Leatherman vs Gerber Multitool 2026: Which Multi-Tool Is Better?

The Leatherman Wave+ 18-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool is Leatherman's flagship product—the tool that built the premium multi-tool category with outside-accessible blade deployment (both the knife blade and saw deploy without opening the pliers handles) that competitors have been unable to match. The Wave+ provides 18 tools: needlenose pliers, regular pliers, wire cutters, wire stripper, knife, spring-action scissors, wood/metal file, diamond file, serrated knife, package opener, can opener, bottle opener, awl, ruler, screwdrivers (large and small), and a bit driver. The 420HC stainless steel construction and precision machining are Leatherman's manufacturing hallmarks—the tools lock solidly in position with minimal play, and the hinge mechanism operates smoothly without the stickiness that lower-quality multi-tools develop after use. The included nylon sheath fits MOLLE webbing for tactical carry or standard belt loop attachment. Against Gerber on this comparison page, Leatherman's Wave+ is the premium standard that all other multi-tools are measured against. The outside-accessible blade is unique to Leatherman and meaningful for single-hand knife deployment. For anyone who owns one premium multi-tool for life, the Wave+ is the standard recommendation for its combination of tool count, accessibility, and build quality.

The Leatherman Skeletool CX 7-in-1 Lightweight Multi-Tool (Black) is Leatherman's minimalist multi-tool—7 tools in a lightweight 5-ounce package that prioritizes everyday carry usability over comprehensive tool coverage. The CX's carbon fiber handle panels reduce weight further than the standard Skeletool's aluminum. The seven tools are the most-used subset: needlenose pliers, knife blade, can opener, carabiner (doubles as bottle opener), large bit driver, and removable pocket clip. The Skeletool CX's logic is that 7 carefully chosen tools cover 90% of everyday multi-tool use cases at half the weight of the Wave+. For urban professionals who want a lightweight EDC tool without the bulk of a full-size multi-tool, the CX delivers the core pliers-and-knife function in a jacket pocket-friendly format. Against the Wave+ and Gerber models on this page, the Skeletool CX is the lightweight EDC niche—not the comprehensive camping and outdoor tool that the Wave+ is, but the everyday carry tool that gets used because it's always present rather than left at home due to weight. The premium CX carbon fiber construction over the standard Skeletool is purely an aesthetic and marginal weight reduction rather than functional differentiation.

The Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT 15-in-1 Multi-Tool with Pocket Clip is Gerber's mid-range multi-tool—the open-frame design (internal components visible, weight-reducing frame construction) that provides a lighter carry versus the solid-body Wave+ at lower cost. The 15-in-1 function count covers the standard multi-tool tasks: pliers, wire cutters, blade, saw, file, and screwdrivers. The pocket clip is the practical differentiator from the Wave+ in everyday carry: the Gerber's pocket clip provides secure pocket carrying without a dedicated sheath or belt clip, making it more accessible for everyday carry in front pockets where a sheathed tool would be cumbersome. The butterfly opening design deploys the pliers from the side handles by spreading the handles open rather than flipping a handle from the plier head. Against Leatherman Wave+ on this page, Gerber's Suspension-NXT competes at $30–50 versus Wave+'s $100+, offering adequate multi-tool capability at 1/3 the price. For buyers who want a capable multi-tool for occasional use (camping, minor repairs, everyday carry) without the Wave+'s premium, the Suspension-NXT covers the core use cases. For buyers who use their multi-tool frequently in professional or outdoor contexts, Leatherman's quality and outside-accessible blade justify the premium.

The Gerber Gear Center-Drive Plus 16-Piece Multi-Tool with Sheath and Bit Set is Gerber's premium multi-tool—the Center-Drive concept where the main screwdriver deploys from the center of the tool in a straight drive position that provides the torque advantage of a proper screwdriver grip rather than the compromised angle of side-deployed screwdrivers on most multi-tools. For users who primarily use their multi-tool for driving screws, the Center-Drive's straight-drive position is a meaningful ergonomic improvement. The 16-piece designation includes the bit set: 12 bits plus the tool's built-in functions. The center-axis screwdriver geometry is Gerber's engineering contribution to the category—addressing the real-world complaint about multi-tool screwdrivers being awkward to use under torque. Against Leatherman Wave+ at similar pricing on this page, the Gerber Center-Drive Plus and Leatherman Wave+ are the premium multi-tool comparison. Leatherman's outside-accessible blade is the Wave+'s unique advantage; Gerber's Center-Drive screwdriver geometry is the Center-Drive Plus's unique advantage. The right choice is function-specific: if knife accessibility is the priority, Wave+; if screwdriving ergonomics are the priority, Center-Drive Plus. Both are excellent premium multi-tools for different users.