Choose the Wave+ if you want the straightforward, currently documented 18-tool platform and do not need a cutting hook or the Charge+ package. Choose the Charge+ only when its 154CM main blade, cutting hook, removable pocket clip or included accessories solve a specific need and you can verify that a trustworthy seller has the correct, genuine unit. The Charge+ is listed by Leatherman as no longer in production, so availability and condition are part of the decision.
The short answer
The Wave+ and Charge+ are closely related, full-size, folding multi-tools. Both are listed at 4 inches (10.2 cm) closed and 6.25 inches (15.9 cm) open, with pliers, replaceable cutters, knives, scissors, a saw, files and bit-driving capability. The practical choice is therefore not about selecting two unrelated designs; it is about deciding whether the Charge+ additions justify finding a discontinued model.
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The Wave+ has 18 tools, a 420HC stainless-steel main blade and a manufacturer-listed weight of 8.5 ounces. The Charge+ has 19 tools, a 154CM stainless-steel main blade and a listed weight of 8.3 ounces. Charge+ adds a cutting hook and lists a removable pocket clip, a partial bit kit and a MOLLE sheath. Wave+ lists two driver bits and says its sheath is sold separately.
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Wave+ and Charge+ at a glance
| Specification | Wave+ | Charge+ | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tool count | 18 | 19 | The extra Charge+ tool is a cutting hook. |
| Main blade steel | 420HC stainless steel | 154CM stainless steel | A documented material distinction; steel labels alone do not establish real-world performance. |
| Manufacturer-listed weight | 8.5 oz | 8.3 oz | Charge+ is listed 0.2 oz lighter, a small difference on the published figures. |
| Closed length | 4 in | 4 in | Both have the same stated pocket length. |
| Open length | 6.25 in | 6.25 in | Both have the same stated open length. |
| Primary blade length | 2.92 in | 2.9 in | The listed dimensions are effectively the same for normal carry planning. |
| Carry and accessory listing | Two listed driver bits; sheath sold separately | Partial bit kit, MOLLE sheath and removable pocket clip listed | Package contents can vary by regional SKU, so inspect the exact listing. |
| Production status | Official product page is available | Official page states the model is no longer in production | Charge+ buyers must verify stock, condition, seller credibility and support. |
| Manufacturer-stated warranty | 25 years | 25 years | Terms, exclusions and claim procedures depend on country and purchase channel. |
The figures in this table come from Leatherman’s official product pages, accessed in October 2026: Wave+ specifications and Charge+ specifications.
What the two tools share
A common full-size format
Both tools fold around a central pair of pliers and are listed at the same 4-inch closed length. Their 6.25-inch open length, similar outside dimensions and closely related implements make them suitable for the same broad category of everyday repair, workshop, camping and maintenance tasks. A pocket, belt pouch or tool drawer that fits one should be planned around the same basic footprint for the other, while still checking the actual carrier supplied with a particular package.
Pliers and cutting tools
Each model lists needlenose and regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters, replaceable hard-wire cutters, a crimper and a wire stripper. Replaceable cutters matter if the cutting edges eventually become damaged or worn: you can replace the inserts rather than treating the entire multi-tool as disposable. Replacement parts and compatibility should be confirmed for the exact model before ordering.
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Blades, saw and scissors
Both list a plain-edge knife, a serrated knife, a saw and spring-action scissors. This gives either model a mix of cutting options instead of relying on a single blade. The plain-edge primary blade is the steel item that differs between the models; the other listed cutting implements do not turn the Charge+ into a fundamentally different tool family.
Drivers, files and small implements
The shared platform includes large and small bit drivers, a medium screwdriver, a ruler, wood/metal and diamond-coated files, and bottle and can openers. Wave+’s product page specifically lists an eyeglass screwdriver and a Phillips #1-2 / 3/16-inch screwdriver bit. Charge+ uses the same general driver concept but its page describes a partial bit kit rather than the exact two-bit wording used for Wave+.
Wave+: the simpler default
What is documented
Leatherman lists Wave+ as an 18-tool multi-tool weighing 8.5 ounces, with a 4-inch closed length, a 6.25-inch open length and a 2.92-inch primary blade. The blade is identified as 420HC stainless steel. Its listed implement set is:
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- Needlenose pliers and regular pliers
- Replaceable wire cutters and replaceable hard-wire cutters
- Crimper and wire stripper
- Plain-edge and serrated knives
- Saw and spring-action scissors
- Ruler
- Bottle and can openers
- Wood/metal file and diamond-coated file
- Large and small bit drivers
- Medium screwdriver
- Eyeglass screwdriver
- Phillips #1-2 / 3/16-inch screwdriver bit
The manufacturer’s way of counting tools can group functions differently from a retailer’s listing, so compare the complete specification rather than adding every named function yourself. The official page also says the sheath is sold separately. If a retailer shows a sheath in a photograph, treat that as a package-specific inclusion and verify the written contents.
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Wave+ is the rational starting point when your checklist is covered by the shared pliers, cutters, knives, saw, scissors, files and drivers. It avoids the extra work of locating an out-of-production model and gives you a clear baseline for replacement parts and accessories. It is also the better fit when you do not have a particular reason to carry a cutting hook or use a clip supplied with the Charge+ package.
Charge+: the feature-specific alternative
What changes
Charge+ is listed as a 19-tool model weighing 8.3 ounces. It keeps the 4-inch closed and 6.25-inch open dimensions, and its primary blade is listed at 2.9 inches. The main blade steel is 154CM stainless steel. The additional listed tool is a cutting hook.
The official page also lists a partial bit kit and MOLLE sheath, and describes a removable pocket clip. Those items can change how you carry the tool: a clip can attach the multi-tool directly to clothing or a bag edge, while a sheath provides a separate protected carrier. Do not assume every Charge+ listing includes every item shown on the manufacturer page; old stock, regional packages and marketplace bundles may differ.
The availability complication
Leatherman’s Charge+ page states that “This model is no longer in production.” That does not by itself tell you whether a particular listing is new old stock, refurbished, used, counterfeit or still covered through the seller’s channel. It also means a product page remaining online should not be read as a promise of continuing manufacture.
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How to interpret the blade-steel difference
The official specifications identify Wave+’s main blade as 420HC stainless steel and Charge+’s as 154CM stainless steel. That is a legitimate difference to record, especially if you already have a sharpening routine or a workplace requirement for a particular material.
It is not a documented ranking. The supplied product pages do not provide comparative edge-retention tests, toughness measurements, corrosion trials, sharpening times or cutting benchmarks. Therefore, “154CM” should not automatically be translated into “sharper,” “stronger,” “more corrosion resistant” or “harder to maintain.” Choose Charge+ for the stated steel only if that material distinction is meaningful to your own specifications, not because the label guarantees a particular result.
Carry options and included accessories
Wave+ package planning
Wave+’s page lists two driver bits and says the sheath is sold separately. If you need belt carry, budget for a compatible sheath and confirm that it fits the Wave+ version you are buying. If you normally carry the tool loose in a pocket, the missing sheath may not matter; if you work around other metal tools, a dedicated carrier can prevent scratching and make the multi-tool easier to locate.
Charge+ package planning
Charge+’s page lists a partial bit kit, a MOLLE sheath and a removable pocket clip. Verify whether the listing includes all three, because a seller may be offering the tool alone or a different regional bundle. A clip is useful only if you intend to carry the tool that way; it should not be treated as a reason to accept an uncertain seller or an unverified condition.
Accessory compatibility
Potential add-ons include a compatible bit kit, bit-driver extender, replacement wire-cutter kit or pocket clip/lanyard ring. Confirm the model and generation before ordering. A product title that merely says “compatible with Leatherman” is not enough evidence that a part fits your exact Wave+ or Charge+ configuration.
Availability and purchase checks
Availability is straightforward for a currently documented Wave+ listing but requires more scrutiny for Charge+. Prices are region-specific and time-sensitive; the available product pages do not establish a stable, current price comparison. A low Charge+ price may reflect used condition, missing accessories or an unauthorized listing rather than better value.
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- Identify the exact model. Match the name, photographs, blade configuration and markings to the relevant official page.
- Read the contents line. Record whether the package includes a sheath, clip, bit kit and any spare parts. Do not rely on photographs alone.
- Check condition. For Charge+, ask whether it is new old stock, open-box, refurbished or used, and request close-up images of pivots, cutters, blades and file surfaces.
- Check seller protections. Confirm a return window, contact details and a payment method that offers recourse if the item is counterfeit or incomplete.
- Check regional support. Warranty eligibility and service procedures can depend on your country and purchase channel.
- Keep the documentation. Save the invoice, model description and package photos in case you need a warranty claim or replacement part.
Choosing by the job you actually do
Everyday repairs and household carry
Choose Wave+ when your routine consists of tightening screws, opening packages, cutting wire, handling small fasteners and making occasional repairs. Its published 18-tool set already covers those broad functions, so paying a premium or accepting uncertainty for a discontinued Charge+ may not add a useful capability.
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Charge+ becomes more relevant when you specifically expect to use a cutting hook, want the listed removable clip or need the included MOLLE sheath and bit kit. These are concrete reasons to search for that model. They are not evidence that Charge+ performs better in every task.
Minimal carry weight
The manufacturer lists Charge+ at 8.3 ounces and Wave+ at 8.5 ounces. The 0.2-ounce difference is small enough that accessory choice, clothing and how you carry the tool may matter more in practice. Select on the basis of functions and package certainty rather than treating the published weight gap as a major ergonomic distinction.
Blade material as a requirement
If a procurement specification, maintenance policy or personal sharpening system explicitly calls for 420HC or 154CM, use the manufacturer’s steel designation to narrow the choice. If you have no such requirement, do not let the steel name substitute for evidence about cutting performance.
A practical decision process
Use this sequence before ordering:
- List your must-have functions. Start with pliers, wire cutting, screwdriving, scissors, saw, files and knives. Add a cutting hook only if you can name the task it will perform.
- Decide whether the carrier matters. If you need a pocket clip or MOLLE sheath, include those items in the package requirements rather than treating them as optional surprises.
- Apply the steel criterion. Select by 420HC versus 154CM only when the material itself is a requirement; the product pages do not establish a universal performance winner.
- Check production status. A Charge+ listing needs extra verification because the official page says it is no longer in production.
- Compare complete packages, not bare tools. Include the cost and availability of a Wave+ sheath or bits if you need them, and subtract missing Charge+ accessories from the value of a used listing.
- Confirm warranty route. Keep proof of purchase and verify the terms that apply in your country before relying on the stated 25-year manufacturer warranty.
Warranty and support
Both official product pages state a 25-year warranty. That is the manufacturer’s stated coverage period, not a guarantee that every claim will be accepted under every circumstance. Coverage details, exclusions, proof-of-purchase rules and service locations can vary by geography and by whether you bought from an authorized seller.
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For a Wave+ purchase, retain the receipt and model information. For a Charge+ purchase, retain the listing and seller details as well, because the model’s discontinued status makes the original sales channel especially relevant. If a seller cannot identify the product or provide a credible invoice, treat the warranty assumption as unverified.
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Common buying mistakes and fixes
Mistake: assuming the tool count tells the whole story
A count of 18 versus 19 does not describe every implement or package item. The Charge+ count reflects the added cutting hook; the Wave+ count does not mean it is missing the main repair functions. Read the implement lists and identify the one function you would actually use.
Mistake: treating a product page as proof of current stock
An official page can remain accessible after a model is discontinued. Charge+ buyers should verify live inventory, condition and seller authorization rather than assuming the page represents a newly manufactured unit.
Mistake: assuming accessories are interchangeable or included
Wave+’s sheath is listed as sold separately, while Charge+ lists a partial bit kit and MOLLE sheath. Regional bundles and old stock can differ. Ask for the exact contents and confirm compatibility before buying replacements.
Mistake: turning steel names into performance promises
420HC and 154CM are specifications, not independent test results. Avoid claims about edge retention, toughness, corrosion or sharpening unless the seller provides evidence specific to the exact blade and conditions.
Mistake: overlooking the purchase channel
A genuine tool from an uncertain marketplace listing can arrive incomplete or previously used. Use clear photographs, seller feedback, a return policy and purchase records to reduce that risk.
Which one should you buy?
Buy Wave+ when the documented 18-tool set covers your work and you prefer a straightforward purchase with clearly listed specifications. It is the sensible default for general repairs, camping kits and everyday carry when no Charge+-specific feature is required.
Buy Charge+ when you have a defined need for the cutting hook, 154CM main blade, removable pocket clip or listed accessory package—and only after verifying the exact unit, condition and seller. Its discontinued status makes trust and completeness more important than a nominal tool-count advantage.
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Whichever model you select, use the official specifications as the baseline, check the package in your region and treat the 25-year warranty as subject to its applicable terms. Those steps answer the practical purchase question without claiming performance that the available documentation does not establish.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
