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| Customer Reviews: | | Average Customer Review: ( 454 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
158 of 165 found the following review helpful:
 What's not to like? Nov 10, 2005
By T. Hassler
One thing that chaps my hide is a cheap tool. I don't like 'em, I don't buy 'em and I avoid using them if I don't have to. Leatherman is well known for their quality and they don't disappoint here.
Good Points:
This New Wave is extremely well built.
Resists torque/twisting that some other multi-tools don't.
Nice heft, but not too heavy to slip in a pocket.
Smooth and comfortable finish in the hand.
A really nice selection of functional tools.
Great tool locking, easy to release (but only when you want!)
I've used several other multi-tools and beyond the novelty, I never really enjoyed the flip out style (Gerber) because it seemed a bit unstable and difficult to put back. And most of the others cut into the palm. The only detractor is the price, but I don't mind paying for quality and this baby delivers.
260 of 297 found the following review helpful:
 Overrated but still great Jan 14, 2010
By Alberto Vargas
Leatherman claims this is their best selling multitool. Most reviews on Amazon and online forums are super positive. Does the Wave live up to the hype? Yes, to some extent, but it has some issues, mainly cost and weight.
The good:
This is a nice full-featured multitool. You get one plain-edge and one serrated knife, both can be opened with one hand without opening the whole tool. Useful set of scredrivers: large and medium plain, medium philips, micro plain and philips for eyeglasses. Wood saw, and nice metal file + saw. Can opener and kinda-OK scissors. All in all, good set of tools, and all lock securely in place. Of course, it also has full sized pliers :)
The bad:
- Heavy: 8.5 oz, or 240 grams. Too heavy to carry in my pants pocket. I don't carry tools on my belt, but probably this would feel heavy there also.
- Because of the outside opening blades, there are sharp edges when the tool is closed, which I can imagine would eat through your pocket if you put it there.
- Blades designed for right-hand thumb opening. If a knife is designed for one-hand opening, I would much rather have it ambidextrous.
- Ruler (cm and inches) is much less useful than on other tools, because it is on the inside. You open the whole tool to use it, and the pliers get in the middle of the ruler line. Also the ruler markings are not as clearly readable as other tools. For me, the ruler is actually a very useful feature, so the Wave scores a minus here.
- Medium philips and plain screwdriver are actually in a bit holder, which has many issues: too short, feels a little flimsy, and the bits are not standard size, so you can't use anything but what you buy from Leatherman. This is another minus compared to other simpler and cheaper multitools.
- Unusual amount of friction when opening the screwdrivers. May only be an issue on mine.
Recommendations:
This is a good tool if you can get it on sale. Even so, I think you should look at these alternatives:
Leatherman Blast: same size and same tools as Wave except the extra serrated blade. Lighter (6.9 oz or 196 grams) and considerably cheaper. Philips screwdriver is fixed and way better (bit driver is sold separately if you need it). Knife blade is a tad bit longer than Wave. Ruler is way better. No sharp edges to snag in your pocket. Only downside is that none of the tools open from the outside; to open the knife, you neeed to open the whole tool. I own one and I think it is Leatherman's best overall tool.
Leatherman Juice series: smaller and lighter than the Wave, and shaped smoother, more contoured to be pocket-friendly. Blades etc can be accessed from the outside, but not one-hand openers like the Wave. The main downside is that the pliers are a little smaller, but not a big deal in most cases. This is Leatherman's answer to the Swiss Army Knife - most even have cork openers :) I own one and I like it.
Victorinox SwissTool and Spirit: most tools accessible from the outside but blade is not one-hand opener. Fit and finish is better than anything Leatherman makes. I do not own them, but they are next on my list when I decide to buy another multitool.
I hope this was helpful!
105 of 118 found the following review helpful:
 Excellent tool, but the case is a joke. Nov 16, 2005
By Alex Schira
A few days ago, I recieved this item as a gift. I've always been a multi-tool and Swiss-knife nut, so I'm not going to rant about how amazing the tiny scissors are like the first-timers.
Right out of the box, there was none of the usual stiffness Leathermen usually have for the first couple days of use. Usually I have to toy around with all the extras while watching a movie marathon to get these things loose. But the Wave? Nice and loose, took me ten minutes to believe it. I was able to just slip it in a pocket before running off to a job, I'm the building's unnofficial handyman, and this silver darling didn't disappoint.
A few days later, I've managed to use most of the tools enough to get a feel for the quality.
The pliers are very easy to handle compared to my usual set of needles, I'm considering clearing that spot on my belt in favor of the pair on this multi-tool. The screwdrivers, both flatheads in eyeglass size and standard, worked very nicely with the way the folded knife forms a handle to twist. The bit-driver flathead/phillips seems like a nice trick so far, simply for the phillips head. The scissors worked fine cutting this rebellious piece of wire that was too close to a knot to use the built-in wire cutts built into the pliers.
Later on, I tried the wire cutters on some old brass wire and they performed good enough to save me a trip to the toolbox.
I love the knives. Both the straight-edge and serrated can be opened with one hand, pending you're right handed. Simply hold the folded knife in your palm and unfold the knife with the thumb-latch sticking out. It's no switchblade, but it's easier than the Swiss knives when it comes to quick drawing. The wood-file and saw can also be used while the tool is folded, although I wouldn't recommend flipping the saw out one-handed. It's a good tool, but flesh is softer than steel, don't risk it.
And every single featue of this knife, from the tiny screwrdver I used to salvage my sunglasses to the serrated hunting knife, lock in place. And can be unlocked with a thumblatch that's just reachable enough to keep everything one-handed without it slicing closed during use. Truly, these locks should be on even the cheaper knives, rather than as a higher-priced feature.
...and the case that came with it, offered less function and comfort than my girlfriend's three-dollar thong. Which is probably made from the same cheap leather. The first time I remembered it was in the box and put the tool in, it fought back! The leather is so stiff it bends back like cardboard. After a day of spraying it with a water bottle, it softened up slightly and is now slightly usuable, although I still keep this compact tool in my pocket.
And the holster supposedly has three accesory pockets. All I see are two pinkie-finger sized slots on the sides of the cloth covers, and this little flap strapped against the back of the holster interior. Maybe, just maybe, you could fit two drill bits and half a stick of gum in there with your Leatherman. But actual accesories, or something I'd use? No way. They also make a nylon version, for six bucks, which I've never seen up-close and won't make assumptions about, mine just came with the leather.
Overall, this little guy has a new home in the change pocket of my jeans. A real tool, that is worth the price. And it's parody of a holster? Well, maybe I could sell it off as a cell-phone case to this blind guy across the hall.
144 of 172 found the following review helpful:
Best of these kinds of multitools, great gift. Jun 06, 2005
By Christopher Wanko
"-C"
*** NOTE: I am reviewing the Leatherman Wave, not the company selling it. Please consider that when voting. ***
I had a great group of guys in my wedding party and I wanted to get them something they might use every day. Now, some of these guys already own multitools or have their own copies, but nobody owned a top-line model from Leatherman. In fact, I think they all had knockoffs.
The difference between a Leatherman and a cheap imitator is huge. Steel quality is measurably better, and tolerances are smaller, so your pliers really grip and your wire cutters really cut. I liked the screwdriver bit size, really slotted in tight on Phillips and slot screws.
Consider, though, that it's a massive tool, so it's reaches the limit (and good arguments are made for exceeding the limit) of usable size and weight, but if you wanted a tool for the work truck or to hang off your work belt "just in case", this and a flashlight are definitely the best "just in case" tools you can own. It does come with a belt case, and the keyring is large enough to take a decent carabiner for clipping onto a belt or a work area for use.
Worth the cost? I'm not sure it's worth it to many, but if you have to own the best multitool possible, you have to consider this as a strong choice. The premium makes this a tremendous gift because it is a fine quality tool. It's usually not something one buys for one's self ("I can live with a cheaper one")... once you get one, you can't ever go back to the knockoffs... you've been properly spoiled.
Fred
30 of 33 found the following review helpful:
Simply superb Jul 28, 2006
By D. Buckner
Although now retired, I spent my adult life in the Army (infantry) and law enforcement. A good multitool is indispensable in either profession. Over the course of my careers, I had numerous multitools. None of them compared to the Leatherman Wave.
I received a Leatherman Wave last year as a gift, just in time for Hurricane Katrina. I spent some months in and around the disaster area doing rescue work, and can't tell you how many times I used this superb tool.
Both of the knife blades, plain and serrated, were heavily used and I found them to be up to any task. They were razor sharp and kept a keen edge through the toughest jobs. The pliers and wirecutter performed very well, too. I occasionally used the saw blade and found it to be useful, as well. I used the screwdrivers from time to time and, although not as good as a dedicated screwdriver, they performed better than I expected.
All in all, I am pleased with my Leatherman Wave and would not hesitate to highly recommend this superb tool to anyone in need of a tough, durable multitool.
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