Digging through all the available multi-tool options looking for the perfect piece of kit for your everyday carry can be easier said than done. Do you go Leatherman, Gerber, Victorinox, SOG, or something else? What about pliers or a serrated blade? And how many screwdrivers do you really need in a multi-tool? The answers to all those questions depends on what exactly you’re looking for. In our opinion, these are the 8 everyday carry multi-tools that should get you through just about any situation.
Swiss+Tech Pocket Multitool
The Swiss+Tech Pocket Multitool is not the most well equipped, feature packed or easily usable tool on this list, but it’s still a great tool for a number of reasons. It weighs just over 3 ounces and fits on your key-ring. It has plenty of different tools including wrenches, pliers and rulers. Did we mention it’s only 3 ounces and fits on your keys? You’re not going to tackle any remodeling projects with the Swiss+Tech, but it’s great for quick jobs when you don’t have full-size tools.
$8+
Stanley 84-519K Multi-Tool
Stanley was making quality tools with even better price tags before bottled Coke, blue jeans and the Statue of Liberty were around, which is part of the reason you can find tools like this 84-519K Multi-Tool in every big box retailer. This full-size multi-tool has the blades, cutters, screwdrivers and pliers you need to tackle most jobs, but it does’t have a price tag so steep you’ll be worried about losing it.
$12+
Gerber Diesel Multi-Plier
We’re not saying other multi-tools artificially inflate their usefulness by counting individual tools multiple times, but you absolutely won’t find that in easily operable Gerber Diesel. What you will find is a pair of needle nose pliers, wire cutter, partially-serrated knife blade, cross point screwdriver, three flat blade screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, file, saw and scissors in a six-and-a-half inch tool that weighs under nine ounces and oozes with Gerber’s over half century of dependability and durability.
$51
SOG PowerLock
SOG might not have the centuries old history of some of the other name brands on this list, but they’ve made one hell of a name for themselves in the three decades they’ve been making badass tools. 420 steel with a gorgeous black oxide finish. 18 essential tools and SOG’s patented Compound Leverage and PowerLock technologies. The SOG PowerLock is a multi-tool that’s as good for crimping blasting caps and demolition cord in the field as it is for the light duty tasks you’ll probably use it for.
$66+
Victorinox Swiss Army SwissTool RS
There are few knives as iconic and sentimental as the classic Victorinox Swiss Army Knife. There’s nothing wrong the classic, but we prefer the beefier Swiss Army SwissTool RS as part of an EDC. Bender, scraper, crimper, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutter, bottle opener and more in a Swiss-made tool with OneStep access to tools from the outside and locking mechanism with slide release. Oh yeah, and the tool you’ll never break also has a lifetime warranty just in case.
$79
Leatherman 830039 Wave Multitool
Whether it’s the high-quality construction, the 25 year warranty or the thoughtfully designed features like one-handed operation, there’s just something that separates a Leatherman Multi-Tool from every other option the market. The internationally best-selling Leatherman Wave Multitool includes 17 different tools (pliers, cutters, knives, saws, scissors, files, bit drivers, the list goes on) in a 420HC stainless package that will help you tackle almost any job around the house.
$100
Gerber Cable Dawg Multi-Tool
Originally developed for U.S. Military communications personnel, Gerber’s Cable Dawg Multi-Tool houses a collection of field-tested tools that you won’t find in any other multi-tool. In addition to tools you won’t use, like the wire cable cutter, RJ45 crimper and spring-loaded wire strippers, are tools you absolutely will use all the time like a partially serrated, locking combo knife and separate bit drivers with extension. In other words, it’s a usable everyday tool with Gerber’s pedigree that also has almost everything you need to set up a server room.
$200
Leatherman Tread Bracelet
If you really want a multi-tool you don’t have to worry about carrying, wear it on your wrist instead of keeping it on your keys or in your pocket. Leatherman’s Tread Bracelet packs 29 different multi-tools from screwdrivers and box wrenches to a SIM card tool and a bottle opener into a bracelet that is TSA-approved, highly-adaptable and can be converted to a watch band.
$220
