The Leatherman Wave has been one of the most popular multi-tool products for years and is the product of choice for many hikers, campers, and DIYers.

With 17 tools and the guarantee of a long-lasting, durable design, it isn’t hard to see why it is so popular.

Recently, Leatherman has released the Wave Plus, an updated version of their classic product.

Featuring an additional tool and even better durability, the Wave Plus is sure to be equally as popular as the original.

The following article covers everything you need to know about the Leatherman Wave and the Wave Plus.

We look at some features of each one and how the two compare so that you know which one is the right tool for you.

About the Leatherman Company

Leatherman a U.S brand manufactures multi-purpose products like multi-tools, knives, and accessories.

Founded in 1983, the company has been one of the leading multi-purpose manufacturers.

For many, Leatherman is the gold standard with multi-tools.

The first product sold by Leatherman was the Pocket Survival Tool, a multi-purpose product that featured 14 tools.

Since then, the company has produced a vast number of multi-purpose survival products.

With the goal of helping countless people to complete complex tasks, stay safe while out and about, or set out an adventure.

Leatherman’s products are intended for use in several ways, primarily focusing on assisting people with survival.

Leathermans can be used in first aid kits, as a tool for building and crafting, or to make quick fixes for a broken-down car.

One of their popular products is the Leatherman Wave, a classic multi-tool.

What are the Leatherman Wave vs Leatherman Wave Plus?

The Leatherman Wave is one of the most popular multi-tools made by the company.

With a warranty of 25 years and 18 tools, like a stainless-steel knife, premium replaceable wire cutters, bit driver and pliers.

It’s easy to see why the Leatherman Wave has been a bestselling multi-tool since its creation in 2003.

A recent release for Leatherman, the Wave Plus is an upgraded version of the original product.

The Wave Plus takes everything that makes it so popular, and added a few extras.

The Plus, adds replaceable wire cutters made from a premium material that make them long-lasting and resilient.

Whichever version of the Leatherman Wave you opt for, you will find it a helpful purchase no matter what you choose to use it for.

Both versions of the Wave have proven to be popular with many people, including hikers, DIYers, and campers alike.

Standout Features of the Leatherman Wave

A vital feature of the Leatherman Wave is its size, making it an excellent addition for anyone on the move, from hikers to campers.

Weighing in at 8.5 ounces and measuring 3.9 inches, the Wave isn’t just small but is also lightweight.

The compact size of the Wave means it’s easy to use and handy for any of those unexpected jobs.

Another standout feature is that the Wave can be opened and used with just one hand.

Unlike most other multi-tools that require two hands.

Not only does this make the Wave much easier to use than many other tools on the market, but it also means you can use it in those tricky situations.

Finally, one of the best features of the Wave is the 17 tools it contains.

This is a significant number of tools for any multi-purpose product, which means the Wave can do almost anything.

Tools included in the original Wave are pliers, bit driver, a saw, screwdrivers, spring action scissors, and knives.

Standout Features of the Leatherman Wave Plus

One of the critical features of the Wave Plus has is the addition of the replaceable wire cutters, which is the main upgrade from the Wave to the Wave Plus.

Being replaceable means your wire cutter lasts longer, and replacing it with a new one is very simple to do.

In the long run, this will likely save you time and money.

Like the Wave, the Wave Plus comes in stainless steel and black oxide coating.

While the black oxide coating on the original Wave has been known to wear away over time, it has been upgraded for the Wave Plus so that it should last longer.

Either option is great for keeping your Wave free from rust and looking good for longer.

The final standout feature of the Wave Plus is the addition of an electrical crimper, which is used to bond together wires and connectors.

This can be a helpful addition for DIYers and handy people alike and is something that is missing from the Wave.

With wire cutters and strippers already included in the Wave, the recent addition makes sense.

Comparing the Leatherman Wave vs Leatherman Wave Plus

The Wave and the Wave Plus are very similar in terms of the tools they contain.

The upgraded Wave Plus features all the same tools as the original.

But comes with additions in the form of replaceable wire cutters and an electrical crimper.

Another benefit of the Wave Plus is that most tools can be opened independently, something the Wave doesn’t allow.

The Wave and the Wave Plus are almost identical in design, appearance, and quality.

Both are made from resilient materials and come in design options that keep them free from rust.

Both are long-lasting and durable and are made to a high enough quality that they should be suitable for use for years to come.

In terms of size, the Wave Plus is just slightly larger and heavier than the Wave, coming in 0.1 inches taller and wider and around 2.7 ounces heavier.

Given the replacements made, a slight increase in size and weight is likely to be expected.

Fortunately, it’s small enough that it won’t matter too many.

Conclusion

While the two are both fantastic multi-purpose products.

Overall, the Leatherman Wave and Wave Plus are very similar models, with very few differences.

The Leatherman Wave Plus is likely to be the most worthwhile investment because of the improvements it makes on the original.