Leatherman Wave

iubigred007

iubigred007

Joined
Jul 23, 2004
Messages
203
hey everyone,

i was looking into getting a wave for a daily carry pouch, using a nite ize pouch. looking to mainly carry the wave, and inova x5 light and a vic or wenger sak in the pouch, along with various other items i can use on a daily basis.

can anyone give me any feedback on the wave? whats items open while the tool is closed? is the wave really the "mac daddy" and "best seller/most popular" of the leatherman tool line? these are both things that i have read.

or... any other suggestions would be nice as well.

thanks...
 
Don't get the Wave , get the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit,

Dont' need to open the tool, just for the pliers, even cheaper!!!
More rugged, less bulkier,
 
I love my Wave (newer version). The knives - plain and serrated - the file, and the saw all open while the tool is closed. From what I hear, it is indeed the most popular of the current fullsize Leatherman models - no idea whether or not it beats out the smaller ones.

A pouch for the wave and a light sounds like a good idea, but what's the SAK for? What can't you do with a wave that you can do with a SAK? For use around sheeple, I'm guessing (the wave doesn't scare people much though, in my experience), or maybe just as a backup?
 
fge2 said:
A pouch for the wave and a light sounds like a good idea, but what's the SAK for? What can't you do with a wave that you can do with a SAK?
Click to expand...

I do have a Wave (new version), but haven't used it nearly as much as some of the others such as the Supertool 200 (my EDC choice at work). I have to say the Wave does feel the best in my hand of any multi-tool I've used. I didn't like the screwdriver bit, so I replaced it with the Phillips tool from a sacrificed Kick. I've not been too impressed with the edge retaining ability of the blade, so I back your vote of wanting to carry a SAK alongside you multi. I currently carry either a soldier or a hiker - between a SAK and a good multi-tool, you're covered for most tasks that come your way.
 
My wife bought a Wave for the car emergency kit about a year ago, but I never knew about it until a couple weeks ago when I was revamping the kit.

The Wave is pretty nice. Where it really shines, I think, is that all the tools lock into position. Like fge2 says, the two blades, wood saw and metal saw/file are openable without unfolding the device. It's very well made. haven't used it enough to comment on the edge holding ability. Both knife blades are one-hand opening.

A few minor criticisms. The locking flat screwdriver blade is a redundant single use tool. There's already two screwdriver tools, both with reversible bits. I can't help but thinking they could have put something more useful in it's place, even an awl. Also, the small reversible screwdriver tool is very difficult to switch around. I had to use the pliers on my SAK to do it. ;) This may be just mine, but I can't do it by hand.

The Wave feels hefty, fits well in my hand. I compare it to my SAK Cybertool 34. The Wave is heavier, and a little larger. The Wave wins if you need locking blades and tools, and a full sized plier. However, the Cybertool comes with four reversible driver bits (flat, Phillips, Torx and hex bits). The SAK scissors are larger. The Cybertool also has corkscrew, awl, parcel hook, toothpick, tweezers, ballpoint pen, straightpin and a small flat eyeglass screwdriver (which I've lost). My Cybertool lacks a saw and metal/diamond files. The Cybertool 41 may compare more favorably to a Wave, containing a saw and metal saw/file, and is in a closer price range.

I have to say the SAK Cybertool 34 gets the nod overall for my needs. The wider variety of bits on board, plus tweezers and pen are things i find very handy, and which the Leatherman lacks. If it were a 41, it'd win out for sure. While I really like locking blades/tools, i find I can do without just fine. The smaller plier on the SAK has sufficed for my needs, but may fall short for those used to the Leatherman. This is not to disparage the Leatherman Wave at all. It's a fine tool and well worth the price.
 
I have both the new & original versions of the Wave.
I have to say it, I like the original better. I find the different size flat screw drivers very handy. I use them at work as mini pry bars to help disassemble stuff I'm working on. They don't lock, but this has never been a problem.
 
to answer fge2, and to agree with jtb49er2000... yes the SAK would be for purposes of better overall blade and cutting. also the SAK blades are thinner than most multi-tool blades and sharpen up better and faster, IMO of course. i find that using a SAK is a lot more comfy that using a multi-tool blade for extended periods of time as well, simply because the multi's have an awkward shape, again IMO.

thanks to all for the feedback. still doing some research, and i will be sure to post after i get a kit put together. i love threads where i can show off my stuff, he he :)
 
shecky said:
The locking flat screwdriver blade is a redundant single use tool.
Click to expand...
Au contraire! I use the large screwdriver blade for prying. It'll take more abuse than the bit holder will. I've also used the edge and the tip for scraping (I keep the corners sharp for that reason!). Oh yeah, and for the occasional large screw. ;)
 
If you plan to make use of the bit holder and bits on a regular basis, and are thinking of getting the optional bit kit, check out the Charge Ti. It's built nearly the same, except for the titanium handle slabs (which give better grip IMHO), and it comes with a set of extra, commonly-used bits. If you compare the cost of the Charge to that of the Wave + Bit Kit, the Charge looks like a bargain.
 
Just to add my two cents worth... The wave is a great multi tool, and back to the original question, i would guess that it is the best selling full size multi tool out there. As far as being the mac daddy, you'll get a lot of different opinions. My opinions: For strength and size, LM Core. Most Versitile, LM Surge. Best edc: LM Charge. It doesn't have the ultra thin slicing blade of an SAK, but the 154 CM main blade is by far the best steel out there on a multi tool, and I think a great general purpose shape as well. And all the other tools are laid out very nicely, and I agree about the usefulness of the second screw driver, it is stronger that the bits.
 
I'm thinking of buying a WAVE. Any idea where can I get it on the interet with Internaional Shipping available?
 
Hi all.
I am new here, just thought i would put my two pennies worth in. I have the original wave and a charge Ti and i hugely prefer the original wave. I dont have much use for the bit holder on the charge, i find it stays with a philips bit in it. Also the locking lugs get in the way when putting it in a sheath. I prefer the pliers on the charge but overall the original wave is my favourite.
 
I have had the original model Wave for a few years now and it is one of the best things I have bought, I use it all the time although I carry a Swiss Handyman. The Wave is just that much tougher for certain things.
 
I have been giving the new leathermans a bad rap and have been telling people to go with vic, but i can tell you that i have several multitools and if your interest is mainly in the plier and the strength of them, then you will want the surge as it has much stronger pliers than the large swisstool or any of the other leathermans. I cant speak for the core as i dont own it yet but it is probably as strong in the plier head as the surge. the surge is just too darned heavy!
 
If your main concern is the strength of the pliars, get the SOG. It has the strongest mechanical advantage in the industry. As for the rest of the tools on the SOG, they are a bit sub standard.

My vote is still for the Charge Ti. Although I have just picked up a Vic Swisstool and will be carrying it for a few weeks to test it out (it feels really well built, but I am concerned about edge retention on the blade).
 
I have a Wave II, and I agree - it's a bit on the heavy side. I also carry an Inova X5 as well - both on my belt. If you add a SAK, you may start occupying a lot of belt space:) I carry my folders in my pockets, or clipped. I've had many an instance where I've used the screwdriver on one of my SAK's over the multitool one because it was easier. Depending on what I need to do, I will carry my old PST or an SOG PT-510 (about the same size as the PST). I've had my Wave II for just under a year, and I do love using it, but there are times when it is big. I was initially looking at a Spirit of some sort (and I will probably get one to try, anyway:) ), but the PT-510 addressed certain electrical things a bit better at the time. As others have mentioned - take a REAL close look at what you are planning to do - lots of choices. But then again, you may also want to collect multitools like the rest of us:D

- gord
 
i've had an original Wave since '99 and i love the thing. the Charge Ti with the better steel in the main blade is tempting, but i can't bring myself to replace the Wave when it has served me well for so long

i also carry a Victorinox Swisschamp though, i've had one since about '93 and little things like the eyeglass screwdriver, the tweezers and the pen that the Wave doesn't have come in handy all the time. it's also nice if i'm working with someone else and we need another screwdriver or saw or something between us.

i have been looking at the Swisstool X lately though...
 
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