The Leatherman Wave+ is the default multitool. Ask a hundred people who carry one what they carry and most of them say Wave, and the Wave+ is the current version: the same 18 tools and 4-inch frame, with replaceable wire cutters added. This review is for anyone deciding whether the default is still the right answer in a year when Leatherman sells the Arc and the Wave Alpha above it.
Leatherman Wave+ specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tools | 18 |
| Blades | Plain and serrated, 420HC, outside-accessible, one-hand opening |
| Wire cutters | Replaceable |
| Closed length | 4 inches |
| Weight | About 8.5 ounces |
| Warranty | 25 years |
| Street price | Roughly $110 to $120; confirm on the listing |
Why it is still the default
Two blades and the file open from the outside without unfolding the pliers, which is the feature that made the Wave famous and still separates it from most of the market. The pliers are needle-nose with a hard-wire notch, the scissors are real scissors, and the bit driver takes Leatherman's flat bits. Everything locks. It does the jobs a multitool actually gets used for, and it does them at half the Arc's price.
What changed with the plus
Replaceable wire cutters. On the old Wave a chewed cutter meant a warranty trip; on the Wave+ you swap the inserts. That is the entire difference, and it is enough to buy the plus over a used original.
Where it falls short
420HC is a soft, easy-to-sharpen steel that loses its edge faster than the MagnaCut on the Arc and Wave Alpha. The inside tools need two hands. And the sheath is a nylon pouch with a flap, which is slow and wears out. The last one is the easiest to fix: a molded kydex sheath for the Wave holds it by the frame, clicks, and lets the outside blades open straight off the draw.
Wave+ vs Wave Alpha vs Arc
The Wave Alpha is the Wave+ with a MagnaCut blade, G10 scales and one-hand scissors for roughly double the price. The Arc adds the magnetic one-hand-everything architecture for more again. If you want the best value, the Wave+ wins. If you use the knife hard, step up to the Alpha. If you want every tool one-handed, the Arc.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Wave and Wave+?
Replaceable wire cutters. Otherwise the same tool.
Is the Wave+ worth it over the Wave Alpha?
For most people, yes. The Alpha's MagnaCut blade and G10 scales cost about double.
How much does the Wave+ weigh?
About 8.5 ounces.
Does the Wave+ sheath fit the Wave Alpha?
No. The Alpha's scales change the profile.
What steel is the Wave+ blade?
420HC, tough and easy to sharpen.
The bottom line
The Wave+ is still the multitool to buy if you buy one and stop thinking about it. Pair it with a kydex sheath and it will outlast the pouch and probably the belt.
Related reading
Best sheath for the Leatherman Wave and Wave+
Leatherman Wave vs Surge vs Charge
Leatherman Arc review
