I carry a Leatherman Wave myself. It is part of my EDC and it goes with me into the woods along with my SAK. Personally, I like it. However, I would like to get one of Doug's knife.

For an emergency situation, the Wave or SAK is fine, but I would like some a bit more robust. Since a Wave typically goes for around $65, I would think that you would be able to find a decent knife in that price range, if you haven't already bought the Wave.

Beyond that, I like the saw on the Wave, the ability to open the blades with one hand, and the pliers. I believe the Wave is what Les Stroud carried with him on his show.

Les Stroud carried a wave and used it all the time. But in the last season he also started carrying the buck 119 hunting knife, which has a big (6 inch?) blade.

If you are hiking/camping the problem with the wave or a big fixed knife is that they're heavy - the wave weighs half a pound.
I find that a folding knife that locks and a keychain SAK (for the scissor mostly) is all I need for hiking. And the combo weighs only 3 or 4 ounces.

If you still want a plier/wirecutter multitool, consider the LM squirt S2. Pliers, excellent scissors, serviceable knife, and selection of screwdrivers. No saw or file though. But it weighs half what the wave weighs.

You mean Juice S2. Yeah, I'll vouch for it. It was my first Leatherman and never let me down.

Because a lot of what I do in the wild revolves around technology these days (hunting, fishing, geocaching), and because I am such a gadget man anyways, having my LM along in the wild is probably more practical for me than most. Thinking more in terms of gear repair than actual knife duty in its own right, the LM is a most expedient thing for me to have along.

SAKs are a decent alternative.

The Wave II is a useful and capable tool. I carry one all the time and have never had cause to regret it.

The Wave's blades are adequate, but I agree with others who suggest carrying a stronger blade if heavier work is likely.

For day hikes or weekend backpacks, I take my Wave plus a lightweight folder.

P.S., Les's multitool looked like a Surge to me. Bigger blades. But I've only seen a few of his shows.

Straight off of the Discovery website, Q&A with Les:

Good point... I thought I saw something different there too. Definitely saw the fixed blade in Season 3.

Good catch!

I think the Wave would serve you just fine as your main implement. You say you won't be picking up an extra knife, so consider spending a little more money for one of the Leatherman 'Charge' models and you'll get better steel for the main knife blade.

Regarding multitools in general, I used to forgo my Charge when on the trail since I rarely needed more than the knife & saw blades. But, I have since realized that the pliers, screwdrivers, file and scissors will come into play much more if I have to cannibalize various items in a "real" situation. I think Les Stroud is right to counsel survivors to be ready to modify any available item to enhance their chances, and I think this is where the multitool really shines. It will be a critical asset when things go wrong, not so much when they go right.

So now I have the Charge and the Ritter Mk1 with me both on the trail and for EDC.

Rodion

Yes, i meant the juice S2 - not a squirt.

There's no question that if I was trying to live a week off the scraps of a crashed plane, or wrecked RV, as per Les Stroud, a LM wave, charge, or surge would be the choice.

My only issue with them is they weigh too much when hiking, since I'm pretty lazy.

I recently watched "Survival School" on Hulu, where they filmed a five-month Air Force SERE school class. Each student had an axe, a Kabar like fixed blade, and a multitool (usually a Wave).

I carry a Wave, and use it for everything, but would not want to baton wood pieces (for kindling) with it.