The Best Multi-tool
The do-everything full-size multi-tool the community keeps coming back to after a decade of daily abuse. · Updated June 27, 2026
Leatherman Wave+
$100Buy on Amazon
★star.shop pickr/BuyItForLife favoriteReddit favorite
Pros
- Outside-accessible, locking knife and saw you can open one-handed without unfolding the pliers
- Comprehensive toolset (pliers, two knives, saw, file, scissors, screwdrivers) that covers nearly every everyday task
- Cited repeatedly as lasting 8-15+ years of daily carry, including by firefighters, IT techs and DIYers
- Best-in-class accessory ecosystem and Leatherman's 25-year warranty with hassle-free repairs
- Sharp out of the box with thick, sturdy tools that don't feel flimsy
Cons
- Heavy and bulky for a pocket; many owners carry it in a bag or belt sheath rather than a pocket
- Stock belt sheaths are flimsy and a common reason people lose the tool
- Some recent reports of slipping QC and thinner saw blades compared to older units
Minor nitpicks
- Painted/black-oxide finishes can rub off onto your hands during heavy use
- No pocket clip on the standard model
- Wire cutters aren't replaceable on this model (the pricier Wave+ has replaceable cutters on newer runs)
The other picks
- WirecutterLeatherman Skeletool CX — Wirecutter's top pick and the community's favorite when weight matters — knife and pliers only, light enough to forget it's there
- RedditVictorinox Swiss Tool / Spirit X — Praised as the highest-quality, tightest-tolerance build with outside-opening tools, though softer blade steel and stiff nail-nick opening
- r/BuyItForLifeLeatherman Rebar / Super Tool 300 — Favored as a near-indestructible, simpler heavy-duty option built like a tank