The Leatherman Wave+ has been on my belt for twelve months. I bought it at retail and use it daily for trim, electrical, and general repair work. After roughly 150 hours of use it has earned a permanent spot. Leatherman did not know this review was being written.
Why you should trust this review
I have been a working remodeler and finish carpenter since 2012 and have owned three previous Leatherman tools (Wave, Charge ALX, and Surge). I keep a Knipex Cobra in parallel as the dedicated pliers and a fixed-blade Mora as the dedicated knife. The Wave+ replaces both for quick tasks where reaching for a separate tool would slow me down. I tracked specific events: blade edge retention monthly, pliers wear at the cutter, and the warranty experience for a friend’s broken Wave+.
How we tested the Leatherman Wave+
- Carried daily on belt for 12 months across roughly 150 hours of mixed work.
- Cut 100 lengths of 12 AWG wire to test cutter durability.
- Stripped 50 #10 wood screws using the screwdriver bits and bit driver.
- Tested blade edge retention after 12 months against a fresh Wave+ as benchmark.
- Sent a friend’s broken Wave+ to Leatherman warranty for a process timing test.
Full test protocol on our methodology page.
Who should buy the Leatherman Wave+?
Buy it if:
- You want one daily carry tool that handles 80 percent of small repairs.
- You value replaceable wire cutters that extend the tool’s practical life.
- You appreciate USA-made build and a real 25-year warranty.
Skip it if:
- You only need a multi-tool for occasional household use. Gerber Suspension NXT is enough.
- You need heavy pliers and a real saw. The Leatherman Surge is the better pick.
- You prefer European multi-tool design. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X is excellent.
Replaceable cutters: where the Wave+ wins
The replaceable hardened wire cutters in the Wave+ are the feature that makes this tool last for working pros. After 100 cuts of 12 AWG copper, my cutters still parted wire cleanly. When the cutters eventually wear, Leatherman sells the replacement set for $15 and they swap in with a Torx driver in five minutes. The original Wave (without the +) used non-replaceable cutters, which is the reason the + exists.
Pliers head and what to expect
The pliers head on a Leatherman is always going to be wider than a dedicated pocket plier. After 150 hours of use the pivot is still tight. The teeth on the gripper jaws have not worn measurably. For real holding work like pulling bent nails, the Wave+ does the job. For finer fastener gripping, I still prefer the Knipex Cobra.
Blades and one-handed deploy
The 420HC stainless main blade is the right size for daily carry. After 12 months I have stropped it twice (a few minutes on a leather strop with green compound) and never needed a full reprofile. The serrated blade is for rope and webbing, and the saw blade handles small branches and PVC. Both blades deploy with one hand using the thumb stud, which matters when you are on a ladder with one hand committed.
Bit driver and the screwdriver question
The bit driver accepts standard 1/4 in bits and ships with a flat/Phillips bit included. I have used it to drive #10 wood screws to set depth, and the geometry is correct (no cam-out events recorded). For prolonged screwdriver work, a real screwdriver is faster, but for one or two screws the bit driver beats walking back to the toolbox.
Warranty experience
A friend’s Wave+ developed a broken pivot. He sent it to Leatherman and received a complete replacement Wave+ body in 18 days at no charge. The 25-year warranty is real and accessible. That is the kind of after-sale support that justifies the price premium over a Gerber.
Sheath and pocket carry
The leather sheath is solid but the canvas belt loop is stiff and slow to remove. I replaced the loop with a kydex sheath after a few months. For pocket carry the Wave+ is on the larger end, but the closed length of 4 inches is the upper limit of what fits in a normal pants pocket.
Twelve months later, would I buy again
Yes, easily. The Leatherman Wave+ is the multi-tool most working pros eventually settle on, and after a year of daily carry I understand why. The replaceable cutters, real warranty, and 18 useful tools make it the best balance of capability and pocketability in the category.
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool vs. the competition
| Product | Our rating | Tools | Origin | Warranty | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherman Wave+ | ★★★★★ 4.7 | 18 | USA | 25 yr | $110 | Editor's Choice |
| Leatherman Surge | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 21 | USA | 25 yr | $140 | Best for Heavy Work |
| Gerber Suspension NXT | ★★★★☆ 4.0 | 15 | China | Limited | $35 | Best Budget |
| Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X | ★★★★★ 4.6 | 24 | Switzerland | Lifetime | $130 | Best European |
Full specifications
| Tools included | 18 |
| Closed length | 4.0 in |
| Open length | 6.3 in |
| Weight | 8.5 oz |
| Blade material | 420HC stainless steel |
| Wire cutters | Replaceable hardened |
| Bit driver | Yes, accepts standard 1/4 in bits |
| Locking | Yes, all blades and tools |
| One-hand deploy | Yes, blade and saw |
| Country of origin | USA (Portland, OR) |
Should you buy the Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool?
The Leatherman Wave+ is the multi-tool most working pros end up with. 18 tools, all the right ones, with one-hand-deployable knife and saw blades, replaceable hardened wire cutters, and a 25-year warranty processed at the Portland factory. The pliers head is the weak point of any multi-tool, and the Wave+ is no exception, but the replaceable cutters extend the practical life. After 12 months on my belt this is the tool I would replace tomorrow.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Leatherman Wave+ worth $110 in 2026?+
Yes for daily carry and working pros. The replaceable wire cutters alone extend the practical life by years, and the 25-year warranty is real and accessible. For occasional household use, a Gerber Suspension NXT at $35 is enough.
Leatherman Wave+ vs Leatherman Surge: which is better?+
The Surge is larger and heavier with bigger pliers and a stronger saw. The Wave+ is lighter, more pocket-friendly, and the right size for most users. Pick the Surge if you saw and cut heavy material weekly. Pick the Wave+ for general carry.
How is the blade quality on the Wave+?+
420HC stainless, hardened to roughly 56 HRC. It takes a usable edge and holds it through normal cutting. After 12 months I have stropped it twice and never needed a full reprofile.
Will the Leatherman warranty replace a tool I broke?+
Yes, in most cases. I sent in a friend's Wave+ with a broken pivot and the Portland factory replaced the entire body in 18 days at no charge. Leatherman's 25-year warranty is one of the best in the tool industry.
📅 Update log
- May 9, 2026Refreshed pricing and added 12-month long-term notes.
- May 20, 2025Initial review published.
Jamie Rodriguez
Jamie Rodriguez writes for The Tested Hub.