Leatherman Wave as only knife... thoughts

Q

Quy4n8

Joined
Nov 27, 2002
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Do any of you carry a multi-tool as your only knife? I am thinking of specifically the old style Wave, it isn’t as appealing as a high end folder, but will cut almost as well for my needs. It may not be the toughest folder out there, but I dare say a good multi-tool is a better survival knife than any other, including a fixed blade and I am not looking for a SD tool. It has the advantage of one hand open and close for two blades and will cut the VAST majority of items which need splitting. I guess I tend to be a minimalist. So what are your thoughts.
 
I'm definetly a Multi-Tool guy, and rarely carry a dedicated knife. I have a couple for when I want one, but for edc nothing beats a good Multi-Tool IMO :thumbup:
 
I carried a knife and nothing else for several years, then a multitool alone for another few years. The multitool knife was capable of handling most, but not all jobs. For instance, a larger dedicated knife was better able to cut up large cardboard boxes and vegetation.

Then, I carried both a multitool and a separate knife for two reasons:

(1) It was much easier and faster to deploy the dedicated knife than the multitool's knife blade.

(2) I like knives and had several from which to choose.

After I started carrying a larger flashlight and other EDC gear, the weight and size of each item became more important. I started running out of pockets and belt space and my pants drifted downwards due to the weight. I had to compromise. Lately, I'm back to carrying a multitool without a separate knife as an experiment in carrying less.
 
I love my Wave, and carry it with me EVERYWHERE. It was my only knife for quite a while, and cut just about anything and everything I needed it to. No problem. However, because of the ergonomics of the handles, it is not the most COMFORTABLE knife to use, specially for extended periods of times. The handles when opened in the pliers position, are great. When closed in knife mode, they are sharp and a little hard on the hands. As I said, for most jobs it's all good. However, I have since taken to also carrying a SAK. The Super Tinker for cutting jobs, and the multitool for the rest.
 
Carrying a Wave by itself is fine. The only thing to watch for is the weight if you are going to pocket carry it.
 
I think the proliferation of the use of the word Tactical, in all things including knives has led many to do what you are thinking. I have had my mini griptilian referred to as a Tactical Knife by court officers. Drives me nuts. Well I guess no more than calling everything black or with a rail on it tactical. I have carried just my Supertool or Charge as my only knife - its a good choice.
 
I like my Wave and it has much better blades than my orig. Leatherman, but I'm a multi-knife guy. A slipjoint is always in the pocket - like wearing a watch. If I could only have one knife, I would carry the Wave.

The serrated blade was great for cleaning birds - cutting bone.
 
Personally I see no problem with the multi tool only option. I have my charge AL on me today (close enough to the wave -new) and I have no doubt that the blade(s) will handle just about any EDC cutting task. with the one hand opening you could use it for SD given no other choice.

All things aside I am a knife guy as I am sure many of you are and I always carry a knife fixed or folder. If cutting is the task at hand that is what I reach for. I find them more comfortable in use not to mention the enjoyment of useing my favorite blades.

If I had no choice I could live with multi tool only but thankfully I don't have to.:thumbup:
 
Since I got my Swisstool X, it's been my only EDC for the past few days. I miss the feeling of having a dedicated knife, but I haven't run into any jobs that the Swisstool blade couldn't handle.
 
I have carried the old style wave as my only knife/tool set and it has worked remarkably well. When I carried the wave (I typically carry a CS4 now) I kept it on my belt and it was easy for me to access the knife blade. It wasn't as fast as a tactical blade clipped to my pocket but I most of the chores I was using the blade for didn't require instantaneous deploy. Both knives work rather well as do the saw and file.

I think the best thing to do is to carry the wave as your only tool/knife and see how it goes.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I have a Swisstool as well, but having the feature of one hand opening for me would be very helpful. Not for speed, but often in my daily routine, I need to cut something which is being held in one hand, and don't want to set it down. I will try it for a few weeks and reply back here.
 
New Wave is always with me unless prohibited by security.
In addition, a folder is often but not always carried for SD or if I know in advance I'll be needing to use a knife a lot.
 
A multitool or a sak coupled with a stockman would cover most cutting needs.
However in a pinch i think you could get by with just a multi-tool.
I carried an Old Wave by itself for about 2 years and that worked out ok.
Lately i even occasionally just carry my Swisschamp alone.
I used to carry up to four multitool/folders (keychain knife, vic compact+farmer plus a reg slipjoint).
Nowadays its just a Vic Huntsman and a Stockman.
I'm getting a Leatherman XE6 for christmas so that may displace the Huntsman.
 
I carry my wave as EDC. I love it and I use it for everything. The only thing I pair it with is a hatchet or a large knife to chop wood. I have gone on multi day hiking trips and never needed anything more than my wave. You just have to think outside of the box.
 
I carry a new wave and a one handed folder. I've thought about trying multitool only, but in the case of the wave, the blade being on a corner of a chunky handle means there are some fine cutting tasks it can't do well. Plus, the waves have a relatively poor blade steel compared to my folders. The charge takes care of the steel issue, but the basic design is the same. The skeletool with the 154cm blade looks good, if the lock is solid.
 
I carried the Old Wave daily till the New Wave came out. I was happy to get the pocket clip as I don't wear belts. So these days it's the New Wave daily.... with Pocket firearm. Or New wave one side pocket and Cold Steel XL Voyager other side. IF no firearm is allowed. Like Canada and such. I too, am looking at the Skeletool. Weight is becoming a factor.
 
I have one of the newer Waves and it's pretty much carried at all times. I was considering the very concept of using it as my only daily carry knife just before I saw this thread. So I guess I'm not the only one.

I don't care for banging up my folders and I have noticed the negative perception some folks have of the more "tactical" types. I think I will try going with just the multi tool for a while and see if I miss the folder at all.
 
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