Multi-tools earn their place by being there when you need them, folding pliers, blades, drivers, and purpose-built implements into a format that rides in a pocket or on a belt. The best multi-tools stay out of the way until the job you did not plan for shows up, then handle it without a trip to the toolbox.
Whether you carry one for daily tasks, the job site, or the trail, the right tool is the one that is already on you, and it pairs naturally with the rest of our tools and gear.
Choosing an EDC multi-tool starts with the implements you actually reach for. Pliers-forward designs like the Leatherman Wave+ and Rebar pair needle-nose jaws and wire cutters with a knife blade, screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. Keychain and pocket tools like the Leatherman Micra, Skeletool, and Gerber Dime pare that down for lighter daily carry, and pliers-free designs like the Leatherman Free K4X and Gerber Armbar Drive ride a pocket like a knife. Match the tool count to your routine rather than the spec sheet and you will carry it far more often.
Leatherman multi-tools are built in Portland, Oregon, and set the standard for American-made pliers tools, running from everyday 420HC up to MagnaCut on the Leatherman Arc and Wave Alpha. American Service Knife takes the classic Swiss Army layout and rebuilds it in the USA with modular tool stacks, titanium liners, and CPM S35VN, S45VN, or MagnaCut blades on models like the Jefferson and Alchesay. For the original Swiss take, our Swiss Army knives collection carries the Victorinox SwissTool X Plus Ratchet and CyberTool.
The best multi-tool is the one matched to the work in front of you. Mid-size pliers tools like the Charge+ and Signal cover most household and outdoor tasks, while full-size workhorses like the Super Tool 300 and one-hand-opening Gerber Multi-Plier 600 take on heavy, repetitive jobs, with more options in our Gerber multi-tools collection. Medics and first responders reach for the Leatherman Raptor Rescue shears. Add a Leatherman bit kit or ratchet driver and a single tool quietly covers far more ground than its size suggests.