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Pros: Blade Material, Finish, Handle Material, Included Tools, Materials, Overall Quality
Cons: None
Very Handy, Great Features
The Wingman is my third full-size multitool and my second Leatherman. I have a cheap Smith and Wesson and the gold standard Leatherman Wave+. I use the Smith and Wesson as my beater multitool and the Wave+ for specialized tasks and the Wingman falls right in the middle. The knife is sharp right out the box, the scissors are comfortable and cut well (thin plastic is better cut near the tip while thicker fabric and zip ties cut better near the base of the scissors), the phillips and flathead screwdrivers do their job well, the file is good for 2by4s before painting and sharpening handheld shrub clippers (also worked on my tomahawk blade), the ruler is good for measuring those random screws and bolts in your kitchen drawer when you're searching for just the right piece (and a better flathead driver than the one on the other side which is so thick it's really just a prybar), the can opener is decent, and the clamshell package opener is impeccable. The anvil style wire cutters are better than I expected. My other multitools have cross cutters, so it's nice to have some variety there. They work well on zipties and most wires. I have had no issue with them. The pocket clip is awesome, and with the reduced weight of the tool it almost disappears in your pocket.A few things I really like: First: spring action full-size pliers. Not many pliers this size are spring action, and I find when pulling nails or staples this can be very helpful. It takes a lot less maneuvering on the part of the user in those situations. Second: the combo blade. I'm a big fan of combo blades and this one is very sharp with a great drop point profile. It is also very easy to open with one hand. Third: the scissors are comfortable and are easily accessed without opening the pliers, one thing I like a lot in comparison to my Wave+. Fourth: the package opener is flawless. It is designed extremely well and does not leave sharp edges after opening. I wish more Leatherman tools had this feature. It would make an awesome addition to the Wave or Free series. A couple of things I'd change. First: I wish the tools on the inside (package opener, file, can opener, bit drivers) locked. These tools are strong slipjoints, but I always find myself having more faith when applying greater pressure to locking tools than non-locking. Second: the knife has just a bit of wiggle to it. I haven't used it harshly, but when locked the knife wiggles just the slightest bit. I am very glad they reduced the price from $70 to $50. Frankly, $70 is too high (the sidekick is still at $70). This is a nice little tool, but only up to a certain point. It's not as tough as a Wave or Arc, but is handy and serviceable even at harduse tasks. The major selling points: easy access and large scissors, package opener, and perfect weight for pocket clip. I chose this tool over the Sidekick because I wanted scissors over the Sidekick's saw and the package opener in favor of the Sidekick's small serrated blade (one reason I love combo blades). Perhaps a scout or avid young woodsman or boater would prefer the Sidekick for those features as they are more useful when camping or when cutting nautical rope, but for my needs around the house, in a warehouse, and assembling office furniture the Wingman was more suitable. I think this is a great starter multitool for a young person or a person who works in shipping and receiving. It is not specialized enough for industrial or construction use, but does really well with what it has. Highly recommend.
