Do It All with the Best EDC Multi-Tools
1. Leatherman Charge+ TTi - Editor's Pick
The Leatherman Charge+ is on the higher end when it comes to production value and multitools. This premium multitool offers a load of upgrades over your standard off the shelf chinesium multi-tools like a S30V Steel Blade like what is found on high-end knives, a titanium handle and is rounded out with a serrated 420HC saw blade.
What makes the Charge+ TTi so effective is its combination of lightweight construction with heavy duty tools giving you all the benefits of a full sized multitool without the added weight. The Leatherman Charge+ TTI is a bit more on the expensive side at $169.95 but the price can be more than justified especially if you find yourself carrying around and using your multitool a lot.
2. SOG Sync II - Budget Pick
Yes, it is designed to be worn as a belt buckle!
If you’re like me and you hate the idea of lugging around a relatively huge multi-tool on top of your other EDC gear then you’ll want something small but also more capable than a standard pocket knife. The SOG Sync II fits just that role.. The SOG Sync II features slightly scaled down versions of full sized tools and packs them all into a small 3-inch 5-ounce $55 package that can handle most tasks with ease.
The SOG Sync II is meant to be worn as a belt buckle but it just as easily fits inside your pocket. In total the Sync II features 11 tools complete with a knife, pliers, awl, scissors and a few other common tools you’ll find on most EDC multi tools.
3. Leatherman Skeletool CX
Also comes with a tactical beer bottle opener
This is one of my favorite picks on this list simply because it has a dedicated bottle opener that looks like it could tear the top off of a keg. In any survival situation you’ll want to make sure your beer reserves are easily accessible when needed and the Skeletool CX can do that for you and loads more. Designed with a more survival minded theme the Skeletool CX also features one handed access so you can get to all your tools while your other hand is occupied.
The Skeletool CX weighs in at 5-ounces and is on the shorter side at just 4-inches long. The Skeletool CX features a very high end pocket knife, a pair of pliers and wire cutters as well as 6 additional tools bringing the total tool count up to 9. The multitool also features a unique carabiner that is a great option for those who want to clip their multitool to the outside of a backpack or inside of their belt loops. The Skeletool CX from Leatherman is available for $80.
4. Victorinox Spirit X
For those of you who don’t know, Victorinox makes some of the best blades and multitools in the business. I have owned one of their special edition Swiss Army knives for decades and it still goes with me today on every camping and backpacking trip I can squeeze into my schedule. The Spirit X carries that same level of fit, finish and quality and does it all at a very reasonable price for a finely tuned piece of Swiss tooling.
The Spirit X features over 10 tools with 27 different functions, comes with a nylon pouch and is made from tough and durable Stainless Steel. Additional features include an integrated imperial and metric scales for making quick measurements as well as a unique reamer functionality. The Victorinox Spirit X is available for just $145 and goes on sale quite often.
5. The Gerber Shard
For the ultra-minimalists that still like to be prepared we have the dirt cheap but very capable Gerber Shard. The Gerber Shard might not look like it can do much on the surface but it serves as an ultra compact, keychain sized 7-in-1 multitool. The Shard is made from a solid piece of steel and finished off with a flat black coating making the design ultra-simple (no springs to break). For tools the Shard features a Phillips head screwdriver, flathead screwdriver, wire stripper, pry bar, bottle opener as well as a lanyard hole.
The Gerber shard also has the distinction of being the only TSA compliant multi-tool on this list. The major drawback for this one is that it lacks any sort of sharpened blade meaning it can’t be used for a lot of cutting work. However, if you’re working with just opening boxes the shard will take care of that with a little bit of elbow grease. The Gerber shard is available for just $8 and comes in a handful of coating options.
Picking the features you need in a EDC multi-tool
While this is largely going to depend on what you’re going to be doing, the entire point of an EDC tool is to tackle unforeseen tasks you might run into. Generally it is a good idea to have a serrated knife blade for sawing, a pair of pliers, several screw drivers and possibly even a can opener if you find yourself camping out on the trail often.
One of the cool things about multi-tools is that no two designs are alike. Traveling with a multi-tool is a good idea, but keep in mind that anything that has a blade or similar tool isn’t going to make it past the TSA in the airport as a carry on.
Traveling with a multi-tool
Yes, you can take your multi-tool with you when you travel. But, you’ll most likely have to submit it with your checked luggage. The TSA and other security organizations for air travel generally don’t look highly upon people carrying blades of any length, however options like the Gerber Shard are TSA compliant but you’ll want to be prepared to lose it since the interpretation of what constitutes “dangerous” by a TSA agent will vary from day to day.
As an example, I have had simple belt-buckles confiscated and tossed away because they featured faux teeth from a tiger and the TSA agent surmised that I could use those blunt teeth as some sort of stabbing weapon. So it’s safe to say that if you’re planning on traveling, just toss your multi-tool in your checked luggage so you don’t wind up losing it to the clutches of the TSA.
Carrying multi-tools designed for fishing or gunsmithing
Gunsmithing multitools are great but they are really only great at one thing – working on firearms. Several of them will have a lot of common tools on them but they tend to be on the more expensive side and don’t feature any useful tools for people who aren’t constantly working on firearms.
And for those who are constantly working on firearms, the assumption is that you’re already going to have all your tools in a shop and thus the gunsmithing multi-tool isn’t very useful in that situation – the same can apply for fishing multitools.
Fishing multi-tools are designed to meet the needs of fishing activities, with tools that meet those needs. These are specialized tools that often cost more, and you wouldn’t want to ruin it doing something non-fishing related.
Can I legally carry a multi-tool?
The short, easy answer is yes, you can carry a multi-tool in the same respects as carrying a knife. The tool needs to have a blade that is 3-inches or less, and you need to follow the same laws as carrying a knife.
Can I use a multi-tool to start a fire?
Many of the tools in common multi-tools you would carry would work in helping you start a fire. If it has a saw blade, that can help cut kindling, and the knife can be used to shave wood for additional materials.
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