Over at Leatherman, they have introduced a new “Custom Shop” which can do a lot more than simple personalizations (which they also offer).
You can decorate either (or both) sides of the handles, as well as either (or both) sides of the knife blade.
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There are 3 categories:
- Artwork
- Text
- Pattern
The artwork library includes a selection of built-in graphics. In this example, I selected an alligator (or crocodile?) for the right side of the handle, and a stegosaurus for the right side of the blade.
Graphics categories include animals (mainly wildlife), nature, activities, symbols, and vehicles.
You can also add a pattern to the mix, or at least the customizer allows me to. Whether that’s a good idea or not could depend on the pattern.
You can also upload your own artwork image.
There is a selection of patterns as well. This one appears to be an ocean wave, which would be appropriate given that it’s the name of the tool.
This is another pattern, with bold lines.
Here’s a circuit trace-like pattern.
These are just a few examples, as there are many more patterns and artwork graphics in the built-in library.
To customize things further, you can control several aspects of each graphic or pattern, such as the horizontal and vertical positions, and the size, and you can even rotate them.
You can also copy the left-side images to the right side, for perfect alignment.
Lastly, you can opt for black graphics on a silver-finish tool, or silver graphics on a black-finish tool.
Pricing
Base Price for the Wave+: $99.95
Text: $7.95
Uploaded Image: $16.95
Artwork: $14.95
Pattern: $16.95
Buy Now(Customized via Leatherman)
Buy Now(Wave+)
Read More: Leatherman Wave+ Multi-Tool Preview | Wave Review
As of this time, only the Wave+ is customizable. Many of the other Leatherman multi-tools can still be ordered with text engravings.
First Thoughts
There are other brands that offer knife or tool customizations, but I never take them too seriously, because the product’s base price is often inflated above street pricing, at least the last I checked. Things might have changed.
Here, the base price is the same as you can find the Wave+ for elsewhere.
There could be additional built-in graphics to choose from, but there’s decent selection to start off with, and I like that the artwork and patterns can be customized further, in regard to their size and positions, to suit individual preferences.
To be honest, the price is a little steep for me, and I don’t quite *love* any of the built-in graphics or patterns enough to allow myself to splurge. However, I’d LOVE to receive one, and I could myself buying one to give away as a special gift to someone. This seems like a great gift idea to me.
When I got married, my groomsmen each got personalized Leatherman Wave multi-tools. I ordered a couple from Amazon, and had them engraved at the mall. To this day I really regret not getting one engraved for myself too. I did buy one, but I left it plain. Maybe I’ll order a customized and personalized Wave+ to help erase that regret.
Toolfreak says
The idea is nice, and it’s great as a display/showoff piece, but for practical use, this printed stuff inevitably wears off the handle/blade and looks terrible the more wear it gets.
Part of the reason the plain stainless steel finish is so good is because it still looks the same with wear and tear, except maybe for scuffs and scratches, but even then, it’s not as bad on plain stainless steel and just looks like a tool that has seen proper use.
I think engraving is far better and obviously more permanent as well. It’d be nice if they offered engraving (or stamping?) of the quality of the “Leatherman” logo and model name, so you could, say, get a name and/or message on the handles that would be more permanent, maybe even in addition to custom artwork, however temporary it might be.
Comms Guy says
I have a Leatherman Rebar that was customized for Knife Rights. After carrying it at work for the last 2 or 3 years the graphics haven’t worn off at all, but the tool itself is still in pretty good shape.
ca says
Cool! If they ship to Canada I’m definitely getting one. Your review reminds me of Deejo knives from France. They also offer a lot of customization, and in my opinion are good quality and not too unreasonably priced.
ca says
Well it doesn’t appear as though they do ship to Canada at the moment.
JoeM says
In fact, it kinda crashes in certain locations in Canada. And, frankly, I am hoping by the time it is open to Canada, that they’ve VASTLY expanded the tools available for this, and that they allow for upload of images off your computer.
Personally? I would like to customize a Signal with a Scouts Canada Flur De Lis logo in silver, in all black oxide tools. I know someone who has joined Scouts, and as a former high-ranking one myself, I would love to give this as a gift to them for rising in the ranks.
The Wave+ just won’t cut it for selection, in my eyes. Especially since you can transpose the EXACT same functions onto a Surge/Surge+ or Charge TTI with no problem. If the personalization is so simplistic, all the outside-open family of tools should be “Custom Shop” tools, including Sidekick and Wingman, even the little Micra, and Style CS/PS. Even the Skeletool could at least have the BLADE printed or designed.
skfarmer says
i would be all in on a skeletool!
Jim Felt says
As a commemorative or some similar “gift” purpose I think the idea is pretty fun. I even briefly thought of gift uses for friends. Or clients.
Than the reality of the actual purpose of a Leatherman device struck me. They’re supposed to be “useful”. Not just decorative.
So beyond engraving as an ID anything else would either wear poorly or catch dirt and grime. No?
Now if I collected Leatherman tools…
JoeM says
I think an exception could be made, Jim, for subtle customizations for certain groups, like Scouts, Cadets, or Veterans of various countries. People still active in using the tools, not putting it on the shelf. It’s just… commemorative of their allegiance to the group. Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines, could easily either have their squad/battalion logo put on the outside of a MUT, Surge, Wave, or even the Raptor.
Hell, putting a Freemason logo on one of the blades won’t exactly diminish its usefulness, or make it feel “Too Precious to Use” sort of thing. It would just make that particular tool a gift for someone who is devoted to the Freemasons. Freemasons wear rings with the logo quite frequently, I see no difference with printing it on a Leatherman for a Mason who is also really handy with tools and/or EDC.
As to the zigzags and the wave patterns… Honestly? If the same people you’d put a logo onto the tool for, also happen to be “The Type” to put one of those patterns on the handles, then that, too, would not diminish it as a useful customized tool. It would just make it… I dunno… THEIRS… As long as it doesn’t take away from the tool being used, I say it’s a worthy exception, wouldn’t you?
Diplomatic Immunity says
Wish they would run a full on customization shop with different knife blade offerings as well. Seems like no one makes aftermarket blades for any multitools which seems rather odd.