The Wave + is still the leader

Houlahound said:
functionality and finish are as yet unsurpassed.
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The finish on a Leatherman Wave+ is total dog dookie compared to a Victorinox Spirit.

With that said, hard to beat the one-handed opening on the Leatherman. I can almost look past the lousy finish, uneven grinds, too clumping, and poor finish because I really like the outside blade.

I have multiple Wave+'s, and only one Spirit because of the functionality of the Wave.
 
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The Leatherman Wave's place in history is not in question, but its future is.

Its patents are expired. Clones and copycats have been emerging. While none of them are overall as good as the genuine original, there are some improvements they've made over it. There's a model out right now with better scissors than a Wave, it has no hand pinching problem, and it has a 1/4" bit driver instead of forcing you to use Leatherman's limited selection of weaker propriety flat bits. It even comes with a pocket clip and a bit driver extender, and all for a substantially lower price than a Wave. People have also figured out how to make the bit driver compatibility almost perfect just by putting a small magnet in it.

The Wave's future is uncertain.
 
Wave is a classic with great selection of tools. Only if leatherman could make better scissors and change the integral flat driver to (sharp)awl it would be perfect.
 
A.L. said:
Wave is a classic with great selection of tools. Only if leatherman could make better scissors and change the integral flat driver to (sharp)awl it would be perfect.
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I would rather see the awl replace the small bit driver than the flathead driver. Otherwise, what are we supposed to pry with?

Incidentally, Leatherman put this exact tool setup in the Curl, which is one of the reasons that it has replaced my Wave + for EDC.
 
I'm still cruising along with an original Wave, from (I think) the late 1990's. It's pretty handy, at times.
 
Actually, I'd like one a bit larger. I'd like larger blades and a "better" blade steel, or at least an option for something.

I particularly like that the blades deploy without the butterfly/balisong routine.

I'd like a more robust scissors tool though.

I prefer the file tool on the original Wave version as well.

A spring-loaded pliers action would be a plus too.

With all that said: I do love my Leatherman Wave.
 
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Guy McVer said:
People have also figured out how to make the bit driver compatibility almost perfect just by putting a small magnet in it.
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True. The bit extension for my ratcheting T handle bit driver doesn't drop the LM bits.
Not that it really matters. The LM bits I have are duplicates of the hex drive bits. Even the mini driver's spectacles screwdrivers are duplicates of the 100 4mm hex bit (plus drivers) electronics bit set I have. I even found (and bought) a magnetic 1/4 hex bit to 4mm hex bit adapter. 😊
Both the 1/4" and 4mm bit sets and the T handle driver "live" in my out of the house has a seat for when (not "if") I need to stop for back, hips, and knees lessen their "ow." output rollator's shopping/tote/tool bag.
If the LM's rather limited selection of bits won't do the job (E.G.: Don't have the bit needed or the use of an extension is required) I won't be using the LM bits anyway.

Yes. I do want to get the (over priced) LM bit extension and the "Set 2" bit set. I will probably get both sometime this year, along with a bit ratchet.
Why not buy some tools? I'd just spend the money for archery stuff or on fountain pens, ink, and paper, or a couple Rough Ryder/Marbles knives I don't need, anyway. I already have enough fountain pens (and ballpoint pens if none are lost/misplaced/loaned) and knives to "last a lifetime" if I was 50 or 60 years younger.
 
hsherzfeld said:
I would rather see the awl replace the small bit driver than the flathead driver.
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Yeah the small bit driver was a waste of space. I think they could've easily made that small bit into a scale tool and put an awl into the small bit driver's slot.
VorpelSword said:
Actually, I'd like one a bit larger.

I'd like a more robust scissors tool though.
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Have you tried a Leatherman Surge? It's like a bigger Wave and the scissors on it are actually some of the best you'll find. I wish Leatherman would put scissors that good on all their multitools.
 
I've had the wave, now have the wave+, rebar, mut and a free p2....

The free is my favorite Leatherman ever I carry it and use it everyday at work, easiest access to tools, and open/close (I have a terrible habit of biting my finger nails, so tools can be harder to access on other models)

I just wish the p2 had some nicer tools and it would be the ultimate in my use
 
The original Wave had larger, much better scissors than the Wave Gen 2 and Wave Plus. They were similar in size to 91mm SAK scissors, which as we all know are the gold standard of multi tool scissors. The newer Wave scissors feel almost like an afterthought by comparison.
 
I can not stand the Leatherman Wave. [Edit: I mean "New Wave" not the original that I think I liked.] I preferred the original Leatherman that dug into your hands. I hate the stubby Philips that can't be used for anything, I hate the eyeglass screwdriver which can't be controlled well on precise screws using such a big handle, I hate removable bits on a multitool, I hate the sheath with elastic that comes loose after being in storage, I hate how small it feels in my hands, I hate its stupid name, I hate its mother, and I hope it chokes on a beer even though I know it won't because it can not open a damned beer bottle.
 
campandtravel said:
I can not stand the Leatherman Wave. [Edit: I mean "New Wave" not the original that I think I liked.] I preferred the original Leatherman that dug into your hands. I hate the stubby Philips that can't be used for anything, I hate the eyeglass screwdriver which can't be controlled well on precise screws using such a big handle, I hate removable bits on a multitool, I hate the sheath with elastic that comes loose after being in storage, I hate how small it feels in my hands, I hate its stupid name, I hate its mother, and I hope it chokes on a beer even though I know it won't because it can not open a damned beer bottle.
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Don't hold back; let us know how you really feel! T-A
 
Thanks everyone.

The Surge does look interesting. Seems heavy though. I'd have to hold a Wave and Surge side-by-side to make a decision.


The blade feature is pretty important to me in a multi-tool. I like the ease of deployment for both models.
Is the Surge blade any larger than the Wave? Or did they just plug in the same blade to the larger tool? In videos it is hard to judge.
 
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