The Leatherman Wave and Charge are two of the most compared multi-tools on the market, and for good reason. They share the same DNA, nearly identical tool layouts, the same 4-inch closed length, and the same Leatherman build quality that’s made the brand an EDC staple for decades. So what actually separates them?
The short answer: the Charge is a premium-materials upgrade of the Wave, not a functionality upgrade. You’re paying more for better blade steel (S30V vs 420HC), titanium handle scales, a cutting hook, crimpers on the pliers, and a more complete accessory kit. The core tool set and capabilities are virtually the same. For the majority of users, the Leatherman Wave Plus delivers everything you need at a significantly lower price point. Let’s break it all down.
The Leatherman Brand
Leatherman has been the benchmark for multi-tools since Tim Leatherman founded the company in 1983. Based in Portland, Oregon, every Leatherman tool is built in the USA and backed by a 25-year warranty. The brand’s reputation for durability and versatility has made their tools standard equipment for everyone from military personnel and first responders to weekend DIYers and outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the full range of custom engraved Leatherman tools at Lazer Designs.
Overview of the Leatherman Wave Plus
The Leatherman Wave Plus is Leatherman’s best-selling multi-tool of all time, and it’s not hard to see why. Packing 17 tools into a compact 4-inch frame at 8.5 ounces, it hits the sweet spot between capability and portability that most users need. The Wave Plus features all-locking tools for safety, accessible blades that open from the outside, replaceable wire cutters, and a thoughtful tool layout that covers everything from cutting and gripping to screwdriving and filing.
The Wave Plus uses 420HC stainless steel for its blades, a proven performer that’s easy to sharpen in the field and holds a working edge for general tasks. It’s the workhorse of the Leatherman lineup, positioned squarely in the middle of the price range, and it’s earned that spot by delivering reliable performance across virtually any use case.
What the Wave Plus Does Well
- Proven reliability: The Wave platform has been refined over decades. This is a mature, battle-tested design with millions of units in daily use worldwide.
- All-locking tools: Every tool locks into place when deployed, preventing accidental closure during use.
- Outside-accessible blades: Both the straight and serrated knives open from outside the handle, so you can deploy them one-handed without opening the pliers first.
- Easy-to-sharpen 420HC steel: The Wave’s blades use 420HC, a forgiving stainless steel that takes an edge quickly with a basic sharpener, ideal for field maintenance.
- Excellent value: At roughly $100–$120 retail, the Wave Plus delivers full-size multi-tool capability at a mid-range price point.
Trade-Offs
- No cutting hook: The Wave’s serrated blade lacks the strap cutter/cutting hook found on the Charge.
- No plier crimpers: The Wave’s pliers don’t include crimpers or wire strippers for electrical work.
- Basic accessories: Ships with a nylon sheath only. Pocket clip, lanyard ring, and expanded bit kit are sold separately.
- Steel handles only: The full stainless steel handles are durable but lack the ergonomic rounding and grip texture of the Charge’s titanium scales.
Overview of the Leatherman Charge Plus TTi
The Leatherman Charge Plus TTi sits at the top of Leatherman’s multi-tool lineup, offering premium materials and a few extra features over the Wave Plus. With 18 tools, titanium handle scales, and an S30V blade, the Charge represents Leatherman’s best materials and craftsmanship in the full-size multi-tool category.
Where it differentiates is in the details: the primary blade uses CPM S30V steel (a premium knife steel with superior edge retention), the handle scales are titanium instead of stainless steel, and the tool set adds a cutting hook and plier crimpers that the Wave lacks.
What the Charge Plus TTi Does Well
- Premium S30V blade steel: CPM S30V is a significant step up from 420HC. It holds its edge dramatically longer, especially when cutting abrasive materials like cardboard, rope, or webbing.
- Titanium handle scales: Lighter than steel, more corrosion-resistant, and milled with rounded edges that are noticeably more comfortable during extended use.
- Cutting hook on serrated blade: A built-in strap cutter on the spine of the serrated blade, useful for cutting zip ties, seatbelts, packaging straps, and paracord.
- Plier crimpers and wire strippers: The Charge’s pliers include crimpers and wire strippers for stripping thick cable casing, a genuine advantage for electricians and contractors.
- Complete accessory kit: Ships with a premium sheath, removable pocket clip, lanyard ring, and a strip of seven double-sided bits (16 screwdriver options total).
Trade-Offs
- Significantly higher price: The Charge Plus TTi retails around $175–$200, nearly double the Wave Plus, placing it at the very top of Leatherman’s price range.
- S30V is harder to sharpen in the field: While S30V holds an edge longer, it requires more skill and better sharpening tools to restore, making it less forgiving for casual users.
- Slightly heavier: The titanium scales add roughly 10 grams over the Wave Plus. Not a deal-breaker, but noticeable if you’re weight-conscious.
- 2025 Recall (see safety note below): Certain Charge Plus units manufactured between July 2024 and March 2025 were subject to a CPSC recall for a blade that doesn’t fully close.
Leatherman Wave vs Charge: Key Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Wave Plus | Charge Plus TTi |
| Number of Tools | 17 | 18 |
| Closed Length | 4 inches | 4 inches |
| Weight | 8.5 oz (241g) | 8.3 oz (234g) |
| Primary Blade Steel | 420HC | CPM S30V |
| Handle Material | Stainless steel | Titanium scales |
| Cutting Hook | No | Yes (on serrated blade) |
| Plier Crimpers/Wire Strippers | No | Yes |
| Outside-Accessible Blades | Yes | Yes |
| All-Locking Tools | Yes | Yes |
| Replaceable Wire Cutters | Yes | Yes |
| Bit Driver | Yes (standard) | Yes (standard + extended bit kit included) |
| Included Accessories | Nylon sheath | Premium sheath, pocket clip, lanyard ring, 7 double-sided bits |
| Warranty | 25-year | 25-year |
| Retail Price (2026) | ~$100–$120 | ~$175–$200 |
| Available Engraved Tool at Lazer Designs | Engraved Wave Plus | No |
Detailed Comparison
Blade Steel: 420HC vs S30V
This is the single biggest functional difference between the Wave and Charge, and it’s worth understanding what it actually means in practice.
The Wave Plus uses 420HC stainless steel, Leatherman’s standard blade steel across most of their lineup. It’s a solid, dependable performer: corrosion-resistant, easy to sharpen with a basic pocket sharpener, and perfectly adequate for everyday cutting tasks like opening packages, cutting rope, slicing food, and general utility work. The trade-off is that 420HC dulls faster than premium steels, especially when cutting abrasive materials like cardboard or fibrous rope.
The Charge Plus TTi uses CPM S30V, a premium steel originally developed for high-end pocket knives. S30V has a finer molecular structure that holds its factory edge significantly longer, you can go weeks of daily cutting before needing to touch up the blade. The catch is that S30V requires better sharpening equipment (ceramic rods or diamond stones) and more technique to restore. If you’re used to a quick pass on a basic sharpener, S30V will frustrate you.
Verdict: If you use your multi-tool blade heavily and daily, S30V on the Charge is a meaningful upgrade. If you use the blade occasionally and value easy field sharpening, 420HC on the Wave is the better choice.
Handle Materials & Comfort
The Charge’s titanium handle scales are noticeably different from the Wave’s all-steel construction. The titanium is milled with rounded edges that reduce hot spots during extended blade use, an ergonomic improvement that users who work with their multi-tool for hours at a time consistently praise.
The Wave’s stainless steel handles are thinner and have sharper edges that can dig into your palm during prolonged cutting tasks. For occasional use this is a non-issue, but professionals who use their multi-tool heavily throughout the day notice the difference.
Verdict: The Charge wins on comfort for heavy daily use. For occasional use, the difference isn’t significant enough to justify the price gap.
Tools & Features
The core tool sets are nearly identical. Both include needlenose and regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters, straight and serrated knives, a saw, scissors, a file, rulers, a can opener, a bottle opener, and a bit driver. The Charge adds two meaningful extras:
Cutting hook/strap cutter: Built into the spine of the Charge’s serrated blade, this tool is genuinely useful for slicing zip ties, packaging straps, seatbelts, and paracord without risking the blade edge. If you work in a trade where you’re constantly cutting banding or cable ties, this feature gets daily use.
Plier crimpers and wire strippers: The Charge’s pliers include built-in crimpers and wire strippers for removing casing from thick cables. This is a real differentiator for electricians, contractors, and anyone who regularly works with wiring.
Verdict: If you need the cutting hook or crimpers for your work, the Charge is the clear choice. If you don’t specifically need those two features, the Wave’s 17 tools cover every common use case.
Wave Tools:
01 Needlenose Pliers
02 Regular Pliers
03 Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
04 Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
05 Electrical Crimper
06 Wire Stripper
07 420HC Knife
08 420HC Serrated Knife
09 Saw
10 Spring-action Scissors
11 Ruler (8 in | 19 cm)
12 Can Opener
13 Bottle Opener
14 Wood/Metal File
15 Diamond-coated File
16 Large Bit Driver
17 Small Bit Driver
18 Medium Screwdriver
What’s in the Box
This is an underappreciated part of the value equation. The Wave Plus ships with a basic nylon sheath and nothing else. The Charge Plus TTi ships with a premium leather/nylon sheath, a removable pocket clip, a lanyard ring, and a strip of seven double-sided bits giving you 16 different screwdriver options total.
If you were to buy those accessories separately for the Wave Plus, you’d spend roughly $40–$50, which narrows the effective price gap between the two tools. Something to factor in when doing the math.
Price & Value: Is the Charge Worth the Upgrade?
This is the question that drives most people to search “Leatherman Wave vs Charge,” and the answer depends entirely on your use case.
The Wave Plus retails for approximately $100–$120. The Charge Plus TTi retails for approximately $175–$200. That’s a $60–$80 premium for better blade steel, titanium handles, a cutting hook, crimpers, and a more complete accessory kit.
For professionals who use their multi-tool as a daily work instrument, especially in trades involving wiring, cutting straps, or extended blade use, the Charge’s upgrades deliver tangible, daily value that justifies the investment.
For the majority of users who use a multi-tool occasionally around the house, on camping trips, in the car, or for general pocket utility, the Wave Plus delivers the same core capability at a significantly lower price.
Verdict: The Wave Plus is the better value for 80–90% of buyers. The Charge is worth it for trade professionals or enthusiasts who specifically need premium steel and the extra features.
Safety Note: 2025 Charge Plus Recall
If you’re considering a Charge Plus, be aware of the July 2025 CPSC recall. Approximately 17,000 Charge Plus and Charge Plus TTi units manufactured between July 2024 and March 2025 were recalled due to a defect where the knife blade tip doesn’t fully fold into the handle, posing a laceration hazard. No injuries were reported.
To check if your tool is affected: close the main blade fully. If the tip of the blade is visible when the tool is closed, your unit is part of the recall. Leatherman is repairing affected units free of charge — contact them at 800-847-8665 or visit leatherman.com/pages/charge-recall for a prepaid shipping label. No proof of purchase is required. This recall does not affect the Leatherman Wave Plus.
Which Makes a Better Gift?
Multi-tools are one of the most popular personalized gifts for groomsmen, graduates, retirees, and anyone who works with their hands. Both the Wave and Charge engrave beautifully, but here’s how to think about it from a gift perspective:
The Leatherman Wave Plus is the ideal gift for most recipients. It’s a premium tool that anyone can appreciate, it doesn’t require multi-tool expertise to use effectively, and it covers virtually every situation. Pair it with a custom laser engraving from Lazer Designs, and you have a gift that’s both practical and deeply personal.
The Charge Plus TTi is a “you know what you’re getting” gift — best reserved for someone who’s already a multi-tool enthusiast and will appreciate the premium materials. For the tool-obsessed person who already owns a Wave, the Charge is a thoughtful step up.
Browse the full collection of custom engraved Leatherman tools and engraved multi-tools at Lazer Designs for same-day engraving and shipping.
What Real Users Say
The multi-tool community has debated Wave vs Charge for years across BladeForums, Spyderco Forums, and EDC communities. Here’s what the consensus looks like:
Wave Plus fans consistently say: “It does everything the Charge does for $60–$80 less.” The most common praise is value, reliability, and the ease of sharpening 420HC in the field. Many users note that if you already carry a good folding knife, the Wave’s blade steel matters even less since you’re using a dedicated knife for serious cutting work.
Charge Plus TTi fans consistently say: “I don’t regret paying more.” The handle comfort is the most praised difference, with users noting the rounded titanium scales feel noticeably better during extended use. The included accessory kit (especially the bit set) is frequently cited as offsetting the price gap.
The universal consensus: Both are excellent tools. The Wave is the smarter buy for most people. The Charge is the better experience for daily, heavy users. As one forum commenter put it, “The Charge is a Wave wearing a pretty dress — but it’s a really nice dress.”
Leatherman Tools Final Word
The Leatherman Wave vs Charge comparison comes down to materials and accessories, not capability. The Wave Plus gives you 95% of what the Charge offers at 55% of the price. For anyone who needs a reliable, versatile multi-tool for everyday tasks, camping, home repairs, or professional use, the Wave Plus is the tool to beat.
The Charge Plus TTi earns its premium for a specific audience: daily-use professionals in trades that benefit from the crimpers and cutting hook, blade enthusiasts who value S30V edge retention, and anyone who wants the absolute best materials Leatherman puts in a full-size tool.
Whatever you choose, Lazer Designs can make it yours. Shop the engraved Leatherman Wave Plus with same-day laser engraving, or browse the full collection of Leatherman tools and knives and custom multi-tools to find the perfect tool and add a personal touch that lasts a lifetime.