Leatherman Wave vs. TI vs. XTI vs. other options

M

MDLockard

Joined
Nov 12, 2006
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Have an all steel Wave with locking blades. Looks to me like the TI has the same tools, however a few parts are titanium. XTI looks more at home in the garage then in the wilderness where I take my Wave a survival tool.

Looking for thoughts on the Leatherman and suggestions on other survival mutitools.
 
Someone once wrote (maybe here) "Leathermans are NOT survival tools"

Judging by the number of broken LM Tools I've read about, plus experience with my own Leathermans I've returned for repair, I'd agree.

That being said...
Out in my 4x4 is a LM Core & in my Pick Up is a LM Fuse. Both handy for quick, lite, repairs.

In my bail out bag is a LM Wave & bit kit along with a SOG Powerlock. Just recently a Victorinox Spirit found a home on my belt.

Leathermans are great tools but... I would not want to bet the farm on one.

Just my $.02
 
MDLockhard,

Glad you asked, as I was thinking of asking much the same thing.

I was getting set to pull the trigger on a LM Ti, but two or three things stopped me:
  • No awl
  • Its size
  • Not sure about that pouch
I want something that will be handy for daily use at home and at work, but that would also complement my Fallkniven A1 and a small pocket folder in a survival scenario.
 
Two problems with SwissTools: 1. Their "needle-nose" pliers aren't very needle-ish. 2. The screwdriver bits/heads are over-polished, making them rounded and slippery, rather than grabby.
 
I haven't had any problems with the "semi-needle" nose, (SOG's are similar) or the tools slipping.... yet
 
I have the new wave and love the one hand opening and the pocket clip. Not having the awl always bothered me, so I just ground the large flat screwdriver into one! And the extra bits slide right into my wallet, so I have everything I need without the bulk of a sheath.
 
Outlaw45 said:
Someone once wrote (maybe here) "Leathermans are NOT survival tools"

Judging by the number of broken LM Tools I've read about, plus experience with my own Leathermans I've returned for repair, I'd agree.

That being said...
Out in my 4x4 is a LM Core & in my Pick Up is a LM Fuse. Both handy for quick, lite, repairs.

In my bail out bag is a LM Wave & bit kit along with a SOG Powerlock. Just recently a Victorinox Spirit found a home on my belt.

Leathermans are great tools but... I would not want to bet the farm on one.

Just my $.02
Click to expand...

Well, I don't know who insists a Leatherman is not a survival tool, but that raises the matter of what needs to be done to survive. Anything from a machete to a credit card could be used for survival, depending on what are the needs in a given situation. Heading into rough country for an extended period, an axe or substantial fixed blade would be an appropriate survival tool, but suppose an outboard motor were to get funky. In that case, a Leatherman screw driver could be just right for the job. So, when adrift upriver, which would be the better choice?

Since most of us live with machines or technology of one sort ot another, as well as things that need cut, pryed, poked, gripped or screwed, an easily portable item that can tackle a range of applications can properly be considered the real deal. A Leatherman Super Tool has bailed me out enough times to convince me.

That's my 25,000 Slobovian Rasbuckniks (approximately 2¢, discounted for inflation) :D
 
I'm interested in hearing more about the Wave vs TI vs XTI. Anyone know the differences between the Wave and TI (just a few titanium pieces) and the XTI, has different features than the Wave or TI.
On the blade survival front, just ordered a Becker 7 should arrive in a week. Also have a Sypderco Military.
And if I lived in a different state (AZ, New Hampshire, etc.) I'd bring my 9mm Sig 226 and my 12 gauge 870 Police Magnum from Remington for survival!
 
Thanks, that was a great article. Sounds like the Charge TI has a better blade then the Wave but the wave has a better case. Looks like the Charge XTI gives up scissor for another screw bit.

For me, I'm happy with the wave I have. The Charge TI costs more, only advantage is a better blade (I have better knives anyway) and .1 ounce less.
 
Hmmm... Looks like, for my purposes, a Juice CS4 or XE6 would be the better way to go. Can't tell--do the tools on those models lock in place?
 
I have the Charge Ti - the difference in blade steel over the Wave is overrated. I assume the blade on my older Leatherman Supertool and Juice is the same as the Wave. Difference in edgeholding between these and the Ti is not that noticeable, despite the supposedly superior steel of the Ti. The Ti is a bit lighter than the Wave but not much. If cost is a factor, you are not trading much off by getting the Wave. If cost doesn't matter, get the Charge.
 
cheung_victor said:
don't forget about the better steel in the 3 blades.
Click to expand...
Perhaps an issue for some. I'm not sure it is with me, being as I plan to carry a "real" pocket knife clipped to my pocket.

cheung_victor said:
Also the Ti weighs less then the wave
Click to expand...
An insignificant amount. And the Ti is marginally bulkier.

Don't get me wrong: If I was going to go with one or the other (right now I'm considering one of the Juices, instead), it'd almost certainly be the Ti, but the differences just aren't that great.
 
EDCeeker said:
Don't get me wrong: If I was going to go with one or the other (right now I'm considering one of the Juices, instead), it'd almost certainly be the Ti, but the differences just aren't that great.
Click to expand...

Although the Juice is nice (CS4 here), it is in a different class of multitool than the Ti, which is much more robust, and Juice blades don't lock. Think of it as a SAK with real, but small, pliers.

I had a Charge Ti for a while, but had to give it up because the blade locks were unreliable.
 
Bah! :( I guess the search continues.

Would like a Leatherman (for the pliers). Would like an awl (and perhaps a cork-screw, tho goodness knows why). Not sure if I want anything as large as a Wave or Charge. Would like the tools to lock--particularly any screw-drivers.
 
EDCeeker said:
Bah! :( I guess the search continues.

Would like a Leatherman (for the pliers). Would like an awl (and perhaps a cork-screw, tho goodness knows why). Not sure if I want anything as large as a Wave or Charge. Would like the tools to lock--particularly any screw-drivers.
Click to expand...

In larger multitools, locking implements are definitely a safety asset, but less so with smaller ones, like the Juice series. For most uses, pocketable slipjoints do well. At least, that has been my experience with SAKs and a Juice CS4, possibly because there is less a tendency to tackle jobs that require lots of torque or other stresses on the tools.
 
great thread! EDC: Thanks for the link to that review article. I just cancelled my order at Amazon for an XTi and bit kit until I can finish reading their review and re-evaluate if I really want to spend $100 for a Leatherman.
 
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