Will you buy a Leatherman Wave Alpha?

[NeatBeard]

Handled a new Wave Alpha in Obsidian (black) store today and I have to say it was bloody nice! They are doing it a few quid cheaper and when I mentioned it was a pity that they no longer provide a sheath the guy behind the counter didn't realise and said "...well we like to look after our customers so if you're interested we'll throw in a leatherman sheath with it free of charge for you...." which I though was good. I wanted to try out the Arc as well to get a comparison but they don't have any in at the moment so im heading back next week when they should have some Arc's in. I'm still torn between the two.....

[Vadim]

Horrible pocket clip play.

https://youtu.be/T01LncVjxVo?si=ybTKSC_EBpXyf68j&t=132

[SteveC]

Horrible pocket clip play.

https://youtu.be/T01LncVjxVo?si=ybTKSC_EBpXyf68j&t=132

That's terrible 

[Vadim]

For the price they are asking for Alpha, horrible pocket clip (I carry all MT on the clip)...the winner for me is - ARC!

[fullbreakfast]

Horrible pocket clip play.

https://youtu.be/T01LncVjxVo?si=ybTKSC_EBpXyf68j&t=132

I dunno how they can release a tool at this kind of price with such a basic issue. That would annoy me every time I used it with the clip. Do Leatherman not do product testing??

[Farmer X]

Counterpoint: I view a pocket clip as an annoyance. The Wave Alpha setup makes it easier to remove said annoyance.

Getting back to the original topic: I gave this some thought earlier today when taking a look at my New Wave. For me, the Wave Alpha is a mixed bag. I'm glad to see that Leatherman gave it better scissors and an awl. G-10 seems like a decent choice of handle material. But the contrasting hardware and mix of coated and silver tools have no aesthetic appeal (to me, anyway). I would have liked to see the fine screwdriver and 2-D bit driver replaced with dedicated screwdrivers or at least a 1/4" hex driver. Since I know Rich uses the fine screwdriver on a regular basis, perhaps they could come up with a fine screwdriver bit adapter for their hypothetical 1/4" hex driver. And I have no need or want for MagnaCut steel; for me, it just unnecessarily jacks up the price. Maybe I'll buy a Wave Alpha if I can find one at a fire-sale price, but I wouldn't swallow the full-retail pill.

[Chako]

Trying to not make this political but with the current tensions between the countries, I have put on hold all Leatherman purchases for my collection. I guess that means I will have to live through you guys to see what I am missing. 

[Rich_SD]

Counterpoint: I view a pocket clip as an annoyance. The Wave Alpha setup makes it easier to remove said annoyance.

100%     The wiggle is the side effect from getting a quick removable pocket clip.  Yeah, I think it's annoying too, but it has zero negative impact on its function.  Making a big deal out of it seems silly to me.

Since I know Rich uses the fine screwdriver on a regular basis, perhaps they could come up with a fine screwdriver bit adapter for their hypothetical 1/4" hex driver.

I'm very happy the Alpha has it, but I'm sure there are lots of folks that hate it.  Personally, I would get rid of the saw, but I'm sure lots of people disagree with that too.  It's too bad we can't choose our tool layouts.

[Grand_Banana]

I can't recall ever using the ruler on any of my multitools.  What do you use it on to make it so important?

I’ve used the ruler for quick width and length approximations for a lot of 10cm and less things.  but since I started using my Spirit everyday I now just have a 6” pocket steel ruler I use and it really stays in the lab.

Stanley imperial/metric does all the cutting measuring.  It’s not a requirement for me on a multitool but nice to have.  Honestly I haven’t used a MT ruler in months or maybe even a year. 

[LoopCutter]

~
I'm very happy the Alpha has it, but I'm sure there are lots of folks that hate it.  Personally, I would get rid of the saw, but I'm sure lots of people disagree with that too.  It's too bad we can't choose our tool layouts.

The LM marketing continually repeat that they listened to the consumer and produced a tool that they requested.

Yet, continually the lack of a Serrated blade is voiced.

I feel that LM has the perfect handle / plier base to extend a CUSTOM SHOP offering, including blade steel, implements (with in guidelines, for each handle. Then customers would get the tool they really really want at a price they are pleased to pay for.

[Rich_SD]

The LM marketing continually repeat that they listened to the consumer and produced a tool that they requested.

Yet, continually the lack of a Serrated blade is voiced.

I feel that LM has the perfect handle / plier base to extend a CUSTOM SHOP offering, including blade steel, implements (with in guidelines, for each handle. Then customers would get the tool they really really want at a price they are pleased to pay for.

I'm sure that I am in the minority here with this opinion, but I think Leatherman does listen to customers.  I just think that multitool enthusiasts on sites like this and social media are just a small sample of the feedback they gather.  I'm sure the vast majority of people that purchase a Leatherman have never posted on this site, or Reddit, or Instagram, or anywhere else.  How Leatherman gathers data from those folks, I don't know, but I'm sure their preferences do not align with ours.

[LoopCutter]

I agree to disagree!

As a problem solver fixing issues for companies over 30 plus years, the number one explanation I heard repeated was always repeated over and over, when in fact the obvious was never done.

My exposure to a majority is with our fellow MTo members, who seem to be folk aligned to my values and experiences across a wide age bracket and on the FB Leatherman sponsor membership site, that Lm actually is involved.   Members there are puzzled yet to what focus group they spoke.

Yet, the main reason to make comment is that still believe LM would be wise to use the WAVE ALPHA as a platform to establish a ‘Design Your Own Custom MT’ program.   Just as Buck does with their CUSTOM SHOP.

LM can maintain control of materials, options, colors. Even a test run may be viable to determine the best features desired.

As always my friend I have the greatest respect for your experience and knowledge 😃

[Vadim]

Instead of a pointless Leatherman Garage, it would be better if they opened a custom shop to make custom multitools.

[Rich_SD]

Instead of a pointless Leatherman Garage, it would be better if they opened a custom shop to make custom multitools.

Considering the cost of labor, that would double (if not more) the cost of the tool.  I can just hear the bitching about Leatherman prices already 

[Vadim]

Considering the cost of labor, that would double (if not more) the cost of the tool.  I can just hear the bitching about Leatherman prices already 

I mean choosing the tool that the customer needs, such as a Leatherman Rebar with scissors but without a serrated blade,

or a Surge with a file and saw on board instead of a serrated blade,

or Leatherman Alpha with a Phillips screwdriver (instead of a bit adapter), similar to the ST300/Rebar,

or an awl on the Wave instead of a small screwdriver. 

[Rich_SD]

I mean choosing the tool that the customer needs, such as a Leatherman Rebar with scissors but without a serrated blade,

or a Surge with a file and saw on board instead of a serrated blade,

or Leatherman Alpha with a Phillips screwdriver (instead of a bit adapter), similar to the ST300/Rebar,

or an awl on the Wave instead of a small screwdriver.

I would love that too, but the added cost of labor for assembling custom tool configurations would be significant.

[in_sympathy]

I can't recall ever using the ruler on any of my multitools.  What do you use it on to make it so important?

Literally everything all the time - that’s why I returned to Wave after giving Spirit a good run for years. Diameters, lengths… Anything

[powernoodle]

I was reminded today why MT pliers are not awesome.  Was just trying to connect two garden hoses, and whipped out my Cascadia Alpha to grab one hose end so I could torque down the other with my hand.  It was largely a failure because I could not get a good chomp with the Alpha.  A medium Knipex pliers wrench would have been killer.

Yes, MTs are a compromise of course.  And I still have a deep, deep sickness for carrying and collecting them.

But a Knipex in the pocket, which is just as carry-able as the Alpha, would have been so much better.  Paired with a SAK.

My 3rd Alpha - this one Orange-yonlands, arrives this week.   

[SteveC]

My 3rd Alpha - this one Orange-yonlands, arrives this week.   

When do the backups arrive 

[powernoodle]

When do the backups arrive 

Yeah, I definitely need backups for the Three MuskaTools.   

[Antti Lammi]

Well Alpha was now released here and price tag was whopping 289€ (around 332$) so i gotta wait huge discounts or maybe wait these coming second hand (i doubt it wont happening soon)
ARC price here is 349€ (around 401$).

[powernoodle]

whopping 289€ (around 332$)

It looks online that you have the arvonlisävero or value-added tax of 25%, but what accounts for the rest of the price increase - is it distribution and middle men, or is there something else?  Thanks.

[Antti Lammi]

I suspect they have middle men cut also arvonverolisävero 25,5% to justify price here, all LM are quite expensive on our official retailer.

[stuntzombie]

I'd be more likely to buy an updated Wave+ with full size scissors and an awl than a Wave Alpha.

[Huntsman]

I thought that was a Wave Alpha?   

[stuntzombie]

Nah, it would be a Wave++. It wouldn’t have the Magnacut blade or G-10 handles, and hopefully it wouldn’t have a $200 price tag.

[Rich_SD]

it would be a Wave++