Leatherman Wave+ Review

Overview

The Leatherman Wave+ is Leatherman’s best-selling multitool: an 18-in-1 pliers-based tool built around 420HC stainless steel, made in Portland, Oregon, and backed by a 25-year warranty. Its headline feature is external blade access — both the plain-edge and serrated knife deploy one-handed from the closed position, which is rare at this price point. For backpackers, it sits squarely in the “worth the weight if you’ll actually use it” category: robust enough to handle real trail repairs, but at 241g (8.5 oz) it’s a deliberate commitment, not a casual toss-in.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Weight	241 g (8.5 oz)
Closed Length	10 cm (4 in)
Open Length	16 cm (6.3 in)
Primary Blade Length	7.37 cm (2.9 in)
Number of Tools	18
Blade Steel	420HC Stainless Steel
Warranty	25 years
Origin	Portland, Oregon, USA
Comparison	See how Wave+ compares to similar gear

Performance

Tool Access and Deployment

This is where the Wave+ earns its reputation. The two external blades — a plain clip-point and a serrated blade — deploy one-handed with a thumb stud, much like a conventional folding knife. Everything else (saw, file, scissors, screwdrivers, pliers) requires two hands, but the transition between tools is smooth. In testing, most tools are ready in two or three seconds, and the external access means you can grab a blade mid-project without opening the whole tool — a genuinely useful feature when you’re, say, fixing a pack strap with one hand occupied.

One note: the pliers can be stiff out of the box and are prone to pinching skin when you’re gripping something small between the jaws. This tends to improve with break-in time, but large-handed users in particular should be aware of it. If you’re doing sustained heavy grip work, Leatherman’s larger Surge (340g, 21 tools) is worth the extra weight.

Build Quality

The Wave+ is assembled with threaded fasteners rather than rivets, which puts it in the same structural tier as Leatherman’s more expensive models. Hinge friction is well-calibrated — nothing feels sloppy. The smooth stainless steel handle scales are comfortable over extended use; they lack the grip texture of some competitors but avoid hot spots in the palm. Every tool locks open (except the pliers), which matters for safety when you’re putting real pressure on a blade or saw.

The Blade and Saw

The 420HC steel blade holds a reasonable edge for a multitool — adequate for camp tasks, but not a substitute for a dedicated knife if you’re doing precision work. The saw is a legitimate surprise: it’s genuinely useful for cutting kindling, trimming tent stakes, and field-clearing small branches. If you’ve never had a saw on a multitool before, you’ll reach for it more than you expect.

The Bit Driver — a Legitimate Frustration

The Wave+ uses Leatherman’s proprietary “squashed” bit format, which is explicitly incompatible with standard 1/4-inch driver bits. You’ll need to source Leatherman-specific bits separately if you want Phillips, Torx, or hex options beyond the built-in flat-head. A bit driver extension is also available that does accept full 1/4-inch bits, but that’s an extra purchase and extra weight. For serious wrenching, this is an annoying lock-in. For most trail repairs, the included flat-head and Phillips stubs cover 90% of what comes up.

The Scissors

They’re internally nested — meaning you have to open the tool to access them — and they’re smaller than those on something like the newer Wave Alpha. That said, they’re spring-loaded and genuinely capable: fine enough for first aid, cutting cord, and trimming moleskin. Don’t expect fabric-shear performance, but they’ll handle anything a hiker realistically needs.

Weight in Context

Let’s be direct about the number: 241g is heavy for a backpacking multitool. The Leatherman Skeletool weighs 156g (5.5 oz) and covers seven tools. That’s 85g you save by dropping down to seven tools from eighteen. Whether that trade is worth it depends entirely on how many of those extra eleven tools you’ll actually use. If you’re a thru-hiker counting every gram, the Skeletool or even a lighter SAK is the more honest choice. If you’re a section hiker, overlander, or anyone who might need to fix a stove, splice wire, or improvise gear on a multi-day trip, the Wave+‘s depth of toolset justifies the weight penalty.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Externally accessible blades deploy one-handed — genuinely useful, not just a spec line
• 18 locking tools (all lock except pliers) covers an impressive range of trail scenarios
• Replaceable wire cutters extend the tool’s life significantly
• Excellent build quality — threaded fasteners, calibrated hinge friction
• 25-year warranty with US-based manufacturing
• Strong value vs. comparable premium multitools at roughly half the price
• Saw is more capable than expected for camp and field tasks
• Available in stainless and black oxide finishes

Cons

• 241g is a real weight cost compared to lighter alternatives (Skeletool: 156g, ~3 oz lighter)
• Proprietary bit format locks you out of standard 1/4-inch driver bits without an adapter
• Scissors are internally nested, not externally accessible
• Pliers can pinch and are stiff initially; not ideal for users with large hands doing heavy work
• No sheath included — that’s a separate purchase
• 420HC steel is adequate but trails higher-end options like MagnaCut for edge retention

Who Should Buy This

The Wave+ is the right pick for section hikers, car campers, overlanders, and anyone who genuinely uses their multitool as a daily carry on and off trail. It’s also a strong choice for thru-hikers who prioritize capability over gram-counting and want one tool that can handle stove repairs, gear fixes, first aid prep, and campsite tasks without bouncing between specialized items. If you’re shaving every ounce and your multitool mostly functions as a backup knife, look at the Skeletool instead.

Verdict

The Wave+ has earned its status as Leatherman’s flagship for good reason: it gets the fundamentals — access, build, toolset — right at a price that doesn’t require much justification. The proprietary bit driver is a genuine annoyance, and the weight is real, but no other tool at this price point delivers 18 locking tools with one-hand blade access and this level of build quality. It’s an 8/10 — loses two points for the weight penalty and the bit driver lock-in, but earns everything else.