Leatherman has officially announced their new CURL multi-tool, model 832930, which is described as being packed with some of Leatherman’s iconic features while also being affordable for first-time users.
The new Leatherman Curl multi-tool has a very familiar look to it, almost like a scaled-back Wave.
Leatherman’s marketing copy says that the Curl was “inspired by their best selling multipurpose tool,” and so the resemblance makes sense.
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As with many other Leatherman multi-tools, the new Curl has combination pliers, a knife blade that’s accessible when the tool is folded closed, and also inside-accessible tools.
What’s different about the Curl is that it only has outside-accessible tools on one side. This is made clear in Leatherman’s product images, which show a plain back with pocket clip.
Whereas the old Wave and Charge multi-tools had four outside-accessible tools, the new Curl only has two. With the Curl, you get am outside-accessible knife blade and a file.
Leatherman Curl Tools and Features
Leatherman says that the Curl multi-tool has 15 tools and functions.
- Needlenose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Hard wire cutters
- Wire cutters
- Wire stripper
- 420HC stainless steel knife (locking)
- Large screwdriver bit (Phillips/slotted)
- Scissors w/ spring action
- Diamond-coated file (locking)
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Awl with thread loop
- Ruler (8-inch/19 cm)
- Wood/metal file (same as 9, opposite face)
- Medium screwdriver
The Curl comes with a removable pocket clip and a nylon belt sheath.
The Curl’s large bit driver is compatible with Leatherman’s modified screwdriver bits and accessories such as their ratcheting bit driver.
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Specs
- Blade length: 2.9″
- Closed length: 4″
- Overall length: 6.5″
- Weighs 7.5 oz
- Thickness: 0.6″
Product pages describe the Curl as being made in the USA.
Price: $89.95
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Compare: Wave+ via Leatherman
Compare: Wave+ via Amazon
Discussion
I reviewed the Leatherman Wave a long time ago, and they have since updated it with an improved wire cutter. The new Wave Plus currently retails for $100.
Leatherman multi-tools have increased in price over the years, and the company has made attempts to offer more affordable tools without making too many compromises.
Leatherman describes the new Curl as being great for beginners, and being affordable for first-time users while still offering 15 different tools and functions, plus the knife and file as outside-accessible tools.
If you’re new to multi-tools, the outside-accessibility of the knife is a big deal compared to many other brands and models, where you might instead have to fold open the pliers to access the knife blade.
Leatherman Curl vs. Wave Multi-Tools
Here, the new Curl looks very similar to the Wave Plus multi-tool.
The Curl has launched at $79.95, which makes the Wave Plus a $20 upgrade at $99.95.
The Curl has similar pliers and cutters as the old Wave, and nearly identical tools and functions as the new Wave Plus. I specifically reference the old Wave because the newer Wave Plus has more premium pliers jaws with replaceable cutter blades, unlike both its predecessor and the Curl, which have non-replaceable cutting edges.
It looks like an awl is swapped in for the Wave’s eyeglass screwdriver bit driver feature. The Curl is missing the serrated blade and wood saw from the Wave, but it does look to have the same wood/metal file and plain edge knife blade.
The Curl comes with a pocket clip. You can add one to the Wave Plus for $5.
With only two outside-accessible tools on one side of the Curl, I would expect it to be more compact and possibly a little more comfortable for pocket-clip-carry. I bought a pocket clip for my Wave a long time ago, but hardly ever used it. In my experience, the Wave and Wave Plus multi-tools, and other full-size models, are more comfortably carried in a belt-mounted sheath. The Curl does come with a sheath.
The Curl weighs a little less than the Wave Plus – 7.5 oz (212 g) vs. 8.5 oz (241 g).
With the Curl only featuring two outside-accessible tools on one side, compared to the Wave Plus having two on each side for four total, I would expect the Curl to be a bit thinner. There is a difference in handle thickness, with the Curl measuring 0.6″ (1.50 cm) and the Wave Plus 0.7″ (1.78 cm).
The difference in thickness is 2.8 mm if going by Leatherman’s metric measurements, which would mean the Curl is nearly 16% thinner compared to the Wave Plus.
From the product images, the Curl does NOT look to have the same active locks as Leatherman’s Wave Plus, Charge, and other like-styled full-sized tools. The tools might still feature a slip joint or other passive locking mechanism.
So, it seems that the Curl is scaled down a little bit from the Wave Plus, but is it worth saving $20 for?
Or, is the Curl worth $20 more than Leatherman’s Sidekick (via Amazon) or Wingman (via Amazon) multi-tools, which are both currently priced at $60?
The Curl is advertising as having 15 tools and functions compared to 18 for the Wave Plus, but it looks like the Curl is missing the inner tool locking system, and that’s on top of the non-replaceable cutter jaws and 2 outside-opening tools instead of 4. There could be other more subtle differences as well, such as with the pivots or user experiences.
Leatherman did give the Curl their large bit holder design, and so it is compatible with the brand’s bit kits and other drive accessories.
The Curl looks to be a meet-in-the-middle type of tool. It lacks some of the more premium qualities of the Wave Plus, but offers upgrades over Leatherman’s more entry-priced tools.
Thoughts?
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William
Replaceable cutter and two extra blades, plus the micro driver, worth the $20 and likely minimal weight difference. If I want to go cheap I’d likely get a more entry leatherman. The Regular wave is such a good tool.
Jared
I don’t know… I carry a Skeletool a lot. I like having the least weight and width possible. I think there are reasons to opt for the Curl over the Wave beyond the cost savings.
I would like an eyeglass screwdriver – or someplace to carry an extra Leatherman bit like the Skeletool has. But overall, seems like a good tool compliment. Very happy to see a plain edge knife.
Jared
P.s. Scissors and Can opener are tools I rarely use. They could have scaled this down further for me.
Blocky
Agree with all of you. That’s barely any weight savings vs the wave plus
and the skeletool already has the tools I actually use. It’s in my pocket right now. In theory, I would use scissors, but those wave style scissors are not very good.
Only thing I’m wondering is if the 2.9″ blade has the same pivot and locking geometry as the skeletool? I prefer the straight section on the wave-style blade to the long belly curve of the skeletool– because I cut lots of sheet goods.
David Gould
It’s all personal preference- but ordered mine already. I’ve EDC’d a Surge for many years; the added weight (11oz?) was worth the larger, more ideal tool set to me. I always wished I could pocket clip it, but had to accept it’s just too big for that. I found the larger blade was still too short and cumbersome for all my EDC use, leaving me to carry a larger dedicated blade.
These days I’m counting ounces in ultralight packing and helicopter ops, wishing for something lighter yet even the Skeletool seemed incapable for me, and other cheaper entry-level versions didn’t have the tool set I wanted either. Usually sawing less than 1″ diameter, and rarely use the serrated blade, I’m not too sad to lose them. The stripped weight, integrated pocket clip, and the ideally capable (for me) tool set had me sold.
For the average user, spend $20 for the fuller locking tool set of the Wave+, at 1oz more. But everyone is different, so the Curve exists. Speaking of – Hey Leatherman, why can’t we custom order our own tool sets yet?
Nathan
isn’t the wave blade longer than 3 inch. I love my original wave but it’s heavy. For my normal work use – which these days is mostly office. I like the screw driver and the scissors – and the smooth blade.
pocket clip is a need too
likewise at work I have to be under 3inch on the blade and not having the saw also helps. So this tool would work pretty well for me.
Stuart
No; according to Leatherman specs for the Wave+: PRIMARY BLADE LENGTH: 2.9 in | 7.37 cm
Jerry
Is it just me or does the first picture show what looks like a diamond file?
FWIW it has my most used tools except maybe I’d prefer the eyeglass screwdriver instead of the awl.
MM
That’s what it looks like to me too.
JoeM
I’d recognize that any day, from across the room, blindfolded. It’s definitely the double-sided Diamond File/Rasp you find on the Wave and Charge models. There’s a T-Shank Jigsaw edition of it for the Surge’s Blade Exchanger.
Always the same combo on the file, always the same shape. Good tool to have, but you can spot it blindfolded. No need to question what you see, I see it too. That is definitely one of the iconic outside-open tools Leatherman uses… The Saw is significantly better… maybe this was one of those times to use a Blade Exchanger there, so you’re never missing out on the other side of the tool from the Wave, Charge, and Surge models?
Mike McFalls
I don’t know why they would release a tool in which all tools are not outside accessible? Seems like a step back after they released the Free Series.
JoeM
Personal Opinion, Maybe shared by other Leatherman users/fans: Lately, their releases fall one tiny detail short of perfection, and they release it prematurely without thinking of the mistake they’ve made.
David Zeller
Does keeping them inside decrease gunk getting in there? Decrease chances of it getting caught on things? Make it nicer in-hand when using the knife?
I don’t know, but those are some guesses.
JoeM
Wait… “Curl”… as in the surfing term for riding along a Wave as it arcs over your head, on its way to crashing into shore?
So… The Curl is riding under the Wave’s profile… It’s a Fake Wave… a Pretend Wave if you will.
What… Is Leatherman Marketing thinking?? Is it just me, or has the company suddenly decided on a pattern of “We’re going to take this idea to the very edge of perfection… but stop, and give it a cryptic name to make it snazzy to the customer instead.”
Honestly? If they had swapped that fixed rasp/file for the Blade Exchanger from the Surge, and included the Saw to swap with, like the Surge? Then the “Curl” would have been an absolute perfect way to get a person into a basic Full-Feature Leatherman. But they stopped short of perfection, and gave it a weird name… again… like they did with the Free line. Another group that was just… a Hair short of being perfect.
The curl has the Awl from the Surge (or at least certain models of Surge), plus the outside opening blades, plus the other features from the Wave.. If the Curl was truly to be a hybrid, stripped-back edition of the Wave/Surge family… It’s just one feature short of being perfect. Sure, I always want the Black Oxide editions for… Reasons… but I’m not going to fault them for not jumping straight to Black Oxide out of the gate. It’s when they know they have some major sellers going on the market, and they don’t have that option, that’s when it upsets me. There’s so much to like about the Curl… Because it’s based on two previous editions of the modern Wave and Surge. Plus… it’s a Half a Wave, yet not Half the Price of a Wave. For the extra money past $50 US for a Half-Wave, I would hope they would have swapped one great feature in from the Surge to make it introductory to the Premium level full-sized Surge line.
David Zeller
I still think naming a product “Free” is a dumb idea. Almost anything could be better. Flick would be applicable, catchier, and not confused with a freakin’ common word used for shopping for every kind of product and service.
JoeM
I entirely agree. I would have preferred that they call the line Gauss for the standard, and Stealth for the Black Oxide versions (because I always want Black Oxide Versions. I carry my Leatherman tools on my belt, using Adam Savage style Leatherman Holsters I’ve made myself. When light hits the shiny silver tools? It can blind people, and confuse Cats, following the spot of light on the wall.) but no… They called it the “Free”… Ugh… How do you even hold a promotional contest for that?
“Sign up for X today, and win a Free Free Series of Tools!… For FREE! All the Free Tools, FREE! Sign Up Now!”
I’m sorry, but that may be a great prize, but… It gives me grammar headaches just looking at it. That was a major mistake on Leatherman’s part. Now… Gauss or Stealth? Even Flick like you said?
“Sign up for X today, and win a Free Flick Series of Tools! All the Flick Series, For Free!”
“Sign up for X today, and win a Free Gauss Series of Tools! All the Gauss Series, For Free!”
“Sign up for X today, and win a Free Stealth Black-Oxide Series of Tools! All the Black-Oxide Edition Gauss Stealth Series, For Free!”
That last one being an extreme case, since I may want it to be called the Stealth, but for corporate and Leatherman-Obsessive collectors, they would likely take such an idea like Gauss, and add an Edition name instead of a substitute name. Gauss Stealth Edition rather than just Stealth. The way they did the Mut and the Mut EOD editions. At least those made sense.
Some of this ranting is me venting in frustration over that “Free” line. I’d love to own the whole lineup… but not if it’s called “Free” and definitely not if they won’t Black-Oxide the lineup.
David Gould
I disagree. Again, personal preferences being the purpose of having different models, and why so many models are offered – if you want the Surge, get the Surge, that’s what it’s there for and it’s what I’ve used for years. What the Curl does is simplifies everything, such as the internal locking mechanism, replaceable wire cutters, and including the blade exchanger and two of the outside-accessible tools. One thing I have always disliked about the blade exchanger is that it drastically shortens the size of the saw or file to smaller than the Wave’s – I got the surge because I wanted larger tools, so that was a downside, but at least you could change them out and have both. In order to use the blade exchanger, it would have to boost this model up to a large size, rather than medium, which would push the weight way up again and defeat the purpose, so you may as well stick to the Surge anyway if that’s what you want.
The purpose of the Curve is a simpler, lighter tool with this tool set. I personally prefer to have the file over the saw, however, many other people are opposite that from me, so it would be pretty sweet to see the option, being able to choose one or the other – for me, it’s awesome.
Nathan
so again for my use cases the saw is pointless. the file gets some use. removing a few other pieces lightens it up so it can sit on the belt hook better – then win win.
bit holder screwdriver item – also win win for me. price I do think is a touch steep but prices after 2020 are a bit off.
would need to hold it in my hand before I would agree it’s worth buying.
Replace the awl with nearly anything like the mini-bit driver. or how about a removeable pen of some sort. something like a sharpie finepoint or a led holder
JoeM
How about the Package Opener from the Sidekick/Wingman series? The old Fish Hook Remover/Seatbelt Cutter from the older Charge TTi?
There are times I wish Leatherman would let people like You and I tweak their designs before they released them, y’know? We have better senses of what combinations of tools go together, far beyond their marketing departments now saying “Well these are popular tools according to surveys and influencers!” we could go in and say “This combination of tools cover the spectrum of needs for X user. This other combination covers the needs for Y user. Price point for X user, because they’re less wealthy than those of the Y group, on average, means the X edition can be set at a Premium price point, where Y will have to maintain a Budget-Friendly price point.”
Or just go whole hog on this, and do truly custom high-end personalized Multi-Tools at this point. Right now we can have engraving and printing done… Imagine them letting us pick the Series of tool, and preferred scales, tools, and features? Now Those… Those I would pay more for. Even Third Party Mods to get different tool steels, or finishes we want. The Leatherman PRO Store! That idea makes me quite happy.
Pablo
I can’t tell from the images whether the blade and file lock. I suspect not. I think this is probably geared towards the British market where locking blades are illegal.
Stuart
The specs I’ve seen say that the knife and file do lock. I’m sorry, I included this in the features list but not in the other parts of the post since I can’t confirm what kind of lock it is.
I would presume that the knife and saw blade have liner locks. None of the images I’ve seen show this clearly. Since Leatherman says they’ll be officially announcing it next week, that’s the earliest I’ll be able to ask any questions.
Sorry, this one’s probably also not going to meet British regulations.
Pablo
I missed that. I for one am glad the blade and file have liner locks. The UK law stinks for knife safety.
Jim Felt
I’ve a dorky kind of Leatherman tool question. I’ve been gifted many of their tools over the years and have never once seen a reason to carry one. Except my keychain Style in both versions.
Help me here. I’ve got every single actual tool that any pocket multi tool can offer and have simply never every day carried any of them.
What’s the deal? Maybe I’m truly missing the whole point and don’t realize what exactly that is?
That said I truly appreciate their space utilization and engineering prowess.
JoeM
Swiss Army Knife: Pliers Edition… Or usually Pliers. The Victorinox Swiss Army knives usually centre on the Knife Blade. But, much like the knife blades, they fold out other useful tools. That’s the basis of the original Multi-Tool.
Leatherman tools that are big enough to grab a bolt, or to strip wire, open packages, or punch holes in things… All they’re doing is exchanging the Knife as the central tool, for a pair of pliers. And even then, with the models that have the outside-opening blades, you don’t even have to compromise on the knife being the primary focus. Folded, it is a standard Folding Knife. Open, it’s a pair of pliers, with a small toolkit attached for the same jobs.
The only other way I can illustrate how helpful this is, would be to tell you about how mine have come in handy while walking around, as a civilian. And the best story I have is this:
I went to a store, I live in a small city, so I was using public transit. When it was time to wait for the bus and go back home, a young Father… probably a few years younger than I am, but we were of the same generation… was out with his young Son for his Son’s Birthday. (They told me after the event, it wasn’t obvious.) The Son wanted to go and buy a certain Transformer from the store… Probably WalMart, it was one of the smaller modern Transformers. Well, when he got to the bus stop, the Dad was holding an open package, and the boy was playing with his new toy. He was having a great day, they both were. Then we heard the sound we never want to hear from a child. Snap. “Dad… It Broke!” The child started whining at the toy, he wasn’t having a happy day anymore. The Dad was frantic, and couldn’t get the part to work again.
Here’s where me carrying a Leatherman came in handy. I was out, buying my own stuff. I put it down, knelt down to the boy and his Dad, and said “I’ve been playing with these Transformers since before I was your age, little guy. Do you mind if I have a look, and see if I can help you fix it?” The boy agreed, looked at his Dad and asked if he would let me. The Dad was happy to let me look. It was an arm piece. A ball joint, held into the arm by friction alone, the only difference between the arm being “on” and the arm falling off, was the tension of a screw on the arm. To repair it, all I needed, was a screwdriver, and a pair of pliers. I was carrying my Wave, and had a Bit Kit on me. I got the right screwdriver bit out, put it in the wave, undid the screw so the arm opened up the ball socket, then I flipped open the pliers, and pinched the ball socket back inside the arm. Pop. Flipped it back closed, the right screwdriver bit was still loaded, and I tightened it down and tested the arm until I was sure it wouldn’t pop out again. Then I transformed it a few times to make sure (and because Transformers are fun for all ages, and the boy learned from me doing it, how he should do it.) and returned it to the boy, and suddenly I was tackled by that kid with a hug for doing something nice for him. That’s when he said “Thank You! This is my Birthday, and this was what I wanted!” The Dad and I exchanged “Aww” looks, and had that typical “Dad” talk of “Didn’t they used to make these better back when we had them?”
It doesn’t matter if you’re at work, or just taking a walk, or you happen to be running errands. A Leatherman Multi-Tool is a small sample of the tools you keep in your tool box, and instead of lugging around all your tools, you have a pretty decent number of full-sized tools sitting on your hip, or in your pocket, or whatever. Sometimes you see something in public that you can fix simply by one tiny action. Other times you can make a kid’s Birthday a little brighter. The point is, you can live your life without always needing your full tool kit when it’s something simple. On the fly, or if something happens, you can be prepared for anything you normally do, without having to go looking for your tools. there’s some version of them right where you put it in your pocket.
Very long explanation. I’m sorry. But it is a very complex reason beyond “Being Prepared”… It’s about having what you need, when you need it, even when you aren’t getting paid for it. It’s for the love of using your hands to use tools. Leatherman is kind of acting like an enabler of our need to feel useful as tool users.
MM
To add to what Joe said I think there are two other great use cases for them.
First is an emergency tool you can leave pretty much anywhere. I don’t bother with my work truck because it’s already full of full-size tools, but for the wife’s car, my motorcycle, etc, I keep a leatherman and a flashlight in the glove box or console. It’s just a handy thing to throw in there and you never know when you might need it.
Second is that they seem to be useful for some specific jobs. The IT staff at a company I used to work for would all carry multi-tools. For basic computer service they had all the tools they needed right there in their pocket. They could cut zip ties, use the pliers to move jumpers and help with cables or latches, screwdriver tips for opening PCs and removing or installing drives, etc.
I also think that Robert raised a good point below. In some places you might get a strange look if you take out a “knife” while the public seems to be a lot less concerned with a multi-tool that looks more like a pair of pliers than a scary knife, though the same might be said for a Swiss Army knife too.
JoeM
Even that… I’m sad to say… isn’t always true. Since the Wave/Charge/Surge family have full-sized blades that open from the outside, some people think you’re still carrying it as a knife. In fact, I’ve had a few… Crazies… get all excited when seeing me carry my multi-tools, and they start pulling knives themselves, showing off their “awesome” blade… usually some simple folder, jack knife, or the over-glamourized butterfly knife. Good for them, sure, this little city I live in has quite a low class of backwoods style testosterone junkies… or just straight up junkies… and for personal defence, I can see the need for a knife. But I always disappoint them when I pull the actual Leatherman out of its holster, and flip open the pliers instead of the outside blade, because mine are tools, not testosterone proving items.
Make no mistake, there’s still that outside knife, two if you’ve got the right model of that family, and if attacked you can certainly do some fatal damage to someone. Sure, the tools themselves are handy to just toss anywhere as a mini toolkit, but I believe Jim is more curious about why he should carry one in his pocket all the time. That’s where he’s stuck. And I don’t blame him for being confused. If he’s set in his ways, and feels more comfortable using his normal tools, and then walking away from using tools all together when he’s off the clock… I’m sure a Multi-Tool is remarkably useless to him. That’s a valid thought to have. Not everyone wants to think of emergency use, or just casual use, as a tool user. If you spend all day, building up arthritis (which I have done, despite my young age.) and straining muscles to the point of pain, you don’t go home or leave the job with a desire to do more tool work.
In Jim’s case, it sounds like his family and friends can’t quite understand why Jim’s talents and skills with tools Don’t extend to when he’s “Off the Clock” so to speak. They don’t understand that Jim may get a kick out of owning a bunch of Leatherman tools that they’ve given him over the years, but it sounds like they’ve been giving him various models of Leatherman Tools like Ties, Socks, and Belts that other guys get from family members.
I totally understand where Jim is coming from. My Father loved to go fishing, and eventually I started thinking “Maybe this is a good reason to buy either a Sidekick or a Wingman for him?” but in typical stubborn form… He refused to entertain the idea of carrying a Multi-Tool. If he wanted a hook removed from a fish, he wanted a pair of pliers. And being the over-ambitious guy he was, he wanted a nice long reach pair of needle nose pliers, in case it was a huge fish that swallowed the hook whole… When he went fishing he ended up with small fish 99% of the time, but he was always aiming for that giant Muskie, Pike, or Large-Mouth Bass… So my idea of him just having a Wingman or Sidekick for the simplest of hook removals was totally rejected, and I never bought one for him.
Jim is probably a lot like my Dad was. If he wants to do something tool-related, he wants His tools. So wrapping his head around a mini tool kit in his pocket is a little difficult to justify. All I can say is… Jim? If you’re still reading this? Do you mind listing the models you’ve been given over the years? Maybe one of us can help you try one out in your pocket for a little while, so you can decide, once and for all, if a Multi-Tool is for you? There’s always socks. You know we’re all fighting the battle to maintain at least a few pairs of good socks through the years. Maybe you just need help testing so you don’t feel guilty about asking them to stop getting you these tools?
Blocky
I work mobile in a city where I do not have the luxury of always having a truck full of tools. A good multitool is a decent backup blade, second pair of pliers, file and pry tool, coming in less than the size and weight of some full handled offerings. It’s a great thing to have in the bag or on my hip.
Some days I’m running transports without a kit or in a rental truck, a job I should conceivably be able to do with a pen, but my skeletool is still in almost daily use opening packing to confirm contents, getting the occasional odd screw, or stopping an auto-latching door while loading out. People will literally sign an artwork over, already packed for transport, strapped into the truck and then run out saying “oh, do you have a drill? We left the hardware on the wall.” I got along fine for years without, but everytime I have to cut some rope for a tie down, improvise a box, pull a metal splinter, snip some picture wire, pop some strapping, thread a ziptie, turn a set screw on a piece of camera equipment, fix a lamp, etc etc. I’m glad I have it. Some days my hands are too occupied moving things to also carry a basic kit back and forth.
Robert
When in public, even if an onlooker knows that a tool otherwise contains a knife, they’re usually fine if you’re just deploying scissors. Small scissors don’t cause the same social reactions as knife blades. I often use scissors in place of a knife in many public situations.
I like this layout. An extra serrated blade and saw are really redundant to me, especially in more urban locations. I appreciate having the core essentials without the extra bulk.
Ezzy
What I still don’t understand is why they still don’t make a knife purely for work purposes. Call it the Leatherman Tradesman. Eliminate the worthless ‘tools’ such as the bottle open, can opener, and awl. Put in a standard 1/4 inch bit driver.
JoeM
That’s the Skeletool by the sounds of it. Or one of the Crater series knives. Also the Skeletool KB/KBX pocket knives.
Ezzy
There’s nothing truly handyman focused. I’d love something ideally built on the Free platform with a real wire strippers, 1/4 inch driver, replaceable saw off the Surge, maybe a way to get a razer blade to fit? You get the idea. I want something truly focused exclusively on handywork. Easily replaceable parts. I don’t care what it costs.
JoeM
My friend… I believe I made a comment somewhere along one of these responses about a Leatherman Pro Shop… Where we do more customization than just aesthetics. That’s what we need here.
But, I meant no offence by what I said. The way you first described it sounded remarkably like the Skeletool. With the added features you’re talking about… Yeah, we need a pro shop, and I’m totally open to that. The kinds of designs of tool combos I’d put into a Leatherman would drive their Marketing people insane… Because they’d be purpose built… but they wouldn’t be clustered by popularity, like the current models are. They’d be job-centric.
It seriously sounds like you and I both need this.
Ezzy
It would be super complicated to do custom knives as different tools are different sizes
Issac
I wonder if the knife could be swapped out for the wave’s saw, making it UK legal then as an EDC as it wouldn’t have a knife.
JoeM
Technically? Yes… It’s not… a great thing to do… and it voids the 25 year warranty that makes Leatherman worth what they are… but you can get an old Wave you no longer use, undo the hinge where the saw is, and swap it over… Or there’s a part of the site Shapeways that deals with people making things in metal. you could commission a Leatherman Saw Blade that would fit the Curl, if you wished.
Shapeways, usually, is where people go to get parts that have been 3D printed, but there are makers there that work in metals as well.
Jo B
Another boring Leatherman tool that lacks imagination, & not adding something NEW to the line up once again. I wish that they would make side cutters.
JoeM
Uh… The main cutters in the plier jaws Are Side Cutters… With a notch at the bottom for harder wire…
Honestly, the Curl is likely meant to get people introduced to the Wave, Charge, and Surge. It’s not supposed to be new, it’s supposed to be a sample. No need to be so negative over something so simple.
If a Multi-Tool has to satisfy the desires of a nuvophille, it ceases to be a tool. (Nuvophille is someone who craves “New Things” all the time.) It turns it into a trophy.
blocky
Idk JoeM, I think Jo B is onto something. Actual side cutters (not just recessed wire cutters) would be a really compelling tool choice for an auxillary multitool – either central, in lieu of pliers, or as a light-duty fold out, in lieu of scissors. (think super-knips)
Jo B
You’re spot on! I’ve been want a set of actual Leatherman side cutters for 20 years because they would have more usefulness in my life than the current pliers.
JoeM
I meant no offence. If you’re talking about removing the Pliers in front, I’d say it’s worth trying. If we can have dedicated Scissors on some tools, then we can go with some sort of dedicated Sidecutters.
It’s just… You weren’t that specific, so I was unsure… I’m sorry if I offended you. It just… sounded like you were asking for Side Cutters because they’ve never done them before… And… That’s being different for the sake of being different… also… the Cutters on their pliers now are, technically, Side Cutters… So… I was hoping for more detail, as you and blocky have given.
I see no reason why we can’t expand a bit… I’ve already started talking about a Leatherman Pro Shop where we drop in the tools we want, rather than just accepting whatever the model gives. They’d carry the majority design’s name, plus “Custom” on the end. “Wave+ Custom” “Super Tool 300 Custom” you get the drift.
Though, I have to warn you, if you go into any website that has a full history of all the Leatherman tools they’ve ever released, you’ll find they’ve gone some strange places, and may well be very resistant to trying the Side Cutter main head. They had Garden Shears at one point… It didn’t go well… They had a whole lineup of tools called the Squirt… Electrical Strippers, Scissors, you name it! Didn’t sell as well as you’d expect, and convincing them to scale that up may be a bit tricky.
But I’d totally back that. As long as they Black Oxide the thing, I’m pretty well up to something from nearly every series they make. Though… you’re more likely to get heard by joining their Facebook page, and participating in discussions there. They sometimes literally ask what people want to see in a Leatherman tool. I think you will have luck going with that.
Oleg K
Omg $80?! That’s practically GIVING it away for free!!!
What they did was make a worse multitool with cheaper components, price is below the new Wave and refer to it as “affordable”. $20 is an affordable multi-tool, $80? At $80 it’s just another expensive multi-tool and I don’t see a point of buying this one, vs paying another $20 or so and getting a much more superior Sirge or Wave.