Head-to-head · Best EDC Multi-Tools

Leatherman Wave Alpha vs Victorinox Huntsman

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 (4.8 vs 4.5). The gap is mostly about buyers who want the best-built, best-cutting full-size Leatherman — read the strengths below before deciding.

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 →

Ranked #4 in Best EDC Multi-Tools

Victorinox Huntsman

4.5

$107.45as of Jun 7

The Victorinox Huntsman is the classic mid-size Swiss Army Knife, packing 15 tools, including scissors, a saw, can and bottle openers, an awl and a corkscrew, into a 3.4 oz frame. CleverHiker rated it 4.7/5, calling it remarkably portable considering its 15 functions, and Field & Stream endorsed it as a fully loaded adventure companion with tight, intentional action. It is the lightest, most pocketable tool here and the only one without pliers, trading locking strength and gripping power for breadth and Swiss craftsmanship. At around $40 with a lifetime warranty, it is the value classic of the category.

Strengths

— 15 tools, including scissors, can/bottle openers, saw, awl and corkscrew, in a 3.4 oz frame
— Each tool opens and closes with precise, deliberate Swiss-made action
— Slim, light pocketknife format carries far more easily than a plier-based tool

Watch-outs

— No blade lock, which limits confidence on tougher cutting tasks
— No pliers, so it cannot grip or cut wire like the Leatherman tools
— Cleaning the tool after messy jobs can be fiddly

$107.45 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Victorinox Huntsman

The Victorinox Huntsman is the lightest tool in this group at 3.4 oz, less than half the weight of the Leatherman Wave+ or Leatherman Wave Alpha, and it is the only one without pliers. It packs more small tools than the minimalist Leatherman Skeletool CX, including scissors, a saw and a corkscrew the Skeletool lacks. Unlike every Leatherman here and the Gerber Armbar Drive, its blade does not lock, so it suits lighter tasks.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Leatherman Wave Alpha	Victorinox Huntsman
Tools	16	15
Blade Steel	CPM MagnaCut	—
Weight	8.25 oz	3.4 oz
Handle Material	Topo-textured G10	—
Scissors	Full-size, one-handed	—
Key Tools	Pliers, blade, saw, file, scissors	2 blades, scissors, saw, can/bottle opener
Origin	Made in USA	Made in Switzerland
Warranty	25-year limited	Lifetime
Closed Length	—	3.58 in
Extras	—	Corkscrew, awl, tweezers, toothpick
Blade Lock	—	None

← See the full ranking of best edc multi-tools