There are two kinds of tools: the ones that live in your toolbox, and the ones that live in your pocket. Below is my Leatherman Wave Plus review, to help you determine which one this tool is.
To start, let’s be honest: this isn’t a replacement for your full-size pliers or your good flathead screwdriver. It’s not meant to be. But if you’re halfway up a ladder, at the hardware store, out on the road, or helping someone move a couch, it’s the tool that makes you useful in the moment.
Why I Carry It Every Day
I didn’t expect to become the kind of guy who carries a multitool. But I also didn’t expect how often things would need fixing right now.
Since I picked up the Wave Plus, I’ve used it to:
- Tighten loose cabinet pulls while visiting my in-laws
- Cut away a jammed piece of vinyl when laying floor in a tight corner
- Pry open a stuck vent cover when my actual tools were an hour away
- Strip speaker wire in the garage without going back inside
- Open beers, boxes, and once… a frozen car door handle
It’s 18 tools in one including pliers, wire cutters, two knives, scissors, a saw, bit drivers, and a file, all packed into a stainless steel body that slips into your pocket or clips onto your belt.
What It Is (and What It’s Not)
- It is a rock-solid, do-anything multitool built for daily utility and emergency usefulness.
- It is not a replacement for real, dedicated tools when you’re doing a full project in your garage.
But that’s exactly the point. You don’t always have your whole toolbox. Sometimes, all you have is what’s in your pocket. And when that happens, the Wave Plus earns its keep.
Built to Last
The stainless steel construction feels like it’ll outlast you. Every moving part has a satisfying click, and you can access most of the blades without even opening the whole thing. The tools lock in place when extended. And the 25-year warranty tells you everything you need to know.
Final Thought
I’m not here to tell you to buy a bunch of tools you’ll never use. In fact, most of what I write here is about not doing that.
But this? This is the exception.
The Leatherman Wave Plus is the one tool I keep in my pocket, every day. And every time something comes up when I’m away from my tools — I’m glad I do.
You won’t always need it. But when you do, you’ll be damn glad it’s there.
Looking to add more must haves to your toolbox? Read: Tools You Should Own By 35
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