Next Tool W4: The Ratcheting Adjustable Wrench Multi-Tool That Should Not Exist

Introduction

Every so often a multi-tool shows up that genuinely does something no other tool has done before. The Next Tool W4 is one of those. It has been in circulation among a small group of enthusiasts for a few months now, and it is easy to see why people are excited. At its core is a feature combination that, as far as anyone can tell, no multi-tool has ever shipped with.

The short version: the W4 takes the adjustable wrench format the brand is known for and reworks nearly every weak point. It is heavier than the original wrench-based model, at 313g versus 279g, but that extra ounce buys improvements in almost every category. Pricing has not been confirmed yet, with a full release expected on Amazon, though early impressions suggest it will land lower than most people expect.

The Headline Feature: A Ratcheting Adjustable Wrench

The adjustable wrench itself feels markedly more premium than the original. A spring keeps the adjustment mechanism tight and secure, with none of the play you often get on budget wrench designs. But the real magic is hidden inside the head.

A locking bar on the side disengages a spring mechanism that lets the head rock up and down. Rock the head up and a small pin pulls out from underneath a metal shim, which spring-loads the lower jaw. The result is a ratcheting adjustable wrench that always springs back into position. Adjust the jaw once, and you can spin a fastener repeatedly without re-gripping.

This is not the first ratcheting adjustable wrench to exist, but the combination here, ratcheting action alongside fixed-position parallel jaws, appears to be unique among multi-tools. The fixed jaws matter more than they sound: they let you grip and bend flat material like sheet metal cleanly, something universal wrench mechanisms cannot do as well. There is also a replaceability bonus. If the head ever breaks, the pivots can be undone and the entire jaw assembly swapped out, so a broken jaw does not mean a dead tool.

One trade-off is worth knowing about. Because of the adjustable wrench mechanism, the blade cutouts extend into the wrench section, so the outer tools are a little shorter than on the original. It is a reasonable price to pay for what the mechanism delivers.

Blade and Long Implements

The main blade comes in under 3 inches and is made from 8CR14MOV steel with a hollow grind. That is a genuine step up from the original, which used a softer steel. It is a non-locking blade with an easy-access liner lock, smooth one-handed opening, and good ergonomics thanks to aluminum overlays on top of the steel frame. Those overlays are not just cosmetic: aluminum is much lighter than steel, and the underlying steel frame has been cut away substantially to save weight while keeping strength where it counts.

On the other side sit two long implements. There is a locking saw that is better formed than the previous version and roughly the same length, plus a non-locking file with an aggressive crosscut section and a small diamond file area. The file is the kind you will reach for when deburring, smoothing brass fittings or other connections before assembly. The saw suits light home improvement work like notching wood, but this is not really an outdoors-oriented tool. It makes the most sense for plumbing, electrical, and general repair scenarios.

Full-Size Pliers

The W4 uses the full-size plier head found on the brand’s flagship and flagship Max models, a big upgrade over the thin pliers on the original. It keeps the replaceable cutter design, so worn cutters can be swapped rather than written off. The tool is confirmed to ship with a sheath, though whether extra cutters come in the box has not been confirmed.

Bits That Actually Work

One of the most frustrating quirks of the original was its proprietary ball-detent bit storage in the frame. Those bits were easy to lose and standard 1/4-inch bits would simply fall out. The W4 fixes this comprehensively. It accepts standard 1/4-inch bits held by a very strong magnet, and it also works with Weiha double-sided bits, a genuine advantage over the competition. Even Leatherman flat-style bits will seat and function, with a little extra play.

There is also a built-in double-sided bit, Phillips on one side and flathead on the other, stored underneath the spring-loaded pliers. The clever part is that the bit can stay stowed while you use the pliers or the adjustable wrench, then fold out into a driver when needed. And critically, the stored bit does not interfere with the ratcheting mechanism. The head still reaches full height and ratchets normally even with the bit in place.

Who This Tool Is For

The W4 is clearly aimed at tradespeople and serious DIY users: electricians, plumbers, and home-improvement types who want one tool that can grip, ratchet, drive, saw, file, and cut. It pairs especially well with dedicated implements like electrician shears, filling a niche that few other multi-tools touch.

Fans of the discontinued Leatherman Crunch may find something to like here, though the W4 is its own unique package rather than a direct replacement. The design philosophy is deliberate: fewer implements, executed better, with a combination of tools that is genuinely hard to find elsewhere.

Buying Advice

If you have been waiting for a multi-tool with a proper adjustable wrench, patience has been rewarded. The ratcheting mechanism alone puts the W4 in a category of one. Hold off on final judgement until pricing and full box contents are confirmed at the formal release, but on the evidence so far, this is one of the more impressive multi-tool launches in years.

Conclusion

The Next Tool W4 manages the rare trick of improving on an existing design in nearly every area at once: a ratcheting, replaceable adjustable wrench head, full-size pliers, better blade steel, standard bit compatibility, and smarter weight-saving construction. The slightly shorter outer implements are the only meaningful trade-off, and they are a fair one. For anyone whose work involves fittings, fasteners, and the occasional bit of cutting or filing, this is a tool worth watching closely.