A good multipurpose tool earns its spot in your pocket, glove box, or kitchen drawer by handling small problems before they turn into big ones. From tightening a loose screw on a backpack strap to cracking open a paint can on a Saturday project, the right tool disappears into the routine. This list covers five Leatherman-built options that span ultralight daily carry to workshop-heavy capability, so you can match the tool to the way you actually live.
A Fast Comparison Of The Options
LEATHERMAN Wave Plus 18-in-1 Multi-Tool
LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX 7-in-1 Multi-Tool
LEATHERMAN Wingman Multi-Tool (Stainless)
LEATHERMAN Wave Alpha 16-in-1 (Obsidian)
LEATHERMAN Surge 21-in-1 Heavy-Duty Multi-Tool
What Each Pick Brings To The Table
The Wave Plus sits in that middle lane where most people land: more capable than a weekend keychain tool, less bulky than a shop-drawer beast. Compared to the Skeletool CX later in this list, it offers a noticeably wider tool count for situations where you don’t know which problem will show up next. Around the house, that means cutting open packaging, tightening a cabinet screw, and pulling a battery tab without hunting for three separate gadgets.
Outdoors, the locking blades and outside-accessible tools make one-handed operation practical when your other hand is busy with a rope or a trekking pole. The black oxide finish handles pocket wear gracefully, and the tool folds compact enough for a jacket pocket on day hikes. Most owners will reach for this one more than any other tool in the drawer.
Everyday Advantages
- 18 functions in a body that still feels pocket-friendly for daily carry
- Outside-accessible blades open without unfolding the whole tool
- Locking mechanisms on the main blade and file add safety during heavier cuts
- Reputation for long service life, supported by Leatherman’s 25-year coverage
- Spring-action pliers reduce hand fatigue during repetitive electrical or craft work
Worth Noting
- Heavier than the Skeletool CX, so it pulls on lighter fabric pockets over a long day
- The included sheath wears out faster than the tool itself and may need replacement
- Some users find the bit driver small for frequent, sustained screwdriver sessions
Feature Snapshot
Right Fit For
Homeowners, weekend DIYers, and campers who want one tool that handles the widest range of small repairs without feeling specialized.
Look Elsewhere When
You want something nearly weightless in a dress shirt pocket, in which case the LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX will suit you more.
Where the Wave Plus wants to do everything, the Skeletool CX wants to disappear. The skeletonized stainless body and carbon-fiber handle scale cut weight to the point that you forget the tool is there, which is exactly the point for everyday carry. The trade-off shows up in tool count, but the seven included functions cover the situations most people actually face during a normal week.
Pulling a splinter on a hike, popping a battery out of a remote, opening a stubborn clamshell package, these are the daily micro-tasks the Skeletool handles gracefully. The Onyx finish keeps the profile low, and the partially serrated blade bites through fibrous materials like rope and seatbelt webbing more effectively than a plain edge. For office workers and minimalists, this is the tool that lives in the pocket without complaining.
Useful Strengths
- Lightweight build disappears in a pocket or on a belt clip
- Carabiner clip doubles as a bottle opener and attachment point
- Carbon fiber handle scale adds grip without adding bulk
- Straightforward seven-tool layout means nothing feels redundant
Points To Note
- Only seven tools limits versatility on longer projects or unfamiliar repairs
- No scissors or dedicated file, which the Wingman includes at a similar weight
- Lightweight construction feels less reassuring during heavy prying tasks
Built With In Mind
Office commuters, urban walkers, and minimalists who carry one tool for quick fixes and refuse to weigh down a pocket or small bag.
Swap It Out When
You regularly need scissors, a file, or more driver bits in a single tool, in which case the LEATHERMAN Wave Plus will fit the bill.
The Wingman covers the same ground many users walked before discovering premium multitools. Its spring-action pliers are the headline feature, opening with one smooth squeeze the way a dedicated pair of pliers would, which makes longer sessions at a workbench far less tiring. Compared to the Skeletool CX, the Wingman adds scissors, a file, and a package opener at a price that won’t make a first-time buyer hesitate.
Stainless steel construction shrugs off the kinds of drops and splashes that happen in a garage or on a kitchen counter. The 14 functions lean heavily toward household tasks: opening boxes, snipping twine, tightening a loose eyeglass screw. For renters, first-apartment dwellers, and anyone outfitting a starter toolbox, the Wingman is a sensible first multipurpose tool that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
The Helpful Details
- Spring-loaded pliers reduce hand strain during electrical and craft work
- 14 functions include scissors and a file that the Skeletool omits
- Stainless body handles humid kitchens and occasional drops without corrosion
- Outside-opening blade deploys quickly for one-handed cuts
Trade Offs
- No locking mechanism on most implements, which can feel loose under heavy pressure
- Heavier than the Skeletool CX despite a similar closed length
Who It Suits Best
Renters, students, and new homeowners who want a reliable everyday tool without stretching into premium pricing.
Reach For A Different Pick When
You want locking blades and a longer service horizon under hard use, in which case the LEATHERMAN Wave Plus makes more sense.
The Wave Alpha takes the familiar Wave platform and reaches for better materials. The CPM MagnaCut steel blade, a powdered metallurgy steel engineered for high edge retention and corrosion resistance, sits at the center of the upgrade. G10 handle scales, a fiberglass laminate favored for its grip security, replace the standard nylon found on the Wave Plus. The result is a tool that feels more deliberate in hand, and one that holds an edge through longer work sessions before needing a touch-up.
The reverse tanto blade profile adds tip strength for precision cuts without sacrificing belly length. The Obsidian finish carries a darker, more tactical aesthetic that pairs well with outdoor and field kits. For users who already know they want a premium tool and understand the difference between steel grades, the Alpha is where that knowledge starts to pay off.
A Few Strong Suits
- MagnaCut blade steel holds an edge noticeably longer than standard 420HC
- G10 scales provide a secure grip even with wet or gloved hands
- One-hand opening thumb stud for fast blade deployment
- Reverse tanto profile resists tip chipping during detail cuts
- Obsidian finish pairs well with field and outdoor kits
Small Caveats
- Premium materials push the price well above the Wave Plus
- Newer release means a smaller pool of long-term user reports
Key Product Details
Best Suited To
Enthusiasts, field workers, and gear-conscious owners who want upgraded steel and grip materials over a basic multi-tool.
Consider Something Else When
You want maximum tool count for the money, in which case the LEATHERMAN Surge delivers more functions for less.
The Surge is the closest thing on this list to a portable toolbox. With 21 functions and larger, full-size implements, it addresses jobs that make smaller multi-tools feel underbuilt. Compared to the Wave Alpha, you trade premium blade steel for raw tool count and reach, and you get a tool that handles wire cutters on a thicker gauge without complaint. Field technicians, electricians, and serious DIYers tend to gravitate here for a reason.
The trade-off is weight and closed length: this is a tool for a belt sheath or a heavy vest pocket, not a dress shirt. For weekend projects that involve cutting Romex, stripping wire, and driving lag screws in the same session, the Surge keeps you from running back to a drawer. It’s overkill for some, but for the work it’s built around, the capability is hard to replace.
What It Does Well
- 21 tools cover everything from a saw to a replaceable wire cutter tip
- Full-size pliers handle thicker wire and tougher gripping tasks
- Locking mechanisms on all primary blades for safer heavy cuts
- Sheath carry protects pockets and keeps the tool accessible on a belt
- Higher tool count means fewer trips back to a workshop drawer mid-project
Honest Caveats
- Heaviest option in this lineup, noticeable in light clothing
- Larger closed footprint may not fit compact EDC organizers
Quick Facts
Whose Shelf It Belongs On
Tradespeople, field technicians, and serious DIYers who tackle electrical, mechanical, and outdoor repair in the same week.
A Better Fit Elsewhere
You want something lighter for daily pocket carry, in which case the LEATHERMAN Skeletool CX will be a better match.
How To Pick The Right Multipurpose Tool For Your Routine
Match The Tool To Your Daily Carry
A multipurpose tool only earns its keep when it actually rides with you. People who carry small bags or light jackets benefit most from compact builds like the Skeletool CX, where weight and closed length determine whether the tool stays in the pocket or migrates to a drawer. Heavier options like the Surge still earn their place, but typically on a belt or in a pack rather than in a five-pocket pant.
Decide Which Tools You Actually Use
Before choosing, mentally run through the last five small repairs you tackled. If they were mostly cutting, opening, and gripping, a 7-to-14-function tool will feel right. If you find yourself reaching for screwdrivers, pliers, and scissors in the same week, jumping to 16-plus functions pays off quickly. The honest read is that most people use 30-40% of the tools on any multi-tool regularly, so sizing to your real habits beats sizing to a spec sheet.
Consider Locking, Steel, And Grip
Locking mechanisms on blades and files matter the moment a cut meets resistance. CPM MagnaCut and other premium steels hold an edge longer between sharpenings, which suits heavy users, while standard stainless handles everyday cutting without complaint. G10 and other textured handle materials stay grippy when wet, gloved, or cold, a small detail that becomes a big one on a wet worksite or a winter campsite.
Weigh Bulk Against Capability
Every additional tool adds weight and thickness. A 21-function tool is a small toolbox, not a pocket companion. The right balance depends on whether your tool rides in a belt sheath or a jacket pocket, and how often you want to leave it behind because it feels too heavy to carry.
Key Considerations Across These Picks
Where Shoppers Go Wrong
The most common slip is choosing by tool count alone, then discovering the tool is too heavy to carry and too large to deploy one-handed. A 21-function Surge on a keychain is a paperweight, just as a featherlight Skeletool is a letdown when you need a saw. Match the tool to where it will actually live, then worry about features. Another trap is overlooking locking mechanisms, which feel unnecessary until a blade folds on a knuckle mid-cut.
What The Higher Tier Buys
Premium multi-tools earn their cost through steel quality, locking systems, and handle materials that hold up over years rather than months. The Wave Alpha’s MagnaCut blade, for example, stays sharp through more cutting sessions before needing a touch-up, and G10 scales keep their grip after years of sweaty palms. You pay more upfront, but the upgrade pays off when a budget tool would have already needed replacement or sharpening.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Tools Do You Really Need In A Multi-Tool?
For most daily carry, 7 to 14 functions cover the situations you actually encounter. Tradespeople and field workers benefit from 16 to 21 tools because their work covers a wider range of repairs. Buying beyond what you regularly use just adds weight without practical value.
Are Locking Blades Worth The Extra Cost?
Locking blades add a layer of safety during cuts that meet resistance, which happens more often than you might expect. For users who cut rope, wire, or tougher materials regularly, locking implements are worth prioritizing over raw tool count.
What Steel Holds An Edge The Longest?
Powdered metallurgy steels like CPM MagnaCut are engineered for high edge retention and corrosion resistance, and they hold a working edge noticeably longer than standard 420HC. For light household cutting, standard stainless is plenty. For heavy or outdoor use, premium steel reduces how often you stop to sharpen.
Can A Multi-Tool Replace A Full Tool Kit?
For quick repairs and small projects, a quality multi-tool covers most of what you need without a trip to the garage. It won’t replace a full socket set, a circular saw, or a dedicated soldering station. Think of it as a bridge between doing nothing and reaching for full-size tools, not a wholesale replacement.
How Do You Maintain A Multi-Tool?
Wipe the tool dry after exposure to moisture, and apply a thin layer of lubricant to the pivot points every few months. Tighten any loose screws with the included bit driver, and store the tool in a dry place when not in use. These small steps keep the action smooth and prevent corrosion at the joints over years of carry.
Wrap Up
The best multipurpose tool is the one you actually carry, so let your routine make the call. Minimalists who want a pocket companion will find the Skeletool CX quietly capable, while homeowners tackling weekend projects will appreciate the balanced reach of the Wave Plus. For heavier work, the Surge and Wave Alpha step in with more capability and better materials. Pick the tool that matches the problems you actually face, and it will earn its spot for years.
