I left it on top of my truck. Now I'm doing research

cadjak · **on:** October 22, 2009, 01:39:05 AM

Somewhere near Bald Mountain camp in the Bighorn mountains, Wyoming, is my original Leatherman Wave.

I need to figure out what I should replace it with, so here I am.

I'm looking forward to lots of guidance on my new multi tool purchase.

Benner · **Reply #1 on:** October 22, 2009, 01:41:31 AM

Sorry about the loss, but welcome to MTO.

nuphoria · **Reply #2 on:** October 22, 2009, 01:59:24 AM

Hey there, a Wave is a fairly tough act to beat but you will find plenty of choices around here

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** October 22, 2009, 02:00:06 AM

Ouch, that's a bummer.

There's a lot of great new multitools around these days to choose from though. Was there anything in particular about your old Wave that you liked? Or disliked?

Welcome by the way!

Freudian Frog · **Reply #4 on:** October 22, 2009, 02:01:15 AM

Welcome! Sit down, take a look around.

cadjak · **Reply #5 on:** October 22, 2009, 02:42:50 AM

Quote from: J-sews on October 22, 2009, 02:00:06 AM

Ouch, that's a bummer. There's a lot of great new multitools around these days to choose from though. Was there anything in particular about your old Wave that you liked? Or disliked?

Welcome by the way!

I have to say that for years my Wave pliers just didn't work like they should. Finally sent it to LM and they corrected it. Actually, I think they sent me a brand new Original Wave. The tool was hard to get open, even after years of use. I wasn't crazy about the scissors, but did use them quite a bit. I liked the awl and the saw. I usually carry either a folding knife or a sheath knife, but when I needed the knife blade on the wave it always seemed strong and serviceable. At this point, I've read here that the New Wave ain't up to the build quality of the originals, and that the scissors have been made even smaller. I'm leaning toward a Swisstool Spirit X or standard Swisstool. I'll have to hit a knife shop and actually hold them, before jumping to buy.

BTW, thanks all for the welcome.

Swiss Man · **Reply #6 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:11:00 AM

Welcome to the forum

Between the article / reviews and personal opinions I am sure that you will find what you are looking for. (at least semi perfect)

I went from a Gerber Multiplier to a Leatherman PST to a Super Tool only to go to a Swiss Tool, Spirit and then a Kick and now I am carrying a Wave.

And those are only the ones that I have carried not counting the ones that I have bought just to see.

It is a slippery slope once you find your MT stick with it and quite looking

Sean · **Reply #7 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:18:25 AM

Welcome to the forum, enjoy your stay.

Pacu · **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2009, 03:41:38 AM

with a bit o' lookin you can still find original waves here and there. I found 3 nib at Walmart earlier this year. I kept one as a user and traded the other two off ::)javascript:void(0);

Poncho65 · **Reply #9 on:** October 22, 2009, 04:40:49 AM

Welcome to the forum cadjak

If I were you and the original Wave suited you then I would give the new Wave a chance to me it is stronger in almost all aspects to the original

Scissors are smaller but they still are very functional

Just my opinion of course

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #10 on:** October 22, 2009, 07:21:48 AM

Welcome to the forum mate

You won't go wrong with that Swiss duo, whichever you decide to get

Screwtape · **Reply #11 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:39:35 AM

Hello

If you carry a main knife anyway then I'd say you have the right idea to look at a Vic Spirit, great tool with a nice saw and an awesome awl, scissors are still a bit on the small side though

Benner · **Reply #12 on:** October 22, 2009, 12:29:14 PM

Not sure where you read about the new Wave not being as well built as the original, but IMO the new Wave is pretty much an improvement over the original in every way, including build quality (did someone say bendy?

). The only thing I prefered on the original was the scissors.

cadjak · **Reply #13 on:** October 22, 2009, 05:59:16 PM

The reviews on Amazon had several from owners of the original Wave that returned the new Wave for defects. I know that there are large numbers of positive opinions as well.

Quote

It is a slippery slope once you find your MT stick with it and quite looking

I have found the slippery slope that you were referring to. Now I'm trying to enjoy the ride. It looks like 3 might be a good number to end up with. A keyring size, a mid size with for belt wear, and a larger beefier version for heavier jobs. I just could be the fastest MT convert ever. But, I sense that the competition here, for that title, will be fierce.

Craig · **Reply #14 on:** October 22, 2009, 10:33:07 PM

That didn't take long. Welcome aboard

DaveK · **Reply #15 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:21:33 AM

Quote from: Benner on October 22, 2009, 12:29:14 PM

Not sure where you read about the new Wave not being as well built as the original, but IMO the new Wave is pretty much an improvement over the original in every way, including build quality (did someone say bendy? ). The only thing I prefered on the original was the scissors.

Just about everything is improved on the new Wave compared to the old. The new scissors are slightly smaller but better cutters I find.

But if beefy is what you are after, you might think about the Surge or the ST300 from Leatherman, Vic Swisstool, SOG Powerlock, or one of the other biggies.

Crouton · **Reply #16 on:** October 23, 2009, 01:34:30 AM

I concur with others who have posted that new Wave is a vast improvement over it's predecesssor.

Most of the quailty gripes I have heard about the new Wave are related to sharp edges on tool.

I find that the Charge models dispense with that issue.

Try a Charge TTi.

I doubt you'll be dissapointed.

Smitty44 · **Reply #17 on:** October 23, 2009, 06:49:03 AM

What ever one you get,enjoy,but if you stay around here long enough,you will be telling someone new in a couple of years what to buy.

Welcome to the forums!!

&

Chako · **Reply #18 on:** October 23, 2009, 12:31:10 PM

Welcome to the forums.

You won't be able to stop at only 3 I fear.

Hmmm...

If you are mostly a Leatherman fan.

1. Squirt S4, P4 or Micra for your keychain.
2. Either a Kick with additional clip for medium light duties, or the more expensive Charge AL/ALX/TTi that gives you a clip option with it.
3. Surge or Super Tool 300 for the big heavy hitter.

If you are not a Leatherman fan, here are some easy models to recommend in no given order.

1. SOG. Their tools tend to be more delicate overall, but they are replaceable. Compound leverage pliers on most models. Great quality build. PowerPlier or PowerAssist models are great.
2. Victorinox makes a very nice quality tool with traditional Swiss precision. These are top quality build wise and neatly designed. Both models are easily recommended along with the difference in family model designations. My only issue is the smooth stainless steel with high polish finish is slipperier to use then most other brands out there. They sure do look good though.
3. Gerber is known for making lots of oddball multi-tools. Their fold out tools look like cheaply stamped sheets of metal, and sometimes their fit and finish leaves a lot to be desired. However, the sliding head plier series is the gem of the Gerber lineup. Especially the MP400 and MP600 lineup.

Whatever you end up with, I am sure you will be happy with. You do have so many choices open to you.

David · **Reply #19 on:** October 24, 2009, 08:40:56 AM

Howdy Cadjak

cadjak · **Reply #20 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:23:11 AM

I'm pretty surprised that I chose a LM Surge as the first multi tool in my stable. But, there will be more very soon. In defense of my choice I will post a photo of myself. (I no longer wear gold chains).

I figured if I posted this picture and passed it off as me, we could avoid the requisite comments about the weight of the SUrge.

DaveK · **Reply #21 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:43:06 AM

Which one is you?

cadjak · **Reply #22 on:** October 25, 2009, 08:19:29 PM

I'm the good looking one.

Screwtape · **Reply #23 on:** October 25, 2009, 11:26:49 PM

What is that in the bottom left side of the picture, the leg of the dogs most recent victim that lays dead just out of shot?

Freudian Frog · **Reply #24 on:** November 02, 2009, 03:54:01 PM

Now ain't you a looker? The dog, I means.

cadjak · **Reply #25 on:** November 05, 2009, 06:16:02 PM

The Surge is at LM for repair, I picked up a Core/Crater combo at Costco ($39) and a Swiss Tech, 5 piece combo pack (transformer, 11 in 1, micro-max 19 in 1, micro pro xl900 9 in 1, utili-key 6 in 1, and the solar powered flashlite keyring. $20). I thought that I was being humorous when I said that I could fall into the Multi-Tool habit.

In speaking with my psychoanalyst, he reminded me that I was frustrated as a child, when my parents, cruelly denied me a Hopalong Cassidy compass ring. Do you think that might be it?

WhichDawg · **Reply #26 on:** November 08, 2009, 12:36:37 PM

LOL! and Welcome to the MT forum!

your in trouble cadjak but you'll be happy

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

I left it on top of my truck. Now I'm doing research

Donations

Community Links