The Swiss Army must have been the best prepared soldiers in the world, able to unscrew flat head screws, open a bottle, and cut really tiny things. All with one tool. The best multi-tool brands have taken the all in one army knife idea to a higher plane.
Now including things like pliers, fish scalers, saws, and wire strippers, multi tools are virtually essential for handymen and craftsmen of all types, as well as being the perfect tool to keep in a car glove box or a camping backpack.
Some things that the best multi tool brands have in common in their tools is folding up compactly, having pliers, and being strong and sturdy. Many come with their own carrying case, too. Some are relatively large, but most will fit in a standard pair of jeans front pocket.
Top 10 Best Multi-Tool Brands Of All Time!
1. Leatherman
Leatherman multi-tools are easily at the top of anyone’s multi-tool brands. Items like the Leatherman Surge Multi-Tool, a heavy-duty all-in-one tool with 21 different tools built-in and with some of those tools capable of multiple functions, are very well-liked.
Making multi-tools in Portland, Oregon since 1983, Leatherman tools are fantastic in the number of assignments they can aid you in doing. Sold in outdoors stores, discount retailers, big box stores, and online, you can find Leatherman multi-tools almost anywhere.
Very well made, many Leatherman multi-tools are rather heavy duty. Loved by campers, tradesmen, and anyone with periodic tool needs, Leatherman is one of the best multi-tool brands you can get. Spend a little more for the heavier duty versions, you’ll be glad you did.
2. Victorinox Swiss Army
From the brand that originated the term that has become virtually generic, Swiss Army Knife, the Victorinox Swiss Army SwissTool continues the tradition of being a tool for many uses.
Founded in Switzerland in 1884, Victorinox has made fine pocket knives and other hand tools for consumers and also for military contracts. Sold almost everywhere you could imagine, I swear I once got one with a bottle of wine. It was a tiny one, to be sure. With a corkscrew. The multi tools are easily found wherever pocketknives are sold.
Made from premium materials, almost everything labeled Swiss Army is a fine tool. Enjoyed by all levels of knife and tool users.
3. Gerber
We’re not talking about baby food! Gerber Gear makes pocket knives, camping gear, axes and machetes, and multi tools like the one hand opening Compact Sport 400 needle nose multi plier tool.
Portland, Oregon is home to Gerber Gear and their legendary knives, having been in business since 1939. Found in stores that sell fishing equipment, knives, and basic hand tools, you can also order them at a variety of online stores.
Well made, Gerber knives keep their sharp edges for a good long time. The one handed operation of their multi tools is very well received by real users. Great tools for anyone who loves camping, fishing, and hiking.
4. Hoffman Richter
Equally at home in a purse, pocket, tackle box, or tool box, the Hoffman Richter HR-100 13-in-1 Multitool is small, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive.
A Texas based knife maker since the early 2000s, Hoffman Richter is currently exclusively available from Amazon, Survival Life, and the American Gun Association.
Made from aircraft steel and aluminum, Hoffman Richter is heavy duty and strong, holding a sharp knife edge for a long time. Great for people wanting high quality and good looks in their extremely usable multi tools.
5. Columbia River Knife & Tool
Not every multi tool is based on pliers or even on pocket knife design. Some, like the CRKT Pryma Stainless Steel Multitool are based on a keychain design. The Pryma has pry bar, hex wrench, bottle opener, glass breaker, and a carabiner.
Founded in 1994 in Oregon, Columbia River Knife and Tool makes all sorts of multi use knives and multi tools, including pliers based multi tools. Sold in outdoors stores and online, CRKT products are very reasonably priced.
Good, basic tools are their forte, all sorts of outdoors lovers find uses for their fine tools.
6. Kikkerland
Making a variety of multi tools in keychain style, pliers style, and even some specialty shapes, Kikkerman has a lot to offer. Their CD403 Triangle Stainless Steel Multi-Tool combines socket wrenches of four different metric sizes, a bottle opener, a slicing blade, flat head screwdriver, and a small metric ruler.
Making gadgets since 1992, most of their items come from China. You can find Kikkerland tools online at Amazon and also on shelves and pegboards at a wide variety of stores such as discount stores, sporting good stores, and anywhere selling novelty items. You can also but them wholesale direct if you want to have hundreds of them.
Quality of the simpler tools is very good, some of the more complex novelty items are fun but not really useful. Great for gifts or to have on your keychain.
7. Coleman
The same Coleman that makes all that camping equipment, including camp stoves, lanterns, and tents, also makes multi tools in a variety of styles. The pliers based CMNSS003-BRK Multi Tool has tools campers and hikers would find useful.
Currently based in Chicago, Coleman began making lanterns in 1900 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma. Available through online stores, outdoors stores, and discount retail stores.
Everyone who loves outdoors activities knows and trusts Coleman. They make good things. Targeted at campers, fishermen, and hikers, many Coleman products find use in a lot of places.
8. Klein Tools
Klein Tools makes specialty tools for several different professions, mostly in the industrial and building trades. Having interchangeable screwdriver bits makes their pliers based TripSaver Multi-Tool 1016 extremely useful.
From Illinois since 1857, Klein Tools has specialized so much in tools for telecommunications that linesmen pliers used for a variety of electrical wiring jobs are often generically called Kleins. Sold in stores specializing in tools as well as the big box stores.
Excellent tools, Kleins last forever and do their jobs well. A little more expensive than discounted tools, but worth it for those needing quality.
9. Mossy Oak
Be careful where you leave your Mossy Oak 13-in-1 Multi Tool because the brand name is also a style of outdoors camouflage. Not everything they make is camo, but this tool is.
Headquartered in West Point, Mississippi, Mossy Oak started up in 1986. Sold primarily in sporting goods stores and online, Mossy Oak gear is heavily marketed to hunters and fishermen.
A lot of Mossy Oak product is made under license by various large manufacturers, all of which have to meet brand standards of quality and workmanship. Available to anyone, Mossy Oak especially appeals to hunters and outdoor survival enthusiasts.
10. SOG
The SOG Multitool Belt Buckle – Sync II EDC Multi Tool is extremely handy. A pliers based multi tool that fits as a belt buckle. SOG Specialty Knives and Tools makes a wide variety of tools for tactical use and outdoors sports.
In Santa Monica, California since 1986, SOG makes many tools and items used for military and law enforcement. The company name is reminiscent of the U.S. Joint Services Special Operations unit known as the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observations Group or MACV-SOG who designed a knife especially useful for their specific needs. Sold online and in sporting goods, guns, and the big box stores.
To learn more about knives, check out my best hand tool brands of all time!
Making very high-quality equipment, SOG is a preferred brand for hunters, law enforcement, and survivalists either serious or casual.
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