The Best Multi-Tool
One of the easiest ways to get a conversation started around the campfire is to ask, “What’s the best knife to carry in the bush”? Before I’ve finished asking my question, I’m bombarded with a verbal barrage coming from multiple directions. This is my opportunity to head for the cooler and get that cold beverage I’m going to need to stay in this game. As I make my way back to the campfire, I can hear all sorts of knife terminology being bandied about. Drop point, Scandi Grind, and James Bowie, the man himself, are now in the action.
Baseball pitchers always have a good curveball to use for a changeup, and this is when I use my curveball. “What about the best multi-tool”?
The best knife has everyone at each other’s throat, so to speak, but the best multi-tool quickly brings a layer of agreement to the conversation. The Leatherman Wave is always the obvious answer. Now everyone’s in agreement as they stare at each other in disbelief.
How is it possible that this bunch of macho wilderness experts are agreeing on anything this controversial?
The answer is very obvious to anyone who knows anything about multi-tools and especially anyone who owns a Leatherman Wave Multi-tool.
Product Overview
The Leatherman Wave + is arguably the best multi-tool on the market today.
It has been updated with many fine features including the premium replaceable wire cutters to tackle the tough jobs and keep this multi-tool at the very top of my list.
This International best-seller is made in Oregon, USA.
A well thought out tool, it operates exactly like a pocket knife except for the fact that it has a lot more tool options.
Ask anyone who owns one, and their first reaction is, “Don’t leave home without it!”
The Leatherman Wave is by far the most popular model from this fine family of multi-tools.
Its greatest claim to fame lies in its outside-accessible blades that can be deployed with just one hand.
Redesigned in 2004, with larger knives, stronger pliers, longer wire cutters, and all-locking blades shows this company’s strong belief in improving an already superb product.
If this was not enough, they added premium replaceable wire cutters.
More reasons to make this the perfect tool for all your tough jobs, quick fixes, and anything else that tries to stare you down.
Product Name
Name: The Leatherman Wave +
Website: www.leatherman.com/the leatherman wave +
Price: 99.95 but can vary with place and time.
Best Place To Buy: Amazon.com
Don’t forget to try Amazon Prime’s 30-day FREE TRIAL!
My Overall Rank: 98 out of 100
The Key Features
18 tools to perform a wide range of tasks and tackle just about any job you have.
- needle-nose pliers
- regular pliers
- premium replaceable wire cutters
- premium replaceable hard-wire cutters
- electrical crimper
- wire stripper
- 420HC knife
- 420HC serrated knife
- saw
- spring-action scissors
- 8-inch ruler
- can opener
- bottle opener
- wood and metal file
- diamond-coated file
- large bit driver
- small bit driver
- medium screwdriver
- black nylon sheath included
Additional Features
- all tools lock quickly into position
- outside-accessible features, and
- one-hand operation, … make it safe and convenient to use.
The Main Features
The Leatherman Wave+ is a true multi-tool.
First introduced on February 5, 2018, it’s practical, functional, and easy to carry. It definitely lives up to its name.
Compact, and lightweight, you can carry it on your belt or in your pocket.
Made in the USA, it comes with a 25-year limited warranty to provide you with many years of dependable service.
It is available in Stainless Steel or Black Oxide.
All 18 tools can be opened and locked quickly, and conveniently to tackle any task.
Many tools are outside-accessible, so you can use them when the multi-tool is folded and closed.
Product Specifications
- blade length, 2.9 inches
- closed length, 4 inches
- weight, 8.5 oz.
- 420HC Stainless Steel on all knife blades
Customer Reviews and Scores
The Leatherman Wave + is everything it claims to be.
There are 227 reviews and 77 answered questions on Amazon. It is Amazon’s Choice and is awarded 4.5-stars out of a possible 5-stars.
The customer reviews are mostly all positive except for the odd complainer or the person that would like to redesign the tool. I’ll throw in my first 2 cents here. There is no perfection here on Earth. There is no perfect knife, and there is no perfect multi-tool. Having said that, this is an excellent product that many people own and are proud to call their own.
One complainer received his multi-tool in a box damaged in shipping. While it did not affect the product, he chose to give 2-stars.
As a lifetime tradesman, I know a good tool when I see it, and this one gets 5-stars from me.
My Conclusions
The Leatherman Wave + is a superior multi-tool made in the USA.
It is 18 popular tools and belongs in every survival kit and EDC.
It is solidly built, comfortable to hold, and easy to carry on your belt, or in your pocket.
It comes with a black nylon sheath and there are many accessories and aftermarket products available to further enhance the value of this very useful product.
Sometimes the leather case is not included but you can find it here.
It inspires enough confidence in its makers, to offer you a 25-year limited warranty.
Where else? … and how often do you see such confidence in a product?
Comments, Questions, or Suggestions
Contact Me if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, about this popular and convenient multi-tool.
I’ll be happy to share my experience with this excellent tool.
My survival kit never leaves home without it!
I have been considering taking up camping again. I used to do it a lot as a kid and figured it would be nice to get back out in the wilderness. I have been looking for such a multi tool and it looks the leatherman wave may be a contender. I love that you say it can be opened with one hand.
Lots of fun camping in the summertime.
You’ll be looking for lots of gear if you haven’t done it for a while.
Don’t make that backpack too heavy so that you can enjoy your trip. Having a few good pieces of equipment is always your best bet.
When you begin to look at knives and tools, be sure to give this one the sharp eye. This is a classic, and not just because of my say-so. There are thousands of happy customers that back-up my claim.
Get back into camping and the outdoors.
It’s a great place to relax after a hard week at the office.
Paul
Thanks for this eyeopening article It’s got a great tool loadout, high quality craftsmanship, and the few changes Leatherman made to the design i feel like they really improved the Wave+ as a product. All of this at a price that’s attainable for just about anyone. From what i have read, leatherman is indeed recommendable.
I agree, Cyril.
This one is a classic, with thousands of satisfied customers to prove it.
Everyone who owns one, swears by it, and thousands of reviews are available to substantiate my claim. I f you ever need a multi-tool, be sure to give this one a good look.
Paul
I thought of Crocodile Dundee when I pictured the campfire haha. When he unveils his bowie knife in the movie it’s a pretty classic scene. The Leatherman Wave is a lot more practical for camping though than a bowie knife. 18 different tools is pretty amazing. Uses for things like wires, crimpers and strippers I don’t see all that often in a multi-tool. You’ve rated this product exceptionally and I can see why. 99 is a fair price to pay for such quality. I’ll be bookmarking your site and referring it to some camper friends, well done!
Thanks for reading my review. This is a Knife, …
This one, is not a croc knife, but it can be very practical around camp, the workshop, or even in your every day activities.
It’s 18 tools are very functional, easy to use, and rugged. A great tool to own, be sure to check this one out if you’re ever in the market for a multi-tool.
Paul
This is the first that I heard of Leatherman Wave and the knife looks really cool and versatile. I have Victorinox for my pocket knife set. I received it as a gift and of course my husband just took it from me. I cannot believe that there is a saw on this pocket knife! This is the best camping and fishing pocket that my husband will love. This will be a perfect gift on his birthday, thanks for the review!
Hi Nuttanee.
The Leatherman Wave is an excellent replacement multi-tool for the knife that you lost.
Actually it’s not really lost, and I’m sure your husband only borrowed it for short while. Perhaps if he got one of these for his birthday, he wouldn’t need your knife and you could have it back, lol.
The other option is to get this one for yourself and DON’T show it to him, cause he’ll surely want to borrow it for a few days, as well, and we all know how that works!
Paul
Hello
That’s a very interesting article and so useful for those who like dealing with craftsmanship. I have always liked to repair and make works that require tools. When I saw this multipurpose tool, The Leatherman Wave, I was excited. I would like to have it since I live in the province and my father’s house is in a village where always work occurs in the house and in the garden.
Thanks for the information with the characteristics of this amazing product.
Thodoris
This is a very practical and necessary tool for anyone to own, Thodoris.
If you ever need a multi-tool, be sure to give this one a good look.
Paul
I used to go camping a lot as a kid in outback Australia, and I remember my dad taking a toolkit to help in emergencies. It was practical, because the car was always nearby, but a multi-purpose tool like this would have been great! Fast forward a few years, and having been on a few road trips, I can tell you how much I use multipurpose tools like this for fishing and quick car repairs. I won a really good quality one from a competition, but 10 years on it is starting to lose it’s edge, so a tool like the Leatherman Wave sounds like a good replacement!
I’m happy to hear that you spend lots of time in the outback, Zak.
Good tools are very important when you’re away from civilization. This one is a classic, and always a great replacement option.
Stay well equipped and always carry a good blade.
Paul
Excellent review, thank you! I have been considering a swiss army knife for emergencies and I feel a little dumb that I forgot about the leatherman! That is MUCH better idea for a woman who doesn’t want a ton of tools, like me, but working around a barn makes it necessary! I’ll check the Leatherman Wave! Thanks so much!
Hi Jade.
The Swiss Army Knife is a classic and multi-purpose knife, and perhaps the closest competition the Leatherman Wave.
I’m a bit biased in my opinion, because this is the one I am the most familiar with, and the one that most of my outdoor friends carry.
The Leatherman Wave + is more of a “functional tool”, than a “camping knife” which is how my neighbor describes the SA knife.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Paul
Hi Paul, this is exactly what I was looking for. My partner lost his beloved Leatherman when on camping trip and we went back, looking for it, because it was a really important part of out trip. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find it. I was deciding between the models Wave and Supertool 300. I guess I should go with the wave 🙂 Do you maybe know if it comes with a leather case?
Thanks,
Katya
Hi Katya.
Depending on your country of purchase, they can be supplied by various sellers, but often the case is not included and is sold separately. The leather case can surely be purchased separately. This is my preferred case as well. Looks better, and in my opinion is a lot tougher and more durable.
How did you lose your Leatherman?
Did it come out of the case, or did you forget it somewhere?
Sorry about your loss, surprise your husband, I’m sure he’ll return your act of kindness!
Paul
As the owner of a small farm, I can totally see me keeping this in my pocket. Usually you see me trooping up and down my fields loaded down with every tool I can think of that I MIGHT need in order to fix the fences and then trooping back to the barn for that ONE item I forgot! This multi-tool pretty much covers it all.
The exterior tools that you can flip open one handed is a HUGE plus. How many times I have wished for three hands! The picture at the top of the page had me saying, “I WANT one,” without even reading the article.
Thank you so much for your in-depth description of all of the many features this multi tool provides. It really is the one tool one cannot be without!
Thanks for the kind comments.
Every “once-in-a-while”, a classic comes along and this is surely one of them.
Not just from my say-so, but you don’t have to ask around for too long before you find someone who has one on his belt. Usually they’ve had them for years and they show lots of wear and tear, but they still perform almost as new.
One of my friends is still trying to get her husband to keep his at home on Sundays. It’s been attending Sunday Services for almost 20 years now, and he sees no reason to change the tradition.
Paul
What an incredible article. Not only great education on a Leatherman but great memories as well.
About 20 to 25 years ago I was awarded a Leatherman knife as a safety award for a great big oil company that I had been working for. (They have since stopped giving knives as a safety award. i think thats self explanatory.)
However most would be happy to know I still use hat leatherman and its on my belt on a daily basis. It has seen so much hunting, fishing, cutting, sawing, fixing and so much more. I would be absolutely lost if i ever lost my multi tool.
Im not going to lie. Some of the blades are fairly dull and hard to sharpen but I just have a hard time parting with it.
maybe thanks to your review it is time to step up and retire the old faithful and start a new round of Leatherman memories.
Thank you
dale
Thanks Dale, for this interesting story.
I love these wild and crazy tales about hunters, fisherman, and outdoor types that just refuse to let go of these “workhorses”.
I think they should go back to giving them as a Safety Award for “so-many” years of service. Not as dangerous as the bank that was giving out shotguns for opening a new account. lol.
Those good old days are gone, … only the memories remain.
It may be time for a new one, but I’d keep that one under my pillow, if I were you. Sounds like it has a lot of good stories to tell. I’m sure it’s a good listener as well.
Tight Lines,
Paul
Hi Paul, your review about the Leatherman Wave is Captivating for it is very useful, for a company to give a 25 years warranty for their product means it worth buying, i have never own tools like this, i will give it a try by buying through your link on your post.
Good Day,Samuel.
I’m pleased that you’ve enjoyed my post on the Leatherman Wave. This is surely a multi-tool for you to consider in a future purchase.
Drop by again soon.
Paul
I don’t own any real tools or a toolbox so the Leatherman Wave would be a great place to start due to its sheer versatility. You literally can’t go wrong here, with eighteen features plus a 25-year warranty, all for an average price of $99.95. It’s a fantastic deal for anyone looking to buy an all-in-one kind of tool. Something that will come in handy time and again.
The Leatherman Wave is a classic, Todd.
Made in the USA, it is the real deal. Thousands of outdoorsmen and women own this tool and its reputation is well known in North America and to some extent, on a worldwide level.
The 25-year limited warranty is further proof of the quality and dependability of this great product.
Thanks for reading my post and I hope to see you again soon.
Paul
Hi there, Paul!
I loved your short story for the intro of the Leatherman Wave Multi-tool. This is something I can relate to as I go camping/fishing whenever I Can.
The Leatherman Wave Multi-tool looks to be a very useful and will come in handy on my outdoor trips.
Thanks for the info and I’ll head off and purchase this multi-tool through your link.
Cheers, Jeff.
Thanks Jeff for appreciating my short story.
I’m also pleased to meet another fellow camper and fisherman.
I’m happy to hear that you’ll be getting yourself a Leatherman Wave. I look forward to hearing about your purchase and your thoughts and review of this product.
Paul
Excellent review from you Paul. I can finally make leatherman wave a gift for the next father’s days. When I was looking for a great innovative tools that can be eye catching when offered as gift, I came across leaderman wave tool . I want to get many possitive reviews about it and here comes another positive review from you. Unfortunately, this year’s fathers day is gone before I couldn’t finally come into conclusion. Nevertheless,it can still serve as a good birthday gift my dad would love.
Its features are eye catching and the 25years warranty with multiple function because of its components make it a superb tool.
Good Day Stella
The Leatherman Wave certainly does fill the bill for the man in your life.
Its many features and excellent warranty add to its value as well.
Paul
I absolutely love multitools. I have always owned at least one as I am mainly working with my hands out in nature.
However, I am getting a lot of wet at work so I would like to know if the entire multitool is made of stainless steel or just the blades.
If not, what is the rest of the tool made of?
Thank you in advance for your help!
Good Day, Harry, and thanks for your question.
Not all parts of this tool are made of stainless steel, and like all tools they need to be properly maintained.
There are enough grades of steel to fill up a good book, and I am not “in-the-know” about their manufacturing procedures, however rest assured that proper maintenance and cleaning will give you many years of trouble-free service.
Paul
Excellent review. My other half is obsessed with multi-tools (and knives in general to the extent that he’s recently starting forging his own) and his current Leatherman is one I bought him around ten years ago. They really are of the highest quality and shouldn’t be confused with cheap imitations. I like the fact that the wire cutters are replaceable because, in my experience, they have a relatively short lifespan (maybe because it’s metal cutting metal? I don’t know). One- hand operation is also essential in my opinion. That one is still fully functional, of course, but your review has given me a very good idea for a birthday present for him, which I was struggling with as he is a man who has everything. Thank you!
Thanks, Lisa.
I can detect a lot of wisdom in your comment, and your other half surely agrees with me.
Your 10-year ownership of this fine product is the proof in the pudding. Just like knives need to be sharpened, wire-cutters need to be replaced. This is a great new feature, and the one hand operation needs no more explanation and promotion.
Husbands always like to be surprised with “practical” birthday gifts. A good knife, or in your case, a bar of ATS-34, would be well appreciated as well. Its USA equivalent is 154CM.
Happy Forging, your relationship.
Paul
I can’t but agree that the fact that the company has so much confidence to give their product so much time In a warranty is an evidence that the product itself is credible and durable and worth our money. Considering the many uses that the leather man has and it’s durability i think the price is an awesome bargain. Thanks for this review I’ll be sure to check it out on Amazon.
Thanks Henderson, for taking the time to read my review.
This is a quality product, and this is also why the company has so much confidence in its products.
When used properly, this multi-tool will give you many years of exceptional service. There are thousands of satisfied customers to prove this.
Paul
25 years warranty? Only that is something worth considering to buy this item. But what does it mean limited warranty? Since you are using it, you can damage it, right? Or am I seeing it wrong? Besides, what could you possible damage at it if you use it properly?
I have Richardson Sheffield multi-tool, and I am quite happy with it so far but will definitely look at the Leatherman Wave more closely.
Good Day, Dalibor, and thanks for commenting on my review.
The 25-year warranty is a limited warranty. No business could possibly hope to remain competitive and alive with an unlimited warranty.
The 25-year limited warranty ensures that your multi-tool will give you many years of dependable service and if you have any issues with your tool you can sent it in and they will fix it. All Leatherman multi-tools are made and repaired in the USA.
This, in my estimation, applies to damage in use or under normal conditions.
I have spent my lifetime working with tools, as a tradesman, and I could break this multi-tool in 30 seconds. I would place it in a vise and bang it with a sledge hammer. This is not “normal” use, and I’m sure you’ll agree with me on that one.
The Leatherman wave is an excellent tool with an excellent reputation. Very few owners have anything bad to say about this tool. Read the reviews on Amazon.
Of course, this is not the perfect tool, and none exists, but the purchase of this tool would be a worthwhile addition to your toolkit.
Paul
The Leatherman wave seems to have quite a lot if features. I think I would purchased it when I need tools of such. But my questions are.
1. How durable is this Leatherman wave? I’ve got something like this in the past and it turned out bad.
2. What’s the return policy?
3. Are there discounts?
Thanks for the concerns, Dhayours.
The bad tool you had in the past certainly wasn’t a Leatherman Wave. It most likely was some cheap knockoff, and as the old saying goes, “you get what you pay for”.
There is a 25-year Limited Warranty on this product, for normal use.
This is IMHO, the best multi-tool on the market. I own one and have owned many tools over the years. I know a good tool when I see it.
There are no discounts, to my knowledge, unless perhaps, if you purchased large quantities from the parent company. This is beyond the scope of my review and something that you would have to negotiate on your own.
I hope this helps,
Paul
Hi Paul,
I have read your this excellent review with all specific information about the leatherman wave+ product. I believe this is one of the greatest quality product for everyone common needs. I am planning to buy one of those soon and going to bookmark your page for my future reference. I like 18 multifunction tools and 25 years long time warranty feature. I am going to refer it also to others. Thanks for making wonderful review of this product.
Thanks, mzakapon.
This is a quality tool, and there are many satisfied owners of this product. I know many people who own Leatherman Waves and continue to enjoy and recommend this product.
There are over 100 reviews on Amazon of this product. One of the best “bangs” for your buck that I know of.
Paul
Nice review on the leatherman waves it is so cool has a lot of features, it has 18 tools wide range of task as said and does not weight too much, instead of carrying lots of tools for just one job you get this all in one pacckage that consist of a saw, can opener , bottle opener, and so on so amazingly amazing.
It is an excellent and well-constructed tool, Seun.
A pleasure to own and a 25-year warranty, attest to its worth and value.
Paul