The original Wave was first made available in 1988 and quickly became Leatherman’s best-selling product.
The multitool sold well because it was perfectly sized and had all the tools the majority of users would ever need.
In 2018, Leatherman updated the design, further polishing the already impressive product.
While the fresh design increases the tool’s utility, no compromises are made to ease of use and carry.
I’ll delve deeper into the improvements and find out what makes it so popular in this review.
- A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer...
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Last update on 2024-10-13 at 17:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
SKIP AHEAD
Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool Review
The Wave Plus shares some striking similarities with the Leatherman Charge TTi – both in terms of look and utility.
I found that except for some minor differences, the Wave Plus is the same as the Charge TTi – but it sells for approximately half the price.
Size and Build
The Wave Plus is relatively lightweight at 8.5 ounces, and the multitool is only four inches long – making it super easy to carry in the pocket.
Closed, the multitool is 1.46 inches wide, making it slightly bulky, but not bulky enough to become a dealbreaker.
The build quality is excellent – the tool is sized just right, and it feels excellent to clench onto. Its light-weighted design makes it comfortable to use.
You only need one hand to open and use any of the tools, which is one of the multitool’s highlights.
Tools
The Wave Plus comes with 18 different tools, out of which only one can be replaced. However, all of the tools have a locking mechanism, which is a huge plus.
Knives
The multitool comes with two knives – a serrated knife and a straight blade. The knives are made out of 420HC stainless steel, which is the standard steel that Leatherman uses.
While the steel doesn’t get super-sharp or hold an edge for long, it is super easy to sharpen. Additionally, the steel is corrosion-resistant, which makes the knives super durable.
Both the knives are 2.9 inches long, making the tool a suitable replacement for an everyday carry knife. I’m thrilled that Leatherman included a serrated knife and a straight blade separately – combination blades that are half-straight, half-serrated have many trade-offs.
Another design detail that I like is the waves on the back of the serrated knife. The straight blade’s backside is smooth, and since the tool is symmetric, it allows me to find the right knife with just my fingers.
Pliers
Pliers are not spring-loaded, which is slightly disappointing, but the new Wave Plus’s latest plier design offers a lot to like.
The needlenose section of the pliers’ design features medium-sized teeth, making handling more delicate tasks easier.
The regular plier section has large teeth that give you a solid grip on smooth surfaces and nuts.
But what I like the most are the handles – they don’t have any sharp edges, and tools don’t protrude into your hand.
Wire Cutter
The replaceable wire cutter is one of the key selling points of the Wave Plus. The cutter uses 154CM steel, which is pretty sturdy, but even if you do end up breaking it, you can replace it with ease and get back to work.
But the pinch points on the top of the handle can hurt – watch out for those.
Screwdrivers
The Wave Plus comes with three screwdrivers: a small bit, a medium screwdriver, and a large bit driver.
The interchangeable bits ensure that you always have the right tool for the job.
Scissors
The scissors are large for a multitool, with blades ¾ of an inch long.
The tight pivot ensures that the scissors don’t bend or fold when cutting, but the best thing about them is that they’re spring-loaded.
Cutting fabric and other lighter material is effortless with these scissors.
File, Ruler, Saw, And Openers
The file is regular on one side, which does an excellent job of smoothening off rough edges of wood and metal. The other side is embedded with diamond, with a ridged bottom edge for easy notching and cutting of metal.
The 8-inch-long ruler makes short work of measuring, which, coupled with the built-in 2.9-inch saw, enables you to cut pieces of wood precisely.
Having a can opener and a bottle opener is standard, and I’m happy the company didn’t skimp out on their quality.
Other Tools
The electrical crimper can come in handy once in a while, but if you’ve used a more aptly sized tool for crimping, you won’t enjoy using it.
With the Wave Plus, all you need to do to strip wire is press it into the wire stripper notch. It’s both fast and effective.
Accessories
The Wave Plus comes with a black nylon sheath that feels sturdy and looks great. The ballistic nylon is just as durable as leather is, and the metal rivet snap closure makes for safe carrying and easy access.
Warranty
Leatherman gives all customers a 25-year limited warranty that you can claim on their website.
Pros
- Compact and sturdy design
- Comes with replaceable pliers
- A total of 18 tools
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- You will likely need to use two hands to open tools
- Main bit driver does not use ¼-inch bits
- A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer...
- Engineered to Withstand: From our Portland, Oregon factory and backed by our 25-year warranty, our...
Last update on 2024-10-13 at 17:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What People Are Saying About the Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool
One common gripe is the long break-in time. The Wave Plus takes longer to loosen up, making it difficult to use initially.
Also, the black version of the multitool gets scratched easily, ruining the aesthetic.
But customers do not report any significant issues with the multitool.
Verdict
The Wave Plus is reliable, sturdy, and boasts a locking mechanism, making it one of the best multitools available. The quality offered at a relatively low price makes it a must-have.
- A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer...
- Engineered to Withstand: From our Portland, Oregon factory and backed by our 25-year warranty, our...
Last update on 2024-10-13 at 17:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
