Multitools › Leatherman
Leatherman Wave Alpha
Upgraded Wave with a MagnaCut blade, the largest outside scissors on a Leatherman plier tool and G10 scales.
90/100 best score, for work and trades
- Weight
- 8.3 oz (234 g)
- Closed length
- 4.04 in (103 mm)
- Functional tools
- 16
- Blade steel
- MagnaCut®
- MSRP
- $199.95
Available as: Canyonland, Cascadia, Obsidian.
Strengths
- Blades open with one hand without unfolding the tool
- Tools lock open
- Premium blade steel (MagnaCut)
- Replaceable wire cutters
- Has scissors
Trade-offs
- Priced above most plier multitools
- Sheath sold separately on the maker's site
Strengths and trade-offs are worked out from the specifications and compared with similar tools in our database, not from hands-on testing.
Good for: everyday carry, general purpose. Not ideal for: tight budgets.
Scores by use
| Use | Score | Tool fit | Portability | Usability | Durability | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work and trades | 90 | 85 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 65 |
| All-round use | 87 | 92 | 68 | 100 | 100 | 67 |
| Camping | 83 | 73 | 91 | 100 | 100 | 61 |
| Fishing | 82 | 83 | 61 | 100 | 100 | 64 |
| Everyday carry | 72 | 75 | 29 | 100 | 100 | 61 |
| Hiking and backpacking | 65 | 68 | 10 | 100 | 100 | 59 |
| Cycling | 59 | 55 | 11 | 100 | 100 | 54 |
Scores come from the data on this page. See the formula.
Tools (16 functions, 18 by the maker's count)
- Needlenose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Wire cutterreplaceable
- Hard-wire cutterreplaceable
- Awl / reamer
- Wire stripper
- Knife
- Flathead screwdriver
- Saw
- Scissors
- Bit driver ×2
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- File ×2
- Diamond-coated file
- Crimper
Specifications
| Brand | Leatherman |
|---|---|
| Form | plier based, full |
| Weight | 8.3 oz (234 g) |
| Closed length | 4.04 in (103 mm) |
| Open length | 6.25 in (159 mm) |
| Width | 1.36 in (35 mm) |
| Thickness | 0.84 in (21 mm) |
| Blade steel | MagnaCut® |
| Blade length | 2.88 in (73 mm) |
| One-hand opening | Yes |
| Locking tools | Yes |
| Outside-accessible tools | Yes |
| Bit system | leatherman flat |
| Price band | 150–250 |
| Warranty | 25-year limited warranty |
| Made in | USA (with global parts) |
Head-to-head
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How much does the Leatherman Wave Alpha weigh?
8.3 oz (234 g), and it is 4.04 in (103 mm) long closed and 6.25 in (159 mm) open.
How many tools does the Leatherman Wave Alpha have?
16 functional tools by our count; Leatherman counts 18. We count each kind of tool once, so three screwdriver sizes are one tool.
Does the Leatherman Wave Alpha have scissors and a saw?
It has scissors and a saw.
Can I take the Leatherman Wave Alpha on a plane?
Not in carry-on bags: it has a knife blade, and TSA does not allow knives in the cabin. Pack it in checked luggage.
What bits does the Leatherman Wave Alpha take?
It takes Leatherman's flat bits (the Bit Kit format).
What is the warranty on the Leatherman Wave Alpha?
25-year limited warranty.
Sources
Last verified 2026-11-01.
- www.leatherman.com (manufacturer, 2026-11-01)
- www.treelinereview.com (review, 2026-11-01)