Leatherman Wave+ Multitool (Stainless Steel): What It’s Good For and Who Should Buy It
The Wave+ is the multitool most people picture when they hear the word “multitool.” I’ve carried one on my belt for close to a decade of guiding, and the “+” version fixed the two things I actually complained about on the original Wave. If you want one tool that handles 90% of what comes up on a job site, a trailhead, or a garage workbench, this is still the benchmark.
What You’re Actually Getting
The Wave+ ships with 18 tools packed into a stainless steel body. Dry weight is 8.5 ounces, closed length is 4 inches, and it opens to 6.75 inches for full pliers reach. That’s heavier than any folding knife you’d carry solo, but you’re not comparing this to a knife. You’re comparing it to carrying a knife, pliers, a wire stripper, wire cutters, a file, and scissors separately.
The core of the tool is the spring-loaded needlenose and regular pliers. I’ve used these to pull cotter pins, crimp wire, and pinch-clamp a leaking hose on a river trip, and the spring action means you’re not fighting the tool open every time you need it. The 154CM stainless blades hold an edge well and resist corrosion better than the cheap 420 steel you’ll find on budget multitool competitors.
Full tool list: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, wire stripper, 420HC plain-edge knife, 420HC serrated knife, saw, spring-action scissors, 8-inch ruler, can opener, bottle opener, wood/metal file, diamond-coated file, large bit driver, small bit driver, Phillips bit, and a 3/32-inch flathead screwdriver bit. That’s a lot of function in a body that fits in a hip pouch.
What “Plus” Actually Changed
The original Wave had two persistent complaints: you had to open the pliers all the way to access the knife blades, and the screwdrivers were fixed. The Wave+ solved both. Blades now deploy from the closed position without opening the pliers first. That matters when you’re mid-task and need the knife fast, not fumbling with a locked tool.
Leatherman also swapped the fixed small screwdriver for a replaceable bit driver system compatible with standard 3.5mm and 4mm bits. That’s a real upgrade if you’re using this for anything beyond camping — electronics work, bike maintenance, or home repair where bit variety matters.
Build Quality and Warranty
This is a premium-finish tool, and the price reflects it. Stainless steel resists rust better than the black oxide or partially coated versions Leatherman also sells. The tradeoff: it’s slightly heavier and shows scratches faster. I run the raw stainless on river trips and coastal work because corrosion resistance actually matters there.
Leatherman backs the Wave+ with a 25-year warranty. I’ve sent one back myself for a worn pivot pin — cost me shipping, nothing else, and it came back like new in under two weeks.
It ships with a nylon sheath standard. I switched to the leather sheath after a year of daily belt carry; it holds up better and doesn’t squeak.
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Who This Tool Is Actually For
The Wave+ makes sense for anyone who needs pliers-first functionality: contractors, electricians, farm and ranch work, van-life travelers doing their own vehicle maintenance, and backcountry hunters processing game and fixing gear on the same trip. If your daily problems involve wire, hose clamps, cotter pins, or stripped bolts, the Wave+ solves those faster than a standalone knife ever will.
It’s also a smart pick for a serious survival kit. Pair a Wave+ with a compact fixed blade and you’ve got redundancy without doubling your pack weight.
Who Should Skip It
If you’re an ultralight backpacker counting grams, 8.5 ounces is dead weight for tools you might touch twice on a five-day trip. The Leatherman Skeletool CX cuts that weight nearly in half by stripping down to pliers, knife, and bit driver. It’s the better call for mileage-focused trips.
If you mainly need a knife with occasional tool backup, buy a quality folder instead. The
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gives you a better blade at a fraction of the weight. Carry a Leatherman Squirt PS4 as backup for the rare occasion you need pliers.
If your work is genuinely mechanical — automotive, HVAC, anything needing real torque — the Wave+ pliers aren’t a substitute for actual hand tools. It’s a stopgap, not a toolbox replacement. Don’t expect it to replace a real set of needle-nose pliers and a socket set in your garage.
Realistic Expectations
The scissors are good, not great. Fine for rope, tape, or clothing in a pinch, but they’ll bind on thicker material. The saw handles small branches or plastic fine — don’t expect it to process firewood. The can opener and bottle opener are exactly what you think: functional, occasionally useful, rarely the reason you bought the tool.
The file earns its spot. I’ve used it to deburr a fishhook and smooth a rough edge on a broken tent pole in the field, twice in one season.
The Wave+ isn’t TSA-approved for carry-on. Pack it in checked luggage if you’re flying, same as any multitool with a locking blade.
The Verdict
The Leatherman Wave+ in stainless steel is the best all-around multitool on the market for anyone who needs real pliers alongside a capable knife. The 25-year warranty and 154CM steel justify the price if you’ll actually put the tool to work. It’s not the lightest option and not the cheapest, but for tradespeople, overlanders, hunters, and serious outdoorsmen, this is still the one to buy.
If speed and low weight matter more than raw functionality, get the Skeletool CX instead. If you need pliers and don’t mind the extra ounces, the Wave+ is still the standard the rest of the industry gets measured against.
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