Why are these LM Waves so different?

[Hashishiin]

Hello multibros, I have these two LM Waves and they are very distinct. Is this because they are different generations, or what?

On both models, I did not open the can opener, and on the top, S30V main blade, the serrated blade will not open with everything else open, but those are there.

The bottom one has an older looking "Patent Pending" by the Leatherman font, plus an old logo. There are various flatheads and the Phillips on the bottom one, and those two replaceable bits on the top. I'm just trying to figure out the story with exactly what these are, as searching did not provide much. I am trying to figure out which is best to keep, I have these two and a Wingman - my fiancee appropriated my Squirt for her sew/knit kit.

https://imgur.com/a/PvOyoah

 

[yablanowitz]

The lower one is an original Wave, the other is a New Wave, later just called a Wave.

Personally, I'd keep the original with a real phillips screwdriver and toss the one with bit holders, but that's just me

 

[Hashishiin]

yablanowitz Yeah, honestly what I was thinking too because I'm not one to carry a ton of bits on me. I don't run into a ton of crazy screws usually, so the Phillips plus the flats is plenty for me.

 

[elevator man]

The original wave looks more useful than the new one

 

[elevator man]

The real phillips screwdriver is much nicer to use on my juices than the ground down flat bit one on my newer wave

 

[yablanowitz]

I've been carrying an original Wave for over 30 years. As far as I'm concerned, Leatherman ruined it when they went to bit holders.

 

[Guy McVer]

I've been carrying an original Wave for over 30 years. As far as I'm concerned, Leatherman ruined it when they went to bit holders.

How do you like the swisstool and the spirit x? With and without the pocket clip and one hand opening thumb tabs, if you've tried them.

 

[yablanowitz]

I've never tried the Swisstools, I just have a lifetime supply of original Waves.

 

[hsherzfeld]

Keep both. It is basically impossible to have too many Leatherman Waves.

But definitely keep the original Wave. They're harder to find.

 

[sodak]

How do you like the swisstool and the spirit x? With and without the pocket clip and one hand opening thumb tabs, if you've tried them.

If the Swisstool would go to a needle nose pliers, they would dramatically increase sales, IMO. That's the only thing I dislike about them.

 

[Guy McVer]

If the Swisstool would go to a needle nose pliers, they would dramatically increase sales, IMO. That's the only thing I dislike about them.

I think Victorinox intentionally overbuilt the plier head to avoid it breaking. I think that's also why they never added replaceable cutters, because it would weaken the pliers.

I don't think I've ever seen a single example of a broken plier head on a swisstool or a spirit x, but I have seen plenty of examples of broken Leatherman pliers.