Leatherman Wingman
 Back to Gear Reviews
|
0 Comments |  |
Leatherman Wingman $69.95
The Wingman is hands down my favourite Leatherman product - and this is the third Leatherman I’ve owned. I also have the Kick and the Wave, but weight for weight, tool for tool, the Wingman is by far my favourite.
A big part of the attraction is undoubtedly price-related. With a 25-year warranty and costing just $69.95 it represents the best value for money in its category and far better value than the Wave, which at $229 is three times the cost for just three more tools (17 vs the Wingman’s 14). Another attraction, over my Wave at least, is the weight: it’s a full 50g lighter (though 50g heavier than the Gerber Crucial).
But the real reason I prefer the Wingman over my other multitools is down to a few well-thought out features. For a start it’s more ergonomic, so fits nicely into the palm of your hand. The spring-loaded pliers are highly responsive and the handles snap into position and won’t budge until you want them closed. The ergonomic handles really come into their own when using the pliers - apply as much pressure as you can and you won’t feel any edges digging into your palm.
Another great feature is the built-in pocket clip. One of my main gripes with multitools is having to open a pouch to access the tool – in that sense they aren’t tramper-friendly; I’ve yet to wear any tramping clothes that I can comfortable attach the pouch too, so inevitably it winds up in my pack. Not the Wingman - clip it to your belt, a pocket, or pack waist straps for easy access. No more digging around in my pack’s top lid for a knife to cut my salami and cheese. There are just two tools accessible from the handles without opening the pliers - scissors and a half-serrated blade. This blade is pretty small (6.6cm) and not as sharp as I would expect, though the serrated section is positively lethal.
The other tools, including Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers and a neat package opener (for those annoying courier parcels that for neither love nor money can you rip open), are easily and smoothly accessed once the pliers are opened.
If you’re on the lookout for a Leatherman tool, it would be hard to justify spending more on Leatherman’s Wave or recently released Sidekick while the Wingman represents such good value for multitool money.
- Alistair Hall
Related review: Victorinox Soldier knife
The Wingman is hands down my favourite Leatherman product - and this is the third Leatherman I’ve owned. I also have the Kick and the Wave, but weight for weight, tool for tool, the Wingman is by far my favourite.
A big part of the attraction is undoubtedly price-related. With a 25-year warranty and costing just $69.95 it represents the best value for money in its category and far better value than the Wave, which at $229 is three times the cost for just three more tools (17 vs the Wingman’s 14). Another attraction, over my Wave at least, is the weight: it’s a full 50g lighter (though 50g heavier than the Gerber Crucial).
But the real reason I prefer the Wingman over my other multitools is down to a few well-thought out features. For a start it’s more ergonomic, so fits nicely into the palm of your hand. The spring-loaded pliers are highly responsive and the handles snap into position and won’t budge until you want them closed. The ergonomic handles really come into their own when using the pliers - apply as much pressure as you can and you won’t feel any edges digging into your palm.
Another great feature is the built-in pocket clip. One of my main gripes with multitools is having to open a pouch to access the tool – in that sense they aren’t tramper-friendly; I’ve yet to wear any tramping clothes that I can comfortable attach the pouch too, so inevitably it winds up in my pack. Not the Wingman - clip it to your belt, a pocket, or pack waist straps for easy access. No more digging around in my pack’s top lid for a knife to cut my salami and cheese. There are just two tools accessible from the handles without opening the pliers - scissors and a half-serrated blade. This blade is pretty small (6.6cm) and not as sharp as I would expect, though the serrated section is positively lethal.
The other tools, including Phillips head and flat head screwdrivers and a neat package opener (for those annoying courier parcels that for neither love nor money can you rip open), are easily and smoothly accessed once the pliers are opened.
If you’re on the lookout for a Leatherman tool, it would be hard to justify spending more on Leatherman’s Wave or recently released Sidekick while the Wingman represents such good value for multitool money.
- Alistair Hall
Related review: Victorinox Soldier knife
Latest Articles
Project Janszoon aims to restore native forest and wildlife in Abel-Tasman... Keep Reading
Stay Informed
Keep up to date with news, information, updates, magazine issues, and more!
