Leatherman’s Best All-Around Multi-Tool Now Boasts a Rare, Fan-Requested Feature

Not only does the blade get a major steel upgrade, but also it’s easier to deploy thanks to a simple yet significant tweak.

Close-up of a multitool with textured green handles and orange-accented pivot screws. The blade is partially visible and marked with "MagnaCut" and a small alpha symbol. The background is a rough, dark surface.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published September 23, 2025

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Updated December 2, 2025

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Based in the US knife capital of Portland, Oregon, Leatherman has been making incredibly innovative, precision-machined multi-tools for more than four decades.

As sterling as the brand’s rep is, you may have noticed that they’ve still endeavored to burnish it over the past couple years, introducing life-extending, performance-boosting ingredients like Cerakote and MagnaCut to lift the quality ever higher.

Tip to tail, the new Wave Alpha boasts a number of functional and material upgrades.

Leatherman

Even still, the latest example of these efforts might be the most impressive yet. Responding to fan feedback, the brand is launching an upgrade to its best all-around tool that not only maxes out the materials but also adds a new wrinkle that makes it even easier to use.

Keep reading to see why, weeks ahead of its actual launch, the Leatherman Wave Alpha already feels like the new EDC standard — and an instant GP100 contender.

Two-way blade upgrade

Following in the well-heeled footsteps of 2023’s GP100-worthy, hugely ambitious ARC — as well as the brand’s semi-recently launched fixed blades and folding knives — the Wave Alpha boasts a blade made of the super-est of super steels, MagnaCut.

The number one signal that a knife is of the highest quality, this material delivers an as yet unmatched blend of edge retention, toughness and corrosion resistance.

Hand holding an orange-handled folding knife with a black tanto-style blade, marked with "MagnaCut." The background is blurred outdoors. — A nearly 3-inch MagnaCut steel blade can tackle all manner of cutting, slicing and piercing tasks.

Measuring a generous 2.89 inches, the Wave Alpha’s plain edge blade also happens to have one of the best-looking and most functional shapes, a reverse tanto, which imparts not only a full-bellied cutting edge but also a strong piercing tip.

What really makes this blade special, however, is an element previously only available on the excellent but admittedly very spendy ARC: a thumb stud.

Because while a number of Leatherman tools (including everything in the groundbreaking FREE collection) can be deployed with one hand, a thumb stud is superior to the traditional slot, especially when you are tired, in an awkward position or wearing gloves.

A close-up of a hand holding a partially opened folding knife with a black handle and a blade marked "MagnaCut." The knife has visible brass-colored pivot screws and textured grip scales. The background is dark and out of focus. — The seemingly minor addition of a thumb stud makes blade deployment easier, especially in tricky situations.

While it may seem like a small thing, physically, by making blade deployment so much easier, functionally, it’s kinda huge.

Made of stainless steel with a protective Cerakote finish, this stud is ready for the long haul, too.

15+ more reasons why

Leatherman doesn’t stop there, as the primarily stainless steel Wave Alpha boasts a couple other user-friendly tweaks as well.

It has the largest spring-action scissors Leatherman has ever put on a plier-based multi-tool, making every cut quicker and cleaner.

A person wearing a teal fleece jacket is using a multi-tool knife to cut open a yellow bag labeled "Organic Venice" with dark roast whole bean coffee, featuring notes of marshmallow and stone fruit. The person's hands, adorned with rings, are prominently shown. — Leatherman’s biggest-ever multi-tool scissors should make short work of tall orders.

It also has a fresh handle treatment. Made of durable G10 — in Obsidian (dark gray), Cascadia (dark green) and Canyonland (deep orange) colorways — the handle scales boast a new, topography-inspired texture that enhances grip.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Leatherman Wave without a bevy of reliable everyday implements.

A person wearing a plaid shirt and olive pants is using a black multitool to tighten or loosen a screw on a metal bracket attached to a wooden surface. The multitool is held firmly in one hand, while the other hand stabilizes the wooden surface. The scene appears to be outdoors with natural light. — To tackle various jobs, the Wave Alpha comes with an eyeglass screwdriver and Phillips #1-2 & 3/16″ bits.

So I’d be remiss not to mention that it also offers (takes deep breath) the following:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters
Premium Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
Awl with Eyelet
Wire Stripper
Pry Tool/Medium Flat Screwdriver
Saw
Small Bit Driver
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond-coated File
Large Bit Driver

In other words, to use a term Portland-based coffee sensation Stumptown might appreciate, the Wave Alpha has “premium blend” written all over it.

Availability and pricing

The Leatherman Wave Alpha will be available for purchase on October 14 for $200.

Multi-tool with orange handles featuring pliers, scissors, saw, knife, file, screwdriver bits, and other fold-out tools. The pliers have a metallic finish and the handles have textured grips. The tool is partially open, displaying several of its functions.

Leatherman Wave Alpha

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About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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