Getting a Leatherman Wave+ with S30V main blade - 3 options... this vs. Wingman, make a Devilman/Leatherface (Leatherman Frankenstein), or...?

[Hashishiin]

keep Wave as is and add the plainedge 420HC blade to where the scissors are on the Wingman?

Okay, as stated, I have an S30V main blade Leatherman Wave+ inbound plus the original blade in a case. I suppose it is already a Leatherface because of the swapped blade. I was always thinking about adding an upgraded blade to my Wingman, but now I have an upgraded Leatherman... But I am attached to the Wingman because I love the spring-loaded pliers so much, and the spring fell out of my scissors, so I wanted to replace that with a blade, which I can now, having a PE 420HC Wave blade, but I may need to file down the lock so it fits, I heard. Can I do that with sandpaper? I am not used to filing metal. I do actually like the half-serrated blade on my Wingman. Maybe I should just wait and slap a 154CM blade where the scissors are on that, might fit better...

I am debating what to do for my main multi-tool. I do not mind the weight of the Wave, it's only an oz heavier than a Wingman, as long as it has a pocket clip, I'm fine to carry it, like I said, I will just miss my spring-pliers. If I end up carrying the Wave, which seems likely at this point... how are the pliers? How are they without the spring assist? Someone make me feel better about potentially giving up my trusty Wingman for every day carry...

Also, I assume the scissors on the Wave are replaceable with an original Wave blade? I am getting the original PE 420HC blade as well, and since I carry a SD Classic, and those scissors are tight, I don't need no Leatherman scissors. So, I'm thinking about taking those off, and putting that blade in, to have three blades, a PE and SE 420HC and S30V no scissors. That, at least, doable, I assume?

What would really be a dream is to get a 154CM blade to replace these scissors with on the Wave, having three steels on my Leatherman That just tickles the nerd in me, man. If you want to make that a reality, I will buy your 154CM blade, trade you a 420 blade, some 420, whatever you want for that sweet sweet 154CM LOL

 

[afishhunter]

I don't have a Wave, but I do have a Charge+ TTI, which I think is the same size. The Charge's pliers are not spring assisted. They work great.

 

[Hashishiin]

I don't have a Wave, but I do have a Charge+ TTI, which I think is the same size. The Charge's pliers are not spring assisted. They work great.

Yessir, it is the same size, that is where my blade came from, I'm told. Okay, so, people manage to have the pliers be unassisted without affecting their general quality of life... that makes me feel a bit better about it.

Ever taken it apart or switched tools? I hear it's a simple one-washer system, haven't taken mine apart yet.

 

[afishhunter]

Ever taken it apart or switched tools?

Never. No need to. Don't have any tools to swap in anyway.
However, over on a other forum I've seen photos of ones that the owners have removed the pliers, making two knives. I don't see the point in that modification. I do need the pliers on occasion, and I always have at least one or two knives on me in addition to the LM anyway. I can't see using a multitool to cut my meal's meat, no matter how overcooked, dried out and tough it is ... Tho I suppose if it is bad enough I could use the saw.

Edit: I know how to cook. Most of the Staff ... most not so much.

 

[Hashishiin]

Never. No need to. Don't have any tools to swap in anyway.
However, over on a other forum I've seen photos of ones that the owners have removed the pliers, making two knives. I don't see the point in that modification. I do need the pliers on occasion, and I always have at least one or two knives on me in addition to the LM anyway. I can't see using a multitool to cut my meal's meat, no matter how overcooked, dried out and tough it is ... Tho I suppose if it is bad enough I could use the saw.

Made two knives out of a Leatherman? That's hilarious lol, not what I had in mind!! Was gonna replace the scissors for a plainedge 420HC blade that was originally on there, cause I just started carrying a little donut SD Classic that I've fallen in love with, and the scissors on that are surprisingly good - that's what I'm gonna use from now on.

I will never stop carrying a dedicated pocket knife, no matter how useful Leathermans and SAKs are, as well. Not trying to replace my pocketknife, will always carry a dedicated knife, just want a badass multitool with lots of cutting edge replacing any useless tools! Yeah, a Leatherman is too uncouth for me to use on food, my Vic Camper on the other hand is developing a beautiful blue-red patina forming from cutting apples!

 

[hsherzfeld]

You will have to do a LOT of sanding to make a Wave/Charge blade fit your Wingman, either to replace the Wingman blade or the scissors.

As far as spring-loaded vs unassisted pliers are concerned, you get used to unassisted pliers pretty quickly. I went from the Sidekick (Wingman’s twin) to the Wave without any difficulty. You do have to hold the tool differently to open and close the pliers manually, but it becomes second nature very quickly. I use my ring finger to move the handle back and forth. I now find springloaded pliers rather annoying for many tasks because they spring open every time I relax or adjust my grip on the handles.

 

[hsherzfeld]

Also, I assume the scissors on the Wave are replaceable with an original Wave blade? I am getting the original PE 420HC blade as well, and since I carry a SD Classic, and those scissors are tight, I don't need no Leatherman scissors. So, I'm thinking about taking those off, and putting that blade in, to have three blades, a PE and SE 420HC and S30V no scissors. That, at least, doable, I assume?

Are you talking about installing the 420HC blade in place of the scissors inside the handle? There's no way that blade will fit; the plier head occupies the whole internal volume of the handles for about half of their length. There just isn't enough room for a full-size knife Wave knife blade inside the handles.

If you want to replace the scissors with a more "useful" tool, I suggest an awl. The awl from the Leatherman Rebar/Curl/Bond should fit in the scissor slot.

 

[Hashishiin]

Are you talking about installing the 420HC blade in place of the scissors inside the handle? There's no way that blade will fit; the plier head occupies the whole internal volume of the handles for about half of their length. There just isn't enough room for a full-size knife Wave knife blade inside the handles.

If you want to replace the scissors with a more "useful" tool, I suggest an awl. The awl from the Leatherman Rebar/Curl/Bond should fit in the scissor slot.

Yeah when I wrote this, I didn't really know what a Wave was like. Just got it in today, and I see what you mean. I will be happy with the serrated 420 and plainedge S30V I think, though! This one is great.