Leatherman Just Dropped a New Wave and MagnaCut Knives. Here’s What’s Worth It
The multi-tool kings did not sit still. Here is everything new.
Back in 2022, our crew put the Leatherman Bond head-to-head with Gerber in our multi-tool battle, and the Bond walked away with Overall Versatility. Since then, Leatherman has been busy: a new flagship Wave, MagnaCut steel showing up across the lineup, and a full line of fixed-blade knives. Here is what is new, straight from the brand, plus the classics still worth grabbing. Let's dig in.
Quick Refresher: Why Leatherman
Built to last
Every tool is backed by Leatherman's 25-year warranty.
Where it started
Tim Leatherman's original Pocket Survival Tool kicked off the whole multi-tool category in 1983.
One tool, a dozen jobs
Pliers, blades, drivers, cutters and more that fold into one pocket-sized tool.
New for 2026: The Multi-Tools
Wave Alpha
Leatherman calls it the ultimate evolution of its best-selling multi-tool. It is the first Wave with a reverse tanto blade in ultra-premium MagnaCut steel, a new thumb stud for one-handed opening, contoured G10 handles, and the first full-size, one-handed scissors ever on a Wave. See the Wave Alpha.
Signal Sandstorm
A limited-edition take on Leatherman's best-selling outdoor multi-tool: a Cerakote camo blade and saw, glow-in-the-dark accents on the sharpener and ferro rod, and a matching nylon sheath with bronze stitching. It is only around for a limited time. See the Signal Sandstorm.
ARC
Leatherman's most advanced multi-tool. A MagnaCut blade, every feature reachable from the outside, and FREE one-handed opening that locks each tool in place. See the ARC.
Leatherman Garage drops
Small-batch, limited releases like Batch #008: Captain's Crunch, with locking pliers and gold PVD-finished features. These sell out fast, so keep an eye on the Garage.
Leatherman Makes Knives Now (Serious Ones)
Trac
The outdoor knife of the bunch: a full-tang MagnaCut drop-point blade with sculpted G10 handles. Made in the USA. See the Trac.
Rustle
A Santoku-style camp chef knife built for outdoor meal prep, from dicing veggies to slicing steak. MagnaCut blade, weather-resistant G10 handles. See the Rustle.
Blazer, Glider and Pioneer
Two 3.7-ounce MagnaCut folders with Leatherman's new Delta Lock, plus a heavy-duty tanto fixed blade for bushcraft. All three were sold out on Leatherman's site when we checked, so they are worth watching.
Small Stuff for Everyday Carry
OPNR
A keychain tool with a package opener, pry bar, screwdriver and bottle opener. See the OPNR.
Skeletool KB
A 1.3-ounce everyday carry knife with a bottle opener built in. See the Skeletool KB.
Micra
The keychain multi-tool with spring-action scissors for tags, packages and quick fixes. See the Micra.
New carry gear
Quick-release pocket clips and lanyard rings, a MOLLE sheath and a premium leather sheath to carry your tool your way.
Still the One We Tested: Bond
The Leatherman Bond is still in the lineup and still our crew's pick for everyday versatility: 14 tools, a 420HC blade and just 5.8 ounces, now in Cerakote colors like Burnt Sienna, Mossy Slate and Heathered Cranberry. Read how it stacked up against Gerber.
Who Leatherman Is Best For
Guys who fix things around the house, the garage or the job site
Campers, hunters and anglers
Everyday carry fans who want one tool that does a dozen jobs
Anyone shopping for a gift that gets used for decades
What We Want to Find Out
A full crew review of the Wave Alpha is on our docket. Here is what we will be testing:
How the MagnaCut blade holds an edge after real work.
Whether full-size, one-handed scissors change how often we reach for it.
How it carries in a pocket next to the Bond.
PROS
MagnaCut steel across the new flagship tools and knives
Wave Alpha adds full-size, one-handed scissors
A real fixed-blade knife lineup, made in the USA
25-year warranty on everything
CONS
Premium pricing on the MagnaCut models
Limited drops and some knives sell out fast
The Final Duuude Take!
Leatherman is not coasting on the classics. The Wave Alpha and ARC push the multi-tool forward, the MagnaCut knives give outdoorsmen a reason to look past the usual knife brands, and the Bond is still the easy everyday pick. If you have been carrying the same tool since 2022, 2026 is a good year to upgrade.
Some links in this post are affiliate links, so our crew may earn a small cut at no cost to you. Details on new products come from Leatherman.
