View Full Version : Leatherman Wave
hi, what are peoples thoughts on the leatherman wave
http://www.singersoutdoors.co.uk/pages/images/leatherman_wave.jpg
is it any good?
i am in two minds if to buy one or not. :roll:
Buckshot
04-08-2004, 13:46
Very good piece of kit. You can put alot of pressure through the handles onto the pliers with confidence.
Perhaps even better than a SAK for alot of things :yikes:
Pricey though. I got mine from America when my brother in law went over there. Cost me about £55 - £60 if I remember correctly with the hex drive accessory as well.
Bargain, :super: well cheaper than here anyway.
Cheers
Mark
tenbears10
04-08-2004, 14:04
I've got one and would say the best leatherman I've seen. I have a flair (with bottle opener) as well. They are much cheaper from the US or on ebay.co.uk. The belt loop on the leather case is way too thin for all but the thinnest belt IMO.
The serrated blade works great with a fire steel as well. I've now got a nylon pouch which fits the wave and an army model fire steel.
Bill
I hate to be a naysayer here but the Wave has never been my favorite and I'm a great leatherman fan and have been ever since the first one was made. I have to admit though, that it is widely popular. I just felt that it was never as robust as the other models. My favorite is till the Pulse, although it lacks a saw.
AntarcticFire
04-08-2004, 18:17
Leatherman have just released a new model called the "Charge Ti" which is
similar to the Wave, but with titanium handles and a few other changes.
You can find it at http://www.shop4leatherman.co.uk or
http://www.heinnie.com
And they certainly CHARGE you for it - too! :yikes:
:shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:
For that price I'd want gold handles and a teas maid inside it too!
tenbears10
04-08-2004, 18:55
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=30928&item=7912995282&rd=1
£50 with an hour to go. Much better than £115 and I bet you can get them direct from the states for $115 as well. This also means that waves on ebay will be going for peanuts. Just make sure it's being sent from the UK so you guarantee no customs.
Bill
The wave is good, I have had one for the last 8years and it has done all that has been required of it. The wave actually replaced my original leatherman, which is still very handy, but I prefer the wave. :wink:
Great Pebble
04-08-2004, 23:23
I was told when I bought my Wave it was the first one in N.I.
Still and EDC, replacing my PST2.
It will remain in my pocket till I gather the spare dosh for a Charge.....
ANDYLASER
05-08-2004, 13:56
I have had 2 leathermans over the past 16 years. The first was the standard version, which was used and abused for many years. It finally broke trying to remove the cap from a 50 gallon oil drum. It was replaced under warranty. I won the wave in a compotition 4 years ago and have used it constantly,
I like it also. I have been carrying the Wave for 4 years now. I lost one in a snowboarding-accident and immediately replaced it. There may be better multitools around, but I like this one a lot. The one-handed opening facility, good locking and solid feel make it a great tool. The only wish would be a better quality steel for the straight knife.
-Emile
TheViking
05-08-2004, 14:09
Hi...
Never tried one, but for that price I would never but one. :wink:
Guess I like being a little conservative and therefore prefer the SAK... :biggthump When you say: Swiss army knife today, everyone knows what you mean. If you say: Leatherman or Wave, some might not get it. :shock: :wink: :-)
it is good, and well balanced as they say. not so good that i didn't sell mine. i know of several guys that have had failures with their's. the leatherman warrenty service has always been exemplary.
i still prefer a swiss tool. i'm hanging on til the new sexy swiss tools come out in the autumn.
the question to be asked with a multitool or not, is "how often do you need a fullsize pair of pliers?" i use my PSTII all day every day at work. out side of being a maintenance engineer, the tweasers, pen, pin, corkscrew, and a load of other bits and pieces on my swiss champ are used much more often.
cheers, and.
I carried my wave and accessory tool kit for quite a while, but about a year ago I downsized to the Juice version. I found the smaller pliers handier at work and the lighter tool much easier on the belt. I still miss the accessory tools every so often, but for the most part prefer the Juice CS4 or currently the XE6.
I've had a wave for about 3 years now and it pretty much never leaves my belt. About the only problem I have with it is that I've busted the locking mechanism on the straight edged blade, keep meaning to send it back but then I'd be without it for a while. Its used pretty much every day and gets a lot of abuse at work, home and in the field.
They're definatley expensive and scissors could do with being improved but apart from that I really couldn't consider being without one.
Now the question is do you lot prefer Leathermans or Gerbers??? Never tried a Gerber myself.
AntarcticFire
06-08-2004, 11:03
I'm absolutely gutted as I moved house recently and now I appear to have
lost my Wave :cry: I know I had it somewhere before I moved, but I've no idea
where! :?:
I've been watching eBay the last few days and the new Charge Ti seems to be
going for around £50-£65 + P&P, which is cheaper than a new Wave so I might
be tempted to get one of those instead.
I originally had a Juice XE6, but it seems to flex a bit too much when using
the knife or pliers, and in the end I simply didn't trust it to stand up to much
without breaking.
on the wave, the two blades lock aswell right? aswell as the saw and file.
tenbears10
06-08-2004, 13:37
on the wave, the two blades lock aswell right? aswell as the saw and file.
The normal balde and the serrated blade lock but not the file or saw. At least on mine.
The serrated blade has a few groves on the top next to the opening bit so you can distinguish it from the normal blade without looking and then open it one handed. Great feature I think.
Bill
The normal balde and the serrated blade lock but not the file or saw. At least on mine.
Bill
:shock:
How old is your Wave, Bill?
I've had a few variants of the Wave over the years and the four main blades locked on all of them.
My most recent model (18 months) has the grooves cut into the serrated blade, which I agree is a great modification.
Both saw and file lock on this one too.
tenbears10
06-08-2004, 17:34
Maybe a case of answering the post without thinking. I'm at work so I will check when I get home. The wave is about a year old so it sounds like it does have 4 lock blades but as I say it's at home.
Bill
rapidboy
06-08-2004, 17:48
I've tried most of the multi tools and still favour the SAK- Swiss Champ.
I got a WAVE from the US and saved a load of dosh.
It was a gift for my father and on his birthday i managed to cut myself very badly (almost lost the top of my finger with the serrated blade due to too much red wine and being a stupid :***: ) so i never really took to it.
I do rate it much higher than other multi tools but not above my SAK.
RB
mark wood
06-08-2004, 21:42
Hi, this is my first post to the forums.
I own a Wave and a Harley Motor Tool (made by united cutlery). The Wave is excellent but is eclipsed by the Charge (I think there's also a revamped wave due out). I got the Harley tool as I wasn't comfortable routinely carrying a locking blade. It's really rather good - I got it from ebay for 25 quid and Heinne is advertising them at 100! It comes with the most ridiculously overbuilt leather pouch (with buckles and tassles of course).
I owned a Gerber 600 before the wave and they are also very good quality - the engineering standards are much better than the Wave. The only problem is that the design of the tools is a bit quirky which limits the usefulness and the steel is not as hard, particularly the likes of the philips screwdriver. I don't think it was a one off as I've also got a Gerber multi-lite which is the same.
Mark
quarterstaff
06-08-2004, 22:52
My first post to,hello everyone :wave: .
I have a wave thats doing well after around 8 years on/off carrying and a pst in me work bag.But the Sideclip is my most used tool simply because it is very,carrieable(word?),legal and above all handy.
Mine is around 10 years old and the jaws have broke,the large screwdriver snapped and the clip bent,service from whitby's is excellent,a replacement last time.A good pieace of kit which ever model.
cheers
tenbears10
07-08-2004, 10:43
Hi to the new guys. Hope you enjoy it here. Mark if those are your own Chris Reeve's in your avatar then I think you might be posting in the edged tools section again :wink:
I checked my wave and it does have 4 locking blades (that means it's not some mega expensive one off then, oh well)
Bill
Les Marshall
07-08-2004, 12:13
I got my wave during my call up for op telic. The shop owner wanted £110, but let me have it for £60 as I was in uniform at the time! :-P I have no complaints about it at all, good bit of kit. :super:
mark wood
07-08-2004, 20:15
Hi to the new guys. Hope you enjoy it here. Mark if those are your own Chris Reeve's in your avatar then I think you might be posting in the edged tools section again :wink:
I checked my wave and it does have 4 locking blades (that means it's not some mega expensive one off then, oh well)
Bill
Yep. I've a MkIV bought in '87 and a Shadow IV, bought last year.
http://us.f2.yahoofs.com/users/41152e5dz2f39aedf/8ecb/__sr_/6aa6.jpg?ph3GUFBBtZUCVpfO
I got into 'survival' (none of this bushcraft lark back then) in the late seventies, being inspired by 'Stay Alive with Eddie MacGee' on TV. I've grown up on 'propper survival knives' and as yet haven't caught the GB Axe + Mora knife bug!
Mark
I have just, in the last 10 mins, received a brand new Leatherman Charge Ti from the US. I've only just taken it out of the box and had a quick look at it but I think I can safely say that this is one of the best engineered pocket tools I have ever seen. The blades open and close beautifully, the lock is positive and secure and the feel of it is excellent. Add to this the fact that the tools are well thought out and the interchangeable bits make it extra versatile, I think that this is a cracking pocket tool!
I think that this is indeed a winner!
The General
12-08-2004, 22:56
I bought a Wave but gave it to my Dad. It just did not feel as well put together or finished as my Super Tool. I also own a Gerber 600 Scout, Swiss Tool, PS1 etc etc etc all kinds of tool adaptors for the above as well!
When I reach for a tool, its the Leatherman Super Tool.
Burnt Ash
13-08-2004, 07:27
I still prefer a swiss tool. i'm hanging on til the new sexy swiss tools come out in the autumn.
the question to be asked with a multitool or not, is "how often do you need a fullsize pair of pliers?" i use my PSTII all day every day at work. out side of being a maintenance engineer, the tweasers, pen, pin, corkscrew, and a load of other bits and pieces on my swiss champ are used much more often.
I've been a fan of multi-tools for years. I have an original Leatherman PST, which I used for a few years. I found it handy and compact. Subsequently, I bought a first model Supertool (plus adaptor). It has more features than the PST, but the first model Supertool's 'blade' locking system is inconvenient (even hazardous).
Several years ago I bought a Swisstool and it has been on my belt constantly ever since. It's a bit of a lump, but it's a thoroughly workmanlike and useful package. I've looked at other multi-tools -including the Wave- but none have tempted me away from the Swisstool. A few years back, Homebase was selling Swisstools at forty something quid (less 10% on discount days). I bought another as backup. I've worn out one belt pouch (stitching), but like the design and convenience of the Velcro flap. The lack of single-handed blade opening isn't especially important for me, but I really like the easy-to-use Swisstool blade/implement locking system and the lack of 'clumping'.
I must disagree with Sargey: I use the pliers, themselves, more than anything else on a multi-tool -all kinds of wire work; staple-pulling and burnishing/smoothing with the rounded backs of the jaws.
The saw blade gets a surprising amount of use for little impromptu jobs (when the proper saws have been left at home).
I use the file a lot too, usually for smoothing off some irritating bit of sharp/snaggy metal. The chisel/scraper implement is unique (?) to the Swisstool and I've found a fair bit of use for that one too.
The Swisstool gets my vote.
Burnt Ash
RovingArcher
13-08-2004, 08:29
The ti looks like a nice piece of kit. One retailer has it on sale for $99.90US and has the wave on sale for $59.90US.
Me, I carry an original model on my hip. Cost me $5.00US at a yard sale and is in primo condition. Bought the wife a P4 and she loves it.
the scraper thing is the only bit I haven't used on my swiss tool. I can't even think what I would use it for. What do you do with it?
the scraper thing is the only bit I haven't used on my swiss tool. I can't even think what I would use it for. What do you do with it?
I find it makes a handy chisel ...
gurushaun
13-08-2004, 12:39
Hi Adi
Where did you get the Charge from? How much lighter does it feel than the Wave?, I've been waiting on these since the SHOT show :wink:
Cheers
Shaun
qweeg500
15-08-2004, 03:07
I have a Leatherman Super Tool 200. This has less blades than the Wave but is larger and more robust.
I've have no problem with it other than managing turn my serated blade edge when cutting a tin can in half (I was making a lid for a homemade billycan).
If anyone wants a Leatherman I'd recommend oudoorsuppliesUK for a bargain.
Matt
Hi Adi
Where did you get the Charge from? How much lighter does it feel than the Wave?, I've been waiting on these since the SHOT show :wink:
Cheers
Shaun
The Charge Ti is heavier than the Wave ... not much so, under half an ounce or about 15 grams or so. The different is in the feel of the tool and how it operates. The Charge feels like a well made, professional multi-tool and all the clunky feel normally associated is lost. All the actions of the blades and tools are smooth and positive and placement of blades is well thought out.
As to where I got it ... well, I have contacts! However, shop around and you can find it for under $80 the other side of the pond!
agreatscot
16-08-2004, 11:51
Hello,
I don't have a Wave but am seriously looking at a Charge. I have an original Leatherman in my van tool bag that is very useful. I use a swiss tool as my primary large tool. I also have a Juice CS-4 for lighter work, a P-4 squirt for fine work, and a S-4 for sissors. A while back I picked up three EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) :yikes: SOG black oxide Powerlocks on Ebay for $32.00 each. They are rock solid. One for my nephew, one for a friend, the other is in my range bag. Great tool, but too heavy for daily carry.
http://www.sogknives.com/Images/tools/powerlock/eodplcombo.jpg
Have not used the blasting cap crimpers but who knows! :Slam_anim :struck:
SleepyWeasel
23-08-2004, 22:13
Hi guys
First post so bear with me, I got a Wave last year from a little place in Chinatown NYC and it cost me $70, previous to that I had a Gerber Legend, which I thought was too gimicky for serious work, a Gerber Multitool, which was great but didn't like hard wire, and failed the 'use it as an emergency priest' test and before all those a Leatherman PST II, which I loved. The Wave goes everywhere with me and does everything I ask of it. I'm hoping to go over to the States again soon so may invest in the new Charge Ti and see how I get along with that.
Nice to know someone else remembers that Staying Alive program back in the seventies, how little did I know it would have such a big impact on my life!
MagiKelly
26-08-2004, 23:00
I recieved my Leatherman Charge Ti today and I can't fault it but................. Well it is very useful and everything Adi said but my Leatherman Juice CS4 is every bit as useful. In fact it seems to have more functions. The CS has an AWL, corkscrew, wich both get a fair bit of use. I never quite get the reasoning behind haveing two blades on a multi tool. Yes, yes I know the serated blade cuts rope better but the straight blade cuts it well enough for a multi tool and I would rather have another unique tool than another blade. With only one blade I could have a pointy thing for taking stones out of horses hoofs instead. Also I am not sure I like the attachment for the lanyard loop. The loop stops the tool from fitting in the pouch, there is nowhere to store the loop in the pouch if it is not fitted and if you have attached the loop and are relying on it to secure your tool it is a bit disturbing to find that when you unlock the screwdriver or can opener blade the lanyard loop is released as well. To be hones it makes the lanyard loop a complete waste of time.
Actually looking back over my rant it appears I can fault the Charge but I am still very pleased with it. Even with the minor niggles it is a very useful piece of kit. My CS4 will remain my EDC and the Charge will live in my car for emergencies as well as coming out on the canoe and bushcraft trips.
There is a built-in lanyard loop on the Charge - look at the end with the scissors and you'll notice a pop-up lanyard loop.
The blade steel on the Charge is also a LOT better being 154CM and that should retain and edge a LOT longer.
But the real benefit of the Charge (apart from the interchangeable bits) is the bronze bushes between the tools ... that tool is gonna be sweet ot open after years of service!
MagiKelly
27-08-2004, 10:27
From the discription it sounded as if there was a fixed Lanyard loop but I could not see it. Of course now I am at work and the Charge is at home so I will have to wait till tonight to have another look.
Generally i do not need a lanyard loop but when in the Canoe I like to have a knife clipped to my life vest.
There is a loop but it is well hidden and could hide away for years!
Hold the Charge serrated blade side up with the tool lock pointing up. Flip the saw out of the way and look at the end opposite the pivote ... you'll see it hiding in there!
MagiKelly
27-08-2004, 11:12
Thanks I'll have a look when I get home. The lanyard ring on my CS4 was easy to see but murder to get out. I needed another leatherman to poke in and prize it out. At least with the Charge I HAVE two leathermans now.
MagiKelly
27-08-2004, 18:49
Okay Adi lets hear your confession, how on earth did you find the built in lanyard ring. I had though there was one there but even with the help of the instructions I did not find it. Even after your more detailed instructions it was far from easy. I suspect the majority of Charge owners will never find the lanyard loop. Even when you do find it it is not easy to get out. I doubt it will be of great use to me as it is unlikely I will be able pop it out with cold fingers.
I fiddle with things ... a lot!
MagiKelly
27-09-2004, 20:34
I fiddle with things ... a lot!
Good then you may be able to confirm if there is a fault with my Charge or if it is normal. What I am finding is that when using the scissors I find that fequently the metal bar that acts as a spring to open the scissors actually slides up the side of the scissor and holds them shut. Is this because of what I am cutting or does it happen to you too?