Leatherman Wave

T. Erdelyi

T. Erdelyi

Joined
Feb 3, 2001
Messages
32,354
Has any one else had this problem? I just returned to work this week after 3 months off with knee surgery, and was using my Leather Wave,(at the time my favorite Multiplier, loved the rounded handles, and easy access to the blades and saw when closed)when I was using the pliers to try to remove a a locating pin in a piece of equipment I was working on. I generally keep my index finger between the handles to facilitate opening and closng the plier jaws, while using it the Leatherman slipped and hit the ground, I picked it up and proceeded to squeeze the pliers to get a good grip on the locating pin, but what I didn't notice was that the straight blade had partially opened and as I began to squeeze the blade my forefinger was on the sharp side of the blade and I literally almost sheared the top 1" of my finger off, seein as how I never use the blade it was still razor sharp. If you have one of these parially open the blade while the plies are open and you'll see how this is possible, I like my Leatherman, I just wish there was somekind of lock on the blades when closed, this never could have happened with my Super Tool. :mad: :mad:
 
Now you know why , besides not being lefty friendly,
I prefer the super tool myself. The wave is an execellent
enginerring excercise it still isn't perfect. The supertool,
on the other hand, is simple tough straight forward tool.
That's the original supertool not the 200.
 
I never understood the Wave's immense following. I think it is highly overrated. Like I need to open a multi-tool as fast as an Emerson Commander. :rolleyes: Hmmm, maybe that's why they call it the Wave.

BTW, Tightwad. What is your beef with the ST 200? I know you have mentioned it before, but I keep forgetting. I've been using my ST200 just about everday now. I have no complaints. I love the solidity of this piece, and the fact that the blades do indeed lock.
 
I have a wave and I like the easy blade access. Sometimes
my work environment disallows a weapon in the classic sense.
Thanks for the info I'll watch out for that.
 
I have carried my Wave for about the past six months, and have not had a problem with it. I find this certain situation intriguing, because it seems to me that you may have a little too much play on the blade(?). There have been times that I've dropped my Wave, while in use at work, and the blades don't open unless I choose to access them.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting that you are at fault. However, maybe your Wave has a little more play than it should. I've been a Leatherman customer for the past 10+ years and have never had a problem with any product that I've owned. This is not to say that their products are perfect, however, one with a defect may get by every once in a while.
 
The first thing you learn when dealing with firearms, is that mechanical safeties fail. The same applies to knives as well.
Never trust them.

Regardless of what make or model Multi-tool you are using, it would serve you well to always remember that you are essentially holding a fistful of sharp/pointy things.

Be careful and don't get angry at the tool because of a moment's inattention on your part.

Sorry to hear you cut yourself so badly, I hope it heals quickly!
 
I really feel for you, brother. A few weeks ago, I closed a slipjoint with a stiff backspring, and it snapped shut. shearing off the very outermost layer of skin off my little finger tip. Maybe 1/8 of an inch over and I'd still be healing :(

I wasn't too impressed with the Wave myself. I kept my Supertool. The Wave is overdone, too busy, too much going on. I don't need outside blades locking, I need them all to lock, especially screwdrivers, which turn in use, not knife blades that cut in one direction!

My next Leatherman will probably be a Juice, but the ST 200 sounds like they did it right.
 
When the Waves first came out I bought one. I liked it so much I got one for my Dad and my Father-in-Law. When my Dad opened his I warned him about the blades being very sharp. (Shouldn't have to...both Dad and I have made knives before -- one of those compulsive things I guess). Well, in spite of his experience with knives (and my timely warning), he managed to take a nice slice out of his thumb with the serrated blade while he was playing the "one hand open" game! :-)

I think the Wave is still my favorite.

--gordon
 
The Wave is IMHO, a decent quality, versatile tool. I think we all need to remember that even the best multitool is a compromise. The ultimate best tool is a single tool specific to the purpose. When we can't have that, the multitool can be a lifesaver.

I recently picked up the Pulse. It's cheaper than the Wave, and all the tools lock open. They also rounded out the handles for comfort. It's worth a look.

Sorry you got "bit" by the Wave. Be careful with sharp, pointy objects.:rolleyes: ;)
 
komondor, I don't have a beef with the supertool per se. I just
perfer the simplicity of the original supertool and the blade
patterns. I bought a Pulse to try to new locking mechanism
and while it's ok on the Pulse it just doesn't fly with me
for the 200. Call it an old guy thing.........:) :) :) :)
 
I received a wave as a gift. Shortly there after, I gave away my supertool, thinking - I don't need this anymore.

Big mistake.

Before I give my reasons, I'll first say - I cut the snot out of myself with my supertool. Somehow my finger slid across the serrated blade when I was trying to close it, and pow, I cut off most the skin on the end of my index finger. Bled like crazy. It was my own stupid mistake, but I doubt it would have happened with the new locking mechanism. I still love the supertool, but its big and heavy compared with the wave.

I dont much care for the wave mostly due to its lack of locking tools. The way it fold together prevents the tool from closing across your finger, but thats about it. The screw drivers are basically worthless, especially when you need to apply force.

Also, I agree with the above post - its a cool idea, but not good in practice. Most supertools keep the blades safely folded inside the tool. The wave doesn't do that.

A few days ago, while working on my car, I used the wave as a screwdriver. The screw was stuck, so I applied more force. Immediately, the screwdriver folded, my knuckle hit the car, and both knives popped open as I almost dropped it on my foot. Pretty nifty. Luckily, it didn't get damaged, and neither did I. I did go get a real screwdriver, though.

Honestly, I've been thinking of getting the SOG power pliers. I've had enough of the wave. If I need a one hand opening knife, I'll carry one. I hardly use the blades on multitools.

I would recommend the supertool, but not the wave.
-- Rob
 
IMHO If you get a power plier after a Wave you will be sorry you did.

I did it the other way and would never go back.

Bob
 
I have had blades pop open just about every time I dropped one of my liner locks, never happened when I dropped my Wave, but it could have. I always check for open blades though.
I did cut my thumb pretty good when it slipped opening my Wave's serrated blade. If Leatherman replaced the holes with thumb studs this could be prevented.
I found both the Supertool and the 200 version to be potentialy dangerous when closing the blades, so I am extra careful with these.
The Swisstool is safer than both, but should have one hand opening capability.
 
I bought a new Wave a couple days ago, since my old Wave was stolen out of my glove box when my car was broken into. My old Wave had a lot of blade and handle play even when new, and a few edge chips on the plain blade out of package (I owned it about 2 years). My new one is basically flawless and even seems there are some minor upgrades (including some slight finger treads on the back of the serrated blade as a "blind" reverence).

I always liked the Wave, but had resigned it to the glove box due to the play; now of course I'm going to carry my new one on the belt. There is NO WAY I am going to leave anything of much value in my car anymore after the theft. The penny-ante little punks even stole my Sun Visor! :mad: :mad:

Oh well, rant over, feel better...
Jim
 
Never had a prob with my WAVE. It generally resides in my laptop case unless I'm traveling by air. I find it to be a very versatile tool but it certainly doesn't compare to a roll away toolbox full of purpose specfic tools. That's the beauty of it though, it gives you most of what you need to accomplish many things and unlike a big toolbox, you can take it almost anywhere.

So far no cuts (1.5 years), but I can see that because the blades are so narrow (no belly or depth) your thumb could easily be damaged while one hand opening them.

I'm very happy so far, but of course there's always room for improvement.

jmx

PS: I rarely use the blades built into the WAVE as I generally have a better knife on hand for general cutting. I think of the blades on the WAVE more like back up for if something happens to my main blade. They're serviceable but not what I use every day.
 
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