If you’re standing in a store, staring at a wall of multi-tools and feeling completely overwhelmed, let me make it simple for you. Stop looking.
Pick up the Leatherman Wingman. I’ve carried one for years, and it has saved me more times than I can count, from quick fixes around the house to unexpected jams on a camping trip.
It’s the perfect blend of functionality, durability, and value. For anyone who wants a reliable tool that won’t break the bank, trust me, this is the one you should walk out with today.
My First Few Months With Leatherman Wingman
I remember the day I got my Leatherman Wingman like it was yesterday.
I’d just moved into my first apartment, a place that generously could be described as having “character.”
In reality, that meant things were constantly breaking.
A loose cabinet handle here, a wobbly chair leg there—the list was endless.
My toolbox was a sad collection of mismatched screwdrivers and a hammer I’d “borrowed” from my dad years ago. I needed something more compact, something I could just have on me without lugging around a heavy box.
That’s when a friend, a seasoned handyman, recommended the Wingman. He called it “the best bang for your buck in the multi-tool world.”
Skeptical but desperate, I bought one. The first thing I noticed was the satisfying heft. It wasn’t heavy, but it felt solid, crafted from real steel, not cheap plastic. The one-handed opening for the knife was the first feature I tested.
With a flick of my thumb, the blade snapped into place with a confident click. That evening, I put it to its first real test. The chain on my ceiling fan decided to snap. Instead of hunting for my toolbox, I reached into my pocket, pulled out the Wingman, and deployed the pliers.
The spring-action was a game-changer; I didn’t have to constantly reopen them with my other hand, making the delicate task of re-linking the tiny chain surprisingly easy.
In the weeks that followed, my Wingman became an extension of my hand. I used the package opener to slice through stubborn clamshell packaging—a task that usually required scissors and a fair amount of swearing.
The Phillips head screwdriver tightened the loose screws on my laptop, and the wire cutters snipped through speaker wire for my new sound system. I even used the file to smooth a jagged edge on a chipped coffee mug.
It was more than just a tool; it was my problem-solver, my go-to gadget for the everyday annoyances that life threw at me. It lived in my pocket, ready for whatever came next, a silent, steely companion proving its worth a dozen times a day.
Also Read: Comparison of Bosch GET75-6N And Festool Sanders.
The Upside: What I Absolutely Love About the Wingman?
After years of consistent use, my appreciation for the Wingman has only grown.
It’s not just about having a bunch of tools in one place; it’s about having the right tools, designed in a way that makes sense for real-world use.
The first and most obvious win is the accessibility of the primary tools.
The knife and the scissors can be opened from the outside, without having to unfold the entire tool.
This is a massive advantage. How many times have you needed a quick cut or a snip?
With the Wingman, you just flick your thumb, and the blade is ready. You don’t have to perform a two-handed unfolding ceremony just to open a box. The blade itself, a 420HC stainless steel combo blade, holds its edge remarkably well for a tool at this price point.
It’s partially serrated, which gives you fantastic versatility for cutting through everything from rope to stubborn zip ties.
Then there are the spring-action pliers. If you’ve ever used a multi-tool without this feature, you know the frustration of having to manually pry the jaws open after every squeeze. It’s awkward and inefficient.
The Wingman’s pliers, however, pop open on their own, ready for the next move. This makes repetitive tasks, like bending wire or holding a nut in place while you tighten a bolt, feel fluid and natural.
The pliers themselves incorporate needlenose and regular tips, along with wire cutters, covering most of what you’d need for light to medium-duty tasks. For me, they’ve been perfect for everything from fixing jewelry clasps to pulling out stubborn nails.
But the feature that truly sold me, and the one that often gets overlooked, is the spring-action scissors. These aren’t the flimsy, afterthought scissors you find on many other multi-tools. These are robust, sharp, and surprisingly powerful.
They cut through thick fabric, zip ties, and even thin plastic with ease. Having them accessible from the outside, just like the knife, makes the Wingman incredibly practical for daily carry. I find myself reaching for the scissors almost as often as the blade.
Finally, you can’t talk about the Wingman without mentioning the value. You’re getting a genuine Leatherman, backed by their legendary 25-year warranty, for a fraction of the cost of their flagship models. It feels like you’re getting away with something—a premium experience without the premium price tag.
A Few Caveats: Where the Wingman Falls Short?
No tool is perfect, and as much as I admire my Wingman, it’s important to acknowledge its limitations. It’s a fantastic entry-level or everyday-carry tool, but it does make some compromises to hit its attractive price point.
- The Tools are Not All Locking
While the main blade and the scissors lock firmly into place, which is a crucial safety feature, the internal tools do not.
The screwdrivers, can opener, and file are held in place by a simple slipjoint mechanism.
For light tasks like tightening a screw on a pair of glasses or opening a can of beans, this is perfectly fine.
However, if you need to apply significant torque, you run the risk of the tool folding back on your fingers.
It’s a trade-off that keeps the design simpler and the cost down, but it’s something you must be mindful of during use.
- The Screwdriver Selection is Basic
The Wingman comes with a medium flathead, a small flathead/Phillips combo, and a dedicated Phillips driver. This covers a lot of ground for everyday fixes, but it’s far from comprehensive. You won’t find a bit driver or any specialized bits here.
If your work frequently involves different screw types like Torx or hex, you’ll find the Wingman lacking. It’s designed for general convenience, not as a replacement for a dedicated screwdriver set.
- 420HC Steel is Good, Not Great
The blade is made from 420HC stainless steel. Let me be clear: this is a perfectly capable steel for a tool like this. It’s easy to sharpen and has good corrosion resistance. However, it doesn’t hold an edge as long as more premium steels like S30V or 154CM found on more expensive Leatherman models.
If you’re using the knife heavily every day, you’ll find yourself needing to sharpen it more frequently. For the average user, it’s more than adequate, but for a knife enthusiast, it might feel a bit soft.
Also Read: Comparison of Atlas 46 And Diamondback Tool Belts.
Keeping Your Wingman in Top Shape: Maintenance and Pro Tips
Owning a great tool like the Leatherman Wingman is one thing; keeping it in prime condition is another.
A little bit of regular care will ensure it functions smoothly for years, maybe even decades. I’ve learned a few things over the years that have kept my Wingman feeling as good as new, and they’re all incredibly simple. Neglecting your tool is the fastest way to turn a reliable companion into a rusty, gritty frustration.
- The Ritual of Cleaning
Your Wingman lives in your pocket, a place filled with lint, dust, and all sorts of debris. This gunk inevitably works its way into the pivots and joints, making the tools stiff and difficult to deploy. My cleaning ritual is straightforward.
About once a month, or more often if it’s been exposed to dirt or moisture, I give it a thorough cleaning. I start by using a can of compressed air to blow out all the loose debris from the nooks and crannies.
Then, I take a soft brush (an old toothbrush works perfectly) and some warm, soapy water to scrub away any grime. For stubborn spots, especially sticky residue, a little bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab does wonders.
The most important step is to rinse it thoroughly with clean water and then dry it completely. I mean completely. I use a cloth to get the surface water off and then leave it open to air dry for a few hours to ensure no moisture is trapped inside, which is the number one cause of rust.
- The Secret is Lubrication
Once your Wingman is clean and dry, the next step is lubrication. A dry tool feels gritty and wears down the pivot points over time. You don’t need anything fancy. A light, penetrating oil like 3-In-One or even mineral oil will do the trick.
The key is to use it sparingly. I apply a single drop to each pivot point—where the pliers hinge, where the knife opens, and where the internal tools fold out. Then, I work each tool back and forth several times to distribute the oil evenly throughout the joint.
This makes a world of difference. The tools will glide open smoothly, and you’ll protect the metal from friction and wear. Wipe away any excess oil with a clean cloth, as too much will just attract more dirt and lint.
- Honing That Edge
A dull knife is not only useless, but it’s also dangerous because you have to apply more force, increasing the chance of a slip. The 420HC steel on the Wingman is relatively easy to sharpen. You don’t need a complicated system.
A simple ceramic rod or a small sharpening stone is all it takes. I find that a few light passes on each side of the blade every few weeks is enough to maintain a razor-sharp edge. Remember to maintain the original angle of the bevel. For the serrated portion of the blade, a tapered diamond rod is the best tool, allowing you to sharpen each serration individually.
Don’t overdo it; a little maintenance often is better than a major sharpening session once a year. Taking five minutes to touch up the edge will make your tool a joy to use every time.
How The Wingman Stacks Up
When you’re looking at the Wingman, you’re inevitably going to see it sitting next to tools from other big names. It’s helpful to understand where it fits in the broader landscape.
- Wingman Vs. Gerber Suspension-NXT
The Gerber Suspension-NXT is often seen as a direct competitor to the Wingman.
When I hold both, the Gerber feels a bit lighter and more “skeletal” in its design, which some people prefer for pocket carry.
It also boasts more individual tools than the Wingman.
However, I’ve found the quality of the Wingman’s tools, particularly the pliers and scissors, to be superior.
The spring-action on the Wingman’s pliers feels more robust and reliable.
Furthermore, the Wingman’s main blade and scissors are accessible from the outside, a significant ergonomic advantage over the Suspension-NXT, where you must open the handles to access most implements. While the Gerber might look more futuristic, I find the Wingman to be the more practical and durable choice for daily use.
- Wingman Vs. SOG PowerAccess
SOG is known for its compound leverage pliers, which can generate significantly more gripping force than the standard pliers on the Wingman. If your primary need is heavy-duty gripping and twisting, a tool like the SOG PowerAccess might have an edge.
However, the Wingman counters this with its overall user-friendliness. The one-handed, outside-accessible tools on the Wingman make it far quicker for common tasks like opening a package or cutting a string.
The SOG often requires more steps to get to the tool you need. I see the Wingman as the superior generalist tool, while the SOG is more of a specialist for tasks requiring immense plier strength.
- Wingman Vs. Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
Moving up in price, we have the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X.
There’s no denying the Swiss-made quality; the fit and finish on the Spirit X are impeccable, and every single tool locks into place.
It feels like a piece of precision engineering. However, it also comes with a much higher price tag.
The Wingman provides about 80% of the functionality for a fraction of the cost.
For me, the Wingman wins on pure value. The Spirit X is a fantastic tool, perhaps even a “buy it for life” heirloom, but the Wingman offers incredible performance and reliability that is more than sufficient for the vast majority of users, without the financial sting.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Absolutely. The Leatherman Wingman is an excellent multi-tool, especially for its price point. It’s not designed to be the most heavy-duty tool on the market, but for everyday carry (EDC), household fixes, and light outdoor use, it’s fantastic. Its key strengths are the spring-action pliers, the outside-accessible knife and scissors, and the overall build quality backed by Leatherman’s 25-year warranty. It offers incredible value and is often considered one of the best entry-level multi-tools available.
The Leatherman Sidekick and Wingman are built on the very same frame and are almost identical, with two key tool differences. The Wingman features a pair of spring-action scissors that are accessible from the outside, and its main blade is a partially serrated combo edge. The Sidekick, on the other hand, replaces the scissors with a saw and has a plain-edge main blade. The choice between them comes down to personal preference: if you anticipate cutting more fabric, packaging, and fine materials, choose the Wingman for its scissors. If you think you’ll be cutting more wood or tough plastics, the Sidekick’s saw might be more useful.
While there isn’t one single model issued to all branches, some of the most commonly used and privately purchased Leatherman tools by military personnel include the Leatherman MUT (Multi-Utility Tool), which is specifically designed for firearm maintenance, and the Super Tool 300 or the OHT (One-Hand Tool) for their robustness and specialized toolsets. The Wave+ is also incredibly popular due to its versatility. The specific choice often depends on the individual’s role and needs.
“Best” is subjective and depends entirely on your needs and budget. However, the Leatherman Wave+ is widely considered the gold standard for multi-tools. It strikes an almost perfect balance between size, tool selection, durability, and price. It features premium materials, locking tools, and an array of useful implements that cover almost any situation. For those needing something more robust, the Leatherman Surge is a larger, heavy-duty option. For ultra-portability, the Leatherman Squirt PS4 is a keychain-sized favorite. The Wingman itself is often called the best multi-tool for under $100.
Wrapping Up
After all this time, the Leatherman Wingman still holds a permanent place in my pocket. It has proven its worth time and time again, handling countless tasks with dependable performance. It strikes the perfect balance, offering essential, well-designed tools without the overwhelming complexity or cost of high-end models.
If you’re looking for your first multi-tool, or a reliable, no-nonsense companion for your daily adventures, I can’t recommend it enough. For the price, you simply will not find a more capable, durable, and user-friendly tool.
Go buy one; you’ll thank yourself later.