Gerber MP600 vs Leatherman Wave: Which Multi-Tool Is Right for You?

The Gerber MP600 and Leatherman Wave Plus are two of the most respected full-size multi-tools ever made. The MP600 earned its reputation as the standard-issue multi-tool of the U.S. military, trusted by soldiers in every theater of operation since the 1990s. The Wave Plus earned its reputation by becoming Leatherman’s best-selling multi-tool of all time, the go-to choice for tradespeople, outdoor enthusiasts, and EDC users worldwide.

Here’s the quick answer: the Leatherman Wave Plus is the more refined and versatile tool, packing 18 tools into a lighter, more compact frame with outside-accessible blades, spring-action scissors, and replaceable wire cutters. The Gerber MP600 counters with one-hand plier deployment, a full all-locking tool set, tungsten carbide wire cutters, and battle-tested military heritage. Both are made in the USA, and Lazer Designs carries both with custom laser engraving.

The Gerber Brand

Gerber has been making tools and knives in Portland, Oregon since 1939. Originally a maker of handcrafted kitchen knives, Gerber evolved into one of the world’s leading manufacturers of multi-tools, fixed blades, and tactical gear. The brand earned a defining moment when the U.S. military selected the MP600 as its standard-issue multi-tool — a contract that put millions of Gerber tools into the hands of service members across every branch. Explore the full selection of custom engraved Gerber multi-tools at Lazer Designs.

The Leatherman Brand

Leatherman invented the modern multi-tool when Tim Leatherman founded the company in Portland, Oregon in 1983. Every Leatherman is built in the USA and backed by a 25-year warranty. The brand’s commitment to precision engineering and constant refinement has made models like the Wave Plus the benchmark against which all other multi-tools are measured. Browse custom engraved Leatherman tools at Lazer Designs.

Overview of the Gerber MP600

The Gerber MP600 is a military-grade multi-tool that packs 14 tools into a rugged, stainless steel frame designed for hard use. At 4.9 inches closed and 9 ounces, it’s larger and heavier than most competitors, but that size serves a purpose: the MP600’s signature feature is its one-hand opening plier mechanism, where the plier head slides out on rails with a flick of the wrist. No other major multi-tool opens its pliers this quickly.

What the Gerber MP600 Does Well

• One-hand plier deployment: The MP600’s slide-out plier mechanism is unmatched. A quick wrist flick sends the plier head out on rails, ready to grip. No other full-size multi-tool matches this speed of deployment, a critical advantage when you need pliers fast with one hand occupied.
• All-locking tools: Every tool on the MP600 locks open via the Saf.T.Plus system, with sliding release buttons on each side. This means no accidental closures under pressure on any implement, not just the blade and pliers.
• Tungsten carbide wire cutters: The MP600’s wire cutters use tungsten carbide inserts, which are harder than steel and retain sharpness longer than standard cutters. For users who cut wire daily, this material advantage is real.
• U.S. military proven: The MP600 is the standard-issue multi-tool across all branches of the U.S. military. That’s not a marketing claim, it’s a procurement contract earned through rigorous testing.
• Made in the USA: Designed and manufactured in Portland, Oregon.
• Multiple variants available: Needlenose, bluntnose, and bladeless configurations let you choose the exact tool setup for your needs.

Trade-Offs

• Larger and heavier: At 4.9 inches closed and 9 ounces, the MP600 is noticeably bigger and heavier than the Wave Plus. This impacts pocket carry.
• Fewer tools: 14 tools vs the Wave Plus’s 18. The MP600 lacks scissors, a saw, and a diamond-coated file that the Wave includes.
• No outside-accessible blades: All tools on the MP600 can only be accessed after the pliers are deployed and the handles are opened. You can’t quickly flick out a knife one-handed.
• Black oxide finish can chip: Users consistently report that the MP600’s black oxide coating begins to wear, rub, and chip within weeks to months of regular use. The underlying steel is fine, but the cosmetic finish doesn’t hold up.
• Tungsten carbide cutters can be brittle: While harder than steel, tungsten carbide can chip or crack under extreme lateral stress. Some users report durability issues with the carbide inserts over time.
• Non-replaceable wire cutters on standard models: Unlike the Wave Plus, the standard MP600’s wire cutters aren’t user-replaceable (though some variants offer removable carbide cutters).

Overview of the Leatherman Wave Plus

The Leatherman Wave Plus is Leatherman’s flagship multi-tool and the best-selling model in the company’s history. Packing 18 tools into a 4-inch closed frame at 8.5 ounces, it hits the sweet spot between capability, portability, and refinement that has made it the default recommendation in virtually every multi-tool buying guide.

The Wave Plus features outside-accessible blades (both straight and serrated open without unfolding the tool), spring-action scissors, user-replaceable 154CM wire cutters, and a thoughtful tool layout that covers everything from cutting and gripping to sawing, filing, and screwdriving. Its 420HC stainless steel blades are easy to sharpen in the field, and the build quality is consistently praised as a step above its price class.

What the Leatherman Wave Plus Does Well

• 18 tools in a compact frame: Four more tools than the MP600 in a smaller, lighter package. The Wave includes spring-action scissors, a saw, and a diamond-coated file that the MP600 lacks.
• Outside-accessible blades: Both the straight and serrated knives open from outside the handle, meaning you can deploy a blade one-handed without opening the pliers first. This is a major convenience advantage for daily use.
• Spring-action scissors: Functional scissors that handle tape, thread, packaging, and light fabric without hand fatigue. This is the single most-used tool on many people’s multi-tools.
• Replaceable wire cutters: The Wave Plus uses 154CM steel wire cutters that can be swapped out when they wear, extending the tool’s useful life indefinitely. This is a significant long-term value advantage.
• Lighter and more compact: At 4 inches closed and 8.5 ounces, the Wave Plus is both shorter and lighter than the MP600, making it better suited for belt carry and pocket carry.
• Better fit and finish: Users consistently describe the Wave Plus as feeling more polished and precise than the MP600. Tolerances are tighter, tool deployment is smoother, and the overall quality of individual implements is higher.

Trade-Offs

• No one-hand plier opening: The Wave’s pliers require two hands to deploy. If fast one-handed plier access matters for your work, the MP600 has a clear advantage.
• Partial locking: Not all of the Wave Plus’s tools lock, the blades and pliers do, but some smaller implements are slip-joint. The MP600 locks everything.
• 420HC steel is softer: While easy to sharpen, the Wave’s 420HC blades dull faster on abrasive materials than the Gerber’s blade options.
• No lanyard ring included: The Wave Plus doesn’t include a built-in lanyard attachment without an accessory.

Gerber MP600 vs Leatherman Wave: Key Differences at a Glance

Detailed Comparison

Pliers & One-Hand Operation

This is the comparison category where the MP600 has its clearest, most undeniable advantage. The MP600’s plier head sits on rails inside the handle and deploys with a single wrist flick; pliers out, locked, and ready to grip in under a second with one hand. If you’ve ever needed pliers while your other hand was holding something in place, holding a flashlight, or bracing against a surface, you understand why this matters.

The Wave Plus requires two hands to unfold the pliers. You open the handles apart, the plier head emerges, and you’re ready to work. It’s a smooth, well-engineered motion, but it’s a two-hand motion. For users who reach for pliers as their primary tool and often in situations where one hand is busy, the MP600’s deployment speed is a real functional advantage.

However, the Wave Plus counters with outside-accessible knife blades, both the straight and serrated knives deploy one-handed from outside the handle without opening the tool at all. The MP600 can’t do this. Every MP600 tool requires the pliers to be deployed and the handles opened first.

Verdict: MP600 wins for one-hand plier access. Wave Plus wins for one-hand blade access. The right choice depends on whether you reach for pliers or a blade more often.

Wire Cutters

Both tools take wire cutting seriously, but with fundamentally different approaches.

The MP600 uses tungsten carbide wire cutter inserts. Tungsten carbide is significantly harder than steel and retains its cutting edge longer, especially when cutting hardened wire, fencing, or electrical cable. For users who cut wire every day, this material advantage translates to fewer sharpening cycles and cleaner cuts over time. The trade-off is that tungsten carbide is more brittle than steel, it can chip or crack under extreme lateral force or if used to cut materials it wasn’t designed for.

The Wave Plus uses 154CM steel wire cutters that are user-replaceable. The steel is softer than tungsten carbide and will dull faster under heavy wire-cutting use, but 154CM is a quality tool steel that handles general wire cutting well. The critical advantage is replaceability: when the cutters wear out, you swap in a new set for a few dollars. The MP600’s standard cutters aren’t user-replaceable (though some premium variants offer removable carbide inserts).

Verdict: MP600 wins for cutting hardness and edge retention on wire. Wave Plus wins for long-term value with replaceable cutters. If you cut wire daily, the MP600’s carbide has an edge. If you need cutters that last a lifetime through easy replacement, the Wave Plus is the smarter investment.

Tools & Versatility

The numbers tell the story here: 18 tools vs 14. The Wave Plus includes four tools the standard MP600 simply doesn’t have:

• Spring-action scissors: The most common cutting task on most people’s multi-tools isn’t a knife cut, it’s a scissors cut. Tape, thread, packaging, tags, bandages, loose threads. The Wave’s spring-action scissors handle all of this effortlessly. The standard MP600 has no scissors.
• Wood/metal saw: The Wave includes a functional saw that handles small branches, PVC, drywall, and light wood. It’s not a replacement for a dedicated saw, but it’s a tool you’ll use more than you expect.
• Diamond-coated file: In addition to the standard wood/metal file that both tools share, the Wave adds a diamond-coated file for sharpening and finishing work.
• Electrical crimper: Built into the Wave’s plier head for crimping wire terminals, useful for electricians and anyone working with wiring.

Verdict: Wave Plus wins for out-of-the-box versatility with more tools per unit. MP600 wins for platform customizability across its variant lineup.

Build Quality & Finish

The Wave Plus is the more refined tool, this is the consensus across virtually every review and forum discussion. The tolerances are tighter, the tool deployment is smoother, and the individual implements feel more precise. The Wave has a quality of fit and finish that makes it feel like it costs more than it does.

The MP600 is a rugged, solidly built tool, but it’s designed for durability over refinement. The biggest recurring complaint is the black oxide finish: users consistently report that the coating rubs off, chips, and wears within weeks to months of regular use. The underlying stainless steel is fine and corrosion-resistant, but the cosmetic degradation is a common frustration. The stainless steel (non-coated) variant avoids this issue entirely.

Verdict: Wave Plus wins for overall fit, finish, and perceived quality. MP600 wins for universal tool locking and raw ruggedness.

Price & Value

The Gerber MP600 retails for approximately $75–$95 depending on the variant. The Leatherman Wave Plus retails for approximately $100–$120. That’s a $25–$35 premium for the Wave. For that premium, the Wave Plus gives you four more tools, a lighter and more compact frame, outside-accessible blades, spring-action scissors, replaceable wire cutters, and better overall fit and finish.

That said, the MP600 at $75–$95 is an excellent deal for a full-size, all-locking, American-made multi-tool with tungsten carbide cutters and military heritage. If its tool set matches your needs, you’re getting a lot of tool for the money.

Verdict: The Wave Plus offers more capability per dollar. The MP600 offers excellent value within its feature set, especially if you prioritize one-hand plier opening and all-locking tools.

What Real Users Say

The multi-tool community across BladeForums, AR15.com, Rokslide, and Multitool.org has debated this comparison for years:

• MP600 fans consistently say: “Nothing opens pliers faster one-handed.” The military heritage carries weight, users who were issued the MP600 in service often develop a lasting loyalty to the platform. The one-hand opening and all-locking tools are the most praised features. The main complaint is the black oxide finish chipping: “The coating looks terrible after a month, but the tool underneath works perfectly.”
• Wave Plus fans consistently say: “It just does more, better.” The outside-accessible blades, spring-action scissors, and replaceable wire cutters consistently win over users who’ve tried both. One frequently repeated observation: “The Wave+ feels more polished, the Gerber is a good tool, but the Leatherman is simply better made in most respects.”

The consensus: Both are capable, American-made tools worthy of daily use. The Wave Plus is the better general-purpose multi-tool. The MP600 is the better choice when one-hand plier deployment and all-locking tools are priorities.

Which Multi-Tool Should You Choose?

Choose the Gerber MP600 If:

• You need one-hand plier deployment. If pliers are your primary tool and you frequently work with one hand occupied, the MP600’s slide-out mechanism is unmatched.
• You work in environments requiring all-locking tools. Construction, military, first response, or any high-vibration setting where a slip-joint tool closing on your fingers isn’t acceptable.
• You’re military, law enforcement, or a veteran. The MP600 is standard issue for a reason. If it’s what you were trained on and trust, it’s a solid choice.
• You want a bladeless configuration. The MP600 Bladeless variant is perfect for regulated environments (military bases, airports, courthouses) where knife blades aren’t permitted.
• Budget is a factor. At $75–$95, the MP600 delivers serious capability at a lower price point.

Choose the Leatherman Wave Plus If:

• You want the most versatile all-around multi-tool. 18 tools including scissors, a saw, and outside-accessible blades cover more situations than the MP600’s 14.
• You need quick knife access. Outside-accessible blades that deploy one-handed make the Wave Plus faster for cutting tasks.
• You use scissors frequently. If tape, thread, and packaging are common cutting tasks, the spring-action scissors are a daily-use advantage.
• You prefer a lighter, more compact tool. The Wave Plus is shorter, lighter, and more comfortable for all-day belt or pocket carry.
• Long-term value matters. Replaceable wire cutters mean the Wave Plus can last decades with minimal ongoing cost.

Which Makes a Better Gift?

Both the MP600 and Wave Plus are outstanding personalized gift choices, and Lazer Designs offers custom laser engraving on each.

The Gerber MP600 is the perfect gift for military service members, veterans, first responders, and law enforcement. Its military heritage gives it a personal significance that resonates with anyone who’s served. A custom-engraved MP600 with a name, unit, rank, or retirement date makes a meaningful and practical keepsake.

The Leatherman Wave Plus is the ideal gift for the broadest audience — DIYers, outdoor enthusiasts, tradespeople, groomsmen, graduates, or anyone who appreciates quality tools. It’s universally useful, instantly impressive, and the kind of tool people keep for decades. Add a custom engraving and it becomes a gift they’ll carry every day.

Browse the full collection of custom engraved multi-tools at Lazer Designs, including engraved Gerber multi-tools and engraved Leatherman tools, all with same-day engraving and free shipping.

Gerber MP600 vs Leatherman Wave: The Final Word

This is a comparison between two genuinely excellent, American-made multi-tools with different strengths. The Leatherman Wave Plus is the more versatile, more refined, and more feature-rich tool, it packs more capability into a lighter, more compact frame and is the better choice for the widest range of users.

The Gerber MP600 is the tougher, more tactically oriented tool, its one-hand plier opening, all-locking tools, and military-proven design make it the right choice for users who prioritize ruggedness and plier-first access. Whatever you choose, Lazer Designs can make it yours.

Shop the engraved Leatherman Wave Plus or the engraved Gerber MP600 with professional laser engraving that ships the same day. Or browse the full multi-tool collection to find the perfect tool and add a personal touch that lasts.