SUPERTOOL-300 or WAVE?!

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bcknives

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Jun 22, 2012
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So I am buying a new Leatherman, I can't choose between the Supertool-300 or the Wave. I am really doing DIY stuff, and possibly EDC (people might think that they're to big for EDC but I don't mind carrying "larger" multitools).

Things I like about the Supertool-300:
All of the tools.
Versatility.
Size.

Things I like about the Wave:
Outside accessibly to tools.
Looks.
Bit changer.

Which one should I get?!
 
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to be honest If I wear you Id take a look at the Charge TTI - you can pick them up for about $90 and the blade is S30V and it comes with a bit kit, easy to open and about the same size as the wave and not as monstrous as the super tool.

TTI is an all round EDC'er but the super tool is no joke, thats a serious tool for some serious work.
 
For around the house, the ST 300 wins, because its larger size and replaceable cutters provide a little more utility than the Wave (in my view). It also has a real 3D phillips with long shank (like God intended), instead of the short, flat 2D driver in the Wave. But for EDC, the Wave's smaller size and light weight would be a big factor. I have EDC-ed the ST 300, and it can be done, but you have to be committed to it because its a big chunk of multitool. The Wave is more likely to be one of those things that you don't notice being on your belt until you need it.
 
This is much a lifestyle thing. Both are great, but if I could have one only, it would be the Super Tool 300 for the extra strength, no losable parts and the all important (to me) awl. If bits are needed, they can be adapted with a removable bit driver, so you don't lose that versatility. Scissors can be supplemented with a Micra or Style CS. Carried in a belt pouch, the 2 ounce difference in weight is negligible.

If you have in mind anything like industrial use in mind, all I can tell you is that in a small machine shop of my acquaintance, management offered each employee a gift of their choice of Wave or Super Tool, and all 15 chose the ST. If your use is more casual, you might prefer the Wave because it's still a pretty good tool and more fun to play with (seriously ;) ).
 
Which one fits your hand better?

Does the price difference matter?


I carried a ST300 all day today, to be honest the new sheath that comes with the 300 is very wide so that evens the weight out a bit. I am just a ST300 kinda guy I guess, the weight does not bother me because I was in the Infantry for 20 years and at times carried a 150 pound Ruck so I laugh when people talk about the mighty weight of the ST300 is pulling them down! LOL!!!!
 
I've tried both, and the Super Tool works better for me. I don't need one hand opening blades on my multitool because I carry other knives, and I don't mind the extra weight since I carry them in a backpack or satchel. I was rather unimpressed with the Wave, after a few months of use (rather hard use, to be honest) it developed play. I prefer the stronger Super Tool, with the ratchet and extra bits from the SwissTool added to the sheath for some additional drivers. I just wish it had scissors.
 
While I'm a huge fan of having an external knife blade, the ST300 wins on simplicity sake. Huge, rugged, no pieces to lose (a major gripe I had with my Surge), and just a very well made heavy-duty tool.

The weight of a MT doesn't bother me as long as I am wearing a belt, which I do as long as the jeans/shorts I'm wearing has loops for such. As mentioned, the ST300 sheath is pretty sturdy and displaces the weight. I often forget about having it unless I need it. I find the tool selection to be just about perfect. Scissors would be nice, but the lack of them is not a deal breaker. I keep my knife sharp enough to do anything that a small set of scissors could do. It's a simple tool, but well thought out and engineered. Everything seems to have a place and every tool has a job. Some get a little miffed about there being 3 flat drivers on it, but I have found each one of the hollow ground tools fit a pretty specific and common screw size.

I think my biggest complaint of the Surge/Wave is that of the 4 that have passed through my hands, ALL of them would jam up if I didn't carefully position the jaws when I went to fold them up. Aggravating when you are fixing something and only have one hand with which to fold the tool and sheath it to get it out of the way. That is one thing I liked about my SOG Powerlock. I could just flip it closed liked a balisong. The ST300 isn't that loose, but I can actually close it against my thigh with a good firm push.

In short: ST300 all the way, for me.
 
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