Head-to-head · Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Skeletool CX vs Leatherman Wave Alpha

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

The short answer

Leatherman Wave Alpha comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.6 vs 4.8). The gap is mostly about buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting full-size Leatherman — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Skeletool CX

4.6

$99.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Skeletool CX is the gold standard for minimalist EDC, distilling a multi-tool down to pliers, a premium 154CM blade and a bit driver in a 5 oz package. OutdoorGearLab scored it 75/100 and ranked it third of 22 tools tested, praising how it carries better than any other full-size device, and KnifeInformer rated it 80% while CleverHiker gave it 4.7/5. The trade-off is obvious: it conspicuously lacks scissors and a file, fulfilling a minimalist EDC role rather than a pocket toolbox role. For someone who wants a quality knife and capable pliers without the bulk, it is the best choice in this lineup.

Strengths

— Just 5 oz, among the lightest full-size tools, and it genuinely disappears in a pocket
— Premium 154CM blade steel, a clear step up from the 420HC on most Leathermans
— Carabiner-style pocket clip doubles as a bottle opener for true one-piece carry

Watch-outs

— Minimalist design omits scissors, a file and a secondary serrated blade
— Proprietary bit driver is not compatible with standard 1/4-inch bits
— Pliers lack the strength and leverage of full-feature tools like the Wave+

$99.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #1 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Wave Alpha

4.8

$199.95as of Jun 7

The Leatherman Wave Alpha, launched in October 2025, is the premium evolution of the best-selling Wave platform. It is the first Wave with a MagnaCut reverse-tanto blade, adds full-size one-handed scissors, and wraps it all in contoured topo-textured G10 handles. GearJunkie scored it 9.8/10, calling the MagnaCut blade and full-size scissors meaningful upgrades fans have asked for, and The Gadgeteer praised the scissors as cutting exquisitely. At $199.95 it costs about $80 more than the Wave+ and ships without a pouch or clip, but for buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting Wave, the Alpha is the new flagship.

Strengths

— First Wave with a premium MagnaCut reverse-tanto blade for elite edge retention and rust resistance
— Full-size, one-handed outside scissors, the largest cutting surface on any plier-based Leatherman
— Contoured topo-textured G10 handle scales improve grip and look striking

Watch-outs

— At $199.95 it costs roughly $80 more than the original Wave+
— Ships without a pouch or pocket clip in the box
— At 8.25 oz it is still a heavy pocket carry

$199.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Leatherman Skeletool CX

The Skeletool CX is the minimalist of this group, weighing 5 oz against the roughly 8.5 oz of the Leatherman Wave+ and Leatherman Wave Alpha while carrying a fraction of their tools. For blade steel it uses 154CM, better than the Wave+'s 420HC though it trails the Wave Alpha's MagnaCut. Like the Gerber Armbar Drive it is built around portability, but it offers stronger pliers, while the Victorinox Huntsman packs more small tools in a non-locking format.

Leatherman Wave Alpha

The Wave Alpha is the premium version of the Leatherman Wave+, sharing its outside-opening layout but upgrading to a MagnaCut blade, G10 handles and full-size scissors at roughly double the price. It is dramatically more capable than the minimalist Leatherman Skeletool CX or the slim Gerber Armbar Drive, and unlike the non-locking Victorinox Huntsman, every tool locks. Its blade steel is the best in this group, outclassing the Wave+'s 420HC and the Skeletool CX's 154CM.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Leatherman Skeletool CX	Leatherman Wave Alpha
Tools	7	16
Blade Steel	154CM	CPM MagnaCut
Weight	5.0 oz	8.25 oz
Closed Length	4.0 in	—
Key Tools	Pliers, wire cutters, blade, bit driver	Pliers, blade, saw, file, scissors
Carry	Carabiner clip / bottle opener	—
Origin	Made in USA	Made in USA
Warranty	25-year limited	25-year limited
Handle Material	—	Topo-textured G10
Scissors	—	Full-size, one-handed

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