Leatherman now sells two multitools with CPM MagnaCut blades, the Arc and the Wave Alpha, and both cost roughly double a Wave+. This guide explains what MagnaCut actually is, why it matters on a multitool specifically, and how to choose between the two Leathermans that have it.
What MagnaCut is
CPM MagnaCut is a powder-metallurgy stainless steel introduced in 2021 and designed by a metallurgist rather than a marketing department. Its trick is a carbide structure that gives it edge retention comparable to high-carbon steels while keeping corrosion resistance better than most stainless. On a knife you sharpen less often and it does not spot. On a multitool that lives on a belt, gets wet, and is ignored for weeks, the corrosion resistance is the part you feel first.
Why it matters more on a multitool than a knife
A dedicated pocket knife gets cleaned and oiled. A multitool blade gets used to cut a zip tie, wiped on a pant leg, and folded away damp. 420HC, the steel on most Leathermans, handles that but dulls fast. MagnaCut holds its edge through the abuse and does not rust when you forget it. It is the first premium steel that makes sense on a tool that gets treated like a tool.
Arc vs Wave Alpha
| Leatherman Arc | Leatherman Wave Alpha | |
|---|---|---|
| Blade | MagnaCut, roughly 60 to 63 HRC, DLC coated | MagnaCut reverse-tanto |
| Tools | 20, all one-hand, magnetic FREE architecture | 16, outside-accessible blade, one-hand scissors |
| Scales | G10-style over DLC frame | Machined G10 |
| Weight | About 8.6 oz | About 8.3 oz |
| Street price | Roughly $230 to $250 | Roughly $200 |
| Sheath | Arc kydex sheath | Wave Alpha kydex sheath |
How to choose
Both give you the same blade steel. The Arc adds FREE, so every tool opens one-handed and locks, plus a DLC coating over everything. The Wave Alpha keeps the classic Wave layout with the blade and scissors upgraded. If you want every tool one-handed, the Arc. If you want the Wave you already know with a better knife, the Alpha and fifty dollars back.
Carrying a MagnaCut tool
A premium blade in a nylon pouch that holds moisture is a waste. A molded kydex sheath keeps the tool dry, holds it by shape rather than by rubbing on it, and draws one-handed. Each of these tools has its own sheath because the bodies differ.
Frequently asked questions
Which Leatherman tools have MagnaCut blades?
The Arc and the Wave Alpha.
Is MagnaCut better than 420HC?
Much better edge retention and better corrosion resistance. 420HC is easier to sharpen and costs less.
Does MagnaCut rust?
It is highly corrosion resistant, better than most stainless steels, but not immune. Rinse and dry it like any blade.
Is the Arc worth the extra over the Wave Alpha?
Only if you want every tool one-handed. The blade steel is the same.
Does a Wave sheath fit the Wave Alpha?
No. The Alpha's G10 scales change the profile.
The bottom line
MagnaCut is the first premium steel that belongs on a multitool. Pick the Arc for one-hand everything or the Wave Alpha for the classic layout, and put either in a sheath that keeps it dry.
Related reading
Leatherman Arc review
Best sheath for the Leatherman Wave Alpha
Best multitools in 2026
