Customer Reviews

Leatherman 830040 New Wave Multi-Tool with Nylon Sheath

5 star:		(78)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Overall, the new Wave is worth the money and effort though not perfect, but we'll go through the comparison to the old Wave (which is still pretty darn good).

Pro-
-All the tools lock open! I love this one, and this alone makes up for the short comings (to follow).
-The removable driver bits are most excellent. The basic one that comes with the Wave is OK, but when you add the accessory kit, you're ready to face any sort of fastener (torx, Allen/hex, posi-drive, square)
-The sheath allows you to carry it in the pliers configuration as well as fully closed (and has room for the accessory bits, barely).
-That little eyeglass screwdriver bit is worth it's weight in platinum.
-Like the original Wave, the knife blades are accessible when the tool is fully closed, and lock open. This is a major improvement over most other mutli-tools, and was my main reason for getting my first (old style) Wave. The blades also have thumb notches for easy (single-handed) opening, that are well sized (not too big, not too small) for both carrying and ease of use.

Con-
-Sadly, the new Wave is significantly bulkier than the original, but still not as bulky as most of the Gerber tools.
-The nylon sheath feels a little cheesy, but has held up fairly well.

My Wave has stood up well to fairly rough use, and I recommend it for anyone who needs a screwdriver once or twice a day but doesn't want to lug the full tool box around (The Wave, a Camelbak, and a poncho liner are probably the three most useful things a friend or loved one going to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia, etc could have). The scissors deserve special note as they work wonderfully; could someone at Leatherman replace one of the outside blades, like the sheepsfoot/serrated blade with the scissors? I use the scissors a lot more than the serrated blade, and would welcome being able to get to them without opening the pliers.

I work for a police department as an Animal Services Officer/Cruelty Investigator and have field tested the original Leatherman Wave for five years. I absolutely love it and I can't fathom how I could have ever gotten by without it. I recently (excitedly) purchased the New Wave and I am both pleased and disappointed. The bronze bushings are a great new feature and they really do make a difference along with the larger thumb holes in ease/smoothness of opening. The interchangeable screwdriver bits are a big improvement and the addition of the Eyeglass Phillips/flathead screwdriver will be very useful. I have to use the nylon sheath on my duty belt because the loop on the leather one won't fit over it. Otherwise, I would definitely use the leather sheath because it looks and functions much better (the Velcro on the nylon sheath does not stick very well).
The NW design is definitely stronger/more solid except for the wimpy new scissors that they used. The old scissors would cut through tough plastic packaging, leather and just about anything you could throw at them (I used them to cut around the plastic packaging of the New Wave). As an experiment I tried to use the new scissors on the same packaging and while they would cut it, it was a chore. They will cut through leather (the leather on the old Wave Sheath) but not nearly as easily as the Original Wave does. Also, when you open up the scissors on the NW you have to be careful not to cut yourself because they put the movable arm in right next to the blade, so when you go to push it down you could get cut if you are not paying attention.
The fact that ALL OF THE BLADES LOCK is a wonderful and long awaited improvement. The new screwdrivers are very cool, useful and easy to open. They are reportedly using a better grade of steel now which is a plus because I did have a screwdriver break in the Original Wave (replaced with no problem). Overall the NW is a superior product except for the scissor issue (I guess they have to have something to improve on the new, New Wave). With all of this said I am sending it back to the store and I am getting a Leatherman Ti or XTi. The Ti has all the same blades and slightly different and better looking designs and it has 154 CM steel which is three times more durable than the stainless steel. Throw in a detachable lanyard and pocket clip and you have a winner. The difference between the Ti and the XTi is that the XTi has a cutting hook built into the serrated blade and does not have scissors in lieu of another screwdriver bit slot. If they would include the scissor from the Original Wave made of 154 CM steel and the Cutting Hook on the Ti I would be in heaven. It would be the perfect tool. Until then my Original Wave will stay in my car and the Ti or the XTi will be on my belt at work.

All the features and functionality of the old Wave yet with all locking tools and a new multi-bit attachment accessory. Much easier to use with one hand and a little more ergonomic too (e.g., easier to reach and open individual components, easier one-hand access to outside blades). It's got a needle nose pliers/wire cutter, regular pliers, knife blade, serrated knife blade, saw, scissors, 2 files (one is diamond-coated), large and small it drivers, a screwdriver, an 8-inch (19 cm) ruler, a bottle/can opener, a wire stripper, and 2 double-ended bits. Additional interchangeable bits are available for a few bucks more. The only drawback is that it comes with a nylon sheath instead of the nicer leather one.

My first Leatherman tool (purchased more than a decade ago) was improperly tempered and the pliers broke the first time I used it. They expeditiously and graciously exchanged it for a brand new one that worked fine (which I still own). I not only appreciated the great customer service but have purchased half a dozen more since then (both for myself as well as for gifts). For my day job I have to be a suit and tie kind of guy so I don't normally carry a Leatherman around with me, yet I have one in each vehicle and a third in my shop. Over the years I have found them very practical, useful, and well designed. I have used them for tinkering in my shop, emergency car repairs, outdoor events (e.g., hiking, camping, fishing), and more...

This is simply the best multi-tool: compact, solid, and an excellent selection of rugged tools. Particularly noteworthy: superb knives (straight and serrated), well-made sissors, a bit tool with interchangeable bits - it comes with a phillips head, but you can buy a set of 22 additional bits for just $20. The Swiss Army SwissTool has many enthusiastic users, but I have both and definitely prefer the Leatherman: the SwissTool is pretty, but the New Wave simply has better tools in every case. (No comparison, in particular, for the blades!)

Note that the New Wave, unlike the original Wave, DOES have all-locking tools!

I wear my leatherman using the optional belt clip and use it hourly when I'm on my boat. I primarily use the serrated blade, the large screwdriver, and the pliers. I occasionally use the phillips bit in the bit driver, the ruler, and the wire cutters. I almost never use the straight blade, the file, the saw, the bottle opener, or the tiny screwdriver. I have the optional bits and the nylon sheath, but have never used them.

I like the locking knife blades, that they're on the outside, and that I can open them one-handed. The tool's bulk does not bother me and I think it necessary to make decent handles for the pliers. I also sometimes use the tool as a hammer.

I do not like its tendency to corrode. I've owned my current tool for about 4 months and it has little spots of rust all over it and it is getting difficult to open. I've taken to oiling it, but now it is oily. I had an earlier model in my abandon ship bag and after several years it became a solid piece of rust.

I do not like the pliers function. The tool is uncomfortable in my hands when gripping it since it has rather hard edges. It is difficult to use one-handed because it is either stiff or oily. It also has a tendency to slip off whatever I'm trying to grip (not just related to the oil). The worst part is that if I grip the plier handles too close to the neck, when the nose slips off the nut, the palm of my hand near my index finger gets pinched HARD between the backs of the saw and the straight blade. I have a big black blood blister on my hand right now from when it pinched me real good two weeks ago. I almost threw the tool in the water I was so mad.

My brother-in-law has a Gerber and the pliers function seems very nice on that tool. The handles were more comfortable and the neck was spring-loaded to make one-handed use easier.

This is a great tool by Leatherman. I have a buddy with the original Wave tool (which is the reason I purchased this one) and it does seem a bit better. The biggest improvement over the original wave is all-locking tools. Other notable improvements include a larger knife, a diamond file and it seems a bit more sturdy. This is a very rugged tool. Removable bits are a great idea, too. The scissors are different on the New Wave, they seem easier to use then the scissors on my friends Wave, but they are a bit smaller. My buddy has had his original Wave for over 5 years so that may be why his scissors don't seem quite as good. Of coarse not having to open the tool to pull out the knives is great, which the original wave does as well. I also like how easily and smoothly the tools fold out. I really like how the belt-clip and lanyard loop snap into this tool, very innovative.

There are a few minor complaints that I have, nothing major, but they hinder a perfect score. First, I got the black tactical Wave and right out of the manufacturers box they already looked lightly used (a little scratched, not bad though). I have heard this complaint before. This isn't that big of a deal though, it's only cosmetic and I'm sure it will look a lot more used in the years to come. My biggest complaint is the tiny screwdriver on mine is hard to switch. There is a tiny reversable screwdriver with a flat-head on one side and a phillips on the other. Flipping it over to the flat-head on mine is very hard to do. The removable bits are very nice, but they don't lock into place real tight... it seems that they might fall out but they haven't yet so this isn't a big issue right now.

Other then the nit-picky complaints above this tool is near perfect and worth the money. If you are looking for a high quality multi-tool then you might look into this one. I would actually give this tool a 4.5/5 (but you can't do that on Amazon)

After many years of faithful daily service, a weak point in my (original) leatheman wave became apparent. Three of the four little prong thingies that apply friction from the handles to the ball joints of the plier head broke, making the pliers useless. I returned to product to leatherman for 'repair' under the 25 year warranty. Much to my surprise, three weeks later, a brand new, shiny, still-machine-oil-smelling leatherman wave arrived at my door. Although one can argue this review many not speak to the products durability (which I still think is awesome), it certainly does say volumes about the company and their warranty.

I have had the pulse and the original wave....lost my wave and decided to replace it with the new wave. While its a good tool it lacked a few things from the original...the scissors is smaller...the wire stripper and cutter are much duller and the overall quality of and the feel of the metal seems below par with the original....One other thing...I REALLY miss the mini screw driver...it wasn't as small as the micro one in new one but it was used more for smaller jobs. There is now no in between for the micro and the small flat head.

nonetheless...the new wave will definitely serve your needs as my old faithful did...

Trust me, this is one item that will come in handy! After many times of being out in the car or outdoors unable to cut, file or open something I searched around and put my money on the Leatherman Wave. Now after having it for several months, I can say that I picked a winner! Keep this in your car or (if possible) carry it with you (bag, belt, etc.) and you'll be surprised at how many times it comes in handy!

The knife keeps a sharp edge time after time. All the knives, tools, etc. keep open until you "unlock" them (so they won't close on your fingers by accident). I like the small "bit" that's been used as a mini-screwdriver for small items such as eyeglass screws, electronics, etc. The wirecutter has been used countless times to cut cords, rope, just about anything.

And I notice that the new show on Discovery "Survivorman", Leo uses one of these each week! He even says so on the Discovery homepage for the show where he recomends the Leatherman Wave!

So if Leo says so and I give it 5 stars....it's gotta be good!

I have an original Wave and love it. I find uses for it almost every day and when I travel it always goes in my luggage. The only problem I've had is some nicks in the blade when a kid took it and tried to cut who knows what. Leatherman made that good even though it was arguably mistreatment. I bought myself a new Wave because I thought the bit drivers and locking tools were enough of an improvement to warrant it. The first thing I noticed was the fit and finish was far inferior to my first wave. The original was a little stiff opening the pliers when I bought it but a couple of nights in front of the TV opening and closing it had it working smooth as silk. The new one had horrid stiffness and grittiness opening it. Several hours working it improved it but when I went further it bound up again almost to the point it wouldn't open. Several more hours working it, and liberal application of Jig-A-Loo, has it working okay but nowhere near as nice as the original. Those are small complaints because overall it does appear well made. I really like the bit drivers and have ordered the 21 bit accessory kit. The locking tools are a great improvement especially since I pinched my finger more than once trying to use a screwdriver on the old one. The new knives look much sturdier and cut everything I've asked them to with ease. The scissors are a step backwards. The new ones appear weaker and don't cut as well. Also, as mentioned, you can cut yourself opening them if you're not careful. The tool locks and the larger blades make it a little bulkier. The wider blades make the knives more noticeable if you have the handles closed using one of the interior tools. Not a real big deal because you shouldn't be trying to put a lot of torque on these tools anwway but still not as comfortable as the original. Overall I like it. The new improvements are real improvements, except for the scissors. It's nice too that this one was $30.00 cheaper than the original. My quibbles aside this has replaced the original on my belt and is definitely one of the better multi-tools available.