LM Wave Old or New?

I was just wondering what y'all preferred, the old style LM Wave or the new "2004" model with the bit drivers?
To me the older one looks like it would be better for packing in a survival kit. <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

So I ask...
Should I get the Old or New Wave ?

TIA

I've got one old-style Wave and have decided to grab another. Mine's served me well, carries well, fits my hand well, etc.
I don't think I really have a need for the drivers/bits ... just more stuff that I can lose.
I suppose to some degree, it's a matter of preference.
Personally, I don't think I've a great need for the better blade in the new Waves, don't want the removable bits and will just buy another old Wave before they become hard to find. Saw one at the Target store this week. Think I'll go by tomorrow and buy it if it's still there.

My old style LM wave was stolen. I read a lot about the new LM wave and decided to buy the old style again. I finally got to hold the new style LM wave and now want one and will probably get one.
I like them both. For me it comes down to do you want the changeable bits or not. The small bit on the new wave seems too small for the size of the tool. I would carry the new wave and a micra but that is my preference. I would love to have the new blades and jaws on the old tool.

I have only owned a new Wave. Never owned the old one because I always preferred SOG previous to the 2004 Wave. It is very important to me that all tools lock into place. Which is why I owned a SOG PowerLock previous to my '04 Wave. Now that I have switched to the '04 Wave, what I like about it better than the SOG Powerlock is the fact that it's smaller and lighter, has a pocket clip and the blades can be easily opened with one hand . All tools lock on both new Wave and the SOG PowerLock and the SOG is far more durable with much stronger pliers but the new Wave still wins overall IMHO due to size, weight, pocket clip and one-hand opening.

I've had a Leatherman from the time they first came out. The first generation Wave is my favorite. I've carried it on countless hiking, hunting and outdoor adventures and have never once had need of an add on bit. There is always a first time, but it just hasn't happened yet.

I would say get one you can afford cause you can't afford to not get one. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

We have an old style Wave and a new Charge Ti. The features of the Ti are the same as the new Wave. The new design is much better. The tools open much better. The pliers are better. The scissors are smaller but work just fine. Once you have a Wave or Charge Ti you don’t want to be without it. I love the pocket clip! I use it just like an EDC pocket knife, but it is so much more useful. Get a KJ Eriksson 510 Mora ($9.00) and you will be set for cutting tools.

I have several of the Mora’s made both by the Frost as well as the KJ Eriksson companies that I carry every day. If you did not get that one from Ragnar at Ragweed Forge you need to check out his web site. He stocks numerous Nordic made knives that you can drool over.

Ragweed Forge

SheepDog,

We are on the same page. The picture of the 510 is from Ragweed Forge. I bought 3 Moras from him. I got two 510s and one 545. I thought I would try the stainless steel blade. I must say the stainless sharpened up as good as the carbon steel. My wife has the stainless (blue) and my oldest son and I have the carbon (red). I’ve made sparks from the carbon steel with a piece of quarts. I watched Cody Lundin do it with his Mora and jasper at a class at REI.

The really interesting thing is the edge on the Mora. It must be because you sharpen the whole side of the blade that makes it cut so well. I have tried working with wood using several knives. I’m talking Cold Steel carbon V, Buck, Benchmade 154 CM, Leatherman, Gerber, and Spyderco. The Mora just flat out works better. The cuts are easier and smoother. I hate that a $9 knife works better than my knives that cost over $100. I do like the plastic handle better than the wood on the Mora.

What are your thoughts on the Leatherman Wave?

In my Camelback I keep a Mora 510 and a Gerber Sportsman’s saw. I keep a Leatherman Charge Ti clipped in my pocket. The only time I have felt lacking, is that it is easier to split wood for kindling with a small axe. The Mora can split wood but not as quick or easy.

I have been unable to wear out my Super tool as of yet so have not tried the newer ones.

I was skeptical of the Mora’s at first but just love them after using them for a while. I have the Craftsman in both carbon and Triflex carbon and really like them a lot. I enjoy the look and feel of wood for handles so I have maybe 6-8 with the wood on them but had to work on these handles before I got them where I liked them. The ones with red paint got sanded to remove the paint and then all of them got flamed with a torch, sanded and soaked in linseed oil and turpentine for a week or so. This gives them a real nice look and feel to them. The gap between the blades and handles I fill with melted beeswax to make a removable food grade seal. This seams to keep the nasties at bay quite nicely.

I find the #1260 so useful that I wear it as a neck knife just about all the time. I cut down the sheath to fit the knife and heat welded the bottom closed then redrilled a drain hole. A split ring and a leather thong made it into a great little companion knife.

I generally prefer carbon steel so have not tried the stainless ones yet. I might try it since my carbon Craftsman does not like whitewater rafting as much as I do.

When you talk about splitting wood with your Mora I assume you are using a baton with it, which is less than ideal, but very doable.

I have not tried the # 510 yet but do have some time with 13 other Mora’s which all hold up way above their pay grade.