REVIEW. Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool: Strong and reliable, and that’s worth the price

A good multitool is indispensable

A good multitool belongs in every toolbox, rucksack or glove compartment. During camping trips, when you’re on the road in the car or simply for doing jobs around the house: with a multitool you can often get very far. I tested the Leatherman Wave Plus extensively and compared it with a cheaper competitor, to see whether the considerable extra cost is justified.

There are endless multitools on the market, but Leatherman is amongst the established names. Many survivalists swear by this American quality brand, even though that quality label also comes with a price tag. Their Wave Plus model promises 18 different tools in one complete unit.

We ordered a personalised copy, but you can find the standard version via this link.

First impression and finishes

The Wave Plus immediately feels solid. We opted for a matt black finish on top of the stainless steel, but that does come off a bit. In future we would rather choose the grey, steel variant.

At more than 200 grams, the Wave Plus is on the heavy side – you feel that difference immediately compared to many cheaper alternatives. As a result, the multitool also feels ‘solid’. The hinges move smoothly and firmly. I noticed that all components were tightly secured, at the beginning even a bit too tight.

Feels good in the hand

The multitool feels good in the hand, even when you use it for a long time. The texture ensures that the Wave Plus doesn’t slip from your hands. What also stands out in a positive way: all tools fold out completely without other components getting in the way.

The tools under the microscope

The main tools

• Knife: Sharp and holds the edge well
• Saw: Effective for wood up to 5cm thickness
• Pliers: Sturdy enough for wire cutting and gripping
• Scissors: Surprisingly precise for such a compact format

Practical additions

• Screwdrivers: Various sizes
• Files: Coarse and fine for metal and nails
• Awl: Handy for leather and sturdy materials
• Wire stripper: Functions as expected

Comparison with cheaper alternative

Compared to a 15 euro multitool, the difference is immediately apparent. Where the cheap version showed play in the hinges after just a few weeks, the Wave Plus continues to function firmly. The knife of the budget variant quickly became blunt, whilst the Leatherman maintains its sharpness.

Is the extra cost justified?

After using it for a while, my conclusion is clear: yes, the Leatherman Wave Plus justifies its price. Where cheap multitools fail or frustrate after a short time, this one continues to perform. For occasional use a budget option may suffice, but for regular deployment quality is essential and you can therefore opt for this more expensive variant. We ordered a personalised copy for our survival kit, but the standard version is available here. Leatherman’s 25-year warranty provides additional assurance about the investment.