It’s a really big call to think you can recommend just one multi-tool for more than half the population just because they happen to be female. I have a good look at a few of the best multi-tool options for women here.
What I do know is that if you have a specific need for a multi-tool – like fishing, camping, cycling or weapons maintenance – your tool needs are the same if you’re a man or a woman. But if you just want a multi-tool for everyday use, that’s when it gets a bit harder.
I’ve made enough excuses, now it’s time to put my money where my mouth is so to speak. What I can do is recommend a multi-tool that has the ease of use and tools that could suit a lot of women.
SOG PowerPint
One of the SOG PowerPint‘s first features that supports my recommendation for best women’s multi-tool is its weight and length which make it a light and compact every day carry. It hits the scales at 4.2 oz (119 gms) which is at the very light end of the weight range for a full sized multi-tool. To give you an idea how light it is, the Leatherman Wave+, no heavyweight itself, is double the weight at 8.5 oz.
The PowerPint’s length is about average at 4.25 inches (10.8 cms) so neither the weight or length will be a problem if you want to throw the PowerPint in your bag, purse or jacket. There’s no pocket clip but I suspect most women don’t want to clip a multi-tool to themselves anyway.
The next feature is the compound leverage mechanism that means any squeeze effort you put into the needle nose pliers is multiplied. So if you don’t have great hand strength, the mechanism will give you the power of Superman or Wonder Woman to tackle the removal of that tough nut or cut that electrical wire.
A good set of scissors are just damn handy to have around from cutting a thread off your clothes to trimming a broken nail. The set on the PowerPint is bigger than I would expect and they’re spring-loaded.
Another tool that I swear by on multi-tools is an awl – use it for all sorts of odd jobs like opening a package and it’s particularly good at saving your knife tip if you’re tempted to use it for something you shouldn’t. Or use the so-called jewelry driver – it’s really just a very small flathead screwdriver.
We haven’t even mentioned the knives yet. Yes, knives. There’s a straight edge and a serrated. They’re a reasonable size but not too scary to handle. Add a flathead screwdriver and a Philips screwdriver and a 3-sided file. The tool count continues with a strap cutter which probably isn’t a lot of use for many users but the combined can and compulsory bottle opener probably will be. There’s also a sneaky bit driver function that’s a SOG favorite. Total tool count – 18.
Why I really recommend the PowerPint as a women’s multi-tool is because it’s an easy multi-tool to use. Most multi-tools are a bit stiff to operate which means usually take a bit of effort to deploy and fold away. But the SOG PowerPint has a light touch. The tools can be deployed without breaking a nail, you get great power through the pliers without much effort and the weight of it is light to carry around.
Check out the current price of the SOG PowerPint on Amazon. Available in Silver
If you’re a woman who loves quality things and you want the best quality multi-tool on the market that also might be the best multi-tool for you, have a good look at the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X. I haven’t recommended it because it has one feature that might put you off it.
To get to all the tools (except the pliers), you have to use a nail. All the tools are deployed by nail nicks so if you aren’t happy about risking your nails, the Spirit isn’t for you. But if that doesn’t bother you, there’s a lot to like – it’s compact, light enough and has a great set of tools that are of the best quality.
Check out the current price of the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X on Amazon. Available in Stainless Steel and Burnished Steel (XBS)
Multi-Tools – Don’t Leave Home Without One!