Overview

The Leatherman Wave+ has been the best-selling multi-tool in the world for years, and the reasoning is straightforward: it provides the widest range of functional tools in a package that fits on a belt. The 18 tools span cutting (straight blade, serrated blade, saw), gripping (needle-nose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters), driving (large and small screwdrivers, Phillips, bit driver), opening (can opener, bottle opener), and utility (scissors, file, ruler, wire stripper).

The "Plus" designation indicates replaceable wire cutters, which addresses the only consumable component on the tool. Wire cutters dull with use; the ability to swap in fresh cutter inserts extends the tool's service life indefinitely. All blades lock open during use, a critical safety feature when applying force. The two primary blades (straight and serrated) and the saw are accessible from the outside of the closed tool, meaning you can deploy a blade one-handed without first opening the pliers.

The 420HC stainless steel construction balances corrosion resistance with edge retention. It will not hold an edge as long as a dedicated knife, but it will not rust in a humid emergency kit either. The 25-year warranty from Leatherman covers manufacturing defects and provides repair service. At 8.5 ounces, the Wave+ is not the lightest multi-tool, but it is the most capable. Pair it with a fixed blade knife for heavy cutting tasks and you have comprehensive tool coverage.