Leatherman Wave Alpha

ShaiHulud said:
Im not too, too sure how I feel about the G10 despite it being my favorite scale material, but we'll see how it does in a full sized leatherman, ill remain optimistic
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I like g10, but overall it can be less durable than the steel handled versions, but a non issue for most scenarios I think. I prefer micarta or tero tuff to g10 personally. My big thing about the wave alpha is the ditching the little near useless scissors, they broke on my wave and I haven't sent it back even though I know they'll fix it.
 
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I really wanted to like this one but alas it’s another Leatherman where the USA stamp is nowhere to be seen…
 
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SharpBits said:
I just emailed them and asked directly. I'll post their reply if or when I get it.
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No need - and honestly who knows what answer a CS rep might cook up.

Since they were sued they had to stop stamping USA on foreign made plier jaws. I think the Arc is the only one recently that’s actually made here not just “assembled.”
 
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MarbReds said:
No need - and honestly who knows what answer a CS rep might cook up.

Since they were sued they had to stop stamping USA on foreign made plier jaws. I think the Arc is the only one recently that’s actually made here not just “assembled.”
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Mine may go back depending on the answer.*

*It likely has more US components than any car or truck coming from the Big 3 US automakers.
 
Update:
Not sure how many have already received theirs ane put them to use.
I just opened the box. The g10 feels decently high in quality, though on a personal note id still have preferred stainless handles. The handles opened somewhat smoothly as if it already had been broken in. Still thin liner lock, I personally feel its a bit too thin but I might be the only one to mention that, delighted to see no play in the blade, personally id have wanted a drop point or spear point blade, but a lambsfoot blade as a secondary knife blade would have been nice as well, probably in place of the saw as the saw for me will see little use.
As no one likes reading novels on here ill conclude with my first impressions being positive for the most part
 
I received an obsidian and a cascadia. First impressions are positive. Both sets of scissors cut free hanging paracord. I actually like the blade shape, sharpened both on the EP and they took an amazing edge. I like the size, I actually like narrower tools, I know that’s subjective. All tools open smoothly. Have not really put them to work yet though.
 
The official word on country of origin: Each tool is built using both U.S. and globally sourced parts, and all imported components are carefully inspected before assembly.

Although the "globally" sourced parts could be from Taiwan, I'm betting on China and India. I guess Tim went the same path as the US Big Three automakers.
 
SharpBits said:
The official word on country of origin: Each tool is built using both U.S. and globally sourced parts, and all imported components are carefully inspected before assembly.

Although the "globally" sourced parts could be from Taiwan, I'm betting on China and India. I guess Tim went the same path as the US Big Three automakers.
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“Globally sourced” is such a lame cop out.
 
SharpBits said:
The official word on country of origin: Each tool is built using both U.S. and globally sourced parts, and all imported components are carefully inspected before assembly.

Although the "globally" sourced parts could be from Taiwan, I'm betting on China and India. I guess Tim went the same path as the US Big Three automakers.
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Any information about what parts of the tools are "globally sourced?"
Its probably too much to hope for its something small like screws or clips or replaceable hard wire cutters
 
ShaiHulud said:
Any information about what parts of the tools are "globally sourced?"
Its probably too much to hope for its something small like screws or clips or replaceable hard wire cutters
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I'm guessing everything is globally sourced. Except for the Magnacut...oh, wait, now that is as well.
 
ShaiHulud said:
Any information about what parts of the tools are "globally sourced?"
Its probably too much to hope for its something small like screws or clips or replaceable hard wire cutters
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Sadly, a lot of these companies have moved to this "global sourcing" situation because they designed the products first, and designed them to meet a certain price point. All parts made here, to include all the little bits like screws, fasteners, etc. would almost certainly push the price past what a lot of folks want to pay. I don't have any insider information, but as a consumer/collector, I know that there are price points I won't pay for various items. One quick example is Benchmade knives, those cost far more than I think they should. However, since I don't know their situation, I don't rail about it much here these days, I just use my dollars to buy other things. Leatherman still wants to sell multitools, but realize that they won't sell very many at a $300-$400+ price point.
 
With Christmas coming soon, I took a good look at the Alpha as a potential gift for our son and grandson . . .and I will pass.

They each already have a multitool, one a Wave and our grandson something from Gerber.

The Alpha is a nifty piece of kit to be sure but . . .at the 1$250 price point it would have to be something really special to replace what each of the three of us have now . . .and it is not.

I like the serrated blade and I like the profile of the plane edged blade on my Wave. I'd like a thumb stud instead of a slit, but that alone won't bring me over. The Magnicut blade sounds great, but the "reverse tango" profile is less useful than the Wave's standard utility profile in my view . . .much less attractive given the loss of the separated blade. I would like to have the robust scissors as an outside tool swapped for an inside saw maybe, but that isn't what they did. I distrust G-10 as a structural element on a tool that could be used roughly as an "git-er-dun" situation to quote Larry The Cabnlr Guy.

In my opinion, Leatherman should offer several blade profiles in high alloy steels as custom shop alternatives or even license premium knife makers to make replacement blades for the Wave and other models. How nifty would it be to have your "regular" weatherman tool with a blade from Chris Reeve or even from a custome maker of folders?

In the end, I just don't see the Alpha as being enough MORE to get me to drop my Wave Plus and spend $250 on anyone this Christmas.
 
It's reverse tanto. It is a very useful blade profile. If you need to drill holes, use the pointed awl. The G-10 is not structural as there is a metal frame on the inside.

Is it a value at the current price? Maybe, maybe not. Oh, the actual price is $200. The price you quote is for the Arc.

It seems to be assembled in the US and not made of mostly US parts. That is a disappointment to me, but the big three US automakers have been doing it for years and people seem happy to throw $60k-90k at them for a pimped up pickup truck.
 
VorpelSword said:
With Christmas coming soon, I took a good look at the Alpha as a potential gift for our son and grandson . . .and I will pass.

They each already have a multitool, one a Wave and our grandson something from Gerber.

The Alpha is a nifty piece of kit to be sure but . . .at the 1$250 price point it would have to be something really special to replace what each of the three of us have now . . .and it is not.

I like the serrated blade and I like the profile of the plane edged blade on my Wave. I'd like a thumb stud instead of a slit, but that alone won't bring me over. The Magnicut blade sounds great, but the "reverse tango" profile is less useful than the Wave's standard utility profile in my view . . .much less attractive given the loss of the separated blade. I would like to have the robust scissors as an outside tool swapped for an inside saw maybe, but that isn't what they did. I distrust G-10 as a structural element on a tool that could be used roughly as an "git-er-dun" situation to quote Larry The Cabnlr Guy.

In my opinion, Leatherman should offer several blade profiles in high alloy steels as custom shop alternatives or even license premium knife makers to make replacement blades for the Wave and other models. How nifty would it be to have your "regular" weatherman tool with a blade from Chris Reeve or even from a custome maker of folders?

In the end, I just don't see the Alpha as being enough MORE to get me to drop my Wave Plus and spend $250 on anyone this Christmas.
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Do you mean the Arc? The Wave Alpha is $200.
 
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