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EDC

Leatherman Wave+ Multitool

Ironclad
Ironclad
Typical: $100-130Confidence: medium

Why It Lasts

The Wave+ uses 420HC stainless steel for all blades and tools — a high-carbon stainless that holds an edge better than standard 420 stainless while resisting corrosion. The needle-nose and regular pliers are wire-cutters with replaceable cutting inserts — when the cutting edges dull (which takes years), you replace the inserts rather than the whole tool. All tools lock open in both directions with a liner lock, preventing accidental closure. Leatherman backs the Wave with a 25-year warranty. Made in Portland, Oregon since 1983. Users on r/BuyItForLife report 15-25 year lifespans on their original Wave models.

Known Weaknesses

The 420HC steel on the knife blade requires more frequent honing than premium blade steels like S30V. The pliers spring mechanism can weaken over years of heavy use — it's replaceable but annoying. The Wave is heavier than competitors at 8.5 oz — not the choice for ultralight carry. The knife opens from the outside of the folded tool but the saw and other tools require opening the pliers first. Some users report the wire cutter inserts are finicky to replace without needle-nose pliers.

Durability Breakdown

Warranty
8.7
materials
7.9
communitySentiment
8.1
brandReputation
7.9
Repairability
9.1

Data Source

View community discussion →

Quick Stats

Overall Score83.0/10
TierIronclad
BrandLeatherman
CategoryEDC
Price Range$100-130
Confidencemedium
Data Points/5

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