This, was Brilliant. First time viewer, an easy subscribe, like and comment. I learned so much - I'm and old fart but just inherited a Wave. Thanks Doc.
I'd received a Wave as a gift a time back. Though I can definitely see an advantage in a multitool, just not my kind of thing, so I gave it to my son. Before leaving for college I put together a small tool bag for him. He couldn't understand why as he already had the multitool. He loves it.
154CM doesn't have anything to do with Benchmade, except that Benchmade, like many other manufacturers, may occasionally use it. 154CM was developed by Crucible all the way back in 1959, and came into popularity for cutlery in the 1990s. It was one of the earliest "super steels" to be adopted by the outdoor/pocket knife industry. It's a variant of 440C stainless, with the addition of molybdenum. My EDC knives for the past 15-20 years have been Gerber Harsey AirFrames with 154CM blades.
Regarding154Cm, Benchmade and "may occasionally use it." seriously? Benchmade has been one of the most heavy users of 154CM across their near entire line of knives. Lately they have moved to many of the SxV steels (30-90) but if you had to close your eyes and point to a 154CM blade, you would likely land on a Benchmade.
I carry a Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack as a man-purse, and have for about 20 years. A Wave has ridden in the tool pouch on the side of it just about that entire time. Love the thing!
Hello again Doc Thank you for another Great Video. I had to check my Leatherman Super Tool 300. It's a great tool, But heavy to carry as a EDC. Again thank you
I was on a job site once, probably changing a hose on a loader, waiting on some parts. Guy showed up, gave me what I needed, and I was on my way. Right when I was about to walk away, I just happened to look down and saw something. I found a Leatherman, and boy was I excited. Picked it up and read the side: Titanium Charge TTI. Felt damn lucky, but I feel bad for the one that dropped it.
@@youcanfindrace It was in a crush yard that had over 1000 people go through it daily (employees, vendors, contractors, etc). I also barely saw it because it was half buried, since it was a crush yard, trucks and equipment moved very heavily through there. Sorry you disapprove, but I highly whoever dropped it would have found it.
I have just received a new Wave plus as replacement for my earlier model Wave, on which a couple of the safety catches had failed. I agree with you that the Wave plus is probably the most "dialled in" multitool on the market. But the biggest advantage of the ongoing upgrades and improvements to the Wave in my opinion has been that these same improvements have pretty much all been carried through to the Surge. I have two late model Leatherman Surge multitools, and I have one of these on my belt pretty much all the time. I have yet to find anything else that can match the Surge.
@@patrickgambsky6290 hey mate, I am a hospital engineer in Australia with 20+ years experience. I have been carrying a Leatherman Wave for over 10 years now and we encourage all of our maintenance assistants to carry one as well. There is no substitute for a bag or trolley full of tools but to quickly nip up a loose screw on a door can reduce the likelihood of that becoming an expensive repair.
How does the S30v steel compare to regular steel used on wave, etc? Just got a tti. I used wave, for example. Steel was ok, at least for me. But, i use the knife often. So, one of the reasons i decided to get a charge tti. I already used the knife on tti a tad and it is as sharp as it was out of the box. But i just got it, so cant say i really know how much harder tti steel is compared to normal leatherman knife-steel. Any way someone can compare it, lets say wave, etc is 1x. Is the s30v 1,5x, maybe lower or higher before it needs sharpening?
My first multitool was a SOG Paratool, it was awesome and much much better than the original Leatherman tool with its nasty sharp edges. Then i got a cheap OG Wave, the only things that bothered me were non-locking inner tools and 4 flat drivers but no reamer. That said, I upgraded to a Wave 2 then a Surge ! LoL
If you have a "New" Wave (2nd Gen.), you are all set, as the only difference between the NW & the W+ are the replaceable cutters & the crimpers at the base of the plier head...the feel in the hand of the tool is the same...if you need those, then upgrade to the W+ or better yet, to the Surge, which is a whole other level of awesomeness...😊btw, the only problem with the OG, is that the tools do not lock...
"Dialed in" is right. I had an original Wave (lost it) and now have a Wave+, a Surge, a Skeletool from LM.. and some other multi-tools from Gerber, Schrader(sp?), Victorinox, and others. For me, the Wave+ is the best and most usable of the bunch - just really hard to beat. The Surge is arguably more useful for "real" work but I have real tools. for that. For me the Surge is too heavy in my pocket. If I was going to change anything on the Wave+ it would be to include a gut hook on the serrated blade, and get rid of all the redundant flat screwdrivers. Other than a cover plate screw in the US, there is almost zero need for slotted screwdrivers. Make the big one a chisel, replace the smallest one with an awl (something else I wish the Wave+ had) , and leave middle one for those cover plates.
Hi Doc. I have an older wave that i have enjoyed carrying for a long time but doesn’t have the replaceable wire cutters on it- i have a rebar that does and wanted to switch out pliers- finally got both apart but now having issues with the spacers(brass washers) wondering if you have any tricks or anything that may help me? Again- thank you for the videos and thank you for any information! Have a good day
I am quick to send any issues into Leatherman warranty. They usually just send me a new tool. So with your old wave, just use it hard and when the cutting knives dull or chip, send it in. As far as spacers, I usually dig through those drawers of small parts at larger ACE type hardware stores. And if it doesn't go together right, send it Leatherman.
@@lastbesttool Hi. Thank you but I all ready took them both apart. I will try to figure this out but thank you for getting back to me-I really do appreciate it!!! Keep up the great video’s! They helped me out so much when I was recovering from a surgery! Have a god day
If you haven’t, you should try out the Leatherman Free P4. I used to carry a Surge, and it never failed me, but the design of the free with its one handed opening/operation is just amazing, and I’ve carried it since I got it and never thought twice. It’s got pretty much everything most of the other Leatherman have and the smaller secondary tools are so much easier to open than the fingernail catch design.
I tried it and I hated it, the Free line from Leatherman is made so loose they don't even feel like tools anymore. There's just a ton of slop in the blades and pliers. I'll stick with the classic design.
@@SylokTheDefiled1801 On the P4, when the pliers are deployed, the jaws do not feel solidly attached to the handle. And on the T4, all the tools moved around more than I liked. They just don't feel like tools. They feel like novelty items. Plus the magnets attracted crap and needed cleaning. Ended up giving them both away to a nephew and younger cousin and went back to my Wave. Edit: I just mean that I can trust my Wave and Surge the same way I can trust a pair of Knipex...they aren't going to break... The "Free” stuff did not give me the same confidence at all and honestly felt like a joke. Couldn't believe Leatherman put their name on them. Thats how unimpressed I was.
@@SylokTheDefiled1801 I suppose lol I just checked Amazon reviews and I guess I'm the odd man out...it has 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 2000 reviews. Maybe they've gotten better in the couple years they've been on the market. Still not sure if they're meant for the same hard use tho? How do you use yours and how often? Has it ever given you a reason not to trust it?
I've had an original Wave ever since they came out, and have managed not to break any of the tools. I prefer the lighter weight and slimmer profile of the original to the newer models.
154cm isn't a super steel. It's one of my favorite steels for knife blades but its not partical metalurgy and it wasn't developed exclusively for knives. I'm pretty sure its a high speed bearing steel. Benchmade uses s30v as the house steel.
I don't like the wave myself, I gotta have the simple classic rectangular profile. For me it's the blade that I basically never use, for me a multitool is just not a pocket knife. I love the bond these days though nothing will ever surpass the fuse, I had basically given up on Leatherman entirely until they released the bond earlier this year. It was exactly what I was looking for. The Bond has a deceptive amount of engineering in it too, they took the things they learned with the wave and applied them to the PST to offer a simpler tool without all the nonsense for guys like me.
I think the replaceable wire cutting heads are over rated. I had a juice before my wave and the tool itself broke before the cutting heads. I broke the wire cutting heads within a month if getting my wave.
This, was Brilliant. First time viewer, an easy subscribe, like and comment.
I learned so much - I'm and old fart but just inherited a Wave. Thanks Doc.
Glad to be of help.
I'd received a Wave as a gift a time back. Though I can definitely see an advantage in a multitool, just not my kind of thing, so I gave it to my son. Before leaving for college I put together a small tool bag for him. He couldn't understand why as he already had the multitool. He loves it.
154CM doesn't have anything to do with Benchmade, except that Benchmade, like many other manufacturers, may occasionally use it. 154CM was developed by Crucible all the way back in 1959, and came into popularity for cutlery in the 1990s. It was one of the earliest "super steels" to be adopted by the outdoor/pocket knife industry. It's a variant of 440C stainless, with the addition of molybdenum. My EDC knives for the past 15-20 years have been Gerber Harsey AirFrames with 154CM blades.
Regarding154Cm, Benchmade and "may occasionally use it." seriously? Benchmade has been one of the most heavy users of 154CM across their near entire line of knives. Lately they have moved to many of the SxV steels (30-90) but if you had to close your eyes and point to a 154CM blade, you would likely land on a Benchmade.
I carry a Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack as a man-purse, and have for about 20 years. A Wave has ridden in the tool pouch on the side of it just about that entire time. Love the thing!
Just got wave + love it
Great vid with really useful attention to detail. Thanks!
Good video my friend! Thank you so very much for sharing this great insight into the Wave!
Awesome review and comparison vid!
Hello again Doc
Thank you for another Great Video. I had to check my Leatherman Super Tool 300. It's a great tool, But heavy to carry as a EDC. Again thank you
I was on a job site once, probably changing a hose on a loader, waiting on some parts. Guy showed up, gave me what I needed, and I was on my way. Right when I was about to walk away, I just happened to look down and saw something. I found a Leatherman, and boy was I excited. Picked it up and read the side: Titanium Charge TTI. Felt damn lucky, but I feel bad for the one that dropped it.
Should’ve left it on the ground so if they come back they would find where they dropped it. 👎🏼
@@youcanfindrace It was in a crush yard that had over 1000 people go through it daily (employees, vendors, contractors, etc). I also barely saw it because it was half buried, since it was a crush yard, trucks and equipment moved very heavily through there. Sorry you disapprove, but I highly whoever dropped it would have found it.
I have just received a new Wave plus as replacement for my earlier model Wave, on which a couple of the safety catches had failed. I agree with you that the Wave plus is probably the most "dialled in" multitool on the market. But the biggest advantage of the ongoing upgrades and improvements to the Wave in my opinion has been that these same improvements have pretty much all been carried through to the Surge. I have two late model Leatherman Surge multitools, and I have one of these on my belt pretty much all the time. I have yet to find anything else that can match the Surge.
To much fiddling and not enough visible show.
The best there is period!
That Wingman has the greatest package opener I’ve ever used. I have one handy on a magnet dedicated to the opener. I don’t use any other tools on it.
The wingman is gay
I love my .mil black Wave version. Although i can't say i've ever used the blasting cap crimper in last 10 years.
I can't get the pliers to unlock and fold back into their handles! Please advise, thanks!!!
I couldn't agree more 👍
You don't know what you're agreeing to go sleep
@@patrickgambsky6290 hey mate, I am a hospital engineer in Australia with 20+ years experience. I have been carrying a Leatherman Wave for over 10 years now and we encourage all of our maintenance assistants to carry one as well. There is no substitute for a bag or trolley full of tools but to quickly nip up a loose screw on a door can reduce the likelihood of that becoming an expensive repair.
How does the S30v steel compare to regular steel used on wave, etc? Just got a tti. I used wave, for example. Steel was ok, at least for me. But, i use the knife often. So, one of the reasons i decided to get a charge tti. I already used the knife on tti a tad and it is as sharp as it was out of the box. But i just got it, so cant say i really know how much harder tti steel is compared to normal leatherman knife-steel.
Any way someone can compare it, lets say wave, etc is 1x. Is the s30v 1,5x, maybe lower or higher before it needs sharpening?
My first multitool was a SOG Paratool, it was awesome and much much better than the original Leatherman tool with its nasty sharp edges.
Then i got a cheap OG Wave, the only things that bothered me were non-locking inner tools and 4 flat drivers but no reamer.
That said, I upgraded to a Wave 2 then a Surge ! LoL
If you have a "New" Wave (2nd Gen.), you are all set, as the only difference between the NW & the W+ are the replaceable cutters & the crimpers at the base of the plier head...the feel in the hand of the tool is the same...if you need those, then upgrade to the W+ or better yet, to the Surge, which is a whole other level of awesomeness...😊btw, the only problem with the OG, is that the tools do not lock...
"Dialed in" is right. I had an original Wave (lost it) and now have a Wave+, a Surge, a Skeletool from LM.. and some other multi-tools from Gerber, Schrader(sp?), Victorinox, and others. For me, the Wave+ is the best and most usable of the bunch - just really hard to beat. The Surge is arguably more useful for "real" work but I have real tools. for that. For me the Surge is too heavy in my pocket. If I was going to change anything on the Wave+ it would be to include a gut hook on the serrated blade, and get rid of all the redundant flat screwdrivers. Other than a cover plate screw in the US, there is almost zero need for slotted screwdrivers. Make the big one a chisel, replace the smallest one with an awl (something else I wish the Wave+ had) , and leave middle one for those cover plates.
Hi Doc. I have an older wave that i have enjoyed carrying for a long time but doesn’t have the replaceable wire cutters on it- i have a rebar that does and wanted to switch out pliers- finally got both apart but now having issues with the spacers(brass washers) wondering if you have any tricks or anything that may help me? Again- thank you for the videos and thank you for any information! Have a good day
I am quick to send any issues into Leatherman warranty. They usually just send me a new tool. So with your old wave, just use it hard and when the cutting knives dull or chip, send it in. As far as spacers, I usually dig through those drawers of small parts at larger ACE type hardware stores. And if it doesn't go together right, send it Leatherman.
@@lastbesttool Hi. Thank you but I all ready took them both apart. I will try to figure this out but thank you for getting back to me-I really do appreciate it!!! Keep up the great video’s! They helped me out so much when I was recovering from a surgery! Have a god day
If they would only listen to their customers and replace the eyeglass screwdriver with an awl, it would be perfect.
If you haven’t, you should try out the Leatherman Free P4. I used to carry a Surge, and it never failed me, but the design of the free with its one handed opening/operation is just amazing, and I’ve carried it since I got it and never thought twice. It’s got pretty much everything most of the other Leatherman have and the smaller secondary tools are so much easier to open than the fingernail catch design.
I tried it and I hated it, the Free line from Leatherman is made so loose they don't even feel like tools anymore. There's just a ton of slop in the blades and pliers. I'll stick with the classic design.
@@ABH313 Out of curiosity, slop in what way? All of the tools on mine lock pretty sturdily into place
@@SylokTheDefiled1801 On the P4, when the pliers are deployed, the jaws do not feel solidly attached to the handle. And on the T4, all the tools moved around more than I liked. They just don't feel like tools. They feel like novelty items. Plus the magnets attracted crap and needed cleaning. Ended up giving them both away to a nephew and younger cousin and went back to my Wave.
Edit: I just mean that I can trust my Wave and Surge the same way I can trust a pair of Knipex...they aren't going to break... The "Free” stuff did not give me the same confidence at all and honestly felt like a joke. Couldn't believe Leatherman put their name on them. Thats how unimpressed I was.
Well to each his own i suppose
@@SylokTheDefiled1801 I suppose lol I just checked Amazon reviews and I guess I'm the odd man out...it has 4.8 out of 5 stars with over 2000 reviews. Maybe they've gotten better in the couple years they've been on the market. Still not sure if they're meant for the same hard use tho?
How do you use yours and how often? Has it ever given you a reason not to trust it?
I need replacement cutters and can't find them. Any info would help!
Did you check the Leatherman website or contact them?
I've had an original Wave ever since they came out, and have managed not to break any of the tools. I prefer the lighter weight and slimmer profile of the original to the newer models.
Good for you
I love me some Surge because it’s a tank, but the Wave is also outstanding.
The surge is not a tank it's a f****** multi-tool
@@patrickgambsky6290 oooo k
Can you make a video about making a super versatile everyday carry tool bag
I think I can do that. Stay tuned...
Great Idea!
I have the Surge....Its the Wave plus on steroids
I've thought about getting the wave, I really enjoy my Leatherman OHT it's a big but beefy tool
The file is one of my most used features. Use it to clean up your fingernails. Nobody likes gross fingernails. I use the scissors for that as well.
Would love to hear your opinion of the Victorinox multitool!
Victorinox multitool sucks
@@patrickgambsky6290 You have to have issues to think that. It's a really refined tool.
154cm isn't a super steel. It's one of my favorite steels for knife blades but its not partical metalurgy and it wasn't developed exclusively for knives. I'm pretty sure its a high speed bearing steel. Benchmade uses s30v as the house steel.
So happy I nabbed one on impulse
Why couldn't they design it so you don't risk getting your hand caught when using the pliers?
I don't like the wave myself, I gotta have the simple classic rectangular profile.
For me it's the blade that I basically never use, for me a multitool is just not a pocket knife.
I love the bond these days though nothing will ever surpass the fuse, I had basically given up on Leatherman entirely until they released the bond earlier this year.
It was exactly what I was looking for.
The Bond has a deceptive amount of engineering in it too, they took the things they learned with the wave and applied them to the PST to offer a simpler tool without all the nonsense for guys like me.
Ahh phooy...
I think the replaceable wire cutting heads are over rated. I had a juice before my wave and the tool itself broke before the cutting heads. I broke the wire cutting heads within a month if getting my wave.
Spirit X
Nooo in the Universe.....Planet Mars, Venus, Mercur, Jupiter..Saturnus..hahaha..aaand don't 4get the US...