Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Leatherman Wave
The wave was leathermans answer to the many pitfalls of multi-tools.
1)The need for larger blades - by putting the blades on the oopposite side of the internal tools it allowed for a significantly longer blade.
2)The need for better versitility - Often in other multi-tools there are 2 sizes of flat heads and one philips, and sometimes the screwdrives were part of other tools (for example, a flat tipped knife blade for a screw driver, which holds records for painful wounds). Because of the wave innovative design with the large blades on the outside there was ample room to improve the selection of interior tools.
3) The need for a multi-tool that doesn't hurt your hand- Anyone who has owned anyother multi-tool other than the wave knows how annoying it is to constantly be pinching your hand. Because the wave is shaped like a regular pair of pliers one is significantly less likley to recieve an accedental pinch. The wave also has gread rounded edges that make it a comfortable tool to use.
4) The need for easy opening - I know that those flick-out gerber multi-tools are cool, but they are not nearly as cool as the butterfly like action of the leathrman. After a little practice one is able to do everything with one hand.There are mutltiple other strengths of this tool, but both sides of the tool need to be discussed.
I will make these quick, but they need to be mentioned.
-because of the placement of the blades they are more difficult to sharpen than a real knife.
-does rust easily if not taken care of
-some internal tools require a strong fingernail to get out
-tricky to clean well I rated the leatherman wave as a 4 and not a 5 because of the previous reasons. I am now on my second leatherman wave, I had lost my first (or possibly stolen). It is a wise investment for a scout, handyman, or hunter. Although, it is unnecessary for the average person. It takes a great deal of respect to keep a tool such as the wave razor sharp and corrorion free.
Rating:  - Never Leave Home Without it!
There are so many other "imitation" mulit-tools on the market these days, and with the possible exception of Gerber, most of them are junk. Leatherman, however, has always been known as a maker of high-quality blades and tools for quite awhile, and with a substantial warrantee to stand behind there products, this line of knives is always a sure-bet. I got mine over two years ago, and have used it for everything from electrical wiring to cleaning fish. (the only downside to cleaning fish is that you will have to wash and dry the knife very throughly to get it clean- otherwise it will smell for days.) Usually about once a month, I take out a honing stone and some lubricant and gently sharpen up the straight blade. (don't try this with the serrated edge, however, you'll only do more damage.) My knife has stayed extremely sharp for several years because of this. The pliers and wire cutters are a great feature. Can't get those on a swiss-army knife! Perhaps the only downside to the entire tool is that the side which contains the philips head screwdriver and bottle opener can be a bit tough to open. I broke my thumbnail on it a few times. Other than that, however, this is an excellent tool, extremely useful in any line of work.
Rating: - Worth every penny
I got the original leatherman in the summer of 1994 when I was planning to do a lot of camping. Then I upgraded to the Wave as a present for myself around Xmas 98 (the original went in my fishing tackle box). I have worn it every day on my belt, most days accompanied by a compact tape measure as well. I get a lot of teasing for it from my friends, but it doesn't matter. The Wave is indespensable, I like to say it's not always the right tool, but it's always the "right there" tool. I use it for work as an engineer, on home repair projects, whenever the need arises. I use it least once a day, if not more. A perfect gift for any mechanically inclined person on your shopping list. Hands down the best multi-tool around.Drawbacks? When I first got it, I cut my thumb a couple of times trying to one-hand open the external blades. The scissors and the serrated blade have gotten a little dull and I am not sure how to sharpen them. There are too many flat screwdrivers (4 in all). I would get rid of one of them in favor of something else.
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