I got my hands on my first multi-tool a couple of years ago. It wasn’t by accident. I’d done a fair bit of online research before deciding to take the jump because that’s the type of guy I am. And wow! I’m glad I did spend the cash because from that first multi-tool I’ve turned into a big enthusiast. I’m a full-on Multi-tool MacGyver now for sure.
The tough – but fun – part of multi-tools is there is a learning curve to them. I’ve learned that it takes experience to understand which of the hundreds of available multi-tools are actually any good – good at what they are supposed to do and good for the purpose you what it for.
All the multi-tools on this page are multi-tools I recommend. They are the best in their class and I can confidently predict they will look after you for many years to come. I’m confident because I own and use most of these multi-tools myself and I’ve put them to the test under a lot of difficult conditions.
Best in Class
You’ll see the only brands that I’ve awarded the Best in Class crown are from one of the 4 big brands – Gerber, Leatherman, SOG or Victorinox. That’s because, usually, I trust these brands and how they go about putting together a multi-tool.
Not all of their models are great – unfortunately I know firsthand because I own a couple that aren’t – but generally they’re good. They all have good warranties as well so if something does go wrong, you have the comfort of being able to send it back to get fixed.
Leatherman famously has brilliant after-sales service and that’s one of the reasons why you’ll see that I’ve given Leatherman more than their fair share of Best in Class recommendations.
The other reason is that Leatherman has been around for a long time after all Tim Leatherman was the inventor of the original multi-tool, and they’ve had a lot of time and practice getting their products right.
Of course, there are other brands that could make a good multi-tool but I can’t vouch for them and I want to make sure the multi-tools I recommend will look after you when you need them.
What you absolutely don’t want is to have a multi-tool with you specifically for the purpose of being able to handle any job that comes up and then you find your multi-tool lets you down. What’s the point of that? You’ve gone to the effort of paying for and carrying around a multi-tool and then when you need it, it fails you.
These Best in Class crowns aren’t necessarily the most expensive multi-tools either. Price doesn’t always mean quality. My hands-on experience is that often it does but I’ve chosen the best multi-tools regardless of price. If they do a great job of what they’re designed for and they are likely to do that for a long time, they make it onto this page.
Best Multi Purpose
Best DIY
Best Quality
Best Lightweight
Best Keychain
Best Fishing
Best Women’s
Best Camping
Best Mini
Best Knifeless
Best Biking
Best One Handed