Choosing a Multitool You'll Actually Carry and Use

From quick gear repairs and jobs around the house to outdoor adventures, a quality multitool can prove invaluable in countless situations. The challenge is choosing one that isn't unnecessarily heavy, expensive, or packed with features you'll never use. The answer lies in three key factors: price, functionality, and weight.

Most people have found themselves needing to tighten a loose screw, cut a piece of cord, pry something open, or make a quick repair on the go. If they were lucky, they had a pocket knife at hand and improvised with the tip of the blade as a screwdriver, chisel, or pry bar.

Carrying a full toolbox everywhere simply isn't practical for tasks that only come up occasionally. That's where a multitool comes in. While it can never match the durability, ergonomics, or capability of dedicated tools, it can handle a surprising range of everyday jobs. From equipment repairs and vehicle maintenance to furniture assembly and DIY projects, a multitool often provides exactly the functionality you need. Its compact size also means it can stay within reach wherever you go.

Even the most famous name in the multitool world, Tim Leatherman, created his first design out of necessity. While travelling across Europe in 1975, he needed a compact tool capable of dealing with the constant mechanical issues of his unreliable Fiat. That idea eventually led to one of the most recognizable multitool brands in the world.

A multitool can handle a wide range of everyday tasks, from minor repairs at home to field repairs and outdoor use. When choosing one, focus on the features you'll actually use. Photo: Rigad

That naturally leads to the next question: which multitool should you choose? The answer becomes much clearer once you consider three key factors:

• How much am I willing to spend?
• Which tools and functions do I actually need?
• How much weight am I prepared to carry?

How Much Should You Spend on a Multitool?

Based on personal experience, it's worth sticking with established brands such as Leatherman, Victorinox, Gerber, or SOG. These manufacturers have spent decades refining their designs and have extensive expertise in materials, engineering, and manufacturing.

Leatherman, for example, backs its products with a 25-year warranty—a level of confidence that speaks for itself. That said, it's important to understand what a multitool is and isn't. No multitool can match the durability or performance of a full set of quality workshop tools, nor is it designed to. Its greatest strengths are portability and versatility.

Of course, reputable brands come at a price. The investment needs to make sense for your budget, but this is one area where the old saying "Buy cheap, buy twice" often proves true. The first disappointment comes when a cheap tool fails. The second comes when you end up buying the better one anyway.

Set a realistic budget before you start comparing models—and leave yourself a little room for flexibility if the right tool offers features you'll genuinely appreciate.

The Leatherman Rebar is a proven multitool that combines rugged construction, a straightforward design, and a wide range of practical tools. Photo: Rigad

Which Features Do You Actually Need?

Functionality should be your primary consideration. The right multitool depends entirely on how you plan to use it and the tasks you expect it to handle.

An IT professional may be perfectly served by a lightweight model such as the Leatherman Skeletool paired with a bit kit. An AR-15 owner, on the other hand, is likely to appreciate the specialized features of the Leatherman MUT, which was designed specifically with firearm maintenance in mind.

Before comparing models, take a moment to think about the jobs your multitool will perform most often. Choosing a tool that matches your real-world needs is far more important than simply buying the model with the longest list of features.

Bit Drivers and Versatility

Some users may appreciate the flexibility offered by interchangeable bits, which allow a multitool to work with various types of fasteners, including Torx, Allen (hex), Phillips, and slotted screws.

Leatherman uses a proprietary flattened bit design to keep its tools compact. With the addition of an adapter or ratchet driver, however, standard bits can also be used. This can be particularly useful for shooters and technically minded users.

That said, the vast majority of multitools do not feature interchangeable bits. For many users, a medium Phillips screwdriver and a selection of flathead drivers are sufficient, making a dedicated bit system unnecessary.

Can Openers and Awls

Many people rarely use a can opener these days, as most food cans now feature pull-tab lids. Anyone with field experience knows Murphy's Law all too well: if something can go wrong, it eventually will. And when that happens, a traditional can opener suddenly becomes a valuable feature.

An awl can be useful when working with wood, plastic, or leather, whether for making holes, marking materials, or carrying out simple repairs.

Beyond their tool selection, multitools vary in size, weight, ergonomics, and intended application. Taking the time to compare different models can make it much easier to find the right fit. Photo: Rigad

Knife Blade

I wouldn't place too much emphasis on the knife blade unless the multitool is intended to be the only knife you carry. More demanding users may appreciate premium blade steels found in models such as the Leatherman ARC (Magnacut), Charge TTi (S30V), or selected versions of the Skeletool (154CM).

The standard steels used by the four major manufacturers—Leatherman, Victorinox, SOG, and Gerber—are not considered high-end by knife enthusiasts, but they are more than adequate for the intended purpose of a multitool.

In fact, anyone who frequently relies on the blade of a multitool will eventually find themselves looking for a dedicated folding knife or fixed blade. On a multitool, the knife is typically a useful addition rather than the primary tool.

Saws and Files

Saws and files are not included on every multitool, but their absence can sometimes be frustrating. Whether you're removing burrs, shortening a nail or screw, or cutting a branch for the campfire, these tools often prove their worth when least expected.

Victorinox stands out in this category, with both the Swiss Tool and Swiss Tool Spirit featuring highly capable wood saws. Leatherman offers an interesting approach with the Surge, where the saw and file are interchangeable implements. An additional advantage is compatibility with standard T-shank jigsaw blades, significantly expanding the tool's versatility.

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Pliers – The Heart of Any Multitool

Without question, pliers are the defining feature of a multitool. Most models use a variation of combination pliers, often incorporating wire cutters and, in some cases, replaceable cutting inserts.

The importance of this tool becomes painfully obvious when its limitations are exceeded. Attempt to cut material that's too hard, and you're likely to end up with chipped or damaged cutting edges.

Two manufacturers stand out in this category: SOG and Gerber.

On models such as the PowerAccess, PowerPint, PowerLock, and PowerPlier, SOG uses a compound leverage system that increases gripping force while reducing the effort required from the user. The result is impressive cutting and gripping performance from a relatively compact tool.

Gerber takes a different approach with its well-known one-handed plier deployment system found on the MP600 series. The plier head slides forward directly from the handle, allowing the tool to be deployed quickly without unfolding or repositioning the multitool.

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Specialized Features

Some multitools are designed with specific professions and applications in mind. The Leatherman MUT, for example, includes features such as a bronze carbon scraper and a punch for firearm maintenance, making it particularly appealing to military personnel, law enforcement officers, and civilian shooters.

The Leatherman Super Tool 300 EOD takes specialization even further. Developed for explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians, it incorporates a range of mission-specific tools that go beyond the capabilities of a standard multitool.

If your work or hobbies involve highly specialized tasks, choosing a purpose-built model may provide far greater value than a general-purpose multitool.

Some multitools are built for specialized tasks. The Leatherman MUT, for example, incorporates features specifically designed for firearm maintenance. Photo: Rigad

How Much Weight Are You Willing to Carry?

Weight is one of the few multitool characteristics you'll notice every single day—unlike the purchase price, which only hurts once.

A fully equipped multitool with accessories is not the right choice for everyone. Some users have no problem carrying a Leatherman Surge with a ratchet driver and bit kit on their belt every day. Others may find even the compact SOG PowerPint heavier than they'd like.

As with most gear decisions, it comes down to balancing convenience and capability.

Final Thoughts

There is no single multitool that's right for everyone. The ideal choice for a shooter may be completely different from what suits a tradesperson, traveller, or someone who simply wants a compact tool for everyday tasks.

Before making a decision, consider which functions you'll actually use, how much you're willing to spend, and how much weight you're prepared to carry. Those three factors will narrow the field surprisingly quickly.

One final piece of advice: whenever possible, handle the tool before you buy it. Check its weight, try the controls, and see how it feels in your hand. Pay attention to ergonomics, accessibility, and overall build quality.

After all, you're spending your own money—you should know exactly what you're getting in return.