Leatherman’s hugely popular Wave+ multi-tool is on sale right now, with a $20 discount bringing the price down to $99.95 with free shipping.
The Wave+ features 18 tools and functions, and in a relatively compact package that can be carried on your belt, in your pocket, or tool bag, or stored in a junk drawer, vehicle, or cabinet.
I’m most a fan of the Wave+ one-handed locking knife blade, flattened 1/4″ hex screwdriver bit holder (additional bits and standard adapters are available), combo-style pliers jaws, and the removable wire cutting blades.
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Hmm, that’s most of the tool, isn’t it.
While I have yet to have to replace the wire cutting blades on any of my multi-tools, I like to know that I can. For the tools I can’t do this with, I shy away from certain tasks, just in case a too-hard wire or nail can permanently mar them.
I bought a pocket clip for my older Wave, but never used it. The Wave+ comes with a sheath, and the newest ones are – in my opinion – much better than the older ones.
This is an extended promotion, giving you plenty of time to think it over.
Sale Price: $99.95
Deal Ends 9/17/23
$99.95 is still quite a bit of money for a multi-tool, but it’s appreciable better than the regular price of $119.95.
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My older-style Wave was not my first multi-tool, it was my second, after I bought and enjoyed the use of a Gerber Suspension tool (the latest model is $29 at Amazon).
This is a great all-around multi-tool, with Leatherman describing it as “an international bestseller.” I don’t regret not splurging on my Wave first, as the less expensive Gerber helped me learn what I like and don’t in a multi-tool.
Today of course, I’d go straight to the Wave+ unless I had specific needs or preferences better met by other multi-tool designs. The Leatherman Skeletool, for example, is a minimalist tool I can more comfortably clip to my pocket.
Jim Felt
Though I own many “normal” size Leatherman and Gerber tools I barely (okay never?) actually use them. I do however have the tiny Leatherman CS on every vehicle key fob and frequently use those.
My actual question is do most folks actually carry and frequently use the normal size much bigger multi-tools?
I just believe, as actual tools go, they’re always a compromise. And I have multiple specific bags ready to grab.
John
I have never carried an extra tool with me, just a wallet, phone and keys. But I go with the method of keeping tools at specific points of need, on my desk, in my truck, of course in my workshops, and in checked bag when I travel which can come in handy. I absolutely hate having things in my pockets, and empty them as soon as I can, so carrying something extra is not desirable.
Stuart
For me, there are two usage cases:
Sometimes I like to carry keychain tools, as they come in handy for small on-the-go nuisance tasks.
Sometimes I like to carry or bring with me a full-size multi-tool, because I don’t know what I’ll need – if anything – and a multi-tool takes up little space compared to individual tools.
They are absolutely a compromise. No multi-tool is “an entire tool box in your pocket” that brands sometimes advertise. But they still have their uses.
jeff robbins
I roll with a Leatherman free p4 in my pocket daily, but on a road trip to Canada I pulled out my original wave because I decided I could argue the blades took two hands to open and it was a tool. I use mine daily, using the can opener and flathead driver to repair a screen door, the knife was out to cut rope, and the file to de barb some fishhooks. At home it is tightening door knobs, opening boxes and usually allowing me not to go to the basement to get the right tool. They are heavy, you know they are there, but they definitely work. I still keep a proper tool kit in my truck. I do think the wave plus is heavily discounted to make room for the ARC, which could be the goat of all Leatherman multi tools
It seems like it will be a hybrid of the p4 and wave, and there are pictures of it lurking about on the Internet.
BigTimeTommy
Full size multi tool I almost never use. Throw it in a travel bag sometimes.
Little Gerber dime gets carried and used constantly. I think the little tools are just more useful day to day
Eric Matt
I have a wave+ that I carry with me most of the time. I have a holster for it on my belt and I use it a lot.
Jerry
I carry either a Super Tool, Super Tool 300, or a Wave almost every day. About the only time I don’t is when I might go someplace that would frown upon the knife blade, and then I carry my Knipex mini Cobra pliers.
Jim McMahon
I have a Swiss Tool Spirit MX Clip that I always use on renovation projects. It saves me so much time searching for a tool when I can just reach into my pocket. Also if you are in an awkward spot or on a ladder you have it with you. I wouldn’t be without it – so valuable and convenient.
TomD
I have the wave on my belt whenever I wear anything with a belt, and it’s mainly used as a box opener, but it is nice to have.
Aristotle said that a multitool will never be as good as a specific tool (because it has multiple purposes), but the tool you have is miles better than the tool you don’t.
It’s mainly useful in “I didn’t know I was going to need a tool and now I do” vs “I am going to work on this now” scenarios.
Hilton
I wear the original Wave (1998) with all my trousers/jeans and shorts that have a belt. Bottle opener is useful at functions, scissors are the best kept secret, nail file (diamond side) is the brilliant for rubbing out a caught nail, the screw drivers are used relatively often and the knife is used to peel oranges. I actually dedicate belts to various jeans and they all have dedicated knife holsters, so I just transfer the Wave to the jeans of the day.
.
I did buy a Gerber after reading about it here but it’s too big to wear to work. I’m in IT but I use it on the weekends around my workshop.
RTux
Always have my wave+ use it to cut wire use screwdrivers love it
Dan Huff
I do carry either a Supertool 300 or 1st generation wave. I conduct fire and explosion investigations and sometimes they come in super handy for cutting wire (flexible duct), cutting electrical branch circuit conductors, opening junction boxes, cutting power cords, cutting carpet, vinyl flooring. I also cut evidence tape and open paint lid cans. These tools come in handy if I dont have a set of side cutters, or utility knife, or a screw driver. I think they have their place but always have one in my bunker pants.
Jared
I use my full-size multitools. I can understand your reluctance if you’re travelling with tools anyway – no multitool is as good as even a mediocre-grade dedicated-use tool. If you have space in your vehicle for a tool bag, you don’t need a multitool there.
Multitools though, can be a real boon if you’re other option is nothing. I’m not going to pack a tool bag to my office, in my kayak or my wife’s SUV – and I’d much rather have a full-sized multitool than nothing in those places.
The point though isn’t usually to bring a multitool with a job in mind. If you have work to do, bring regular tools.
John
Just bought another one for a buddy, he got his first ever pickup truck.
frobo
I have one of these, and I have never regretted splurging on it. The reason I upgraded from the previous version was to get the replaceable cutters, which are much better at cutting tag ends from zip ties than the non-replaceable ones. I carry it every day, and used it to cut a couple of zip ties just last night. I was working on my drip irrigation system and the Wave was full of mud and gunk, but it cleaned up fine and is back in my pocket today. There isn’t a day goes by that I don’t use it for something. If you use one like I do, 99 bucks is a good buy.
J. Newell
I’m not a keep-it-on-my-belt-at-all-times sort of multitool user, but I find them convenient and occasionally semi-essential.
Very recent (as in earlier today) example: I’m repainting one of our rooms and being able to unscrew slotted and Philips screws, pull out small nails and pry open paint cans (among other tasks) with one “tool” is very convenient. Would other tools do individual tasks better? Certainly, but it’s not like I’m unscrewing dozens of screws. And as a footnote, although I long ago moved from my much-beloved original Wave to a Charge Ti and then to a Free P4, the Wave (or a Wave+) is IMHO still the best minimalist MT for this sort of use because although the bit exchangers have a lot of benefits, in this specific case not having to fuss with changing (and keeping track of) bits is a plus.
Older example of essential: 20 years ago on a two-week hike with a Scout group with one of my sons, one of the boys’ packs broke. These were old-style packs and the pins were secured with a single long wire than ran from the top pin through the bottom pin. One of these wires broke. I had a Squirt P4 with me – which my wife had ridiculed before I left (“what could you possibly do with that?”) – and in a minute or so the problem was easily solved, using the pliers.
If I go on a day trip in a sail or motor boat, I’m likely to throw whichever full-size MT I have with me in a pocket on the off chance that something happens that I could repair but don’t know whether there are any tools on board.
I own a fair-sized pile of different MTs, mostly Leatherman models, but the major plots on the timeline are the PST, the original Wave, a Charge Ti that has been upgraded with S30V main blade, serrated blade with hook, and plier heads with replaceable cutters, and a Free P4 that has had a T-shank blade holder and a bit exchanger (both from Zapwizard) added.
Garrett
Similar to many of you, I have quite a few MTs but I’ve never used any of them. I still keep a Skeletool in the truck console in case I need it, but since I also carry a small toolset (needle nose, cobra pliers, locking pliers, a few screwdrivers and a small 3/8 socket set), I’ve never reached for it. Don’t get me wrong – I love the idea, but I’ve never encountered a situation where I wasn’t ‘tooled up’ in some other way. I’ve never needed a MT when camping (too heavy) and when travelling overseas, I just throw a red-handled Tinker (less threatening than the black-handled ones) into checked luggage and that covers me…so far. YMMV!
Scotty.
I carry a LM Fuse daily at work because tools are not readily available. I don’t need it every day but it’s handy to grab when a pliers or screwdriver is necessary.
GAK
Gotta move that inventory in prep for the ARC!
Bart
I’ve always found the Skeletool to be more useful than these larger multi-tools. It is the first (and only) multi-tool that I have ever really used, despite having been given a multitude of them (never another Leatherman) in the past.
I always carry the Skeletool with me on camping and backpacking trips despite it not exactly being the lightest thing in the world. But on one than more occasion having a pair of pliers, slotted, or phillips head bits has come in handy. Just wish I could find a non-serrated blade for it that doesn’t cost as much or more than what I paid for the entire tool!
Jared
I like my Skeletool more than any other multitool tool – and like you, also wish for something lighter (that isn’t a mini).
I was really hoping the SOG Flash MT would be more competitive, but the reviews indicate its not up to Leatherman’s build quality and scared me away. Slightly more compact, ever-so-slightly lighter and a D2 plain-edge blade ought to have been a big win.
Erik
I carry one at work, and most days when im not. Even tried to carry one into Disneyland once, as i dont associate it as a weapon, only a tool. Its used almost daily, and has served me well for years. Waiting for the ARC to replace my oldest when they come out!
Bill
I’m considering ordering one of these with the black oxide finish, but I would first like to hear from some of you who have experience using/owning a Leatherman with this finish. What are some the pluses and minuses, and would you do it again?
Mr.X
The Leatherman MUT I have has the Black Oxide finish. I have had zero issues with it other than it seems to be more gray than black after a few years. I prefer the stainless versions that can easily be put in the dishwasher for cleaning. A few drops of oil when they are clean and they are like new.
Mr.X
Warm weather carry: Skeletool
Cold weather carry: Wave
In the truck: Surge w/ extra bit kit and variety of saw blades
Desk at work: Super Tool 200
Bug-out/Get Home bag: MUT w/extra bit kit
I still have my original PST that is now well beyond the 25 year warranty, and still use it from time to time. As mentioned above, a multi tool is absolutely no substitute for the proper tool for a given job but is infinitely better than the tool you don’t have.
Brad
I’ve had several Waves, but what I carry daily (being days I’m working around home or farm, not days worked at hospital or dressed to go out) I carry a Surge. I have rather large hands (XXL gloves) so the Surge fits better. I like the larger scissors and blades better. I did buy a pocket clip, and do use it, but it’s a little big in a front pocket, so I usually have it in the holster (nice leather one that came in Surge kits at Costco years ago for $98). I cut a hole in the bottom of the holster so I can put it back in with the pliers open when I’m in mid -use. Loved that about old Wave holsters! I’ll say I do miss having the teeny screwdriver on board.
Franco Calcagni
As I have mentioned in the past, I find they are a compromise, especially for the size. If it is big enough to throw in a toolbox, then I have tools in the toolbox.
I have a Wingman, which I believe is a full size. I rarely carry it, and when I do it is on my belt in the holster, because it is so big.
Does anyone have either the Micra, Squirt or Style, which on the Leatherman site are considered keychain size? Are they good or just too small to be useful?
In the “pocket size”, they have the SKELETOOL, which is a bestseller and I know many have talked about on TG in the past. How pocket size is it? I have my keys on a carabiner, would this fit on there OK, or be just to big.
What does the RX have extra over the plain SKELETOOL?
Just thinking and considering…
Andrew
I have a Herbert suspension that was a gift, wore it and used it a lot for 6 months while clearing the land for my house…. House is built… now I carry a SOG power pint more convenient for daily carry, pocket clip and amplified plier power…
T.F. Harrington
I find the cobra xs to be more useful. A separate edc knife and screwdriver do almost every thing I need.