Do It All with the Best EDC Multi-Tools

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.

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.

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.

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.