The Realist: Harbor Freight Gordon Multitool Review

 A guest post by The Realist

Harbor Freight Gordon multitool with its included holster.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this article were purchased by myself. I did not receive free samples, evaluation models, or other compensation from any manufacturer or retailer. I have no formal relationship with any manufacturer or retailer mentioned in this article - I have only been an arms-length customer. All brand names and product names used in this review are the trade names, service marks, trademarks, or registered trademarks of their respective owners. Further, this article reflects my unique circumstances and subjective opinions with regard to performance and other characteristics of the products discussed. Your mileage may vary.

    In the summer of 2024, I started seeing videos reviewing a new Harbor Freight multitool that looked like a Leatherman Wave. After seeing those videos, I started checking my local Harbor Freight and regularly checking their inventory online in an effort to get one. Finally, in February of 2025 I found this multitool at my local Harbor Freight store.

    The Harbor Freight Gordon multitool is almost a clone of the second generation Leatherman Wave. Both have an assortment of knife blades, files, a saw, screwdrivers, scissors, can opener, and needle nose pliers with integrated wire cutters. (Not replaceable cutters as found in the third generation Wave+, Rebar, and other Leatherman multitools.) Along the edge of the handles are inch and centimeter ruler markings. The Gordon multitool adds a carbide tipped nub to the end of the handle to break windows in an emergency, and a "gut hook" on the back of the serrated blade.

A comparison of the 2nd generation Leatherman Wave
(left) and the Gordon multitool (right).

    The Gordon multitool comes with a holster to carry the multitool that is similar to those provided by Leatherman for their multitools. The Gordon multitool also comes with a removable pocket clip, which is an extra-cost accessory from Leatherman. (The Gordon pocket clip does not fit the Wave.) The packaging says the blades and handles are made of 5Cr15MoV stainless steel.

    There are some cosmetic differences, including the pivot screws being slightly different. And, the end caps on the handles opposite the pliers are different, with the Leatherman end caps being rounded, while the Gordon end caps are slightly pointed so one of them can accommodate the carbide window breaker.

    Fit and finish is very similar. I only found one defect in the Gordon multitool, and I don't know if this is a design defect or a random manufacturing defect. Both the Leatherman and Gordon multitools use a second piece of metal next to the main scissors member as a spring. The spring is held in place by a dimple that fits in a hole in the scissors member. That dimple in the Gordon multitool is not high enough to hold the spring in place.

    The Gordon multitool weighs 236 grams without the pocket clip (241 grams with the pocket clip), while the Wave weighs 241 grams.

    The Gordon multitool looks like a competent multitool, and for $39.95 (at the time of this writing) compares very favorably with the second generation Leatherman Wave for $80 and up in secondary markets (the third generation Wave+ has an MSRP of $119.95). Leatherman multitools are made in the United States, while the Gordon multitool is made in China.

    If you are on their mailing list, Harbor Freight regularly sends out emails with coupons for percentages off any new item in the store. Ten percent off coupons are fairly common, and occasionally they send out a coupon for thirty percent off an item. So, if $39.99 is too much, wait for one of their coupons to save a few more dollars.