When it comes to multitools, Leatherman stands as a beacon of reliability and innovation. For outdoor enthusiasts, DIY hobbyists, and professionals, choosing between the Leatherman Wave+ and Wingman can be a challenging task. This guide will help you understand the key differences so you can make an informed decision.
Understanding the Leatherman Brand
Leatherman has been synonymous with quality multitools for decades, known for their commitment to durability and versatility. Their tools are designed to tackle a variety of tasks, making them indispensable for both everyday use and specialized needs. Leatherman’s dedication to innovation ensures that each product offers unique features tailored to different user requirements.
The Leatherman Wave Plus: The Everyday Powerhouse of Multi-Tools
Few multi-tools have earned a reputation as solid and enduring as the Leatherman Wave. Since its debut in the late 1990s, this stainless-steel workhorse has become a go-to companion for anyone who likes being prepared The wave is compact, rugged, and endlessly useful, leading it to setting the benchmark for what a well-rounded multi-tool should be.
The Leatherman Wave+ is a robust multitool favored for its durability and comprehensive feature set.
What the Leatherman Wave Plus Does Well
The Wave+’s biggest strength is balance. It packs around 18 tools into a 4-inch frame without feeling gimmicky or overly complex. Many of the tools are accessible from the outside, meaning you can unfold a knife or file without opening the entire unit – a design feature that saves time and adds convenience in real-world use. Best of all, every implement locks securely into place, giving it the solid feel of full-size tools instead of something that folds and rattles.
As a direct upgrade from the Leatherman Wave, the Wave Plus has improved longevity with the addition of replaceable wire cutters. The overall tool design has remained relatively unchanged. Which can be a testament to its reliability.
Where the Wave Plus Isn’t Perfect
For all its versatility, the Leatherman Wave+ isn’t without trade-offs.
At 8.5 ounces, it’s on the heavier side for pocket carry. It fits best on a belt or in a bag rather than your jeans pocket. Which makes it less ideal for those who want something featherlight for everyday carry.
Its 420HC steel blades are durable and easy to sharpen, but they won’t hold an edge as long as the premium steels used in higher-end tools or knives.
Finally, while the Wave is a jack of all trades, it’s a master of none. The screwdrivers, pliers, and files work well for their size, but they won’t outperform full-size, dedicated tools if you’re tackling big jobs.
Who the Leatherman Wave Plus Is For
The Wave+ is best for people who need serious functionality in a compact package and those who value readiness over minimalism. These include:
- Outdoor enthusiasts who will appreciate its self-reliance factor for camping, hiking, or fishing trips.
- DIYers and handymen will love having so many functions close at hand for quick fixes.
- Professionals and tradespeople can rely on it as a backup tool when the main kit isn’t nearby.
- And everyday users who just like to be prepared – for opening packages, cutting rope, or tightening a loose hinge.
If you want a multi-tool that’s proven, dependable, and built to handle almost anything life throws at you, the Leatherman Wave is hard to beat. It’s not the lightest, and it’s not the flashiest, but it’s the one that gets the job done, year after year.
Overview of Leatherman Wingman
The Leatherman Wingman is one of those multitools that proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get reliable performance. Compact, affordable, and packed with practical features, it’s designed for people who want a do-it-all tool they can actually carry every day.
Whether you’re tightening screws at home, cutting open boxes, or handling quick fixes outdoors, the Wingman’s sturdy build and thoughtful design make it a dependable companion for just about any task life throws your way.
What the Leatherman Wingman Does Well
The Leatherman Wingman hits that sweet middle ground between quality and affordability. It’s built tough enough to handle most everyday tasks. Including tightening a loose screw, cutting open a package, or fixing something around the house, all without feeling like overkill. The spring-action pliers are one of its best features, making it easier to grab and twist things without tiring your hand. The one-hand-operable knife is also a win for convenience, especially when you’re multitasking or outdoors.
Another highlight is its pocket-friendly design. At just under 4 inches closed and about 7 ounces, the Wingman is compact enough to carry daily without feeling bulky. The built-in pocket clip helps it stay accessible, whether clipped to your jeans or bag. Add Leatherman’s 25-year warranty, and the Wingman becomes a dependable tool that’s easy to recommend for everyday carry, DIY projects, or weekend adventures.
Where the Wingman Isn’t Perfect
Like any multitool, the Leatherman Wingman isn’t perfect. Some of the interior tools don’t lock into place, which can make them feel a little less secure during heavier use. The file is also on the coarse side, so it’s better suited for quick touch-ups than precision work.
The Wingman’s size sits in a middle ground, being compact enough for everyday carry, but still noticeable in your pocket. Since the Wingman is built for general use and not heavy-duty professional work, it may not the tool you’d grab for intense jobsite tasks. Regardless, these are fair trade-offs for the price, allowing you get a capable, versatile multitool that’s easy to carry and reliable for everyday needs.
Who the Leatherman Wingman Is For
The Leatherman Wingman is a great pick for anyone who wants a reliable multitool without spending top dollar. It’s ideal for:
- Everyday carry users like homeowners, and DIY types who like having the right tool on hand for quick fixes, box cutting, or small projects.
- Campers and outdoor enthusiasts will also appreciate its versatility since the Wingman is tough enough for basic campsite tasks without weighing you down.
If you’re a professional who needs heavy-duty gear for all-day use, you might prefer one of Leatherman’s larger models. But for the average person who just wants a well-built, affordable multitool that can handle most day-to-day challenges, the Wingman strikes an excellent balance between performance, price, and portability.
Leatherman Wave vs Wingman Compared
| Feature | Leatherman Wave | Leatherman Wingman |
| Overall Quality | More robust and durable | High quality for the price |
| Tool Access | Some external, most internal | Mostly external, one-handed opening |
| Pliers | Standard, no spring, replaceable cutters | Spring-loaded, less durable cutters |
| Knives | Two: straight and serrated | One combo: straight and serrated |
| Locking Mechanism | All tools lock | Some tools lock |
| Screwdrivers | Bit driver | Flathead and Phillips |
| Portability | Heavier, requires a belt sheath | Lighter, includes pocket clip |
| Price | Higher | Lower |
Detailed Analysis
The Leatherman Wave Plus and the Leatherman Wingman aim at two different use-cases while sharing the same family trait: dependable, pocketable multi-tools from a trusted brand.
The Wave Plus is Leatherman’s full-size, higher-feature model with more tools, replaceable cutters, and full tool-locking. It is built for heavier, frequent use.
The Wingman is the compact value pick: fewer tools, lighter and cheaper, and perfect for everyday carry and occasional tasks. If you’re choosing between them the decision usually comes down to how much toolset you want, how often you’ll lean on it for demanding jobs, and how much pocket bulk you’ll tolerate.
Size & Weight
Wave Plus: Closed length ~4.0 in, weight ≈ 8.5 oz (241 g.) A solid full-size multi-tool that still fits in a pocket but is noticeably heavier than budget models.
Wingman: Closed length ~3.8 in, weight ≈ 7 oz (198 g.) A smaller and lighter, easier for daily front-pocket carry. The difference (a couple ounces and a fraction of an inch) makes the Wingman feel noticeably less bulky day-to-day.
Materials & Build quality
Wave Plus: Built from 420 stainless/420HC components and aimed at a higher-spec finish. The tools are robust and include replaceable premium wire cutters that extend lifespan and serviceability. As a bonus, all major tools lock, which improves safety and leverage for tougher tasks.
Wingman: Also 420HC stainless components but positioned as a value model that is a sound build quality for the price, but fewer premium features (no replaceable hard-wire cutters, fewer locking tools). It’s durable for everyday tasks but isn’t designed as a heavy-duty tradesman’s workhorse.
Scissors & cutting tools
Wave Plus: Includes a robust pair of spring-action scissors plus both plain and serrated 420HC blades; the knives lock for safer, higher-torque cutting. The Wave’s replaceable wire-cutters give an edge for long-term heavy use.
Wingman: Also sports spring-action scissors and a single 2.6″ 420HC knife that’s outside-accessible and locks, making it excellent for EDC slicing and packaging. The Wingman’s cutting tools are very capable for everyday jobs but aren’t as serviceable or heavy-duty as the Wave’s setup.
Saw & File options
Wave Plus: Includes a proper saw and a file so it’s more useful for campsite work, rope or small-timber cutting, and rough shaping. The Wave’s tool set is more complete for outdoor or repair tasks that need those implements.
Wingman: Has a basic file (coarser) but lacks a full saw. If you anticipate frequent sawing or more detailed filing, the Wingman will feel limited; for occasional filing and light use it’s fine.
Pliers Functionality
Wave Plus: Stronger, full-size needle nose + regular pliers with premium replaceable wire cutters. These give you more leverage, better cutting performance, and the option to swap cutters when they wear out. The Wave’s pliers are a big reason professionals and heavy users pick it.
Wingman: Spring-action pliers are excellent for general gripping and small repairs and are a notable feature at the Wingman’s price. They offer very good day-to-day performance but aren’t as beefy or serviceable as the Wave’s plier/cutter assembly. For tasks that demand max leverage and long-term cutter life, Wave wins.
Forum insights & user experiences
Across forums and buyer reviews, common themes appear: Wave Plus owners praise the tool’s all-around capability, locking blades, and replaceable cutters with many calling it the “do-everything” standard. Wingman users love the value: light, inexpensive, and dependable for EDC and home tasks.
Complaints for the Wingman often mention the coarser file, some interior tools not locking, and the clip loosening over time; complaints for the Wave are usually about weight and price (it’s larger and more expensive). If you read user threads, the takeaway is practical: pick the Wave if you need a heavier-duty daily workhorse, pick the Wingman if you want a lighter, affordable EDC tool.
Pricing and value
Wave Plus: Priced in the mid-to-upper range of consumer multi-tools (reflecting its extra tools, replaceable cutters, and locking feature set). It’s widely seen as an investment for people who use a multi-tool often.
Wingman: A budget-friendly option that gives a lot of utility for the money. If your needs are casual to moderate, the Wingman typically represents better value per dollar; if you need the Wave’s features regularly, the Wave’s higher price can be justified by durability and capability.
Final verdict
If you want one tool that can handle heavier, repeated use including more tools, replaceable cutters, full tool locking, stronger pliers, then go with the Leatherman Wave Plus. It’s the more complete, long-term solution for serious users, tradespeople, and frequent campers.
If you want lightweight, pocketable, and affordable with very capable scissors, pliers, and an outside-accessible blade for everyday tasks, the Leatherman Wingman gives outstanding bang for your buck.
In short: Wave Plus = capability and serviceability; Wingman = portability and value. Choose the one that matches how often and how hard you’ll use it.
Final Thoughts
Both the Leatherman Wave and Wingman offer unique advantages tailored to different user needs. Whether you need the robust capabilities of the Wave or the lightweight convenience of the Wingman, each multitool delivers the quality and innovation Leatherman is known for.
You can explore personalized options for these multitools at Engraved Leatherman. Customize your multitool to make it truly yours or give it as a thoughtful gift.
Outside the Leatherman brand, here at Lazer Designs you can also find more personalized multitools that are perfect for treating yourself or gifting to others.