After marrying his Vietnamese wife and settling down in Saigon, Tim Leatherman would soon begin the journey that led to the creation of one of the most popular tool brands in America. A week before the Fall of Saigon at the hands of communist North Vietnam, Leatherman fled the country with his wife and her family.
That same year, he and his wife embarked on a road trip across Europe, which was beset by mechanical issues. Unable to fix the cheap Fiat 600 with just his pocketknife, the idea for the multi-tool was born. Over 30 years later, and with a myriad of designs, Leatherman is considered by many to be a household name.
The Leatherman Wingman is one such design that is worth taking a look at. Having replaced the tried and true Wave in my everyday carry rotation, I am beginning to see the perks of carrying a lighter multi-tool. At 7oz. (compared to the 8.5oz Wave), the Wingman is still functional enough to perform the tasks I need it for.
I use the Wave as a comparison mainly because it is one of the company’s best-selling multi-tools and the fact that I’ve carried it for 7 years. While there are a few options missing on the Wingman, this is to be expected for a tool that is around $50 less. However, I feel that the Wingman offers exactly what I need for daily use.
Sure, it’s nice to have a diamond-coated file, a saw, and multiple bits, but I really don’t find myself using them as often as I’d like. With the Wingman, I have plenty of options that I am more likely to use on a daily basis. The best part is the pocket clip that does away with the need to carry a pesky sheath on the belt. Anyone who carries a concealed pistol can probably agree that the last thing you want on your belt is more weight and extra bulk.
Another thing I like about the Wingman is the combo knife with serrations. The Wave offers two separate blade styles, but the Wingman combines them nicely, which helps cut down on the weight while maintaining functionality. The Leatherman Wingman has an assortment of other tools, including:
- Spring-action Needlenose Pliers
- Spring-action Regular Pliers
- Spring-action Wire Cutters
- Wire Stripper
- 420HC Combo Knife
- Spring-action Scissors
- Package Opener
- Ruler (1.5 in | 3.8 cm)
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Small Screwdriver
The Leatherman Wingman is a great multi-tool that offers plenty of functionality for whatever situation you may find yourself in. At $39.95, it’s an easy purchase if you want something you can carry around and get a lot of use out of. It also comes with a 25 year warranty! At that price point, I’ll likely be picking up another just to leave in the range bag for those days I rush out of the house and forget it.
Also, be sure to check out more great products at their website.
Author – Rodney Pointer is a former Army Infantryman. After graduating from Airborne School, he was ruthlessly assigned to Fort Polk, Louisiana to live out his days as a dirty leg. He served with the 2nd BN, 30th Infantry of the 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division. Following his deployment to Afghanistan, he received a Bachelor’s degree in Intelligence Operations. He currently works as a nuclear security contractor.
