Leatherman - Multi Tools, what is right ...

Leatherman - Multi Tools, what is right for you?

Jun 21, 2022

For me I don’t think there’s one ultimate multi tool that does it all to be honest and I have looked at a lot of the Leathermans and I own a couple as well.

You’ve really got to look at what your uses for your multi tool are and what you except it to do and how much you’re willing to spend I advise people that, that if your looking for something basic that your only going to use for occasional fish or camping trip then your wanting maybe their cheapest which would be the Wingman or Sidekick there’s totally nothing wrong with these tools at all it’s just the market they are catered for.

By far one of their most popular tools, that you will see on most peoples belt including mine some is the Leatherman Wave+, this design is iconic and it’s been raved about for years and includes a lot of functional, however it’s not the cheapest on the market for Leatherman but it’s also not the dearest, the SRRP on this one is $249.95 it does include a nylon button sheath, which is ideal for this Wave+ it’s definitely one of the good tools you can use. It’s on heavy side for me but I don’t really complain too much in all honesty.

It comes in at 280 grams compared to something like the Skeletool at 142 grams though half the tools. Even the Leatherman Signal comes in a 212 grams, weight might be a key function for you over the amount of tools. If weight is more important than function and you’re just looking for the basic tools then you may want to adjust your sights to something like the Skeletool or the Signal.

When I getting ready to start my day I have three sheaths I can pick from and each sheath contains a different Leatherman that can be used for a different purpose. Leatherman Skeletool RX, Wave+ and Signal - these serve different purposes and due to various if I am out riding the bike the Skeletool would be my driver of choice as a multi-tool.

I think the Wave+ stands as a solid choice for most people that want to spend around $200 - $300 on a Leatherman due to the functions that it can perform, with it’s 19 tools it’s hard to find a job that it’s not the perfect sidekick for that’s a great thing, I love the straight blade on the Leatherman Wave+ it’s a solid blade and is nice and sharp from the get go.

The bit driver on the Wave+ opens up countless possibilities though out the three I own they all have the bit driver and honestly I wouldn't leave home without a bit driver leatherman and the optional bit kit if I was going cycling that's just because you never know what tools you may need on the fly and that's just the fact of life.

Wave+ comes in as one of the heaviest Leatherman I own and that's a challenge for me as I generally like lightweight tools especially if they are belt worn, the Wave+ is also the only one I own that doesn't have a Belt Clip/Pocket Clip - Once again that's not a issue for me at all to be honest as I wouldn't clip this on my belt with out a holster or sheath in all honesty. Note pouch or sheath is a add on for the Skeletool and Skeletool RX as they aren’t included.

Wave+ however is possibly one of the most inclusive tools and all-rounder tools that I have in terms of a leatherman and that's once again due to it's weight and the amount of tools they have packed in to a small form factor.

The Wave+ has become the go to on my belt for work, occasionally I grab a lighter tool, but it depends on the work site as well - if I know I am doing a day where I am split between multiple sites through out the course of my working day I will go for the Wave+ cause I need to know I have got everything I could possibly need.

The Wave+ features a saw, serrated knife, bit driver, bottle opener, straight edged knife, file and more - this is the only tool I have that features both a straight blade and serrated knife. I think the straight blade is extremely useful for a lot of people. Every tool in every Leatherman is practical and useful for some one, but are they practical and useful for you is the question to ask your self.

I think the Wave+ is possibly the tool I should have brought first, I think i did this is a little backwards - I brought the Signal, then the Wave+ then the Skeletool RX, and I think the reason I ended up with the RX is the fact it was a bit of impulse buy but I had been eyeing off the Skeletool for many years prior but it’s just not a tool I see that often in the local shops so when I saw the RX I jumped on it.

In all honesty the Wave+ is one of the most popular Leatherman for a reason and that reason being how practical it is and that design has outlived and withstood the test of time on many belts. I find my self more and more reaching for the Leatherman Wave+ and that's because it's most definitely the most functional one I own, but that comes with a cost of the weight of the tool it's self for some this might be a deal breaker and it kind of is a deal breaker for me but at the end of the day that's okay it is what happens.

I think if you have to ask me what the most important things to consider about a multi tool is before you select what one is right for you it would break down in to these five dot points.

1) Budget.

2) Use and practical - What your going to use it for and how practical is it for those purposes.

3) Weight - If your carrying it on your belt or in your pocket then it's important the weight of the tool.

4) Build Quality - Can you count on it to survive the toughest of jobs without having to worry about it letting you down, you don't want it to be a tool you need tools for it fix.

5) Is it big enough? Does it have enought for the situations you will encounter? As the last thing you want is to have to buy another tool.

So this is my advice and input in relation to what multi tool is right for you.

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