The Wave’s long run and popularity show just how important it’s been to Leatherman’s lineup. Even Ben Rivera, one of the Wave’s designers, eventually went on to become Leatherman’s CEO. Under his leadership we’ve seen the company streamline their catalog, retiring underperforming models while putting renewed focus on innovation. That’s something I appreciate - the multitool market isn’t as crowded as it once was, but Leatherman continues to set the standard.

It was only a matter of time before the company revisited its most beloved design. Enter the Wave Alpha - a ground-up reimagining that keeps everything people loved about the Wave while adding meaningful upgrades based on customer feedback. Leatherman actually gathered input from their online communities, asking users what they wanted in a refreshed design. Listening to your fans is smart, and here it shows.

The Wave Alpha is slightly longer than the 2004 frame and a bit more streamlined. The most obvious change is the G10 handle scales. They’re shaped with a topographic-inspired texture that looks sharp and feels even better in hand. The texture is semi-smooth with just enough grip, striking a good balance between comfort and security. I’m glad Leatherman didn’t go with the overly aggressive G10 you sometimes see on pocket knives that shred pockets. In use, whether open or closed, I don’t notice hotspots or discomfort.

From the outside, the first thing you’ll notice is the MagnaCut reverse tanto blade. As a knife guy, this excites me - multitools rarely get premium steels, and MagnaCut is an outstanding choice. It balances edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance, and it’s earned its reputation as one of the best modern steels. Leatherman already leaned into it with the Arc, and it’s good to see them continue here. The blade opens via a new, larger thumb stud, and that small change makes a big difference. Deployment is smooth, even in gloves, and the blade itself feels a touch thinner than the Arc’s, slicing cleanly through everything I threw at it.

The file and saw are familiar but now feature thumb holes, so you can open them one-handed just like the main blade. The saw performs about the same as before, but the file has a more aggressive cut on the standard side, which is a subtle but welcome tweak. Opposite the blade sits a completely reworked pair of scissors - the largest Leatherman has ever put on a plier-based multitool. They’re spring-loaded, easy to access without opening the tool, and cut like a champ. From coupons to zip ties, they handled it all, and being able to pop them open one-handed is a big deal.

Once you open the tool, things feel familiar but updated. The bit driver and can opener/wire stripper are right where you’d expect them. On the other side, there’s still a large flat driver that works well on equipment screws and bolts, plus the polarizing micro driver - loved by some, ignored by others. Personally, I’ve gotten more mileage out of it than you’d think. Then there’s the long-awaited awl. It’s sharper, more angled, and more functional than what we’ve seen on past Leatherman tools, making it easier to start holes and remove material. It may not get much attention, but it’s a great addition.

The pliers are carried over from the Wave+, so they’ll feel familiar to longtime users. You’ve got both needlenose and regular plier surfaces, which makes them versatile enough for grabbing nuts, holding material, or doing more delicate work. The needlenose tips are precise enough for something like removing a splinter, though it’s worth noting that ever since the 2004 redesign through to the Wave+, the fine teeth at the very tip aren’t as small as they used to be. That makes it easier to mark up softer materials like jewelry and a bit trickier to grab very tiny objects. Still, it’s a solid compromise between standard and needle-nose pliers. The replaceable, user-serviceable wire cutters are also here, and that’s a feature I’m glad Leatherman kept. It not only extends the life of the tool but also cuts down on warranty headaches.

Carrying the Wave Alpha brings one downside: no included sheath or pocket clip. This isn’t unique to this model, though - it’s part of a broader change across Leatherman’s lineup. Whether it’s economics or logistics, it means you’ll need to pick up carry options separately. The new redesigned pocket clip is worth it. It offers a deeper carry, looks cleaner, and comes in several colors with laser engraving options. While the old Wave clip technically fits, it has too much side-to-side play, so I’d stick with the new one.

The Wave Alpha is exactly what it needed to be: a modern reimagining of Leatherman’s best-selling multitool, shaped by customer feedback and built with premium materials. The addition of a MagnaCut blade, larger scissors, and an awl are meaningful upgrades that fans have been asking for. The lack of included accessories is frustrating, but the redesigned pocket clip helps soften that blow.

All told, the Wave Alpha isn’t just a new chapter for Leatherman’s most iconic tool - it’s proof that the company is still willing to innovate while respecting what made the Wave great in the first place.


Specs:

Length (closed): 4.04 in / 10.26 cm

Length (open): 6.25 in / 15.87 cm

Blade: 2.89 in / 7.34 cm, reverse tanto, MagnaCut steel

Weight: 8.26 oz / 234.3 g

Handle: G10 scales with topo-inspired texture

Colors: Obsidian (black), Cascadia (green), Canyonland (orange)

Tools (16 total): Needlenose pliers, regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters, hard-wire cutters, awl, wire stripper, MagnaCut knife blade, pry tool/medium flat driver, saw, spring-action scissors, small/large bit drivers, can/bottle opener, wood/metal file, diamond-coated file