Leatherman Wave, Surge, Charge – which one to choose?

If you are looking for the best multitools, you can never go wrong with Leatherman.

This is the most popular brands in this industry and arguably the best. The company offers several types of multitools available is a range of models.

In this article, we have compared Leatherman Wave, Surge and Charge which are the best selling models.

We will put the three in a face to face comparison, analyzing all the critical factors that should inform your purchase decision.

To start, here is a short history of the company and the highlights of the three multitools.

About Leatherman

Established in 1983, Leatherman is an American company that manufactures high-quality multitools and a wide array of pocket survival tools including pocket knives.

The success of the company is much accredited to its cutting-edge designs and product dependability. Unlike most competitor brands, this company manufactures all its products in the USA, though some materials are sourced from overseas.

In 2006, the company was up against an 18m lawsuit for false advertising. In the allegations, it was found that indeed, Leathermans are not 100% American as the files and corkscrews are from Europe, while the pliers’ jaws are from a US company that shifted production to Mexico.

But the court noted that since only 5 out of the 30 components that make up the multitool are imported, there was no case to answer. At the end of the day, 83% of the components are locally sourced, and this exceeds the 70% threshold.

But there are other models including the Pulse, Fuse, Skeletool, Wingman, Juice, and Squirt, among others.

Comparison Table

Wave the Most Popular Leatherman Multitools

The Wave Series is the most popular in the full range of Leatherman multitools. At the time of its release in 1998, it was the first tool that offered users access to other tools when the main pliers head is closed.

Today, the latest Wave models boast some of the best features you’d wish for in an EDC multi-tool.

Over the years, the series has been evolved, and today, the Wave series boasts five different models.
Two have been retired, and these are the Wave Original with 16 tools and Limited Edition Damascus Wave with 15 tools.

The remaining three are the Wave + with 18 tools, Heritage Wave + and classic leather sheath with 18 tools and the Black & Silver Wave, a Limited Edition with 18 tools also.

In this comparison, we will dwell on the Wave + which is the bestseller in this series and is also customizable.

It comes with replaceable wire cutters and is available in two colors; stainless steel which tags along with a black nylon sheath and the black Wave which comes with a MOLLE black sheath.

Charge – Excellent Versatility and Value for Money

The Charge Series is also a popular range in the Leatherman portfolio and was made available in 2004. It features a more robust design and offers excellent versatility and value for money. Just like the Wave, there have been changes, and today, the series boasts nine different types of multitools.

The first two models were the Charge Ti and Charge XTi, full-sized multitools discontinued in 2008. Charge Ti has 17 tools while Charge XTi has 16 tools.

The list also featured a collaboration between Leatherman and LED LENSER, and we got the Charle AL PREP KIT which has also been retired.

In 2007, four more models were released, and these are Charge AL with 17 tools, Charge ALX with 18 tools, and Charge TTi with 19 devices.

Today, the line has been expanded with newer models including Charge TTi RealTree Camo, with 18 tools and the new Charge+ TTi Damascus with 19 tools and these two are Limited Edition variants.

There’s also the affordable Heritage Charge+ with 19 devices, the customizable Charge + and Charge+ TTi both with 19 tools and the new Charge+ Forest Camo also with 19 tools.

In this review, we will discuss the Charge+ which is a bestseller and actually the most affordable model in the Charge Series. Above all, it is available in two colors; stainless steel and black.

Surge – the Bestseller

If you want the best heavy duty and full-size multitool, look no further than the Surge.

The Surge Series was introduced in 2005 and owed much of its design to the 2004 Wave. However, It is bigger, better, and most importantly, it comes with more tools.

So far, there are two Surge models in the market.

The first is the original Leatherman Surge which includes 21 tools and is available in two colors; black with a MOLLE black sheath and stainless steel with a black nylon sheath.

It was updated in 2013, and the original version was rested because of several flaws which were now fixed in the 2013 Surge.

We also have the Black & Silver Surge which also comes with 21 tools, but this is a Limited Edition so you might not find it on the shelf every other day.

In our multitools comparison review, we will go with the Surge original as it is the bestseller and is readily available.

Leatherman Wave vs. Surge vs. Charge

Now, let’s get to the core business of the day; comparing the three multitools. As we said earlier, in this review we will compare Charge Plus vs. Wave Plus vs. Surge 2013.

The best approach here will be to compare the factors we consider when buying multitools. We will be highlighting what each model offers for every aspect and declare the best choice.

Activity

Before setting out to buy a multitool, assess the activities you engage most in so that you end up with the right Leatherman.

Different contexts call for different tools. For example, an electrician’s needs may not be the same as those of an adventurer.

While Leathermans are much considered versatile, it isn’t always the case. Here is what the Oregon-based brand recommends for different activities.

verdict

Winner: I wouldn’t say that there is a better choice because each one is special in its way. What a carpenter apprentice may not like is what could be resourceful for a camper.

Design, dimensions, and weight

An ideal multitool should be ergonomic, compact and lightweight. Also, everyone wants something aesthetic and appealing though this is a secondary consideration.

So which of the three Leathermans is the best here?

verdict

Winner: If you are looking for portability, Wave Plus is the best choice. Surge may sound like the loser here but remember it comes with extra tools so definitely; you expect it to be heavier and a bit larger.

Number of tools

This is perhaps the most important consideration when shopping for a multitool.

So, what do Charge Plus, Wave Plus, and Surge offer?

The Wave Plus comes with a set of 18 tools.

In Charge Plus, you get 19 tools.

Lastly, the 2013 Surge tags along with 21 tools.

verdict

Winner: You’d want to go for the Surge anytime because it has the highest number of tools. However, there are other Dynamics. So, in as much as you want the highest number of tools, it’s imperative that you understand the tools themselves, and what they do. That takes us to our next topic.

Blades

You will agree with me that cutting needs are common so among the must-have tools you need is a knife blade. All multi-tools have blades, but then, there is variety – from the serrated to the non-serrated and the short blades to large blades that can handle larger cutting tasks for example rope, cordage, rubber, and styrofoam.

verdict

Winner: It is quite hard to decide a winner here because there is no much difference between the three. While the Surge may have a larger pair of blades, the .05 length difference is negligible. However, the extra cutting hook that comes with the Charge makes it a worthy purchase if you need this additional cutting ability. It also has an upper hand courtesy of the S30V stainless steel which maintains its sharp cutting edge for longer and is easier to sharpen.

Scissors

You will need to cut paper, fabric, and other similar materials very often and in this case, a knife blade won’t be beneficial. If you don’t have a pair of regular scissors with you, your Leatherman will come in handy as it is equipped with scissors.

verdict

Winner: Even though the difference is size is negligible, you’d get more out of the Surge than the Wave and Charge. Also, the fact that the spring action in Surge is more robust than the other two should tell you that Surge is the best choice here.

Saw

There are some cutting tasks that the serrated blade can’t handle, so Leatherman brought on board a saw. This is a standard tool in many multitools but let’s find out how efficient it is in the three Leathermans.

verdict

Winner: Here, we could go for the Surge if you are not concerned with the extra weight. The Blade Exchanger makes switching from the knife blades to saw blades a buzz. The saw blade is also larger meaning you can cut larger limbs, sticks, and planks more easily than using g the smaller Charge and Wave wooden saw.

Blade Exchanger

Only the Surge comes with the Blade Exchanger. Easily swap out the blades and even use the Bosch Jigsaw blade. Even though it is loose and wiggles a little bit, it is firmly attached and won’t snap out.

verdict

Winner: Charge and Wave lack the Blade Exchanger but does this make them less desirable? Well, the fact that the Blade Exchanger makes swapping out blades possible and easier makes Surge the best choice.

Drive bits and screwdrivers

You will agree with me that screwdrivers take a lot of space and carrying them around is a pain in the ass. They are bulky, and you can easily lose them.

Let’s examine the kind of drivers that accompany the Charge Plus, Wave Plus and Surge 3.

The Charge Plus includes a single medium size flat head screwdriver for tightening and loosening small screwdrivers.
Additionally, there are two bit-drivers. The bits can use both Leatherman’s proprietary bits.

Regarding the included bit drivers, you get:

Surge comes with three pieces. We have the two traditional drivers made with tough steel shanks.
They are both flatbed screwdrivers and come in two sizes;

When it comes to Wave Plus, we have a medium sized screwdriver for loosening and driving in small to medium screws.
For more flexibility, there are two bit drivers; a large one for large screws and a small one for the tiny screws.
Unfortunately, just like the Surge, it doesn’t use the standard ¼” bit driver; only the Leatherman proprietary bits.
The included bit drivers include:

verdict

Winner: There are three things to consider when finding who’s the winner in this Leatherman Wave vs. Surge vs. Charge multitool drive bits and screwdrivers battle; the number of screwdrivers, number of bit drivers and the bits included. As far the dedicated screwdrivers are concerned, Surge carries the day because it comes with a large and small screwdriver while Wave and Charge have the medium screwdriver only. As for the bit drivers, the Wave and Charge are the best because they come with two bit drivers (large and small). Lastly, if you want the most number of bits in the package, grab the Charge Plus as it comes with a 9-piece kit.

Wire cutters

These tools come in handy when you want to cut wires; whether soft or hard wires. Most Leathermans feature wire cutters, but they vary from one model to another.

Let’s compare the wire cutting tools offered by Charge, Wave and Surge.

The Wave + and Charge + are quite similar here. They have two wire cutters; one for cutting soft wire and another robust one for hard wire.

On the other hand, the bigger Surge comes with the two wire cutters for hard and soft wires alongside stranded cutters. A small opening allows you to get clean wire cuts without damaging the inner strands.

verdict

Winner: Definitely, the Surge is the best because of the extra function.

Awl

One of the newest features in multitools is the awl. For starters, an awl is a tool that allows you to punch holes through leather and other hard materials that require high accuracy and precision.

verdict

Winner: If your work involves punching small holes on leather and other hard materials, you definitely have to get the Surge. The Wave and Charge lack an awl.

Ruler

Even though it’s measurements are limited because of the compact size of multitools, there are those small-scale measurements you can take with your multitool if you can’t access your regular tape measure when working on small projects.

The ruler has been a standard feature in most of the Leatherman multitools, and the three models include it. You can measure up to 8-inches / 19 cm.

verdict

Winner: We don’t think there is a winner here because they can all measure the same lengths. Contrary to our expectations, the larger Surge doesn’t have an edge here despite its larger overall size. For that reason, it’s a draw.

File

One of the best tools to be added to a Leatherman is the file. Now, you can enjoy the service of sandpaper in a single device. In addition to that, you can sharpen your cutting tools on the go without carrying the entire regular file.

The Leatherman Wave +, Charge + and Surge 3 come with a sturdy dual-design file.

On one side, you get a panel that replaces regular sandpaper though it doesn’t guarantee the best results on all surfaces. There is also a diamond coated file for sharpening your chisels, blades, and scythes at the job site.

The file in the three multitools measure almost the same as the knife blades, so you have to be patient when working as it covers just a small area when filing.

verdict

Winner: There is no winner as far as the files are concerned. All the three offer the same features and functionality, so this shouldn’t be a concern.

Bottle/can opener and wire stripper

Multitools feature bottle and can openers, so you need not the keyholder bottle opener or a penknife.

You might also need to strip wires efficiently and safely so it would be essential to find out whether these three come with a wire stripper.

The Leatherman Charge, Surge and Wave all come with bottle/can opener which come in handy when opening drinks. Besides, you can cut open tin cans. If you are a camper, this is a feature you don’t want to miss out on.

You also get the wire stripper in all the models. This is a notch on the side of the bottle/can opener.

verdict

Winner: There is no match here as all the three models feature the can/bottle opener. These are the most important tools as the wire stripper isn’t so practical. The blade will do a better job, in a better fashion.

Aftermarket accessories and services

You also need to know which are the accessories and add-ons you can buy separately to increase productivity and convenience with your multitool. Let’s see what attachments are compatible with the Charge Plus, Wave Plus, and Surge.

1. Leather sheath

There is a leather sheath by Leatherman that fits the Surge very well.

Charge, on the other hand, has a black leather sheath and a natural brown for the Heritage series.

As for the Wave, you will have to put up with the standard nylon sheath.

verdict

Winner: No winner here because the extras come as separate purchases. As far as the Leatherman Wave vs. Surge vs. Charge discussion goes, they offer the same thing.

2. Customization

If you want your name engraved on your multitool, Leatherman has got you covered.

Some models are customizable while others are not. Let’s see which is the best customizable Leatherman.

The Wave +, Charge + and Surge are all customizable making them the perfect gifts. However, note that not all the Wave and Charge models can be engraved.

verdict

Winner: Each model supports different customizable tools, so we cannot highlight one winner here.

3. Bit extenders

Leathermans have been criticized a lot of their proprietary bit sizes, but at least they have offered a solution.

You can now increase productivity with a bit extender. This is a kit that includes additional bit drivers.

The Surge comes with some bits, but this is not enough as you can’t use standard 1/4-inch bit drivers which are the standard. Fortunately, with the Leatherman bit extender, you can use the standard drivers.

As for the Charge Plus, you can also purchase this bit extender, but we don’t find it a necessity bearing in mind it comes with almost all the bits you will need. But bearing in mind, you can’t use the standard 1/4-bits.

Leatherman Wave Plus users will also find a bit extender very resourceful considering it also comes with few bit drivers. Of importance, you can use the standard 1/4-bit drivers with the Leatherman bit extender.

verdict

Winner: All these are extras you pay for separately so there can’t be a better Leatherman based on the bit extender.

4. Carry-on accessories

Leathermans come with several attachments that allow you to carry them safely and conveniently.

Below are the carry and safety accessories available for the Charge, Wave and Surge.

The Surge, Wave and Charge all come with a pocket clip and lanyard ring.

verdict

Winner: No winner here again because the three Leatherman work with the pocket clip and lanyard ring.

Warranty & after sales

The warranty covers you in the unlikely event your tool gets damaged. On the other hand, after sales encompasses customer support and availability of resources like accessories and a knowledge base perhaps.

verdict

Winner: There’s not a better choice here as the trio are from the same brand and offer the same terms.

Leatherman Wave vs. Surge vs. Charge Winner

We recommend the Leatherman Wave Plus if you are looking for a lightweight and easily portable multitools for outdoor adventure. It’s also the best affordable Leatherman.

The Charge Plus is an excellent deal for electricians and those who need to drive screws often as it comes with 9 bit drivers.

Lastly, the Surge is for those looking for a full-size heavy-duty multitool as it comes with the most number of tools.

Wrapping Up

That is all we had in this comparison review.

As you have seen, there is no better choice because the three have been specialized for different needs.

But as far as functionality is concerned, Surge is the best courtesy of the 21 tools and when it comes to affordability, Wave Plus is the best bang for the buck.

Further reading and references: