I've carried a wave+ for five years now. Camping and technician work, it is incredible for everything. Most Leatherman models are, but wave+ is by far my favorite tool ever owned.
Praise
Outdoor & Camping
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool with Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
Camping Gear
The Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool (ASIN B01H5TDHVC) is available on Amazon.ca for $149 CAD — 18 tools in 247g with all knife and scissors blades accessible one-handed without opening the pliers, premium replaceable wire cutters, and a 25-year warranty that makes it a lifetime purchase for guides, tradespeople, and outdoor enthusiasts.
7 mentions · 3 threadslast mention Dec 20247.8/ 10
ClearPick Score
Decent
Score informed by 7 owner mentions across 3 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
4 positive1 mixed2 negative
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Camping Gear
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool with Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
~$149 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you
Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
I'd suggest getting a compact folding saw, hatchet and mora knife over a Leatherman. You can spend $50 and have a great kit instead of spending $130. That being said, I love my leatherman, the combo blade helps way more than I thought I would
Comparison
I'm in industrial maintenance and I use it regularly. Wouldn't go to work without it. I got a second one through work, so I leave my original one at home now in the kitchen and I've lost count how many times I've seen my wife reach for it now.
Praise
I carry a Wave+ in the field every time and have forever. Love it! Its gotten me out of a few scrapes that otherwise would have been significantly more of a problem without if.
Praise
If you frequently use it as a knife, or if you *ever* use the wire cutters, and just generally want something that feels more like a solid tool (to me), go with the Wave.
Comparison
I've used the wave+ so much I swear my muscles in my hand have adapted to the shape of it, so increasing the size of it was just not right for me. Also was more jiggly cuz of the flexier titanium and the tools were harder to get out with one hand because the frame covered more of the thumb slots
Complaint
I now have added a Wave+ and a Signal. Where do I start with these. Wave+, horrible plier ergonomics.
Complaint
✅ What Works
- The Leatherman Wave+ is the multi-tool that most professional tradespeople, outdoor guides, and serious campers reach for as their everyday carry — not because it's the flashiest option but because it works reliably for decades. The 18 tools cover every realistic field use case: the needle-nose pliers are the heart of any multi-tool and Leatherman's are among the most precise available, the two knives (420HC stainless) hold an edge better than the stamped blades in competing brands, and the saw is actually capable of cutting through small branches rather than just looking the part.
- Outside-accessible blades are the Wave+'s defining feature over cheaper multi-tools. The main blade, serrated blade, scissors, and files all open with one hand without first deploying the pliers — you grip the closed tool in your palm and flip a blade open with your thumb. This one-hand deployment is the difference between a tool you reach for habitually and one that stays in your pack. In cold weather with gloved hands, or when one hand is occupied, outside access is not a convenience feature but a practical necessity.
- The premium replaceable wire cutters in the Wave+ are a meaningful upgrade over the standard version. Wire cutters wear out from repeated hard use — cutting electrical wire, zip ties, or picture-hanging wire dulls the cutting edge over years. On the standard Wave, worn cutters mean returning the tool to Leatherman for replacement; on the Wave+, you buy replacement cutter inserts and swap them in the field. For contractors, guides, and frequent users, this extends the tool's useful life indefinitely.
- Leatherman's 25-year warranty isn't marketing — it's backed by an actual repair and replacement program that the company has honored consistently for decades. 420HC stainless steel is a premium choice for a tool that will encounter moisture, salt air, and hard use: it's significantly more corrosion-resistant than cheaper stainless alloys and holds an edge longer. The overall build quality — tight fit between tools, smooth deployment, no rattle — is noticeably better than multi-tools at half the price.
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- The Wave+ weighs 247g and is relatively bulky in a pocket compared to dedicated EDC knives or card-style multi-tools. If weight is critical (ultralight backpacking) or you need something that genuinely disappears in a front pocket (urban carry), the Leatherman Skeletool or a lighter dedicated tool is a better fit. The Wave+ is a do-everything tool that earns its weight in functionality.
- The Wave+ does not include a sheath — it comes with a nylon belt pouch that most users find adequate but not elegant. Aftermarket leather sheaths from Leatherman and third parties are available if you prefer a more refined carry option. The belt pouch is included at no extra cost; the leather sheath is a separate purchase.
- Canadian border rules: the Wave+ is legal to carry and own in Canada without restriction. Transport considerations: the knife blades are technically prohibited as carry-on items on commercial flights (blade length exceeds TSA/CATSA standards), so pack it in checked luggage when flying.
- The Wave+ locking mechanism uses Leatherman's frame lock for the knives — not a liner lock or axis lock. It's a robust, proven mechanism that holds the blade firmly during use, but some knife enthusiasts who prefer specific lock styles will note the difference. For multi-tool use rather than dedicated knife carry, the frame lock is more than adequate.
ClearPick Verdict
The Leatherman Wave+ is the best all-around multi-tool available — not because it has the most tools or the most exotic materials, but because it executes the fundamentals (pliers, knives, scissors, saw) at a quality level that justifies 25+ years of continuous use. Outside-accessible blades and premium replaceable wire cutters are features that separate it from the competition in daily practice. For anyone who carries a multi-tool seriously — guides, tradespeople, outdoor enthusiasts — it's the default recommendation at this price.
