Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
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Leatherman Wave+ | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $119.95 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $84.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $45 List $45.00 at Amazon | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $25.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Comprehensive, well-made, aftermarket accessories and carry options | Compact, light, with multiple carry options, smart & effective tools | Interchangeable bit, sharp blade, inexpensive, small footprint | Inexpensive and well-made, spring-loaded pliers, scissors, pocket clip, package opener | Tiny, well made, excellent bottle opener |
Cons | Proprietary bit driver, no pocket clip included | Few features | Screwdriver doesn't lock, limited features | Hybrid straight and serrated blade, squashed Phillips driver, short main blade | Package opener is specialized, screwdrivers are tiny |
Bottom Line | A full-function multi-tool from a great manufacturer at a very reasonable price | A multi-tool that optimizes ergonomics and portability by reducing the tool set to the most important ones for daily use and carry | This simple screwdriver tool has an interchangeable bit drive and a few other useful features, but the screwdriver itself doesn't lock, limiting its use for big jobs | A budget tool with real value and function, this model has a unique feature set which does much of what you want and little that you don't | A keychain tool whose utility belies its tiny stature |
Rating Categories | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Gerber Gear Armbar... | Leatherman Wingman | Gerber Dime |
Functions (40%) | |||||
Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
Portability (15%) | |||||
Specs | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Skeletoo... | Gerber Gear Armbar... | Leatherman Wingman | Gerber Dime |
Number of Functions | 18 + bits | 5 + bits | 8 | 10 | 9 |
Weight | 8.5 oz (9.5 oz w/ case) |
5.0 oz | 3.2 oz | 6.8 oz (7.8 oz w/ sheath) |
2.3 oz |
Locking Tools? | All but pliers | All but pliers | Blade | Scissors and blade | None |
Pliers type | Needlenose, Regular, Wirecutters, Hard-Wirecutters, Crimper | Needlenose with 2 Wirecutters | None | Spring-Loaded Regular & Needlenose | Spring-Loaded Needlenose |
Tools Accessible without Deploying Pliers | Blades, Saw, File | Blade | All | Blade & Scissors | All |
Blades and Type | 1 Straight, 1 Serrated | 1 Straight Drop Point | 1 Straight | 1 Hybrid Serrated/Straight Drop Point | 1 Straight |
Scissors | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Number of screwdrivers | 5 included/integrated. More available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 4 included, more available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 1 (Double sided bit) | 3 | 2 |
File? | Yes, wood/metal & diamond-coated | No | No | Yes | No |
Saw? | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Openers | Can & Bottle | Bottle | Bottle | Can, Bottle, & a unique box opener | Bottle, Package |
Other important features | Ruler | None | Pry bar, Awl | Very small ruler | Tweezers |
Sheath included? | Yes | No | No | Yes | No |
Other carry options | Carabiner style clip, pocket clip | Pocket, Pocket clip | Key ring attachment | ||
Closed Dimensions (Length x Thickness) | 4.0 x 0.7 in | 4.3 x 0.6 in | 3.6 x 0.7 in | 3.8 x 0.7 in | 2.8 x 0.6 in |
Open Length (Pliers) | 6.3 in | 6.2 in | N/A | 6.2 in | 4.0 in |
Open Length (Primary Blade Open) | 6.9 in | 6.8 in | 6.4 in | 6.4 in | 4.1 in |
Primary Blade Effective Edge Length | 2.8in | 2.6 in | 2.6 in | 2.4 in | 1.4 in |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Leatherman makes and sells multi-tools at many incremental steps along a long continuum. At the upper end are multi-tools built of top-notch materials with comprehensive feature sets and a long list of included accessories. The Wave+ falls somewhere in the middle of that spectrum, and it is important to note that although key differences set those other tools apart, they are few. We will discuss the nuances, but just know that the Wave+ can do almost everything a top-end model can, especially if you source some aftermarket accessories.
Performance Comparison
Functions
In some ways, the Wave+ has all the features you would want and more. There are pliers, scissors, wire cutters, two blades, two files, a saw, a can/bottle opener, and a plethora of screwdriver options. They're also lockable, except for the pliers, significantly increasing the safety factor. The wire cutters are replaceable, the blades are good, and the screwdriver set is expandable. Using Leatherman's proprietary bit driver format, one can acquire almost all the desired driver bits. It is worth noting that their system has noticeably "squashed" bits, decidedly not compatible with 1/4" standard bits. Leatherman has chosen this format to save some space (and sell more of their proprietary accessories by proxy). By our estimation, the one fixed flat-head screwdriver built into the Wave+ could be eliminated to make room for a full-sized 1/4" bit driver. This, plus making the pliers somehow lockable, would make the Wave family of multi-tools pretty much perfect. Alas, no such perfect multi-tool is available, but the Wave+ has most of the features you could want at a pretty affordable price.
An upgraded Wave+ from the previous generation Wave now includes better steel in the main knives (420HC Stainless Steel), full-length straight and serrated blades, and many more bits. Again, our primary functional wish with the Wave+ is that the bit driver should really accommodate standard 1/4" bits.
Construction Quality
We've had absolutely no issues with the construction quality of the Wave+. All pivots are tight, and the overall build is stiff enough for all but the most stubborn of rusted tasks. The locks work reliably, and the blades stay out of the way when using the pliers. And vice versa.
The Wave+ is built similarly to Leatherman's higher-end products. All are assembled with threaded fasteners (instead of rivets) and have just the right amount of friction built into the various hinges. While others use better steel in their main blade and titanium for the handle, they are otherwise the same as the Wave+.
Ergonomics
The Wave+ balances size, weight, portability, and ergonomics. Some functions would be better if they were larger, but some would actually decline in functionality with increased size. For instance, we wouldn't want the handle to be any larger when using the knife or saw blades. The pliers could be a little larger, and they are prone to pinching when there is something small between their jaws.
Regarding ergonomics, the smooth external plates of the Wave+ are more comfortable in some conditions than the texture of other multi-tools we tested. The main ergonomic upgrade that could be made would be for Leatherman to make a tool with the functions of the Wave+ and the free-hinging pivots and tools that are held closed with magnets and springs.
Anytime a multi-tool knife blade opens from "inside" the folded pliers handles, the working edge of the blade is in line with the center of said handle. Better ergonomics are available when the knife blades open from outside the closed plier's handles, as on this tool. The blade is both easier to deploy and better in use. The knife is likely to be most users' most used tool, and if they aren't accessible on the "exterior" of the closed tool, then they aren't easily accessible enough. The ones here are doubly useful because they open easily with a single-thumb flick.
Portability
Leatherman ships the Wave+ with a simple nylon belt sheath, but you can also purchase an aftermarket pocket clip or lanyard ring. At around 8 ounces, the Wave+ is a typical weight for a full-sized multi-tool. The external profile of the closed Wave+ is smooth and clean, catching minimally in and out of your pocket or against the contents within.
A growing subset of multi-tools comes with integrated pocket clips. Most of our test team prefers this method of multi-tool carry. That the Wave+ can be configured this way is welcome and appreciated. Those that prefer belt holstering their multi-tool will dig the simple sheath that is included. Carried loose in your pocket, the Wave+ is smooth but heavier than you'd wish. Of course, some are even heavier. The biggest products in our test are double the mass of the Leatherman Wave+.
Should You Buy the Leatherman Wave+?
This is Leatherman's best-selling tool for a reason. It competes with the higher-end models in many ways at a much more palatable price point. Most users won't notice the small functionality and material trade-offs between this multi-tool and higher-end options. But everyone will notice the savings.
What Other Multi-Tools Should You Consider?
If you have money to drop and are a geek about blade steel and titanium outdoor gear, check out the award-winning Leatherman Charge+ TTi. It's the Cadillac of multi-tool for a good reason. The only other full-sized multi-tool that can compete with the Wave+ on pure value is the Leatherman Wingman – it has a few useful features that Wave+ doesn't, like spring-loaded pliers (a seriously underrated feature) and larger and more easily accessible scissors, but it doesn't have the replaceable wire-cutter jaws. If you're looking for a more reasonable size for an everyday carry, you can't go wrong with the more compact Leatherman Skeletool CX (it has a dedicated belt loop clip!) or the Leatherman Squirt PS4 (it's tiny!)
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