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Head-to-head · Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Skeletool CX 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 (4.1 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.

Leatherman Skeletool CX
Ranked #5 in Best EDC Multi-Tools
Leatherman Skeletool CX
3 sources2 derived$99.95as of Aug 1

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, while KnifeInformer rated it 80% and CleverHiker 4.7/5. The trade-off is obvious: no scissors, no file. It fills 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 AmazonFull review →
Leatherman Wave+
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best EDC Multi-Tools
Leatherman Wave+
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 AmazonFull 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

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+

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

SpecLeatherman Skeletool CXLeatherman Wave+
Tools718
Blade Steel154CM420HC
Weight5.0 oz8.5 oz
Closed Length4.0 in4.0 in
Key ToolsPliers, wire cutters, blade, bit driverPliers, 2 blades, saw, file, scissors
CarryCarabiner clip / bottle opener—
OriginMade in USAMade in USA
Warranty25-year limited25-year limited
MaterialAlloy Steel, Stainless Steel—
Wire Cutters—Replaceable
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