REVIEW: Leatherman Wave

My Leatherman Wave is now a few years old, but still works perfectly. It is a solid piece of technology, nearly impossible to break (yes, I have tried several times and only partially succeeded). It fits perfectly in my hand and aligns flush with the palm. Today, we are taking a look at a classic multitool.

Features of the Leatherman Wave Multitool:

Needle-nose pliers
Wire cutters
Hard-wire cutters
Knife with flat tip
Serrated knife
Wood saw
Scissors
Wood/metal file
Diamond-coated file
Large and small bit holder (including 2 double-sided bits)
Large screwdriver
Ruler (inch/cm)
Can opener / bottle opener
Wire stripper
Lanyard ring

What stands out at first are the two one-handed blades that can be opened and closed with the thumb in the "closed" position. They also have a locking mechanism that reliably prevents accidental closure. What's also nice is that, except for the pliers, each tool is locked in the unfolded position, and the blades cannot be opened when the Leatherman is in the "pliers position" as the thumb slots are locked with a pin.

The main feature of the Leatherman, as you know, is its pliers. Here is a mix of needle-nose pliers and regular pliers, with a "wire cutter" in the rear section, not comparable to a side cutter but sufficient for normal wire mesh. At the far end, there is a small "notch" that can be used to crimp sleeves onto a thin cable (Leatherman calls it "hard-wire cutter"). The pliers do not have a spring; they must be manually opened after closing. With the pliers open, the edges of the handles are comfortably rounded and only cut into the palm uncomfortably under extreme pressure. The length of the pliers head (without joint, only the jaws) is about 4cm.

Now, let's move on to the "external" operating elements, the tools accessible in the "folded" position:

- A normal blade of 9-10 cm blade length, which is quite sturdy (for a multitool) and locks in the open position with a spring element. It has a "spear" shape and is suitable for piercing and cutting holes. I regularly sharpen it; it is straightforward in the rear area as the blade runs straight and begins to curve in the last 1/5 or so, ending in the tip.
The blade has proven itself multiple times, whether for carving stakes or cutting jute bags. The tip is slightly broken, which doesn't bother me much; for drilling holes, I modified the small screwdriver bit. To close the blade, push the spring lock back into the handle and fold it either with both hands or using the back of the blade against the ground, thigh, tree, etc., CAREFULLY.
- On the same side of the handle as the blade, there is a metal/wood file with a diamond file on the back, ideal for fine-tuning wood or metal, or sharpening an axe or machete. However, mine is quite worn out.
- The serrated blade, in size and handling like the normal knife blade, is equipped with a serrated edge along its entire length and without a pointed end, perfect for cutting straps, cords, ropes, etc., or working on hard wood (salty driftwood) or strong fabric tape. The tips are a bit worn on mine, but the blade still works. Unfortunately, I cannot sharpen it myself due to the different serrations (long-short-short). As a last resort, it can also be used to sever steel bands, such as those from ammunition boxes, by setting the blade vertically underneath and snapping it off with a firm strike on the handle.
- On the side of the serrated blade is a wood saw, which saws on the "pull" stroke, which I find great because if the saw hooks, you slip back when pulling and don't cut yourself on the saw. The saw works quickly and well, suitable for pieces of wood up to about 8-10cm (with some effort).

That's about the external tools; now let's move on to the internal ones.
These are designed to be unfolded in the pliers position and then used in the folded form. It sounds strange, but it works quickly in practice. It is also worth mentioning that all tools have folding aids, which I can operate quite well without fingernails.

In one handle, there is a can opener (which works like those on "cheap" pocket knives, with the blade inside, not outside like Victorinox knives), as it is solidly made, you can easily open cans with practice. I used it for two years during my studies and am happy with it. At the same time, it can be used as a bottle opener.
The "large" screwdriver accepts a special bit matching no1-2 Phillips and 3/16 flathead, you can probably buy a bit set with special bits, it's a shame it wasn't a more common size, although that would have been much wider. Both tools are locked with a "spring clip" on the back of the handles, which I found very practical and problem-free.

In the other handle part, there are scissors, a small screwdriver (bit holder), and a flat piece of steel described as a "large" screwdriver.
The scissors are a strange construction but well-made. They fold inside the handle with the blades inward; at first, I thought it would ruin the blades, but so far, it hasn't. The small bit holder accepts another special bit with a mini Phillips and slotted screwdriver, similar to an electronics precision tool, good for tightening screws on glasses, for example. The slotted side broke off on the edge since both (large and small) bits are made of a type of hard cast, creating a sharp edge which I sharpened to make a great awl.
I have only used the "larger" screwdriver for leverage so far, but it should also be suitable for screwing Ikea joints or closures that usually require a coin (like on cheap 4 x 20 fasteners or cheap tripod screws).

On the inside of one handle, there is a measurement scale in inches and centimeters, although due to the curvature and short length, it has been unused for me so far, possibly useful for measuring distances on a map, but estimating works just as well in my opinion.

The tool still has some minor flaws. To enjoy working with it, it requires more maintenance than a "regular" knife; the joints need to be cleaned and oiled. Pressure blower, toothbrush (old), and Balistol have proven useful for me. In extremely muddy environments, the locks occasionally get stuck. It is also quite heavy, and I have not found a way to securely attach a chain or string to it. I rarely used the included holster with velcro; it was always in the knife pocket of my thigh bag. According to the description, it should have a "lanyard ring," which is a very narrow metal hook at the lower end of the handle where you can pull out an eyelet.

Technical specifications of the Leatherman Wave Multitool:

Material: Stainless steel
Length: 10.2 cm
Weight: 241 g

CONCLUSION: The Leatherman Wave is an absolutely capable and solid tool that has proven very useful in daily use and does not need to hide even in rough terrain if given the necessary care. It would be too expensive and heavy for me to use only for hunting, but it's worth it if you need a tool more frequently anyway.

The Leatherman Wave is not exactly cheap at around 100€. I even paid 189€ for mine back then and have to say that it was worth it. Occasionally, you can find well-maintained used ones for 50-70€ on eBay, but I find it a bit risky as you don't know what issues they may have. From the States on ebay.com, there are also the black military versions at a good price.