Multi-tools – you would think from their name that their whole reason for being is to be a group of tools capable of doing a lot of general purpose jobs. At first glance, that’s exactly right. Most multi-tools are good at handling a lot of different tasks and it’s why Multi-Tool MacGyvers like me carry a multi-tool with us everywhere we go.
But when you look a bit deeper, you’ll soon find that some multi-tools are more specialized and some are better at some things than others. That’s why my Recommended Multi-Tools page has more than one multi-tool recommendation! I need to tell you about the best multi-tools for different activities and uses.
Maybe you’re new to multi-tools and don’t know where to jump in. You just want to know what’s the best multi-tool to buy. Or maybe you have a specialist multi-tool, say for cycling, but you want one for carrying with you when you’re not on your bike. This is what this recommendation is about.
Leatherman Wave +
It’s almost a cliche to recommend the Leatherman Wave. That’s because it’s been around since Babe Ruth was in the Little League. Well maybe not quite that long, but the original came out in 1998 and was replaced with the Wave New in 2004. And the “New” was replaced this year with the Wave +. Leatherman keeps updating it because it’s such a good multi-tool and it’s their best seller for a good reason. It’s so good.
The latest version – the Wave+ (say Wave Plus) has been upgraded and I’m pleased to see that one of my almost compulsory features has been added. It now has replaceable wire cutting blades. As a general purpose multi-tool, the Wave was always near the top of my favorites list but with the addition of the replaceable wire cutters, I can very comfortably recommend the Leatherman Wave+ as the best general purpose multi-tool. It’s a MacGyver “Buy It!” recommendation!
The number one reason the Wave+ makes an excellent general purpose multi-tool is its toolset – the tools Leatherman have put into the Wave+. It’s not just that the tools are designed well, are sturdy and work well, its the selection of tools. Leatherman has chosen a great blend of main and secondary tools packed into a multi-tool that’s not too big and not too small.
Let’s kick off with the pliers. They’re needle nose with a bolt/nut gripper section and wire stripper and electrical crimper sections as well. The upgrade to the Plus version is the replaceable hard and “normal” wire cutters. Leatherman is calling the wire cutters premium as they have used high-quality steel – 154CM I believe.
If you’ve read any of my reviews, you’ll know I strongly believe all multi-tool wire cutters should be replaceable. That’s because you can easily damage the wire cutters by being overly ambitious. You only need to do it once and if the cutters aren’t replaceable, you can permanently damage them. Not great.
Some multi-tools come with a straight edge blade, some with a serrated blade some with a half straight, half serrated combo blade. That’s because straight edge and serrated edge are good at cutting different things. Leatherman has given you the best of both worlds with the Wave+ – one full-sized straight blade and a full-sized serrated – both of 420HC stainless steel. There’s also a saw and a file. One side of the file is diamond coated which is good for smoothing things off and the other side is for metal/wood filing.
I like a multi-tool with a pair of scissors. These aren’t the biggest pair on a multi-tool but they are spring-loaded and are well worth having. I like having a bit driver on my multi-tools too. Because it means you can ‘customize’ the tools you carry onboard by choosing the bit that’s most useful to you. And having the ability to carry a bit kit in your sheath (you get a nylon sheath with the Wave+ but you need to buy the 21 piece bit kit separately) means you can tackle a lot of different jobs.
Unusually, the Wave+ has a second bit driver that’s for small bits. Included is a very small screwdriver that you would use to tighten the screw on your sunglasses. I don’t know how many times you need to tighten these screws but if you’re doing it frequently, can I suggest some Loc-Tite?
What I like to use this tool for though is to dig stuff out of little spaces. Instead of risking your knife tip, use this little screwdriver instead. I would normally suggest you use an awl for digging stuff out of small spaces but the Wave+ doesn’t have one. That’s an improvement to the toolset I would have liked to see Leatherman add.
Can’t have a full-sized multi-tool without a bottle opener and the Wave+ doesn’t disappoint. Topping off the toolset is a can opener and don’t forget the ruler markings etched into the handles.
That’s it. This really is a very well rounded multi-tool and an easy highly recommended general purpose multi-tool. It’s typical Leatherman quality and if you did happen to have a problem, you can always call on Leatherman’s legendary 25-year warranty.
Check out the prices for the Stainless Steel and the Black versions of the Leatherman Wave+ on Amazon.