TAKE-ALONG MULTITOOLS IN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND

Sometimes you need a tool that does more than cut and slice. Multitools are pocket-sized problem solvers that you can take with you wherever you go. They come in an ever-increasing range of shapes and sizes, some with just a few multitools and others with most every gadget you can imagine.

So, put on your work boots, grab your favorite multitool, and be ready to be the person everyone turns to when something needs to be fixed.

“…pocket-sized problem solvers and multitools that you can take with you wherever you go.”

Have a look at the Multitools Buyer’s Guide 2022:

1. LEATHERMAN FREE K4

MULTITOOLS Buyer’s Guide 2022

Closed Length: 4.5 inches

Blade Length: 3.3 inches

Blade Material: 420HC

Overall Thickness: 0.77 inch

Weight: 5.5 ounces

Origin: USA

Tools: Knife, spring-action scissors, pry tool, package opener, awl, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, small and medium flat screwdrivers

Other: All tools lock

MSRP: $89.95

Leatherman.com

2. LEATHERMAN SKELETOOL KBX

MULTITOOLS Buyer’s Guide 2022

Overall Length: 5.87 inches

Closed Length: 3.45 inches

Blade Length: 2.6 inches

Blade Material: 420HC

Handle Material: Stainless steel

Locking Mechanism: Liner lock

Overall Thickness: 0.3 inch

Weight: 1.3 ounces

Origin: USA

Tools: Locking partially serrated knife blade, integral bottle opener on pocket clip

MSRP: $29.95

Leatherman.com

3. VICTORINOX CLIMBER WOOD SWISS SPIRIT

MULTITOOLS Buyer’s Guide 2022

Closed Length: 3.6 inches

Blade Length: 2.5 inches (large blade)

Weight: 2.9 ounces

Origin: Switzerland

Tools: Large knife, small knife, can opener, bottle opener, wire stripper, reamer/punch/sewing awl, scissors, corkscrew, 3 mm and 6 mm flat screwdrivers, multipurpose hook, keyring

MSRP: $80

SwissArmy.com or Victorinox.com

 

4. GERBER CENTER DRIVE PLUS

Overall Length: 6.6 inches

Closed Length: 4.7 inches

Blade Length: 3.25 inches

Blade Thickness: 0.09 inch

Blade Material: 420HC

Handle Material: Stainless steel

Locking Mechanism: Jaw: push/slide; blade and driver: frame lock; internal tools: wedge lock (slide lock)

Sheath Material: Leather

Weight: 9.5 ounces

Origin: USA

Tools: Spring-loaded needle-nose pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, partially serrated knife blade, center-axis bit driver, Phillips/flat screwdriver bit, prybar/nail puller/bottle opener, awl, file, spring-action scissors

MSRP: $130

GerberGear.com 

5. VICTORINOX SWISS CHAMP

Closed Length: 3.6 inches

Length of Blade: 2.5 inches

Blade Material: Stainless steel

Handle Material: ABS/Cellidor

Weight: 6.5 ounces

Origin: Switzerland

Tools: Large knife; small knife; can opener; bottle opener; wire stripper; reamer/punch/sewing awl; scissors; multipurpose hook; pliers; wire crimper; fish scaler; hook disgorger; ruler; wood saw; nail file/cleaner; metal file; metal saw; 2.5 mm, 3 mm, and 6 mm screwdrivers; Phillips screwdriver; magnifying glass; chisel; pressurized ballpoint pen; stainless steel pin; corkscrew; mini screwdriver; and keyring

MSRP: $87.99

SwissArmy.com or Victorinox.com 

6. LEATHERMAN Bond

Overall Length: 6.5 inches

Closed Length: 4 inches

Length of Blade: 2.9 inches

Blade Material: 420HC

Handle Material: Stainless steel

Overall Thickness: 0.56 inch

Weight: 6.21 ounces

Origin: USA

Tools: Needle-nose and regular pliers, wire cutters, wire stripper, knife blade, awl, can opener, bottle opener, wood/metal file, Phillips screwdriver, small and medium flat screwdrivers, ruler, lanyard ring

MSRP: $49.95

Leatherman.com

7. LEATHERMAN Curl

Overall Length: 6.25 inches

Closed Length: 4 inches

Blade Length: 2.9 inches

Material of Blade: 420HC

Handle Material: Stainless steel

Overall Thickness: 0.6 inch

Weight: 7.5 ounces

Sheath Material: Nylon

Origin: USA

Tools: Needle-nose and regular pliers, bit driver with Phillips bit, wire cutters, wire stripper, locking knife blade, scissors, awl, can opener, bottle opener, wood/metal file, medium flat screwdriver, ruler

MSRP: $79.95

Leatherman.com

8. GERBER Armbar Slim-Cut

Closed Length: 3.8 inches

Blade Length: 2.5 inches

Handle Material: Aluminum

Locking Mechanism: Liner lock

Weight: 2.1 ounces

Origin: China

Tools: Sheepsfoot knife blade, bottle opener, scissors

MSRP: $34

GerberGear.com 

9. SOG Flash MT

Overall Length: 5.6 inches

Closed Length: 3.4 inches

Blade Length: 2.4 inches

Blade Material: Cryo D2

Handle Material: Stainless steel with black oxide finish

Weight: 4.7 ounces

Origin: Taiwan

Tools: Compound leverage pliers, wire cutter, knife, bottle opener, large screwdriver, bit driver, two-sided bit (Phillips and flat screwdrivers), magnetic bit holder

MAP*: $69.95

SOGKnives.com  

*MAP: Minimum Advertised Price

10. SOG MACV TOOL

Dimensions: 2.5 x 1.5 inches

Material: 420HC steel with black finish

Weight: 0.6 ounce

Origin: China

Tools: Pry bar, bottle opener, small and large flat screwdrivers, small Phillips driver, line cutter, blade sharpener, 1/4” wrench, 5/16” wrench, 3/8” wrench, 1/4” hex bit driver, lanyard/keychain hole

MSRP: $11.99

SOGKnives.com 

11. SOG PARASHEARS RED

Blade Material: 3Cr13

Handle Material: Glass-reinforced nylon (GRN)

Weight: 4.8 ounces

Origin: China

Tools: Compound leverage shears, strap cutter, glass breaker, oxygen wrench, tweezers, medium flat screwdriver, Phillips driver, ruler, bottle opener, awl.

MSRP: $74.95

SOGKnives.com

 

12. SOG POWERACCESS ASSIST

Overall Length: 6.82 inches

Closed Length: 4.54 inches

Blade Length: 2.74 inches

Blade Material: 5Cr15MoV

Handle Material: Stainless steel

Sheath Material: Nylon

Weight: 10.7 ounces

Origin: Taiwan

Tools: Compound leverage needle-nose pliers, assisted plain blade, assisted serrated blade, chisel, awl, ¼-inch bit driver, 12-piece hex bit kit, assisted saw, gripper, soft wire cutter, can opener/small flat screwdriver, Phillips driver, bottle opener/large flat screwdriver, jewelry driver, assisted hook cutter, wire crimper, bevel gauge, ruler

MSRP: $89.95

SOGKnives.com

Editor’s Note:

A version of this article first appeared in the Jan/Feb 2022 print issue of Knives Illustrated.