two-bit drivers instead.

Size & Weight

Product	Leatherman FREE P4	Leatherman Charge+ TTi
Closed Length	4.25 in	4 in
Open Length	6.45 in	6.25 in
Main Blade Length	2.76 in	2.9 in
Weight	8.6 oz	8.89 oz
Width	1.3 in	1.2 in
Overall Thickness	0.68 in	0.76 in

Other Features

Handle Material – The Free P4 has standard stainless-steel handles with a 420HC finish. The Charge Plus TTi has titanium handles, which are stronger and feel more high-end.

Tool Opening System – Charge+ TTi Uses classic Leatherman mechanical locks & pivots which mean inner tools are slower to access while the FREE P4 Uses Leatherman’s magnetic locking and friction system which means almost all tools open smoothly thanks to internal magnets that keep the handles closed and assist the opening motion.

One-hand feature – With the FREE P4 you can easily access all tools with one hand while with the Charge + TTi you can do this only with main outside-accesible tools like blades, saw or file)

Removable pocket clip & optional lanyard ring – Both come with a removable pocket clip and a lanyard ring, giving you the freedom to choose if you want to attach your multi tool to your pocket or to just hang it on your belt.

Warranty

The warranty covers problems with materials or how the tool was made. This means: if your multitool breaks because something was wrong from the factory (like a broken hinge, a poorly made part, or a manufacturing mistake), Leatherman will fix it or give you a new one.

The warranty lasts for 25 years from when you get the tool (or buy it, depending on where you live) – that’s long-term protection. I wrote about Leatherman’s warranty in another article.

Pro’s & Con’s

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Conclusion

To wrap up, both multi-tools are excellent. The FREE P4works more smoothly, while the Charge+ TTi is built really well. It’s your choice which one to get. For me, I like the FREE P4 better because the tools open so easily and smoothly.

Which do you like better: the Leatherman FREE P4 or the Leatherman Charge+ TTi? What do you like and dislike about each one?