Hello,
To update anyone that is interested:
Today the Victorinox Deluxe Tinker came in to REI and I picked it up. As I wanted the pen and pin, in addition the toothpick and tweezers, I emailed Swiss Army requesting replacement scales for the Swiss Champ. The scale with slots for pin, toothpick and pen fit perfectly on the deluxe tinker. Quite a nice SAK customization.
The pin fits equally well with the phillips as it does with the corkscrew.
The pliers are a little smaller than I envisioned but at the same time they seem more rugged. They seem to have more grip than my leatherman wave does, tho of course they are for lighter duty then the Wave. I like the fact that the wire cutters don't open unless you open up the plier jaws all the way. With the wave I had to be careful that I didn't start wire cutting the lip of a hot pot when I was picking it up.
The Deluxe Tinker it a lot more comfortable in the hand compared to the Wave, except when the Wave is in plier mode. (This is because when one uses the other tools on the Wave the blade/saw/file spines dig into the hand). The Deluxe Tinker is also about the right size, any more I think it would be too heavy for pocket carry, and any less and I would be missing a tool.
Another rant about the Wave is the fact that one side of the inside tools are impossible to open. I have to take a small screwdriver and pry them out because it is so tight. It was pretty tight when I bought it, I've tried 3-in-one and applying a lot of torq and it hasn't gotten better. Anyone want a Wave?
This is my second Wave too, the first's handles got too sloppy to screwdrive easily. I will miss the saw and file though. 
Lastly, any recommendations for how I should sharpen my three blades (AG Russell Featherlite and the two on the Deluxe Tinker, well, plus my Vic Classic). I was thinking the Featherlite would be a "medium" sharpness, for general cutting. The Tinker's small blade would be scalpel and the Tinker's large blade would be for abbrasive stuff (dirty rope).
Thanks
To update anyone that is interested:
Today the Victorinox Deluxe Tinker came in to REI and I picked it up. As I wanted the pen and pin, in addition the toothpick and tweezers, I emailed Swiss Army requesting replacement scales for the Swiss Champ. The scale with slots for pin, toothpick and pen fit perfectly on the deluxe tinker. Quite a nice SAK customization.
The pin fits equally well with the phillips as it does with the corkscrew.
The pliers are a little smaller than I envisioned but at the same time they seem more rugged. They seem to have more grip than my leatherman wave does, tho of course they are for lighter duty then the Wave. I like the fact that the wire cutters don't open unless you open up the plier jaws all the way. With the wave I had to be careful that I didn't start wire cutting the lip of a hot pot when I was picking it up.
The Deluxe Tinker it a lot more comfortable in the hand compared to the Wave, except when the Wave is in plier mode. (This is because when one uses the other tools on the Wave the blade/saw/file spines dig into the hand). The Deluxe Tinker is also about the right size, any more I think it would be too heavy for pocket carry, and any less and I would be missing a tool.
Another rant about the Wave is the fact that one side of the inside tools are impossible to open. I have to take a small screwdriver and pry them out because it is so tight. It was pretty tight when I bought it, I've tried 3-in-one and applying a lot of torq and it hasn't gotten better. Anyone want a Wave?
This is my second Wave too, the first's handles got too sloppy to screwdrive easily. I will miss the saw and file though. Lastly, any recommendations for how I should sharpen my three blades (AG Russell Featherlite and the two on the Deluxe Tinker, well, plus my Vic Classic). I was thinking the Featherlite would be a "medium" sharpness, for general cutting. The Tinker's small blade would be scalpel and the Tinker's large blade would be for abbrasive stuff (dirty rope).
Thanks