Multi-tools have many useful functions and come in a variety of sizes, features, and prices. When choosing a multi-tool, consider how and where it will be carried, what tasks it will be used for, and your budget. Key factors to consider include the size or form factor, number and types of tools, additional features like replaceable parts, and brands known for quality and warranty. A reliable multi-tool can help get out of emergencies and maximize chances of survival when standard tools are not available.

1. START CARRYING A MULTI-TOOL
As Christmas is fast approaching and people are scrambling to get last minute gifts, why not get a
multi-tool for yourself and for others? Now would be a great time to shop for deals that you may not
be able to any other time of the year.
The types of multi-tools available have exploded over the years. Some of the common reasons why
people do not carry one on a daily basis are because either they do not see recognize its usefulness,
think they are too bulky, or find the selection available too overwhelming. These are not good
excuses. Everyone should carry a multi-tool.
To get you started on your journey to find a multi-tool that best fits your needs, these are some of the
main factors to consider: cost, size, and features.
Cost
Cost is the main factor that usually dictates which multi-tool you go for. The price also often
correlates with the size of the tool and also how many tools the multi-tool contains. They can range
from around $15 like the Gerber Curve to Leatherman’s P4 that is almost $200 to Victorinox’s Swiss
Champ XLT currently sold for $375. With what is currently on the market, you can definitely spend
under $100 and still have a good selection to choose from.
Ebay has some multi-tools that imitate brand name items and are sold at a fraction of the price.
Though they may look very similar, you want to invest in a good piece of reliable gear. Both
Leatherman and Gerber’s warranty covers theirs for 25 years while Victorinox offers life time
warranties. Consider the amount of trust and faith these companies put into their products and the
proven customer service you get and compare that to the trust you have for anonymous sellers on
Ebay. While Ebay may be good for other products, you want to invest in a reliable piece of gear.
Size
How do you want to carry it? Were you thinking of getting one that goes with your keys as a
keychain? Or were you thinking of having it just in your pocket, on your belt, or just in your bag or
car? You want to make sure you bring it out with you and not have it just sitting at home. You want it

2. to be available whenever you need it. It is useless to you if you leave it behind no matter how much
money you paid for it so choose a size that you would be most realistically want to carry around.
What size you go for also generally speaks to how many tools it can carry and also what kind of
work or usage you want it for. Keychain size ones are very handy and portable, but they are limited
in its number of tools available but also the size of those tools will limit the type of work that you can
use it to tackle.
Features
What do you plan to use it for? You can get multi-tool that ranges from just a few tools to close to 50
tools. Keep in mind that each tool of a multi-tool would often not be able to replace a tool that is only
made for that specific function. For example, a saw on a multi-tool would be limited in its usage
when compared to a bigger one or how a knife on a multi-tool would likely be inferior to a separate
fixed-blade knife. However, having a tool that carries a set of variety of tools would be amazing if
you have nothing else and it is often just not feasible to carry each tool separately.
What kind of lifestyle do you lead? Are you adventurous and like to be in the outdoors? If so, you
may want to make sure you choose one that has a decent saw or two in case if you need to build an
emergency shelter. Leatherman’s Signal also has a whistle, ferrocerium rod, hammer, and a diamond-
coated sharpener as features additional to the more common tools you would expect to find in a
multi-tool. Having a multi-tool that can draw attention, start a fire, and keep the rest of your tools
sharp is probably not what you had in mind when thinking about what multi-tools can do.
Do you plan to use it to cut different things like ropes or did you want to double it over as a seat belt
cutter? Some multi-tools carry strap cutters, but if they do not, the knife you may want to choose
could be a combination of a straight edge with a serrated edge or just a serrated knife by itself. Keep
in mind that serrated knives are harder to sharpen than just a straight edge one.
Do you shop online a lot? How have you been opening your parcels? If you use your scissors, it can
be easy to overcut and find yourself stabbing or slicing your leg. Many multi-tools come with a
parcel opening. This would be a much safer way to open your packages. Usually knowing which few
specific tools you want from the start would help you narrow down to a handful of selection to
choose from.
Additional Features
Aside from the actual tools to decide on, there are other features to consider as well. For example,
are the tools located on the outside of the multi-tools so you can access them with one hand without

3. having to flip open the entire multi-tool? Do the knives lock once opened to reduce the chance of
cuts? Does the entire multi-tool lock so that the tool would not open in your bag or pocket? Are
certain parts replaceable so you can just work your gear without worrying about shortening its
functional life?
Does it look appealing enough that you would be extra tempted to carry it around with you? Not only
do multi-tools often come in different colours, but some are also customizable with your own text,
patterns, or graphics as well. This is something that can be done if you buy directly from
Leatherman’s official website.
Do you work in the trades and am looking at a quality piece of gear that can help you supplement
your tools? There are great accessories that are specifically made with certain tools. For example,
Leatherman’s bit kit set works with a majority of their multi-tools and allow users to greatly expand
their usage in an extremely compact way. Leatherman’s Surge has an additional feature that is very
useful where you can switch out one of the tools with other similar connectors. This helps to make
your already reliable piece of gear tailored to what you would need it for. Having the ability to swap
out tools also makes it easy to maintain since you can just swap out tools once its functional life ends
without affecting the multi-tool as a whole.
Real Need for a Multi-Tool
From minor fixes to some major repairing, multi-tools have a place in our lives. We cannot control
when we get ourselves in a situation where having a multi-tool would mean the difference between
night and day. Maximize your chance at survival by equipping yourself with a set of high quality
tools that can open an array of possibilities. Set yourself up to be in the best position you can be in an
unideal situation.
If you need further convincing as to when you might need a multi-tool, check out Leather’s Tool
Tales of stories of when people had used their multi-tools to save their lives. Some stories include:
• people dragging themselves out of a frozen lake using their multi-tools
• their multi-tools stopping bullets
• people cutting their clothing to get to safety as they get dragged towards machinery at work