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Leatherman Wave+ vs The James Brand The Helton
Leatherman Wave+ ($120) vs The James Brand The Helton ($169) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right multi-tool.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Leatherman Wave+ | The James Brand The Helton |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $120 | $169 |
| Weight | 240g | 98.4g |
| Tools | 18 | 9, all locking |
| Steel | 420HC | — |
| Origin | Portland, OR USA | — |
| Warranty | 25 years | — |
| Blades | Outside accessible | — |
| Pliers | Needle + Regular | — |
| Blade | — | VG-10, partially serrated |
| Drivers | — | Two, magnetic |
| Handle | — | 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum |
| Closed | — | 3.5" / 8.8cm |
| Weight | — | 98.4g / 3.5 oz with clip |
| Extras | — | Chisel-tipped tweezers, scissors, file, bottle opener, metal pick, lanyard and bead |
Pros & Cons
Leatherman Wave+
- 18 tools comprehensive
- Outside-accessible blades
- 25-year warranty
- Spring-action scissors best-in-class
- USA made
- 120g pocket weight
- $120 entry
- Lock requires two hands to close
The James Brand The Helton
- Every tool locks, which is the real complaint about traditional multi-tools
- Magnetic drivers keep bits and screws where you put them
- No plastic, unusual at this size
- 3.5 inches closed carries like a pocket knife, not a multi-tool
- $169 is Swiss Army money several times over
- No pliers, which rules out a whole class of jobs
- VG-10 is good, not exceptional, at this price
- Some finishes list at $179
Leatherman Wave+ is the better value at $120. If weight matters most, The James Brand The Helton carries lighter at 98.4g. Both are part of our curated multi-tool index — tap through to check current pricing.