LM Wave+ vs Free p4??

I have both, Wave plus hands down for the win. There are better implements on the wave, where as the free is more basic.

A nicely used wave can one handed open no problem. But also in the wave you get bits to change depending on the project. As a parent having the tiny screwdriver is essential. The 154cm on the wave is another step up for the main blade, that's my main gripe with the free is the cost vs. materials used.

Lastly, it's not much harder to get the secondary tools out of the wave, and the free pushes all the tools out at once where I find I'm using two hands anyway.

I will say the free is nice, but to me no way it replaces the wave, and especially the wave plus.

Tonight I will try to get you a few comparison shots.
 
Yo Mama said:
I have both, Wave plus hands down
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I have carried a Wave, a Charge, or a Surge every day for years. I have watched plenty of videos featuring the new Free multitools and can't see how they would be an improvement upon what I'm accustomed to. I'll still watch for a good deal on a P4 to add to my collection, but, with the input you have given me, I won't rush out to buy one. Thanks for the input. T-A
 
I'm going to fall on the other side of the fence. I had a Wave, lost it, and never cared enough for it to replace with with another. I really dislike the bit drivers. I've tried to like them on my Wave and Surge, but really, short of a slimmer tool like a Skeletool they don't do so much for me. I find the eyeglass driver awkward and have broken mine on both the Wave and Surge. I have also had the spring clips slip out of the drivers allowing the tools to just fall out. I also had the jaws jam up on the internal tools with the Wave and the Surge. Not TERRIBLE, but it got to be annoying. I think the Wave is a great tool, but it's never really won me over as it has others.

So while I think the P4 is overpriced and should come with a premium steel on the main blade, it still works better for me than the Wave.
 
Haven't tried the P4 expensive & as Steely Gunz stated it should come with premium steel.

The wave is a good all rounder, I've had mine for years & it was the best value for money at the time.
Think what tools you would use the most, if it's the knife look for a model with premium blade. I upraged my skeletool to the cx model with premium blade. When I carry it, it is often the only blade I have, much better for me .
 
the-accumulator said:
I have carried a Wave, a Charge, or a Surge every day for years. I have watched plenty of videos featuring the new Free multitools and can't see how they would be an improvement upon what I'm accustomed to. I'll still watch for a good deal on a P4 to add to my collection, but, with the input you have given me, I won't rush out to buy one. Thanks for the input. T-A
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Compared to all the LM classics, such as Wave/Charge/Surge/Supertool/Rebar, I think the new magnetic feature of P4 is truly innovative, but this offering lack 'conviction'.

There are no shortage of P4 reviews on yt, so I am not gonna repeat it here. But my biggest qualm with P4 is the ugly clip--compare it to the quick release clip/lanyard ring on Charge/Wave+, which was practical and clever, this clip looks so ad-hoc and give the impression that the whole project is not well thought thru. And that 1.5" metal file? It was a joke.
 
I have both. I've used a Wave for almost 20 years and have the Free P4 since it was released (June). I love my Wave, but was intrigued by the P4 and wanted to give it a fair shot.

I've carried the Free P4 exclusively at home and work for the past 8 months. As an every day tool around the house, I like the tool and actually don't mind the clip at all. There are well documented deficiencies with it, but I think the silly small file is its biggest shortcoming as well as the lack of a small eyeglass sized screwdriver.

I will be going back to using my Wave while at work (fireman) and will still happily carry my Free P4 around the house.

If I lost both of them today, would probably replace them with a Wave or possibly a Surge.
 
The P4 Free is definitely a next level tool with the magnetic locking feature and almost bearing like feel of opening the implements, but, having used mine for several months now I can say it does have a few shortcomings compared to a Wave or Charge. First I’ll mention the positives of the P4. The magnetic locking is wonderful. I prefer the pocket clip carry method and the P4 stays closed no matter how wore the joint of the plier head gets unlike the friction lockzing of the Wave or Charge like models. I have a Charge that had gotten so lose in the plier head it won’t stay closed when folded. The implements on the P4 are soooo much easier to open. As I said they almost feel like they’re on bearings with none of the rough feel I’ve become accustomed to in the liner lock models. The main blade on the P4 is hollow ground and has excellent factory edge. Mine would slice like a laser straight from the box unlike any other Leatherman I’ve owned. And it holds an edge quite well being only 420 stainless. (I’m guessing it’s due to the edge geometry) All the tools unlock quite easily with the new style thumb flip up unlocking system. There are more positives but here are the negatives in my opinion. I miss the interchangeable bits in the Wave / Charge series. I miss the diamond file also as the P4 don’t have much of a file and not nearly as useful. I miss the full size ruler also as the P4 only has a very small one marked up to an inch and three eights. If I could change anything about the P4 I would add these missing features and it would almost be a perfect tool in my opinion.
 
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