Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool Review: 18 Tools in Your Pocket for Caravan Adventures
- Caravan Coach
- Dec 7, 2025
- 5 min read
Product Category: Multi-Tools
Brand: Leatherman
Price Range: £104 - £135
Best For: Quick repairs, maintenance tasks, and emergency fixes while touring
Where to Buy: Available at Multi-Tool Store, Heinnie Haynes, or major retailers like Amazon
Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool - Introduction
There are always little jobs to do when you're away touring. A loose screw on the cupboard hinge, a wire that needs trimming, a bottle that needs opening after a long drive. Carrying a full toolbox takes up valuable space and adds unnecessary weight to your payload. The Leatherman Wave+ offers a compelling alternative: 18 tools packed into a single device that fits in your pocket or clips to your belt.
This is Leatherman's best-selling multi-tool, and with good reason. The Oregon-based company has been making multi-tools since 1983, and the Wave+ represents decades of refinement. It sits in the sweet spot between the larger, heavier professional tools and the smaller pocket-sized options that sacrifice capability for compactness.
For caravanners specifically, the Wave+ makes practical sense. The tool collection covers most common repair and maintenance tasks you'll encounter on site, from tightening fittings to cutting cable ties. The 241g weight won't make a significant dent in your payload, and the 10cm closed length means it tucks away easily in a drawer or glovebox.
Key Features
The Wave+ includes 18 tools within its stainless steel body. The headline feature is the outside-accessible blades, meaning you can deploy the main knife, serrated blade, saw, and file without opening the pliers. This is genuinely useful when you need a quick cut but don't want to fumble about with both hands.
Every tool locks into position when deployed. This isn't just a safety feature; it makes the tools far more effective to use. There's nothing worse than a blade that wants to fold back on you mid-task. The locks release with a simple thumb movement once you're finished.
The 'Plus' designation refers to the replaceable wire cutters. When the cutting edges eventually dull from heavy use, you can swap in fresh ones rather than replacing the entire tool. Given the Wave+ price point, this could save significant money over time for regular users.
The bit driver system deserves mention. The Wave+ accepts Leatherman's flat double-ended bits, and the included eyeglass screwdriver bit is surprisingly handy for tightening loose spectacles or fiddling with small electronics. A separate bit kit (sold separately) expands the screwdriver options considerably.
Complete Tool List
1. Needle nose pliers
2. Regular pliers
3. Premium replaceable wire cutters
4. Premium replaceable hard-wire cutters
5. Electrical crimper
6. Wire stripper
7. 420HC clip point knife
8. 420HC serrated knife
9. Saw
10. Spring-action scissors
11. Ruler (19cm)
12. Can opener
13. Bottle opener
14. Wood/metal file
15. Diamond-coated file
16. Large bit driver
17. Small bit driver
18. Medium screwdriver
Pros and Cons
Pros
Comprehensive tool selection covers most common caravan maintenance tasks
All tools lock securely into place for safer, more effective use
Outside-accessible blades allow one-handed deployment
Replaceable wire cutters extend the tool's lifespan
Solid stainless steel construction with threaded fasteners
25-year warranty from Leatherman
Expandable with optional bit kits and accessories
Compact enough for pocket carry at 10cm closed
Cons
• Higher price point than budget multi-tools
• Scissors are smaller than some users prefer
• Proprietary bit format not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
• Locking blades mean UK carry restrictions apply
Performance
The Wave+ performs exactly as you'd expect from Leatherman's flagship multi-tool. The pliers provide good grip and leverage, the needle nose tips are precise enough for delicate work, and the regular pliers handle heavier tasks without flex or discomfort.
The 420HC stainless steel blades arrive sharp and hold their edge reasonably well. This isn't the hardest steel available, but it has practical advantages: it's corrosion-resistant and easy to re-sharpen in the field. For caravan use, where you're more likely to cut rope, packaging, and cable ties than perform surgery, it's entirely adequate.
The saw blade genuinely works. It's capable of cutting through small branches for kindling or trimming plastic and thin metal. The serrated knife handles rope and webbing with ease.
The screwdriver options prove particularly useful for caravan work. The interchangeable Phillips and flat-head bits handle most fasteners you'll encounter, and the small eyeglass screwdriver tackles those fiddly adjustment screws on appliances and fittings.
Build quality is excellent. The tool feels solid in hand, with smooth action on all the hinges and locks. The threaded fastener construction (rather than rivets) means the tool can be disassembled for deep cleaning or repair if ever needed.
A Note on UK Knife Law
The Wave+ features locking blades, which means it cannot be carried in public without good reason under UK law. For caravanners, having the tool stored in your caravan or vehicle for use during touring constitutes a valid reason. You simply wouldn't want to pop it in your pocket for a trip to the supermarket.
Specifications
Closed Length | 10cm (4 inches) |
Weight | 241g (8.5 oz) |
Blade Length | 7.37cm (2.9 inches) |
Blade Material | 420HC Stainless Steel |
Blade Hardness | 55-59 HRC |
Frame Material | 420 Stainless Steel |
Number of Tools | 18 |
Warranty | 25 years |
Made In | USA (Portland, Oregon) |
Finishes Available | Stainless Steel, Black Oxide |
Included | Nylon sheath, eyeglass screwdriver bit, Phillips/flat screwdriver bit |
Why It's Recommended
The Leatherman Wave+ earns its place in our recommended gear for several practical reasons. First, it genuinely consolidates a small toolbox into a single pocket-sized item. The tool selection isn't arbitrary; these are the implements you'll actually reach for when something needs fixing on site.
Second, the build quality justifies the premium price. Budget multi-tools often disappoint with loose hinges, weak pliers, and blades that won't hold an edge. The Wave+ feels like a precision instrument. The 25-year warranty backs this up; Leatherman clearly expects these tools to last.
Third, the Wave+ sits at a sensible price point. Yes, there are cheaper options, but also significantly more expensive ones. The Wave+ delivers perhaps 90% of the capability of Leatherman's premium Charge+ at roughly 60% of the price. For most caravanners, it represents the practical sweet spot.
For touring, we'd suggest keeping the Wave+ in your caravan's utility drawer or your tow car's glovebox. Having it to hand means you won't need to search through a full toolbox for basic tasks, and the compact size means it's always there when you need it.
Rating
Overall Score: 4.5/5
Score Breakdown
Design: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Value for Money: 4/5
Disclaimer
This review reflects our genuine opinions and experiences. Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, including Amazon Associate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means we may receive a small commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
Product details, availability, and prices were accurate at the time of writing but may change without notice. Please check with the retailer for the latest information before making a purchase. Caravan Coach cannot be held responsible for differences between this review and the actual product or service you receive.
