A multitool’s knife blade handles plenty of everyday work, from opening packages to cutting rope and trimming materials. If you use that blade regularly, edge retention becomes a good reason to pay attention to the steel. A knife that holds its edge longer means less frequent sharpening and fewer interruptions when you need it.
Price: $249.95
Where to Buy: Leatherman
Leatherman offers two multitools with MagnaCut steel blades, the ARC and Wave Alpha. Both combine premium blade steel with pliers, screwdrivers, scissors, and other useful tools. The difference is in how you access those tools and what each design prioritizes.
Why MagnaCut steel deserves your attention
Metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas developed MagnaCut to combine edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance. Those properties are difficult to balance because many knife steels sacrifice performance in one area to improve another.
In his interview with Leatherman, Thomas explains how he controlled the steel’s composition to limit chromium carbide formation. This allows MagnaCut to combine high toughness and corrosion resistance with strong edge retention. It also offers good sharpenability, an advantage when maintaining a knife that sees frequent use.
For you, that means a blade designed to stay sharp through repeated cutting, resist rust in damp conditions, and withstand demanding work. These characteristics are useful when your multitool spends time outdoors or handles regular cutting jobs around the house.
If you only open occasional packages, a less expensive multitool will handle those jobs. MagnaCut earns its premium when you rely on the knife frequently and want a blade engineered for long-term cutting performance.
1. Leatherman ARC: One-handed access to 20 tools
Reaching for pliers or a screwdriver while holding something with your other hand can make a simple repair awkward. Leatherman ARC uses FREE technology, a magnetic system that allows one-handed access to every tool, including the pliers.
Price: $249.95
Where to Buy: Leatherman
Its 20 tools include needlenose and regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters, large and small bit drivers, spring-action scissors, a saw, and a diamond-coated file. The implements are accessible from outside the handles and lock into place, allowing you to move between different tasks without opening the entire multitool first. The plier head does not lock.
A 2.76-inch MagnaCut blade has a black PVD coating and thumb stud for opening. The closed body measures 4.25 inches long and 0.68 inches thick, with a weight of 8.6 ounces. It fits into a pocket, although the weight is noticeable compared with a dedicated folding knife. A removable pocket clip provides another carry option.
Leatherman offers a 25-year warranty and free sharpening for the MagnaCut blades on both the ARC and Wave Alpha. You’ll need to send the tool in; Leatherman covers return shipping. A sheath is sold separately for buyers who prefer belt carry.
The $249.95 price makes sense if you regularly switch between pliers, drivers, and cutting tools. One-handed access is the strongest reason to buy this model, particularly for repairs and maintenance where your other hand is occupied. If you mainly need a knife and occasional pliers, its extensive toolset is more than you need.
2. Leatherman Wave Alpha: MagnaCut with larger scissors and G10 handles
Handle design becomes important when you’re gripping, cutting, or using a multitool for extended periods. Leatherman Wave Alpha combines contoured G10 scales with a MagnaCut blade and full-size spring-action scissors.
Its 2.88-inch reverse-tanto blade has a plain edge, black oxide finish, and polished brass thumb stud for one-handed opening. Machined G10 handles feature a topographic-inspired texture, with contours designed to provide a more secure grip. Three finishes are available: Canyonland, Cascadia, and Obsidian.
Price: $199.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
You get 18 tools, including pliers, replaceable wire cutters, bit drivers, a saw, and files. Leatherman identifies the scissors as having the largest cutting surface currently available on its pliers-based multitools. They open with one hand and are accessible from outside the handles, making them useful for packaging and other materials that are easier to cut with scissors.
Closed length is 4.04 inches, and weight is 8.26 ounces. It’s slightly shorter and lighter than the ARC, although its 0.84-inch thickness makes it bulkier through the handles. That difference is relevant if you plan to carry it in a trouser pocket.
For $199.95, you get the same premium blade steel, textured G10 handles, and larger scissors. Choose this one if cutting tools and handle design take priority in your everyday use. Buyers who frequently need one-handed access to multiple tools will get more convenience from the ARC.
Which Leatherman MagnaCut multitool should you buy?
Both models use MagnaCut steel, so the decision comes down to the tools surrounding the blade. ARC gives you more functions and one-handed access throughout the toolset, while Wave Alpha offers contoured handles, a slightly longer blade, and larger scissors.
Neither is the right purchase if you only need a lightweight pocketknife. Both weigh more than eight ounces, and you’re paying for a complete multitool alongside the premium blade.
Price: $199.95
Where to Buy: Amazon
Wave Alpha is my pick for most buyers who want a MagnaCut multitool. Its practical cutting tools, textured handles, and lower price make it the more sensible everyday option. ARC justifies the extra cost when you regularly need one-handed access to pliers, drivers, and other tools.
