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Comparison Console

Leatherman ARC vs Leatherman Wave (2004)

EDC Multitools comparison. Compare price, weight, specifications, materials, and real-world use case.

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Command Brief

Recommended read

Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 8% gap from the closest alternative. Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 48% gap from the closest alternative. Leatherman ARC stands out as the most tools option for tool count, with about a 18% gap from the closest alternative.

Decision Signals

What stands out

Cheapest

Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the cheapest option for retail price, with about a 48% gap from the closest alternative.

Most expensive

Leatherman ARC stands out as the most expensive option for retail price, with about a 92% gap from the closest alternative.

Lightest

Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the lightest option for weight, with about a 8% gap from the closest alternative.

Heaviest

Leatherman ARC stands out as the heaviest option for weight, with about a 9% gap from the closest alternative.

Fewest tools

Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the fewest tools option for tool count, with about a 15% gap from the closest alternative.

Most tools

Leatherman ARC stands out as the most tools option for tool count, with about a 18% gap from the closest alternative.

Shortest

Leatherman Wave (2004) stands out as the shortest option for closed length, with about a 6% gap from the closest alternative.

Longest

Leatherman ARC stands out as the longest option for closed length, with about a 6% gap from the closest alternative.

Specification Profile

Relative dimensions at a glance

Each axis is normalized against the largest raw value among the products in this comparison. Farther outward means a larger value, not necessarily a better result. Axes with an unverified value are omitted.

Leatherman ARC — Tool count: 20Leatherman ARC — Closed length: 108 mm (4.25 in)Leatherman ARC — Open length: 164 mm (6.46 in)Leatherman ARC — Weight: 244 g (8.61 oz)Leatherman ARC — Retail price: US$249.95Leatherman ARC — Thickness: 17 mm (0.67 in)Leatherman Wave (2004) — Tool count: 17Leatherman Wave (2004) — Closed length: 102 mm (4.02 in)Leatherman Wave (2004) — Open length: 158 mm (6.22 in)Leatherman Wave (2004) — Weight: 224 g (7.90 oz)Leatherman Wave (2004) — Retail price: US$130Leatherman Wave (2004) — Thickness: 20 mm (0.79 in)Tool countClosed lengthOpen lengthWeightRetail priceThickness
Price & carry
Retail price
US$249.95Most expensive
US$130Cheapest
Weight
244 g (8.61 oz)Heaviest
224 g (7.90 oz)Lightest
Closed length
108 mm (4.25 in)Longest
102 mm (4.02 in)Shortest
Open length
164 mm (6.46 in)Longest
158 mm (6.22 in)Shortest
Dimensions
Width
33 mm (1.30 in)Narrowest
36 mm (1.42 in)Widest
Thickness
17 mm (0.67 in)Thinnest
20 mm (0.79 in)Thickest
Tools
Tool count
20Most tools
17Fewest tools
Tools
•Magnacut Knife Blade•Needlenose Pliers•Regular Pliers•Large Bit Driver•Diamond Coated File•Small Bit Driver•Wood/metal File•Pry Tool•Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters•Premium Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters•Impact Surface•Large Screwdriver•Bottle Opener•Can Opener•Awl•Spring Action Scissors•Saw•Wire Stripper•Electrical Crimper•Edge File
•Pliers With Wire Cutters (needlenose & Regular)•Wire Cutters•Large Locking Blade•Serrated Blade•Wood Saw•Metal Saw•File With Diamond File•Can Opener•Bottle Opener•Scissors•Bit Driver•Small Bit Driver•Medium Screwdriver•Phillips Screwdriver•Hard Wire Cutter•Wire Stripper•Spring Action Scissors
Plier type
Needle-nose Plier
Needle-nose and Regular Pliers
One-hand opening
Yes
Yes
Pocket clip
Yes
Unknown
Sheath included
No
Yes
Use case profile
Best for
▣Camping▣Outdoor Work▣Everyday Carry▣Repair Tasks▣Hard Outdoor Jobs
▣Tradespersons▣Everyday Carry With Strong Tool Versatility▣Outdoor And Farm Use
Common praise
✓High Blade Quality And Edge Retention Due To Magnacut Steel✓Versatile Toolset With 20 Locking Tools✓Smooth One Handed Opening And Operation✓Durable Pvd/dlc Coating✓Comfortable And Secure Handling
✓Versatile Set Of 17 Integrated Tools Covering Many Needs✓Comfortable Handles And Outside Accessible Tools✓Strong And Precise Pliers And Wire Cutters✓Locking Mechanisms On Outside Tools For Safety
Common complaints
⚠No Sheath Included⚠Premium Price Point Might Be High For Some Users
⚠Blade Steel Is Basic 420hc With Average Edge Retention⚠Scissors On 2004 Model Changed To Smaller Design That Some Users Find Less Safe⚠Heavier Than Some Other EDC Options

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