In 1998. I got my first Leatherman Wave. It had a slim profile for the pliers, a slim profile for the two knife blades, no pocket clip option, no bit drivers, and internal implements were non-locking. I was over the moon.

I used the everloving heck out of this multitool — it rode in my laptop bag for much of my career as a networking and cybersecurity consultant. There almost nothing I didn’t do with it other than break it — it was an absolute champion for everything I asked it to do. And with a bit of care, I learned to not get hurt because of non-locking implements folding under load.

In 2004, the “new” Wave came out. It had slightly larger pliers jaws and knife blades. It also had a removable pocket clip or removable lanyard loop as an aftermarket option and I used both extensively. Several fixed driver implements were replaced with large (using LM’s proprietary flat bits) and small (eyeglass sized) screwdriver bit holders and bits. Most importantly, all of the implements were locking, a revolution to me. I found a third-party supplier for S30V [*] blades and made my first multitool modification. Later, I sacrificed the head from a Rebar and turned this into a “Rave” to have replaceable cutting blades. I learned to really appreciate the post-2004 Wave/Rave, and it’s probably the multitool that I’ve carried on my person the most over the years.

The 2018 release of the Wave+ seemed perfect to me — the difference being that it came with replaceable cutting blades. This one was also modified with an S30V main knife blade. My well-loved “Rave” was retired and I used it constantly as my main multtool. Until now.

For Christmas I got my Leatherman Arc. My first Arc was returned to Leatherman because the awl implement was not finished. I expected that Leatherman would prefer to repair it, given that I had their custom shop laser-engrave my initials on the handle and my chaosmagnet symbol on the blade. This was a disappointing malfunction of Leatherman’s QC. The Arc I received in exchange has no QC issues.

The two big differences are that the Arc uses Leatherman’s “Free” technology, making every implement one-hand-openable, and that it has a Magnacut main blade. My Wave+ has been sent to the Drawer of Retired Multitools. It’s clean, lubricated and ready for work, but it’s not clear to me that I’ll be carrying it in the future.


[* — I actually don’t know if the aftermarket LM blades I’ve bought are really made from S30V instead of the default 420HC. They seem like they are, but I’m not a metallurgist and I’m relying upon the sellers to have told me the truth.]

I still prefer the original Wave over the newer models, though mine is looking pretty worn now.

It’s an outstanding multi to be sure!

well told CM.

my story is like it, starting with their first PST.

today i carry the Wave+.

like you, i've considered upgrading to a better blade steel but figured i wouldn't abuse it as much as i would with a standard steel blade, and thus get less use out of it.

besides, i'm never without a high-quality razor-sharp lock-blade folder in my front pocket.

thnx for sharing, and enjoy your Arc.

Great review/story! I have some Leatherman tools but I tend to get more use out of my Victorinox Spirit multi-tools.

My original PST has been retired. Fond memories!



There's a number of good reasons that this is LM's #1 best selling multi of all time. It would not surprise me to learn that it's the best selling multi in human history to date.



When I started carry multis, my then-employers had either written or (mostly) unwritten policies against carrying "knives" which multis didn't violate. Especially if none of the administrators saw anything sharp that could upset a person's delicate nature.

Nowadays, for a variety of reasons, it's rare for anyone to look me askance for a visible pocket clip. Around a decade ago I got a sharp look from a General on a military base...but I learned from his team that he first thought I was carrying a firearm in violation of his orders. My pistol was back in the car where it belonged -- the visitor's lot there has armed guards, which I really appreciate. I'm still acquainted with this General and he signed off on multiple purchases from my then-employer so it worked out.



I carry an RSK Mk1-G2 every single day that I'm leaving the house but not flying. The S30V blade I installed in my Wave+ almost never got used. I won't pretend that I needed the Magnacut blade in the Arc. But that didn't keep me from wanting it. The Arc was always an indulgence for me.



Thank you very much. Our single-mother neighbor and close friend "G" texted with a small homeowner-type crisis on the 26th. Mrs. Magnet burst out laughing and called G to let her know how happy I was to put my Arc on my belt to come save the day :-).

I have owned one -- a SwissTool received as an award in the mid-1990s, with my now-defunct former employer's logo on it. A treasured relic of my past, I just now took it out to handle it.

My recollection is that I retired it in 1998 for the smaller and lighter Wave.

None of the SAKs I have owned survived. There was one whose loss I remember -- it was a Victorinox and it might have been a Sportsman. My cousin stole it, which led directly to the acquisition of my PST. I carried a Midnite Manager at my first full-time Grown Up Big Boy Job, because my Spyderco was too scary for the admin staff. I have no memory of what happened to it.