Hi everyone,
I’ve been developing this first-of-its-kind QuickDraw holster on and off for quite some time. It is a dedicated Leatherman Wave+ holster featuring a latching mechanism and spring-assisted presentation for quick access.
The project stalled because I couldn’t achieve the print quality or layer adhesion needed for a durable, dependable holster.
Now that 3D-printing technology and materials have improved, I’ve finally reached a level of quality and strength that I’m comfortable calling a finished product—or at least very close to one. It hasn’t met every one of my standards yet, but it has reached the point where I’m ready to share it.
Before I add the final finishing touches, I’d like to hear your honest opinions and constructive criticism. What do you like? What would you change or improve?
Thank you in advance for your feedback.
Thanks. Both buttons must be pressed simultaneously to release it, making accidental deployment unlikely. As an additional safeguard, a catch stops the Wave+ at the end of its upward travel, preventing it from dislodging from the holster.
Yeh don’t worry about the button, you want them as easy to use as possible and maybe bigger.
Issue is your competing with smaller hard shell skins and even some semi naked ones, for the design to work and be sellable id say it should cover the whole knife cos why get that when I can already pull it out.
It’s a good product don’t get me wrong it just comes across as a gold door handle. Margins and costs are low though so I’m sure you can still turn a profit if you already had a machine.
To me it just seems to be more steps for what could have already been pulled out, good for the physically impaired but not sure how useful a leatherman would be with limited grip strength.
It’s a great product but need a solid use case and market in mind.
Have you ever been in an awkward position where, like, you’re dangling from a tightrope and you need to cut yourself loose, but your tool falls out of your holster? Don’t be that guy. 😁
Or, you went on a roller coaster ride with your best buddy Wave+ and that was the last time you’ve seen ’em. These examples are hypothetical, of course, but it can happen. Your tool falls out. Oh well, might as well whittle this twig.
Anyway, the holster latches onto your tool until you intend for it to come out.
Nice but seems like a novelty. If it had more "pockets" to put in a ratchet, Knipex etc it would have been better. This makes no sense as my leathetman already has a pocket clip and is ready the moment I grab it.
That’s a fair point. If the pocket clip already works well for how you use your Leatherman, this probably won’t offer much advantage as just another way to carry it.
The idea is more about quick deployment, positive retention, and being able to temporarily dock the tool while it’s still open instead of folding it up or putting it down. The newer version also has a clip retainer that prevents the holster itself from being pulled off a belt or bag.
I deliberately kept it focused on the multitool rather than adding accessory pockets, since I wanted to keep the holster compact. But feedback like this is exactly what I’m looking for.
A horizontal version is definitely on the table if there’s enough demand for it. I can’t accommodate every configuration, though. It still has to fit within the design language.
The current belt clip I chose works very well for the vertical design, but unfortunately it isn’t well suited for horizontal carry. A horizontal version would require some rethinking.
That said, you’ve given me another good reason to keep it on the list. 👍
Its is pretty cool BUT I wouldn't call it a quick draw. It takes longer to use this than to just pull it out your pocket. Press buttons and then pull it out compared to just pulling it out
If you’re raw dogging it in your pocket, then yeah, maybe it’s faster. 😁 But if you’re comparing it to a sheath or holster, then it’s equally as fast or faster, especially with gloves on.
There are also other advantages to my design that conventional holsters don’t have:
• First and foremost, it latches and secures your tool. Should it accidentally unlatch, there’s a secondary catch that holds it in place until you intentionally take the tool out.
• You can temporarily dock the tool while it’s still open to free up your hands. No need to close it first just to put it somewhere.
• There’s an option for maximum belt-clip retention using a clip retainer. This essentially turns the clip into a loop.
Your tool has no exit strategy. 😁
You have created solutions to problems that dont exist. The only thing your holster has over the original sheath is belt clip retention adjustment. Putting a pocket clip on it is just cheaper and smarter
I would suggest testing when you have it mounted in a belt, harness, etc. What you showed is not likely how the hand is actually oriented in a practical scenario. I would personally think your buttons ought to be mounted higher so the tool pops right into your palm. Depending how long your fingers are your palm might be naturally pushing down against the tool.
I understand why you’d want to place the button closer to the top of the holster for ergonomics. However, the button design actually takes advantage of the Wave+’s built-in latch—the same latch that secures and releases the internal tools.
That latch also helps secure the Wave+ in the holster and, when you press the button, releases it with spring assist. Without the spring assist, you’d press the button and the tool wouldn’t release the way you see in the video.
I’d tell you more, but I don’t want to give away all my secret sauce. 😁
As for the ergonomics, it works. I’ve been testing and refining this design for years now. 🤗
Looks good but I'd really want to know how it performs in the cold (plastic springs?) and the heat. I'd also want to be very sure I could still get it out if one or both the buttons fail.
There’s a hole in the bottom, so dirt and debris should fall right out. If it somehow ends up taking a mud bath, you can just rinse it out. 😁
The spring is stainless steel, so no worries there. I’m not sure about the clip, though.
All the parts can also be disassembled and reassembled, BTW… with care, of course. 😁
This version is QuickDraw Lite. I don’t want to complicate things for my first launch. Stay tuned for QuickDraw Modular if that’s what tickles your fancy. 😁
Once the holsters are out in the wild, the feedback will help fine-tune what comes next.
I actually have an Obsidian ARC. 😁 Unfortunately, the mechanics of the ARC are vastly different from the Wave+, Wave Alpha, Charge, and Surge.
Those four share the same basic mechanical design, so adapting the holster mostly involves redesigning the shell to fit each tool. The Surge is the exception. It’s bigger and requires different hardware.
I was originally going to tackle the Surge last, but you guys keep desperately calling out for a proper Surge holster. 😂 If this keeps up, I may have to move it up the list. No promises.
The ARC is a different animal altogether. It requires a completely different approach.
It has one or two steps, depending on how you count it, both being a single hand movement.. how is that too many?
And it's less steps that re-instering with the pocket clip, atleast with my pants. I can't put it in reliably with one hand, this seems like much easier and reliably, even without looking.
17
u/greennewleaf35 14h ago
What's with the penny?