Rebar or Wave

K

Kleingra

Joined
Aug 19, 2014
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110
I'm looking to replace my lost Skeletool with a new bigger Leatherman. Should I get a Rebar Wave or something differnt. I always carry a dedicated knife so the blade isn't that large of a concern to me. Most used tools on my Skeletool where the pilers and screwdriver. I'll most likely carry on a sheath or in the pack. Thanks in advance for any input.6
 
I haven't used the rebar but carry a Leatherman Wave every time I go fishing and can say that it does all I need. I live on a lake and am on the lake atleast 3 days out of the week. I have used my Wave for fishing, minor repairs on the boat, and opening canned goods or bottles, etc.. Absolutely love my Wave.
 
Another vote for the Wave. I love my Wave. Two one hand open blades and a fairly useful saw come in handy. I don't have any hands on experience with the Rebar, but when I was researching my purchase the Waave had everything I need and little that I don't.
 
The wave will be heavier, and the rebar is closer to the skeletool in weight, if that is a concern. The wave is great, but if weight and cost are a concern, you won't go far wrong with the rebar, its still a very tough tool.
 
Agreed, if you have a folder than go with the rebar. If your only going to carry the multi tool the wave has faster access to a knife than the rebar. I carry a rebar every day.
Gima Nord said:
Rebar since you have a dedicated folder to flick out.
Better pliers on Rebar and I prefer dedicated tools over bits.
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I vote the Super Tool 300. Price is in between the Wave and Rebar and I absolutely LOVE my 300! It's got everything a Wave does except scissors (which I've never seen a point in anyway when there is a blade).
 
I would suggest going to your local hardware store to get your hands on them both. Compare them side by side then choose which one works best for your needs. I personally carry a Wave. It does pretty much anything I need a multi tool to do.
 
I have both of these models and love both of them. I have had the Wave longer and its a little more broke in so using the pliers is a breeze. The main things I like about the Wave is out side opening tools, scissors and removable Bits. Their are 3 things I do hate about the Wave one is the mini screw driver which I think is useless, second no awl and third is how hard it is to open the scissors. I will almost break my nails getting them out, this issue may just be related to my specific tool. The Rebar I bought used but in like new condition on ebay for $25.00 + shipping $5.00. The Rebar is a very clean tool but my model is very stiff when opening/closing the pliers. Their is also one thing I do not like about the Rebar and that is No scissors. All in all I still like both. To me the Rebar carries better in its leather pouch, I have had a Kydex pouch made for the wave and its ok, that's probably the main reason I do not carry it as much because of the tactical looking kydex pouch.


But the best advice I can give you is.
If you have to use a tool alot during the day get the Wave. If your like me and tote one everyday and never really use it get the Rebar.


I work at a funeral home and carry the Rebar in its plain leather pouch almost every day. Draws no attention and I use the tool about 2-4 times a week so (for me) it does not have to be a extremely heavy duty/user friendly tool.
 
I have both the older (non-locking) Wave and the predecessor to the Rebar, the Blast.

Shinyedges nailed it.

IME, the primary difference is whether or not you want or need access to the MT knife blade.


I always carry an EDC knife for general wood work and food prep. When I'm working in the yard or in the shop, there are a few tasks where I want a knife blade but it's going to totally foul the blade. Opening up fertilizer, insecticides and petroleum products are examples. I tend to carry my Wave for this sort of work. I use the Wave's blade for stuff I don't want on my EDC blade. I should emphasize that I think MT knife blades, as a group, just totally suck compared to a real EDC knife. I'm not going to sit down and tackle a hard wood working job with my MT knife blade. Just too frustrating.

My Blast is the tool I carry every single day in my daypack. It's always nearby. It's lighter than the Wave and packs in more tools than the Wave. I use it as my "I have a shot of fixing whatever needs to be fixed" tool.

Now... the Rebar is a bit different than the Blast I prefer the Blast to the Rebar. I like and use bit drivers but not on my multi-tool. For my Blast use, I prefer screwdriver blades that cannot be lost. For construction work, where I'm using the drivers hard on a regular basis, replaceable bits make more sense, despite the chance of them getting lost.

Wave - external knife for dirty jobs, heavier, fewer tools - best for dirty work, construction
Rebar - lighter more tools, no external knife - more versatile for general DIY utility work
 
Not sure if I'm just misunderstanding, the rebar has no bit kit. Only locking non removable drivers. I think the only difference between the blast and rebar is the rebar has replaceable wire cutters and no scissors. Other wise I think there the same? Does the blast have an Awl? The rebar does. But good assessment.

Also agreed multi tool knives are no replacement for a real knife. In terms of comfort for carving, or any extended use. The handles are uncomfortable on a multi tool when it comes to really using the knife IMO.
pinnah said:
I have both the older (non-locking) Wave and the predecessor to the Rebar, the Blast.

Shinyedges nailed it.

IME, the primary difference is whether or not you want or need access to the MT knife blade.


I always carry an EDC knife for general wood work and food prep. When I'm working in the yard or in the shop, there are a few tasks where I want a knife blade but it's going to totally foul the blade. Opening up fertilizer, insecticides and petroleum products are examples. I tend to carry my Wave for this sort of work. I use the Wave's blade for stuff I don't want on my EDC blade. I should emphasize that I think MT knife blades, as a group, just totally suck compared to a real EDC knife. I'm not going to sit down and tackle a hard wood working job with my MT knife blade. Just too frustrating.

My Blast is the tool I carry every single day in my daypack. It's always nearby. It's lighter than the Wave and packs in more tools than the Wave. I use it as my "I have a shot of fixing whatever needs to be fixed" tool.

Now... the Rebar is a bit different than the Blast I prefer the Blast to the Rebar. I like and use bit drivers but not on my multi-tool. For my Blast use, I prefer screwdriver blades that cannot be lost. For construction work, where I'm using the drivers hard on a regular basis, replaceable bits make more sense, despite the chance of them getting lost.

Wave - external knife for dirty jobs, heavier, fewer tools - best for dirty work, construction
Rebar - lighter more tools, no external knife - more versatile for general DIY utility work
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Shaggy DA said:
I vote the Super Tool 300. Price is in between the Wave and Rebar and I absolutely LOVE my 300! It's got everything a Wave does except scissors (which I've never seen a point in anyway when there is a blade).
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I, too, am a big fan of the ST 300. If restricted to one only, that would be it. I'd hate to give up any of my others, but on the few occasions I was involved with "emergency" situations, that's the one I reached for and was glad to have it. However, usually I pair it with a Micra for the extra tools, above all, scissors. There are some things that cut better with scissors than a blade. Try trimming your mustache or fingernails with a blade, for example.
 
shinyedges said:
Not sure if I'm just misunderstanding, the rebar has no bit kit. Only locking non removable drivers. I think the only difference between the blast and rebar is the rebar has replaceable wire cutters and no scissors. Other wise I think there the same? Does the blast have an Awl? The rebar does. But good assessment.
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There is a bit kit available by Leatherman that consists of a bit holder that fits over the fixed ph screwdriver that accepts both the Leatherman flattened bits and regular hex ones. It also fits any of the models that have a squared base driver.

Also agreed multi tool knives are no replacement for a real knife. In terms of comfort for carving, or any extended use. The handles are uncomfortable on a multi tool when it comes to really using the knife IMO.
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Dedicated tools are almost always better, but a multi-tool is easier to carry than a tool kit.
 
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shinyedges said:
Not sure if I'm just misunderstanding, the rebar has no bit kit. Only locking non removable drivers. I think the only difference between the blast and rebar is the rebar has replaceable wire cutters and no scissors. Other wise I think there the same? Does the blast have an Awl? The rebar does. But good assessment.
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Yes, sorry, was typing fast as I was heading to a meeting.

I should have said that the Blast and Rebar are a bit different but I prefer both to the new Wave on account of the replaceable driver bits.

Better yet to say, that the addition of replaceable driver bits further drives the Wave more towards heavy use in the shop on on a job site where one is more likely to strip (and need to replace) driver bits and need faster access to the knife blade for dirty knife use. That is, the Wave is now closer to being a light weight Surge - more of a professional utility tool.

The Blast and Rebar are, for me, better average guy handyman tools. The attached drivers won't be lost and given the relatively light use (compared to what they would see on a job site), it's unlikely I'm going to strip the driver heads under normal use around the house or in my everyday life.

Also, yes, the Rebar trades the scissors on the Blast for an awl and I think that's a good trade if (and only if) one carries a Micra in your pocket (as I do). The Micra scissors are fantastic, easy to deploy and will go through zip ties and retail packaging without a blink. I consider scissors essential but also consider the scissors on my Blast to be superfluous, as is the knife blade.


Sorry for the confusion.
 
I got you, I don't care for the replaceable bits either. I like the longer shanks of the rebar. I carry a style cs instead of the Micra but I think the scissors are the same, they make a good combo.
pinnah said:
Yes, sorry, was typing fast as I was heading to a meeting.

I should have said that the Blast and Rebar are a bit different but I prefer both to the new Wave on account of the replaceable driver bits.

Better yet to say, that the addition of replaceable driver bits further drives the Wave more towards heavy use in the shop on on a job site where one is more likely to strip (and need to replace) driver bits and need faster access to the knife blade for dirty knife use. That is, the Wave is now closer to being a light weight Surge - more of a professional utility tool.

The Blast and Rebar are, for me, better average guy handyman tools. The attached drivers won't be lost and given the relatively light use (compared to what they would see on a job site), it's unlikely I'm going to strip the driver heads under normal use around the house or in my everyday life.

Also, yes, the Rebar trades the scissors on the Blast for an awl and I think that's a good trade if (and only if) one carries a Micra in your pocket (as I do). The Micra scissors are fantastic, easy to deploy and will go through zip ties and retail packaging without a blink. I consider scissors essential but also consider the scissors on my Blast to be superfluous, as is the knife blade.


Sorry for the confusion.
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The multi tool is definitely easier to carry than a bag of tools. A pocket knife isn't a tool kit and is vastly superior to the blades on the multi tool. A lot of people care a folder AND a multi tool for just that reason.
znapschatz said:
I, too, am a big fan of the ST 300. If restricted to one only, that would be it. I'd hate to give up any of my others, but on the few occasions I was involved with "emergency" situations, that's the one I reached for and was glad to have it. However, usually I pair it with a Micra for the extra tools, above all, scissors. There are some things that cut better with scissors than a blade. Try trimming your mustache or fingernails with a blade, for example.



There is a bit kit available by Leatherman that consists of a bit holder that fits over the fixed ph screwdriver that accepts both the Leatherman flattened bits and regular hex ones. It also fits any of the models that have a squared base driver.



Dedicated tools are almost always better, but a multi-tool is easier to carry than a tool kit.
Click to expand...
 
shinyedges said:
I carry a style cs instead of the Micra but I think the scissors are the same, they make a good combo.
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Common misconception. I once even saw a comparison video between multi-tool scissors in which the reviewer used a CS as a stand-in for a Micra because he believed the scissors were the same, but they are not. A closer examination shows the CS and also the "retired" Squirt S4 scissors, which are the same, have a slightly different shape and are thicker, with a stronger spring action than the Micra's. That makes them sturdy for tough materials like leather or my wife's toenails (she prefers the S4, hates the Micra) but they don't cut as clean. Of course, a lot depends on what materials a user normally cuts, but overall, I think the Micra occupies a sweet spot between the precise but vulnerable Victorinox and the tougher but crude CS/S4 scissors.
 
I didn't know that, thanks for explaining it. I cut an aluminum can with my cs it did very well I was surprised.
znapschatz said:
Common misconception. I once even saw a comparison video between multi-tool scissors in which the reviewer used a CS as a stand-in for a Micra because he believed the scissors were the same, but they are not. A closer examination shows the CS and also the "retired" Squirt S4 scissors, which are the same, have a slightly different shape and are thicker, with a stronger spring action than the Micra's. That makes them sturdy for tough materials like leather or my wife's toenails (she prefers the S4, hates the Micra) but they don't cut as clean. Of course, a lot depends on what materials a user normally cuts, but overall, I think the Micra occupies a sweet spot between the precise but vulnerable Victorinox and the tougher but crude CS/S4 scissors.
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I have both and carried both frequently. But I like the Rebar more. The pliers are much better on the Rebar than on the Wave. I love the longer shanks on the philips head screwdriver. I don´t have no real use for a one-handed-blade as it is just "half-legal" here (legal reason for carry needed) and I use the blades on my (mostly) traditional knives for cutting.

BTW; I like the looks of the Rebar better, I prefer the classic look of this tool. ;)
 
I'm going to come out of left field on this one, but if you're carrying in a pack, go with a Surge. It's a boat anchor, sure, but gives you everything: awl, bit driver, very capable scissors, removable wire cutters, blade holder that will fit any T-shank blade you throw at it... I've even used it as a small hammer. The diamond file it comes with makes a good field sharpener, too. Grab a set of MUT bits for long-shank work and a T-shank hacksaw blade and you've got pretty much every scenario covered, and it will all fit in a single sheath.
 
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