I am a college student, and after doing much research, recently bought a Leatherman Wave. So far, I am disapointed with this tool.

1. When closed, there is significant handle "wobble" of approximately 1/8 inch.
2. The clip-point blade is much harder to open than the serrated blade. It is hard to open with one hand and once open, does not swing out smoothly or close smoothly. The serrated blade opens easily and swings out smoothly.
3. When you squeeze hard on the pliers, the handles give in too easily.
4. It is difficult to apply torque when using the interior tools because the tool twists so much. This problem is related to handle wobble.
5. The phillips driver is difficult to use because the head is too small and the tool twists too much.

Some things I like are the one-hand open blades and the attractiveness of the tool. However, I will soon exchange for a Swisstool.

Are you having the same problems as me? Give you your thoughts on these problems and this tool

Hi Zihe -

I have noticed similar findings with my wave which I've had for several years now. The handle wobble is most noticeable in the closed position, but disappears when the pliers are opened. I'm not sure if this was done intentionally or not. I was thinking that it was somehting with the earlier models that they worked out with the newer ones, but I guess not. I have used it extensively and it really doesn' t bother me. I've also heard that the swisstool is a bit beefier than the wave. If you get one, let me know how you like it. I was thinking of getting one myself.

Both my blades, however, open and close smoothly. For some knives you need to open and close them a bit before they loosen up. Hope this helps.

TTQUAD

I've had most of those impressions about mine. The handles do seem loose, and it took quite awhile for the clip point to open at all well, and it's still not great.

I'll add my own pet peeve- it's too heavy, and a lot of the weight would seem to be in those (eight !) cast-stainless-steel bolsters. Seems like there has to be a lighter solution... whatever the problem was.

My freind has a Swisstool and so I can comment on it. It is much more solid than the Wave. The tool has no wobble and has all locking tools. It is better than the Leatherman Wave in all respects, except that it doesn't have a one-hand opening knife. I bought the Wave for the one-hand opening feature, otherwise I would have gone with the Swisstool. For daily use, such as screwing, cutting, etc the Swisstool is superior.

When you have a concern with a tool the best thing is to contact the manufacturer directly. If a problem exists Leatherman will fix it. Good luck. Bill Harsey

i got the swisstool X, great for all purposes and build like a tank... it also weights like one... bit to heavy for EDC 4 me.

zihe, I hadn't really noticed the handle thing until you mentioned it. I went and tried mine, and it wobbles a bit also.
My tools/blades all open easily, though.
I will have to try out the Swiss tool, sounds like everyone is happy with them.

I use Wave A LOT and it saw its share of beatings. It's not to hard to open but handles can be twisted a bit if they had to.

Swiss tool becomes my second favorte. In order not to look like a xmas tree I leave Wave on my civilian clothes and my duty belt has Swiss Tool on it. Swiss Army make a heavy duty tool (solid) that can take abuse and my biggest complain is that there is no one handed opening for the blade (at least one). But all the tools lock outside which is really nice.

Matt

I'll vouch for the loose handle problem, though it doesn't seem to effect the pliers once they're open. I can't say that either knife blade opens any easier than the other, and they both could stand to be a little looser.

Assuming size isn't a major concern, the best 'cure' for a Wave is probably a Gerber Legend. Definitely a handful, but they feel solid and you won't be afraid to squeeze down on the handles if need be.

I have a Swisstool as well, that lives in my flight bag. Nice and beefy. Not a bad investment if you don't mind digging the knife out with your fingernail.

Mine was the exact same way; oiled it with teflon, WD40 and other lubes. Still stiff. But one day I was cutting some summer sausage, and all then sudden it got real loose. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Now I wonder what that summer sausage is doing to my innards.

BTW, heard a rumor from someone, that Victorinox may be coming out with a new tool (guessing to compete with the Juice line) at this year's SHOT show. (Crossing fingers).