Leatherman Wave frustrations

tarsier

tarsier

Joined
Apr 6, 2002
Messages
1,356
Occasionally, there are times when I don't carry a second knife and just rely on one SAK or multitool. I only own two tools that I carry in this situation - my Victorinox FieldMaster or Leatherman Wave. And when I feel that pliers or dedicated screwdrivers are necessary, that leaves only the Wave.

I have had my Wave since they were first released, and I like it. However, when I use it, I sometimes find myself getting frustrated. It just seems like a very nice concept that falls a little short on the implementation. It is close to ideal for a "do it all" tool, but not quite there yet. Here are a few examples:

1. It has two of my favorite blade shapes. The serrated sheepsfoot for sawing through hard plastic materials and a clip point for everything else. Unlike other people, I don't even have complaints about the steel. However, the thumb slot is too small and has sharp edges on it. I have not found anything small enough to smooth the edge with. The blades are also a little stiff to open one-handed. None of the lubricants that I have tried have helped much. I'm definitely spoiled by my Spydies and Benchmades.

2. The handles are smooth when opened to use the pliers, but still have sharp edges when closed. This makes it less comfortable than it should be when using all other tools, either the inner or outer ones. I would prefer a shape like the Leatherman Juice.

3. IMO, the saw is inferior to the FieldMaster's saw. I have looked at the teeth on both. The only difference that I can see is that the Wave has teeth with a longer slope on the front and shorter slope on the back. The overall effect is that the teeth are more slanted. The Fieldmaster's teeth are symmetrical and vertical. With the Wave, I have tried cutting with the pull stroke, like some folding saws require, and on the push stroke, like traditional hand saws. The Fieldmaster just seems to cut better.

4. The three large tools - Phillips head screwdriver, large straight screwdriver, and can opener - are a pain to dig out. I have very short fingernails and find these three tools inconvenient to open. I prefer the little extension on top of the tool, like the Juice has, for opening. By the way, the infamous "tool clumping" of the four smaller tools in the other handle doesn't bother me at all.

None of these things is a major problem. I still appreciate the design of the Wave and find it useful. And, I understand that one tool that tries to do everything will always be a compromise compared to the best-of-breed for each function. But the impression that it leaves in my mind is of an unfinished work. As I say, frustrating! I think I'll look for a feedback email address on the Leatherman web site. Maybe there will be a Wave II someday.
 
Originally posted by tarsier
1. It has two of my favorite blade shapes. The serrated sheepsfoot for sawing through hard plastic materials and a clip point for everything else. Unlike other people, I don't even have complaints about the steel. However, the thumb slot is too small and has sharp edges on it. I have not found anything small enough to smooth the edge with. The blades are also a little stiff to open one-handed. None of the lubricants that I have tried have helped much. I'm definitely spoiled by my Spydies and Benchmades.
Click to expand...

I put some cable ties on my Wave's thumb slots to form thumb studs. I got the idea from this thread, about using cable ties on Spyderco knives:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=214013

Just run the tie through the slot so that the square piece faces out, then cut off the exess tie, and melt the little bit that you can't cut off with a flame to make them feel smoother.
After putting the cable tie "studs" on my Wave, I can open it much easier, without shaving any skin off my thumb. I even used different colored ties so that I can tell which blade is which, with out having to look close.
 
When I look at the design and engineering that went into the Wave, it gives me even more respect for the folks at Leatherman. I'm impressed in general with pretty much the whole Leatherman line, and the Wave in particular is really quite a piece of work. Given that, I don't own a Wave and don't know if I ever will. Since I always carry a real knife, and a Micra, I find that the SuperTool 200 works better for me. The one hand opening blades on the Wave is a really good idea, but I wouldn't trust that lock much. I don't like that the rest of the Wave's tools don't lock. And I really like the ST's long screwdrivers; next to them, those on the Wave look short and stubby.
 
By all means write to Leatherman. They welcome your comments
as they did mine. They are nice folk's who do listen.
 
Thanks for taking the time to write out your frustrations. I Traded my Supertool a year or so ago and have been looking at the other Leatherman products. After reading some of the aspects that you posted I think I will just go back to the Supertool rather than try to "upgrade" to the Wave. I gues it really is hard to improve upon such a great design and keep something for everyone on the tool.
 
I agree with the suggestion to write to them. A lot of their design upgrades were from consumer comments.
 
For whatever it's worth I've owned almost all of the Leatherman
tools at one time or the other and a Swiss tool which was so bad
I won't comment on it.

Of the Leatherman I rank them this way..........

#1 orignial Supetool is by far the best working tool.
#2 the 200 supertool . a good tool just not my thing.
#3Pulse. a very good got it all together light weight tool
#4 orginal PST. I don't know why but for all it's faults it's still
a very good friend to carry everyday.
#5 micra. a very nice pair of sicssors for those time you need them.
#6 the juice Kf4 pocket tool. nice when I can't carry the big guys.
# dead last on any list is the ..........Wave. To much engineering compromise
for me.
 
Good comments, guys.

Frank, thanks for the tip. I once had a pair of boots with sharp eyelets on them that would cut through the boot laces in about three weeks. I put a thin layer of SuperGlue on the edges, and that solved the problem. I was considering doing the same with my Wave thumb slots. Maybe I'll try your suggestion instead.

medusaoblongata, I actually don't mind the lock on the blades. I just use the same care that I would with a slipjoint, and the locks give a small extra margin of safety.

I'll send a few suggestions to the Leatherman folks. Worst case, it will cure someone's insomnia when they try to wade through my writing...:) I believe you when you say that they listen to consumers, since some of my complaints have been solved in the more recent models, such as the Juice.
 
if you want to file the finger hole down, you can get some great miny diamond files from micro mark, they fit in the hole and work fast. i dont remember the website.
 
Since I'm always looking for something a little better...

My first multi-tool (not counting SAKs) was the original Leatherman Tool (PST). I gave it to my brother when I got out of the Army (he was in the Marine Corps at the time).

Later my wife bought me a Gerber Pro-Scout and I like it very much, but I could'nt help being tempted by the newer multi-tools--specificly the Leatherman Wave and the Gerber Legend.

So, I eventually bought a Wave. I like the tool selection and the cleverness of the design but there was something about it that just was'nt right. For some reason it lacked a real easy and comfortable feeling when using it. It has nice ergonomics but it was still somehow awkward to select a tool and use (except the saw, the pliers, and the file).
Before long I sold it and bought the Gerber Legend.

I owned the Legend for about four hours and then returned it.
Overall, I think it's the best engineered multi-tool of them all with a few exceptions.
The tools don't clump together, they all lock, they're all accessable with the pliers closed, the pliers are spring-loaded, the jigsaw blade adaptor is pure genius, the wire-cutters are adjustable and replaceable, it really is a well thought out tool, except...
it's just too thick and too big for me to carry and use.
And what's the use of a multi-tool if you will not carry it everyday?

So, after all of that, I'm back to carrying the original Leatherman Tool. If the PST had Gerber's jigsaw adaptor it would be close to perfect for me.

Good luck,
Allen.
 
My one big gripe about my Leatherman Wave is that it rusts easily. I assume this is down to the choice of steel and the finish, because I have the same problem with my Gerber Ez-out. Both have been wiped down with a Sentry Tuff Cloth and even that doesnt seem to have solved the problem. Very annoying!

Compare that with my Victorinox Swiss Champ and Champ models which have been well used and left uncleaned for long periods. No rust at all. Because of the high quality and the fact that they dont rust, my next multitool will probably have be a Victorinox.
 
Very interesting me running into this thread today.
Earlier today I was changing my Miter saw's blade and needed a Phillips screwdriver. Well, I had my Wave on me so I went for it. I broke both of my thumbnails trying to dig the bloody Phillips screwdriver out. Broke the right one right down to the quick and drew blood. OW! I finally had to resort to a nearby roofing nail to get it out.:grumpy:
This is a pisser because I keep my Wave cleaned and lubed. It's got me wondering if there is a better way to get multi-tool tools out without the PITA factor rearing it's ugly head.
 
tarsier :

However, the thumb slot is too small and has sharp edges on it. I have not found anything small enough to smooth the edge with.
Click to expand...

You can use some sandpaper wrapped around a piece of wood or plastic.

-Cliff
 
I have had only one problem with my Wave. I used it's wire cutter on the the inside of the needle nose pliers to cut a thick wire coat hanger, and it warped the wire cutter. It made a crip or burr, and when I tried to open the pliers, every time after that the needle nose stuck closed. The handles started to close instead of the plier opening. I used a friends dremal tool and ground out the burr, and problem was solved. It was very dificult to use it until I fixed it. I guess I'm a little spoiled with the wire cutting ability of my SOG power plier.

Reagan
 
Michael, I haven't had the rusting problem that you've seen, but have heard others mention it. The climate where I live is very humid in the summer months, but I wipe it down with TuffGlide every three weeks, or more often if I am pocket-carrying a lot.

misque, ouch! For opening mechanisms, I like the large extension on the side of the Juice tools. Although, with the backspring, they really snap open once you get them started. I found that out the first time I used my Juice S2 last winter and took a little triangular chunk out of my knuckle. That is not surprising though, because if there is a way to damage myself, I'll generally find it. Now, I open them with one thumb, with the other thumb right over the tip. Works well.

SOX, I wondered about the wirecutters. I have only used them a few times on soft wire, but was curious how they would perform in an emergency. The replacable carbide insert on the Gerbers looks pretty good.
 
I too suffer from rust spots on my Wave. Here in Bangkok it's pretty humid indeed and therefore my tools need constant attention and airing :)

I was wondering whether something like Renaissance Wax, which I've heard so many good things about, would solve the problem ??
 
The difficulty in extracting the inner tools is the biggest gripe I have with the Wave. It's hard enough to do in normal circumstances, nearly impossible in wet or muddy conditions. I like the Wave, it's a cool idea, but I just don't use it much. Love the new Juice line, though!
 
Originally posted by tarsier
Michael, I haven't had the rusting problem that you've seen, but have heard others mention it. The climate where I live is very humid in the summer months, but I wipe it down with TuffGlide every three weeks, or more often if I am pocket-carrying a lot.

misque, ouch! For opening mechanisms, I like the large extension on the side of the Juice tools. Although, with the backspring, they really snap open once you get them started. I found that out the first time I used my Juice S2 last winter and took a little triangular chunk out of my knuckle. That is not surprising though, because if there is a way to damage myself, I'll generally find it. Now, I open them with one thumb, with the other thumb right over the tip. Works well.

SOX, I wondered about the wirecutters. I have only used them a few times on soft wire, but was curious how they would perform in an emergency. The replacable carbide insert on the Gerbers looks pretty good.
Click to expand...

Hello Tarsier

I dont know why they cant use something more resistant to rust. I havent even used my Wave very much-that is the annoying thing-because of the rust issue. My Swiss Champ has been carried and used much more. No rust. An earlier Champ model I had I used heavily for years, left wood chippings in the saw, didnt clean it for months on end. No rust. Yes, this isnt the ideal way to treat a tool, but it does set a benchmark for others on performance.

I bought a Leatherman made tool rather than any other model because I thought credit was due to the company and the founder-they did come up with the whole concept. I do think they should have done better.
 
mjjbecker...

I couldn't agree more with your comments. I have a wave, swisschamp and swiss tool. I have barely used the Wave and already there are rust spots on the handles. I find this quite surprising and naturally expected the same material standard that are on the Vic tools but apparently this is not the case.

I have had the Swisschamp nearly 10 years and it has been round the world with me and still looks perfect. The SwissTool is obviously made with the same swiss steel quality and should also see out the next 10 years (and more) like the Champ.

I do like the Wave's feature and the single handed blade opening was the selling point for me but I do have to question the material standards Leatherman uses.

People have told me to keep the Wave well lubricated, dry etc but the point is the Vic tools never seem to require vast attention and I can honestly say here that not once have I ever seen rust on the Swisschamp...and saying that surely instills greater confidence a user has in any tool.

Great thread...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top