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 The right tool for every job Jul 22, 2010
I had a Gerber multi-tool before and it was useful, but lacked the scissors and the small screwdrivers, plus the blades were smaller. I work in IT and also I tinker with many things personally, from cars to home improvemant: there is not a day where I don't pull out my Wave for something. I also carry the Squirt ES4 attached to my keychain, and I use that regularly as well. I've had the Wave for almost 2 years and it has performed flawlessly. I use it when I take my son fishing as well, the pliers pull out hooks, the cutter blade was useful more than once cutting snagged ropes and lines, plus freeing a tangled pelican. Just make sure you don't drop it on your foot with the knife blade open, as it has a tendency to fall with the tip straight down. Ouch.. :)
Great tool Jul 18, 2010
Bought this because I lost my other one, which was the exact same thing. This is a quality product that simply does what you want it to do. It's been indispensable at work, and I got it on sale, so it really wasn't that expensive. Much cheaper than Walmart.
Could've been perfect, missed it by a micron Jul 15, 2010
First let me start by saying this tool, in conjunction with the flat-pack bit set, is probably the best portable toolkit I've ever had. I've carried (and still carry) a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife for over thirty years but had resisted getting a Leatherman despite the obvious utility of folding pliers until they resolved the floppy blade and painful handgrip problems.
Which they have on this wonderful tool, one of which was given to me by my wife (thanks, Wife) for Christmas a couple of years ago.
The knife blades, the wood saw - very sharp - and the diamond file(!) all lock in a nice positive manner, and the lock is easy to disengage when time comes to put the blade away again. The serrated blade is identified by a ripple milled into the top (blunt) edge, so you know which blade is which before you unfold it without the need to take your eyes of whatever it is you are about to cut, saw or file.
The internal blades (screwdrivers etc) are a bit stiffer to unfold, but also lock positively. The lock is easy to disengage with a thumb.
The screwdriver adapter is probably the neatest folding knife/multitool idea I've ever seen, and the odd-looking "shaved" bits in the bit kit all work perfectly. I've used these bits to dismantle computers (big-ass servers) from racking equipment, stop cubicle walls from going "Office Space" on me, strip a vacuum cleaner and about a dozen other classes of fastener-related on-the-spot jobs that would normally require a box o' tools. The bit supplied with the Wave is a MEGA-useful reversible slotted/Phillips #2 that will probably serve most people for all their needs.
I found myself wondering why they had included a traditional slotted screwdriver in addition to the adapter/bit tool until I realized that the screwdriver wasn't a screwdriver, but a pry bar for opening e.g. paint tins. It works as a screwdriver too. Bonus!
The can/bottle opener/wire stripper is very rugged and I've found it absolutely fit for all three purposes.
The scissors are nice and tight, but only useful for small, light duty. What do you expect with jaws around an inch long?
The eyeglass screwdriver bit, mounted in its own rather large adapter, is somewhat less useful. The adapter gets in the way of most jobs and I've found the Phillips bit (the bit is double ended with slotted and Phillips ends) less positive in a typical screw than the same-sized miniature screwdriver from Radio Shack. I've been able to use it for some jobs, but overall it's not as well executed as the other blades on this wonderful tool. The bit needs a redesign in my opinion.
The lanyard loop is so well hidden it took me two days to find it, and I've spoken with other owners who didn't know it was there at all. Mine is difficult to deploy, requiring something to pry it out with, and difficult to stow - I usually end up pressing it back against a block of wood after use) This needs a redesign in my opinion.
Leatherman have rearranged the blades in the Wave to eliminate the painful grip problem, but in doing so have introduced a problem you only find out the hard way, picking up a blood blister in the process. When used as pliers (the obvious reason for buying the tool) the natural grip results in the fleshy part of the hand at the base of the index finger resting against the handles. Should whatever it is that is being gripped slip out of the jaws, the hand can get caught between the back of the knife blade and the back of either the saw or the file (depending on handedness) giving it a tweak you won't forget in a hurry. I found this out while trying to clear a problem with an ice-maker that had jammed. I gripped a chunk of ice with the pliers and pulled, the chunk shattered, the Wave gave me a hickey and I told the world about it for a few seconds. The fix? Wear gloves or be very careful how you grip the pliers when using the tool that way.
The moans I have are not worth deducting any stars in my opinion, but are worth a look when Leatherman decide to have the "lessons learned" discussion with the design team. The total usefulness of the Leatherman Wave has me jonesing for a Leatherman Crunch in the worst way.
Great Leatherman Jul 15, 2010
Leatherman tools have come a long way since my first tool. This multi tool is a great item to have perfect for all the little odd jobs around the house
Leatherman Jul 14, 2010
Very happy with the leatherman Wave and have found it light, great quality. I'm a fitter by trade and use it all day. Price from Amazon was very good but the postage and handling to Australia was a bit expensive. B
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