Full review
Longer notes from the same comments we summarized above.
What we learned from owners
The Wave+ has a reputation that holds up under scrutiny. Owners across Reddit and YouTube consistently describe it as the multitool others are judged against — one reviewer working professional audio said flatly, "Nothing will beat a Leatherman Wave+ on a work call," even while reviewing a $280 competitor. A wilderness pack builder who carries the tool daily called it his main EDC and credited its coarse and fine file as the deciding reason he chose it over other brands.
The 18-tool set gets consistently praised as practical rather than gimmicky: the serrated knife gets heavy use for cutting rope and branches, the premium replaceable wire cutters are called out specifically as a differentiator for electrical work, and the spring-action scissors surprised at least one owner with their precision. The saw performs well on small branches and wood prep for fire. One owner replaced a lost Charge with a Wave+ after years of use and said it "made the most sense."
Leatherman's warranty service is a genuine selling point. One YouTube commenter sent in an original Wave for loose pliers and got back a new-style plier head plus a blade and file they hadn't even asked about — at no charge.
Common problems reported
Weight is the most consistent complaint. Owners put it at around 8.5 oz (one review incorrectly cited "almost a pound," corrected by commenters). That's enough to push some people toward the lighter Skeletool for daily carry, keeping the Wave+ as a belt or bag tool instead. The black coating wears with regular use, particularly around frequently accessed tools — one reviewer noted visible wear after three months of heavy DIY use.
The lack of a built-in pocket clip is a recurring friction point. The Wave+ requires an add-on clip, and multiple owners have struggled to find one that sits securely without side-to-side wobble. One commenter was close to returning a related model (Wave Alpha) entirely over this issue.
Some owners find the fingernail-nick tool deployment dated. Owners who've tried the Free series (P2/P4) or Arc note that one-handed magnetic deployment is meaningfully faster for screwdrivers and other non-blade tools, even if the Wave's overall tool selection is stronger.
Where opinions differ
The biggest ongoing debate is Wave+ vs. something else in Leatherman's lineup. Some owners swear by the Surge for heavy-duty work ("it trumps this and the Charge in every aspect" per one YouTube commenter). Others prefer the Arc's smoother action and MagnaCut blade for EDC, even at a higher price. The Skeletool wins for people who just want pliers and a knife without the bulk.
There's also a split on the Free series vs. traditional deployment. One detailed Reddit review argued the Wave's fingernail nicks make daily use genuinely frustrating compared to the P2's one-handed access — while plenty of other owners use the Wave for years without complaint. The consensus seems to be: if you mostly reach for the knife and pliers, the Wave is fine; if you need screwdrivers quickly and often, the Free series or Arc may suit you better.
Should you buy it?
If you want a single, reliable multitool that handles camping, home repair, and light professional work without a second thought, the Wave+ is a safe, well-proven choice. It's not the lightest, it doesn't have the slickest deployment, and you'll need to source a clip — but the tool selection is hard to beat at its price point, the build quality is real, and Leatherman stands behind it. If you're weight-conscious or planning to clip it to your pocket every single day, consider the Skeletool or step up to the Arc. But for a bag, belt, or survival kit, this is still the one most experienced owners reach for first.
