I have a Leatherman Wave (original model) that I like, but now I am wanting a second multi-tool so that I can stash one permanenty in my BOB while having another for EDC. I was thinking of a Leatherman Blast. It is significantly cheaper than buying another Wave and it appears to have a decent selection of tools available. Does anyone have any comments good or bad about the Blast?

I don't know which of the multi-tools would end up being the one stashed in my BOB yet. Probably the Wave, because it doesn't have locking tools (except for the sharp blades). I have had a few occassions where the screwdrivers collapsed on me in use (that is NOT fun if you are pressing down firmly on the screw being turned!) I figure the BOB multi-tool would see very infrequent use so I could live with the non-locking tools of the Wave. But I haven't made a final decision yet.

The new (post 2004) Wave has all locking bits. Believe me when I tell you that the tool you keep in your BOB should have this feature -- you don't want to be busting your knuckles or worse during an emergency.

The Blast is a low-end model. I'm not a big fan of the plastic liners, but I've never heard of anyone having a problem with it.

I got a Leatherman Wingman for a present. Been carrying it ever since. No sheath, a pocket clip instead. Has enough tools to do small easy stuff. Way cheaper than Wave/Blast too. This is my 9th or 10th Leatherman - started way back with the original.

Consider this for EDC and the Wave for the BoB.

Get a Rebar, it's the new better all metal version of blast.

Sorry, but I would advise against a multitool with blades that are not accessible from the outside, but only by folding the whole thing open.

I have the new and locking Wave and I absolutely love it.

It depends on what you need. I prefer my ST300 for some situations, particularly when I already have a folding knife that opens one-handed.



In my opinion it comes closest to the Platonic ideal of a multitool.

+1 on the rebar.
If you take your budget as being the cost of one Wave/Charge, then buy the rebar and use the remaining cash to buy a Mora or three.

For all it's qualities the Wave is basically a knife with a pair of pliers attached.

OTOH, if you already have a knife, having a back-up buried inside a LM Supertool 300 is not a big deal.

I'm still considering buying a second multi-tool for my BOB, but I'm now also considering just going with standard tools. Multi-tools are always a compromise. They make up for that by having things handy and readily available - for when you have nothing better to use.

I'm thinking maybe a 6" pair of needlenose, a screwdriver with multiple bits stored in the handle, a Mora Clipper, and a P-51 can opener might be a cheaper and better replacement for a new multi-tool. Especially since I already have spares of all that stuff laying around unused - so my cost would be zilch. Standard tools would take up slightly more space and weigh just a tad more than a Leatherman, but not enough to worry about really.

I starting thinking about standard tools instead of a new multi-tool when I began analyzing what I have actually used on my current Wave to help decide what I might want on a new model. Pliers, yes. Screwdrivers, yes. The plain edge knife, yes (only if my pocket knife wasn't readily available - very rare). But that's it. Never used the serrated blade, the file, the saw, the can/bottle opener, the scissors, ... That analysis made me wonder why I was even considering a multi-tool for my BOB at all.

Still haven't decided one way or the other. I'm just speaking my thought processes out loud in this post.

The Blast is very similar to a Wave in terms of the available tools, just in a different configuration. The Rebar is basically a downsized SuperTool 300 (neither has scissors unfortunately).

Any of those four are durable, quality tools and would be suitable for a BOB, in my opinion, as long as they meet your feature requirements. I actually own all four.

I think if I were on a desert island, I might want the SuperTool 300 because it's the biggest, strongest multitool of the bunch. For everyday use the Wave is unique in terms of the one handed opening and the bit holder.

Consider the Victorinox Sprit X and the Gerber 400 Compact Sport also.