I was in my early teens when I saved up enough money to buy my dad a Leatherman multi-tool. In return, and to my surprise, he handed down his original Leatherman Pocket Survival Tool, the PST, which sits on my desk to this day and serves as a small but meaningful reminder of how far the family-owned brand has come.
Leatherman’s lineup has grown well beyond its roots, branching out into high-end offerings like the $250 Arc, along with a growing collection of fixed blades and folding knives. Now, though, Leatherman is returning to those roots with the Wave Alpha—a new version of the long-standing best-seller, the Wave, complete with a handful of upgrades inspired by years of feedback. After spending over a month with this new tool, I’ve had time to get a feel for the changes and see how they hold up in day-to-day use. Here are five quick takeaways from my experience.
Before we get into the weeds, here’s what Leatherman updated when designing the Wave Alpha: Perhaps most notably, it now comes with a MagnaCut blade, and if it’s anything like the Arc, it should cut without issue. A thumb stud makes it easier to deploy said blade with one hand, and a set of full-size scissors cut through other materials with greater precision. Finally, a G10 handle, available in unique colors, improves grip while adding a bit of style to the design. Read on for my take on these updates and more.
Weight: 8.3 ounces | Primary blade length: 2.88 inches | Number of tools: 16 | Closed length: 4.04 inches | Functions: Wire cutters, awl, wire stripper, knife, screwdriver, saw, scissors, large/small bit drivers, can opener, bottle opener, file
What’s notable: A new blade steel, thumb stud, G10 handle and full-size scissors are the result of years of feedback from real users.
What could be better: The tool doesn’t come with a case or pocket clip, which is disappointing at this price.
The Wave Alpha is only the second Leatherman multi-tool to embrace MagnaCut, following in the footsteps of its bigger sibling, the Arc. Combining better edge retention, durability and corrosion resistance, it’s a uniquely qualified material that bends knife steel rules, and I’ve been happy with its reliability for years. Based on my experience with the Wave Alpha thus far, it raises the performance, though like any knife steel, it comes with tradeoffs.
The biggest one you’ll need to consider? Price. MagnaCut is a premium steel, so you’ll pay top dollar for it, as evidenced by the Wave Alpha’s $200 sticker price. It’s not the only reason this multi-tool is so expensive, but it helps explain why it costs $80 more than the Wave Plus.
If I’m being totally honest, I’ve never had much trouble deploying Leatherman blades—most of them use a thumb hole that’s easy to locate, and applying just the right angled pressure pops the blade out every time. And yet, I was surprised to find the Wave Alpha’s thumb stud made deploying the new blade that much easier. It’s as simple an upgrade as they come (and one we’ve asked for for years), so kudos to the folks at Leatherman for listening.
Nothing beats G10 if you’re looking for that perfect combination of grip and durability. The Wave Alpha’s new G10 scales make it so easy to handle, and it shouldn’t change color as you use and abuse it, unlike micarta. Leatherman formed the G10 with a layered, topo-style design that looks great, and it boosts the grippy-ness as well. When paired with the tool’s comfortable ergonomics, it makes handling really easy and unrestricted.
I was surprised to discover the Alpha doesn’t come with a case, or even a pocket clip for that matter. In Leatherman’s defense, I don’t think most folks find the generic case all that helpful (I only use a case to store additional bits alongside the Leatherman in my car’s glovebox), but a pocket clip is a must when the sticker price is $200. Remember what happened when the P4 shipped without a clip? It didn’t take long for them to include one, so keep an eye out for that.
As it happens, Leatherman proudly touted its range of customizable quick-release pocket clips in the Wave Alpha’s breakdown video, but those look to be a separate purchase—for now.
Users asked for a set of full-size scissors, and Leatherman delivered. They deploy in a way that makes the multi-tool’s body feel like an extension of the scissors. That makes them easy to maneuver, especially if you’re snipping through thick plastic packaging or hard-to-cut materials. When combined with the tool’s 15 other functions, it’s easy to see why this will quickly become a best-seller.
It’s refreshing when a brand finally listens to its customers, and Leatherman clearly took a lot of our feedback to heart when designing the Wave Alpha. The new blade, thumb stud, G10 handles and full-size scissors make this one of the most well-rounded Leatherman multi-tools I’ve ever tested. It doesn’t pack as many tools as the Arc, and it’s a bit more complex than a minimalist style like the Bond, but it’s hard to find fault with Leatherman’s latest release. If price isn’t a deterrent—and you don’t mind picking up a pocket clip separately—you’ll have no trouble adding this tool to your EDC collection and putting it to use.
The Forbes Vetted gear team reviews equipment that’s designed to make working and adventuring a little easier. Whether you’re camping with friends or fixing stuff around the house, your multi-tool should be ready to lend a hand at a moment’s notice.