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Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool
Made in Portland, Oregon. 18 tools in your pocket. The one you grab before everything else.
$129.95Check It Out
April 30, 2026 · 5 min read
How to Choose a Multi-Tool: What Actually Matters
Most people buy a multi-tool based on how many tools it has. That's the wrong way to think about it. A multi-tool with 25 tools you never use is worse than one with 18 tools you reach for every day. Here's what actually matters when you're picking one.
Figure out what you'll actually use it for
Before anything else, be honest about when you're going to grab it. Electricians need wire cutters and drivers. Hikers need a knife and a saw. Someone who just wants it in a junk drawer for emergencies needs something basic that costs $40. Someone who clips it to their belt every morning needs something that holds up to daily abuse for years. The use case determines everything else on this list.
Blade steel: the number that matters most
The knife blade is the tool you'll use most on any multi-tool, so the steel matters. 420HC steel — used by Leatherman and Buck — is a solid mid-range steel that sharpens easily and resists rust. 8Cr13MoV and 5Cr15MoV (common in budget brands) are softer, dull faster, and harder to get a clean edge back on. If you're using the knife regularly, the steel quality will be obvious within a few months. Better steel costs more upfront and saves you frustration for years.
One-hand opening vs two-hand
Some multi-tools require two hands to open the knife blade — you have to fold out the tool and then unfold the blade separately. Others let you deploy the blade one-handed from the outside of the closed tool. If you're working with one hand occupied — holding a rope, gripping something, wearing gloves — one-hand deployment is a big deal. Leatherman's Wave+ does this. Most budget tools don't.
The warranty question
Leatherman offers a 25-year warranty. If anything breaks or fails, they fix or replace it. Most budget brands offer 1 year, if anything. A multi-tool you use daily will eventually have something go wrong — a spring, a hinge, a blade. The warranty is part of the price calculation, not a bonus feature.
What to spend
Under $50: covers the basics, fine for the glove box or camping bag, won't last forever under daily use. $50–$100: solid mid-range, better steel, better construction. $100+: daily carry tools that will last decades. The Leatherman Wave+ at $129 is the most recommended multi-tool in this range for a reason — it hits every mark. If you need something cheaper, the Gerber Suspension NXT at $40 is the best value in the budget tier.
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