5 Best Multi-tools for Everyday Carry
By: Dwayne Surgill
Once you get used to carrying a pocket knife, there is just no going without one. The usefulness of a good pocket knife is almost endless… cutting, trimming fingernails, makeshift eating utensil, screwdriver, hammer… the list just goes on and on.
What could be better than carrying a pocket knife? I’m glad you asked! How about carrying a whole toolbox on your belt at all times!?!? The modern day multi-tool offers all the usefulness of a pocket knife with the added luxury of various other tools to help meet the need of the everyday carrier. The multi-tool is nothing new. I can remember my grandfather giving me an old multi-tool that had to be 30 years old 30 years ago. It had everything you could want… but it was big, bulky and there was no way you would want to clip it on yourself for any length of time!
The modern multi-tool, however, is a different item. Compact, lightweight, and sleek… very easily concealed in a pocket or carried in a nice looking sheath on your belt loop! Here are my top 5 picks from the most popular and highest rated multi-tools currently available…
1. Leatherman Wave Plus
The original Leatherman Wave has become the best selling Leatherman in their lineup and the Leather Wave Plus takes an excellent, original desire and improves on it. It is available in stainless or black versions and comes with a sheath intended to be worn with your belt. The newer “Wave” model added replaceable premium steel wire cutters and an improved design for the nylon sheath.
The Leatherman Wave boasts an impressive 18 different tools at your disposal: Needle nose Pliers, Regular Pliers, Premium Replaceable Wire Cutters, Premium Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters, Electrical Crimper, Wire Stripper, Knife, Serrated Knife, Saw, Spring-action Scissors, Ruler, Can Opener, Bottle Opener, Wood/Metal File, Diamond-coated File, Small Bit Driver, Large Bit Driver, and Medium Screwdriver.
Leatherman offers multiple different bit replacement options making just about any task possible with the Wave alone. It is easy to open, even with one hand, and all the tools are locked when opened for added convenience and safety. The Wave measures in at 4 inches long, 1.5 inches wide and .8 inches thick making it very compact and easy to conceal during every day carry. As with all Leatherman products, the Wave offers the outstanding Leatherman 25 year warranty and should provide you with a quality product for many, many years of use.
PROS: Sturdy construction. 18 different tools. Upgraded wire cutters and sheath. Different bit options available for separate purchase.
CONS: None really! I suppose the price may be a negative to some but… you get what you pay for!
2. Leatherman Wingman
The Leatherman Wingman is slightly more affordable than the Wave. It comes standard with 14 different tools including a knife, pliers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, wire stripper, scissors, package opener, bottle and can openers, file, and a ruler. The Wingman is 3.8 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 1 inch thick.
The Wingman boasts the same easy, one hand opening as the Wave. It has a convenient, removable pocket clip if you choose to carry in your pocket and also comes with a nylon sheath for carry on your belt.
As with other Leatherman products, it is built in their Portland factory, constructed from stainless steel and offers the Leatherman 25 year warranty! Another great Leatherman product with outstanding online reviews.
PROS: Sturdy design. Plenty of tools in a compact kit. 25 year warranty.
CONS: There are many different multi-tool options in the price range of the Wingman that have the same number of tools with a slightly lower price. It does carry the Leatherman 25 year warranty though!
3. Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier, Titanium
Gerber comes in at number three on the list, not because it is any less of a quality product, but really only because it offers less tool options. The Gerber Suspension offers 12 integrated components including pliers, saw, scissors, screwdrivers, can and bottle opener, scissors, wire cutter, and leather punch.
The Suspension measures 4 inches long, 1 in wide, and .6 inches thick making it very compact and easy to conceal. It comes standard with the “Saf.T Plus” component locking system for added safety. The Suspension is lightweight, 9.6 ounces, and includes a ballistic nylon sheath for belt carry if pocket carry is not desired.
Gerber offers a limited lifetime warranty on the Suspension. It has a crazy amount of positive online reviews and is one of the first multi-tools to pop up on quick, online search.
PROS – Great reviews and good tool options for the price.
CONS – Not as compact as some other options that have more tools.
4. Gerber Dime
The Gerber Dime is almost half the price of the Suspension but still comes with 10 different tool options including needle-nose spring-loaded pliers, wire cutter, find edge blade, package opener, scissors, medium flat driver, crosshead driver, bottle opener, tweezers, and a file.
The Dime is well named because this thing is small! Its overall length when open is just 4.25 inches long and is 2.75 inches closed. It is made from stainless steel and comes in a variety of color options.
The Gerber Dime does not come with a sheath but with a multi-tool this small, it should fit very easily in your pocket without you ever knowing it’s there. This little beauty may not have the number of tool options as some of the other items on the list but it still boasts an incredible amount of positive reviews online. It will make a great option for your everyday carry multi-tool and is priced just right for you to buy a few more as extras or as gifts!
PROS: Very lightweight and compact. Easily carry in your pocket without needing a sheath.
CONS: The very small size may limit the usefulness of the tools offered as they must be smaller to make the overall design smaller. Less tools than other options on the list.
5. Roxon Spark
Leatherman and Gerber dominate the online search results when looking for multi-tool options but I felt the Roxon Spark deserved to make the list as a viable option. It may not be as well known as the other two multi-tool giants mentioned above but the Roxon Spark does have an excellent representation of positive online reviews!
The Roxon Spark offers 14 tools including a knife, regular pliers, needle nose pliers, saw, can and bottle opener, flat screwdriver, Phillips screwdriver, wire cutters, flint stone, whistle, reamer, scraper, and awl. Two very different options offered with the Roxon Spark are the offerings of a flint stone and whistle. Not sure that will interest everyone but that is most definitely appreciated by some, evidenced in the online reviews.
The Roxon Spark is compact and lightweight measuring 4.2x1.8x.9 inches and weighing in at 8.1 ounces. The Spark does not come with a sheath but does come standard with a belt clip. It offers an external lock that can lock the multi-tool when closed to keep it from opening without the owner’s choosing. Roxon offers a 10 year warranty and boast excellent customer service.
PROS: Affordable. Good online reviews. 14 tools. Two different tools that are not common with other multis – whistle and flint stone.
CONS: Company not as well established as others on the list. 10 year warranty as opposed to 25 year or Limited Lifetime. Size comparable to the other larger multis on the list but no sheath is offered.
Wrap-up
So there you have it! For those who must have a little more than a simple pocket knife, these are some great options that should meet all your needs. If you can’t find a suitable multi-tool from that list, you should probably open your own company and offer whatever it is that these excellent choices are missing! Let me know when you do and I’ll do a review on it!!!