Head-to-head · Best EDC Multi-Tools

Gerber Armbar Drive vs Leatherman Wave+

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Leatherman Wave+ comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about anyone who uses a full-feature multi-tool regularly and wants the best value — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Gerber Armbar Drive

4.2

3 sources1 derived$43.73as of Aug 1

The Gerber Armbar Drive is a slim, butterfly-style EDC tool that leans into simplicity: a 2.5-inch locking blade, a magnetic bit driver, solid scissors, a pry bar, awl, and bottle opener in a 5.2 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.6/5, calling it a sleek, modern multitool suited to everyday carry and light-duty tasks, and GearJunkie praised the scissors as one of the least-rickety mechanisms it had seen on a multi-tool. The blade lock release is the weak spot, narrow and tricky with gloves. At under $55 with a real knife and a driver, the Armbar Drive is the budget pick for minimalist carry.

Strengths

— At 5.2 oz and 3.5 inches closed it is one of the most portable multi-tools available
— 2.5-inch locking blade behaves more like a dedicated folding knife than a multi-tool blade
— Magnetic bit driver with a hidden bit socket handles awkward-angle fastening

Watch-outs

— Blade lock release is narrow and finicky, especially with gloves
— The screwdriver/driver is non-locking
— Scissors can feel stiff in use

$43.73 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Wave+

4.6

3 sources1 derived$129.95as of Aug 1

The Leatherman Wave+ has been the benchmark full-size multi-tool for years, and it remains the best all-around value in the category. Its 18 tools include outside-opening blades and a saw, spring-action scissors, replaceable wire cutters, and a full set of drivers, all backed by a 25-year warranty. OutdoorGearLab scored it 74/100 and called the value undeniable, while CleverHiker rated it 4.7 out of 5 as its overall favorite. The main knocks are weight and a proprietary bit format. For someone who actually uses a multi-tool regularly, nothing here offers more capability per dollar.

Strengths

— 18 tools cover nearly every EDC need: pliers, two blades, saw, file, scissors and screwdrivers
— Four tools open from the outside, so blades and saw deploy without unfolding the pliers
— Replaceable wire cutters mean the most-worn part can be swapped instead of scrapping the tool

Watch-outs

— At around 8.5 oz it is heavy for pocket carry without the included sheath
— Proprietary flat-bit driver is not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
— Scissors are internally nested and smaller than the new Wave Alpha's

$129.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Gerber Armbar Drive

The Gerber Armbar Drive is the budget, knife-first tool of this group, built around a real locking 2.5-inch blade rather than the serious pliers of the Leatherman Wave+, Leatherman Wave Alpha or Leatherman Skeletool CX. At 5.2 oz it is light, close to the Skeletool CX and far under the full-size Waves, but it lacks their pliers. Unlike the non-locking Victorinox Huntsman, its main blade locks, making it better for forceful cutting.

Leatherman Wave+

The Wave+ is the value champion of this group, delivering the same outside-opening design as the pricier Leatherman Wave Alpha for roughly half the money. It carries far more tools than the minimalist Leatherman Skeletool CX and the slim Gerber Armbar Drive, and unlike the no-lock Victorinox Huntsman, all 18 of its tools lock. Its scissors are nested and smaller than the Wave Alpha's new full-size pair, and its 420HC blade trails the Alpha's premium steel.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Gerber Armbar Drive	Leatherman Wave+
Tools	8	18
Blade Length	2.5 in	—
Weight	5.2 oz	8.5 oz
Closed Length	3.5 in	4.0 in
Key Tools	Locking blade, driver, scissors, pry bar	Pliers, 2 blades, saw, file, scissors
Driver	Magnetic bit, non-locking	—
Extras	Awl, bottle opener, hammer face	—
Blade Lock	Yes	—
Material	Stainless Steel	—
Blade Steel	—	420HC
Wire Cutters	—	Replaceable
Origin	—	Made in USA
Warranty	—	25-year limited

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