Leatherman Skeletool vs Leatherman Wave+
56 facts in comparison
Based on 17 Reddit opinions. Close race—Leatherman SkeletoolLeatherman Skeletool edges ahead.
17 opinions
Leatherman Skeletool leads by 3pts
VS
Reddit's Pick

81%
B+
Based on
25 Redditors
Winner
Leatherman Skeletool
Limited Data
~$99.95
9 opinions
tldr; Reddit highly recommends the Leatherman Skeletool as a lightweight, functional multitool praised for its accessible bottle opener, pocket clip, and strong warranty.
Check pricesVS

78%
B
Based on
34 Redditors
Leatherman Wave+
Limited Data
~$129.95
8 opinions
tldr; Highly recommended, Reddit considers the Leatherman Wave+ an excellent, long-standing, and high-quality first multitool for daily carry.
Check prices🔧STE
⚡ACT
⭐BUI
⭐LOC
✋ERG
62
Points
31
Points
Score by Category
Steel Quality
75%0%
Action & Deployment
100%0%
Build Quality
100%—
Lock
33%0%
Ergonomics
25%50%
Why is Leatherman Wave+ better than Leatherman Skeletool?
- Better ergonomics (50% vs 25%)
- Can't go wrong as a first multitool
- ⏰ Long-standing popularity (20+ years)
- Carried daily
Based on 59 Reddit opinions
Too Close to Call
Reddit prefers the Leatherman SkeletoolLeatherman Skeletool
Winning by 3 points (81% vs 78%)
Better value
Lightweight and convenient to carry.
External bottle opener & pocket clip for
Medium confidence (59 mentions)
💬Reddit Sentiment
Based on 59 Reddit mentionsOverall Rating
Leatherman Skeletool
8.1/10
25 mentions
Leatherman Wave+
7.8/10
34 mentions
LOCK
Leatherman Skeletool3.3/10
Leatherman Wave+0.0/10
VALUE
Leatherman Skeletool3.7/10
Leatherman Wave+1.1/10
ACTION
Leatherman Skeletool10.0/10
Leatherman Wave+0.0/10
ERGONOMICS
Leatherman Skeletool2.5/10
Leatherman Wave+5.0/10
STEEL
Leatherman Skeletool7.5/10
Leatherman Wave+0.0/10
BUILD QUALITY
Leatherman Skeletool10.0/10
Leatherman Wave+N/A
⚔️
Head to Head
| Topic | Leatherman Skeletool | Leatherman Wave+ |
|---|---|---|
Lock | 33% | 0% |
Value | 37% | 11% |
Action | 100% | 0% |
Ergonomics | 25% | 50% |
Steel | 75% | 0% |
Build Quality | 100% | N/A |
Category Wins
Leatherman Skeletool: 5|Leatherman Wave+: 1
Head to Head
Leatherman Skeletool: 5|Leatherman Wave+: 1
LockLeatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool33%
Leatherman Wave+0%
ValueLeatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool37%
Leatherman Wave+11%
ActionLeatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool100%
Leatherman Wave+0%
ErgonomicsLeatherman Wave+
Leatherman Skeletool25%
Leatherman Wave+50%
SteelLeatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool75%
Leatherman Wave+0%
Build QualityLeatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Skeletool100%
Leatherman Wave+N/A
Leatherman Skeletool
81%
78%
Leatherman Wave+
Leatherman Skeletool81%
Leatherman Wave+78%
Close race - Leatherman Skeletool edges ahead by 3 points
Key Specs
| Spec | Leatherman Skeletool | Leatherman Wave+ |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | LEATHERMAN | LEATHERMAN |
| Manufacturer | Leatherman | Leatherman |
| Color | Onyx Black | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 0.31 Pounds | 0.53125 Pounds |
| Height | 1.0 inches | 0.8 inches |
Key Highlights
Leatherman SkeletoolWinner
🔧 Lightweight and convenient to carry.
🔧 External bottle opener & pocket clip for
🔪 Blade quality is great, superior to many
🌙 Backed by Leatherman's free
⚠️ May lack one-hand opening for blade compared
Leatherman Wave+
🌙 Can't go wrong as a first multitool
⏰ Long-standing popularity (20+ years)
✨ Carried daily
💰 Feels more quality than MP600
✨ Owned in multiples by some users
Topic Battles
Leatherman Skeletool: 4|Tied: 0|Leatherman Wave+: 1
🔧Steel Quality
Leatherman Skeletool winsLeatherman Skeletool
75%
Leatherman Wave+
0%
⚡Action & Deployment
Leatherman Skeletool winsLeatherman Skeletool
100%
Leatherman Wave+
0%
⭐Build Quality
Leatherman Skeletool winsLeatherman Skeletool
100%
Leatherman Wave+
—
⭐Lock
Leatherman Skeletool winsLeatherman Skeletool
33%
Leatherman Wave+
0%
✋Ergonomics
Leatherman Wave+ winsLeatherman Skeletool
25%
Leatherman Wave+
50%
Based on Reddit sentiment across 5 categories
📈Where They Rank
💬What Redditors Actually Say
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Leatherman Skeletool
Best Praise
+7 pts“I gave my nephew (9) his first knife as his present for being in my wedding. Gave him a leatherman skeletool CX in his favorite color, along with a long winded speech about the responsibility needed and that it was intended to fix, learn and create, not destroy. The kid didn’t put it down for days, and has taken all his toys apart to learn how they work. Couldnt be happier (cool) Uncle.”
r/knifeclub
ViewNo negative quotes found
3 more quotes available below
What Redditors Say
Best praise vs top criticism for Leatherman Wave+
Best Praise
+4 pts“If by “Swiss army” you mean the actual company, Victorinox (which is famous for Swiss army style knives), here are a few that are great for hiking/outdoors: * Victorinox Huntsman * Victorinox Hiker * Victorinox Fieldmaster * Victorinox Ranger 79 M Grip * Victorinox Camper * Victorinox Rambler Leatherman also makes great “Swiss army” style multitools: * Leatherman Wave Plus * Leatherman Signal * Leatherman Surge * Leatherman Skeletool Remember, bigger, more expensive, and/or more tools is not necessarily better. Look them over and go with what speaks to you and makes sense (affordable, something you think the bf would like, etc.). Your bf will love whatever you pick, because you picked it and are thoughtful. Good luck! Let us know if you need further advice and/or have additional questions.”
r/knifeclub
ViewNo negative quotes found
3 more quotes available below
Sentiment Over Time
Leatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Wave+
📈Historical Price Data
Leatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Wave+
Leatherman Skeletool
Leatherman Wave+
Which is Better?
Leatherman Skeletool Wins
81%
Skeletool
vs
78%
Wave+
Close race, but Leatherman Skeletool edges ahead by 3 points based on 59 Reddit opinions.
Why Leatherman SkeletoolWinner
- Better Value for Money (37% vs 11%)
Why Leatherman Wave+
- 🌙 Can't go wrong as a first multitool
- ⏰ Long-standing popularity (20+ years)
- More discussed (34 vs 25)
❤️The Love/Hate Breakdown
Sentiment Breakdown
38%Positive
Positive
38%Neutral
62%Negative
0%Based on 24 Reddit opinions
Sentiment Breakdown
21%Positive
Positive
21%Neutral
76%Negative
3%Based on 33 Reddit opinions
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Leatherman Skeletool or Leatherman Wave+?
Based on 59 Reddit comments, Leatherman Skeletool has a slight edge with 81% positive sentiment vs Leatherman Wave+'s 78%. The difference is small, so both are solid choices.
Should I buy Leatherman Skeletool or Leatherman Wave+?
Both have similar approval ratings (81% vs 78%), so focus on specific features, pricing, and what matters most to you.
What do Redditors love about Leatherman Skeletool?
Reddit users highlight: Lightweight and convenient to carry.. External bottle opener & pocket clip for. Blade quality is great, superior to many. With 25 mentions and 81% approval, it's a well-regarded choice in the community.
What do Redditors say about Leatherman Wave+?
Reddit users highlight: Can't go wrong as a first multitool. Long-standing popularity (20+ years). Carried daily. With 34 mentions and 78% approval, it remains a popular alternative.
How many Reddit reviews were analyzed?
This comparison analyzed 59 Reddit comments: 25 about Leatherman Skeletool and 34 about Leatherman Wave+. Data was sourced from Pocket Knives community discussions.
How accurate are these ratings?
Our sentiment analysis is approximately 80-85% accurate compared to manual review. Well-discussed products with many mentions tend to have more reliable scores than niche items with fewer data points.
Why trust Reddit over professional reviews?
Reddit users bought products with their own money and have no incentive to mislead. You're seeing hundreds of real opinions across different use cases, not just one reviewer's take. This crowdsourced approach surfaces both common praise and recurring complaints.
17 Reddit opinions analyzed · Last updated 3/7/2026