Leatherman wave modifications

I just purchased a leatherman wave and was wondering what anyone here has done to improve anything on their leatherman wave? let me know what you have done to yours

Maybe you could attach things to the sheath or wrap it in paracord or fishing line (some kind of rope, string, etc). If you did anything to the leatherman tool itself you could inhibit use of it which wouldn't be too good for a tool that is used often.

Frank

Make sure that in the end your sheath doesnt look like a X-mass tree though!

Improve a Wave? Get a SwissTool. <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

So many different tools... so few situations to use them all...

David, you couldnt be more right LOL

I got the tool adapter for mine. The various screw driver bits come in handy.

I've added non-slip (skateboard) tape to the sides of 2 of my 3 Leatherman tools (didn't have #3 when I applied the tape, & just haven't gotten around to it yet). It makes hanging on to them much easier.

Cut tape to slightly larger than needed. Clean & degrease handles (alcohol wipe works), then apply tape. I used an old X-acto #11 blade to trim to fit, including contouring along cutouts, etc. Be aware that whatever you cut it with, skateboard tape is tough stuff, & will dull a blade. That's why the OLD X-acto blade.

It looks good, & works great. Should work on any multi-tool.
Also, be aware that it will slightly increase the thickness of the tool. It's not a problem in either a leather or nylon sheath, but could be an issue if Kydex.

David

(Is this an old thread resurfacing, or is a date wrong somewhere?)

Yes I had it for mine as well when I worked in the camera store 4-5 years ago. It does come in handy especially if you have to use weird bits.

Yea but with the tool adapter thats just another thing to carry around and another thing to forget at home.

Frank

I tried to find a custom knifemaker, over on bladeforums, who would replace the lanyard hole with tweezers, and one of the other tools (probably the can opener/bottle opener) with an awl. None of them were interested.

If I'd gotten this done, it would have just about the ideal tool set for me. Oh, well....

--Mike

How hard would that be? Doesn't take much except for intial investment to be little high due to the price of the special screw bit to take apart the Wave. Rest of that is simple part copying of parts. With Dremel tool and few long winter nights it can be done.

Matt

Yeah Frank you are right. My adapter sits at home since I'm not doing any special work that needs precision screwdrivers anymore. In 97 when Gerber introduced their adapters they made this great sheath for them. It had a compartment for the tool that was attached to the main section of the sheath by a snap cap. When you pulled it off, behind it you had a holders for an adapter and four bits. It was a great concept but they stopped making it. It wasn't too bulky and had multiple uses.

Matt

Polak17, did you find a source for getting the bit for the wave?
I can't find that bit anywhere.
Tom

Hey Tom,

here's the thread:
http://www.equipped.org/ubbthreads/showt...=true#Post11418


Here's the thread pasted in:
My email to manufacturer:
----- Original Message -----
From: Jachyra, Matt
To: 'info@lara.com'
Sent: Friday, January 03, 2003 1:56 PM
Subject: penta-Drive bits
I'm looking for bits that would be able to open Leatherman Wave tool. Those are identical to your Penta-Drive bits but with a hole inside such as one that can be seen on your Torx Tr or Hex Tr. Do you have something like that? If it helps, kick plates and lock covers use similar screws to meet NYCHA standards.

Answer:
Matt,

To the best of my knowledge, the Leatherman uses TORX-PLUS tamper resistant screws. The
bits for these screws are controlled, but you can get them with a little legwork. Please see our page at

http://www.lara.com/torx-plus-tr.htm

Best regards,
Lara Specialty Tools
Your one source for exceptional tools
http://www.lara.com
1.800.620.5272

EDIT: I see minds think alike. Was searching at the same time. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

They used to have it here -> http://www.widgetsupply.com but after searching, seem that I can't find it anymore. Might want to try here also -> http://www.lara.com/torx-plus-tr.htm .

Getting one of these has been on my things to do list for a while.

--Chris

I followed my normal procedure for mine: Break it in, especially the joints at which the plier jaws join the handle. Lube the joints. Sharpen the knife blades.

I have found the Leatherman tools to benefit from the addition of a lanyard ring and lanyard. I am prone to placing one handle in my pocket if a task is interrupted or may need repeated, and then continuing my activity oblivious to the precariously held Leatherman. Amazingly it has been retained partly in my pocket over several hikes.

I have now attached an inexpensive coiled plastic covered wire lanyard in red or yellow color. It is strong enough to hold a dropped Supertool and transmit a noticeable tug on my belt loop. However, it does seem flimsy enough to break if it is ever caught on something as I am simultaneously trying to break free. The red and yellow colors make the tool more conspicuous it is dropped free in vegetation, not to mention more conspicuous on my dresser or in my tent.

As an aside, one pet peave/regret is the my former practice of buying many tools in black. While it may have some hunting or tactical advantage, and it does look cool, black colored tools are hard to find in a tent or if dropped or mislaid after dark. For me, it's brightly colored from now on.

John

Hey John,

you couldn't say it better. I used to be all about blend in gear but now the brighter it is the better it is. I want to spot my knife/tool if dropped, misplaced or from the far away. Gerber has this nice build your own tool service where not only you get to pick up your set of blades but also you get to choose handle color. They charge for it too but I would pay extra just to make my Wave little more unique. All my friends have Waves and sometimes at the camp site it is hard to figure out which one is which. Usually the most abused and used one is mine. Since Wave is so popular I think that offering a custom service as Gerber does would be a smart way to go for Leatherman.

Matt

I usually use a carbide scribe to mark my knives & other tools with my name, intials, and/or other identifying marks. Then, there's no question if it's mine, or not. Some marks are in inconspicuous locations; others, right down the side of the blade in big letters (picked that up from a paramedic friend of mine--he rarely "lost" any of his equipment). They are tools, after all.

David

Nice find Polak17
<img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Tom