Trent Marsh 05.25.21
There’s a lot of peace of mind that comes from knowing you are prepared for whatever might come your way. Having the tools and the know-how to deal with things breaking or unexpected projects around the house is hugely valuable. What good does the know-how do you if you don’t have all your tools with you though? If you enjoy adventure that takes you off the beaten path and away from your things, how do you prepare for what might happen? Enter the multi-tool. With the ability to pack in as many 12, 15, even more than 20 tools in a handy little pocket-sized package, the multi-tool is a must for hikers, backpackers, bikers, hunters, anglers, or anyone else that might find themselves needing to use a wide variety of tools, but who can’t take a wide variety of tools with them where they are going. Wherever you go, you need to have the best multitool you can get for whatever adventure and situation you can get into every day.
Cover image: Shutterstock/Tochanchai
Table of Contents
1. Leatherman Signal – Editor’s Pick
Leatherman is the Kleenex of multi-tools. Hold up a multi-tool to most folks, ask them what it is, and they will probably say, “Leatherman.” They’ve earned that reputation. The Signal is just another notch in their belt, showing off their innovative and creative product design. Not everyone will use a multi-tool the same way, and while the Signal can work for anyone, its design excels for those folks who are heading into the backcountry, and that’s why it earned the Editor’s Pick. It included 19 tools in all, and while most are what you would expect, four really stand out; removable sharpener, ferro rod, hammer, safety whistle. Part of preparing for being off the grid is preparing to be there far longer than expected, and those three tools are unique and potentially life-saving additions that make this the top choice.
Pros/Legit innovation with the tools included as a purpose-designed backwoods multi-tool
Cons/While still pretty reasonable for a multi-tool, it is the most expensive option in this list
Bottom Line/Finding a con was pretty difficult – this is a well-thought out multitool
2. Gerber Truss – Budget Pick
The Truss multi-tool from Gerber finds the sweet spot in a couple ways. It strikes a really strong balance between 17-tool functionality, while still remaining relatively compact. It also finds a great price point to settle into as well. The Truss uses the familiar folding plier-handle design to store tools, and you can see that the skeletonized plier handles help save weight and heft in your pack. It’s a full-size tool that doesn’t seem quite that big or bulky. The 17-tool lineup is pretty much what you would expect to find in a multi-tool, with no surprising additions or omissions. Overall, it’s a rock-solid choice for those on a budget.
Pros/ Lots of bang for the buck
Cons/While not obtrusive, it is one of the heavier options when compared to others in the list
Bottom Line/More than enough tool to get you there and back
3. SOG PowerPint – Compact Pick
If you’re really concerned about weight and size, or if you just want to make a multi-tool part of your everyday carry and want something that can easily slip into your pocket, not something that needs its own pack pocket or sheath on your belt, here it is. The PowerPint from SOG comes in at a full HALF the weight of some of the other options on this list, while still delivering 18 tools for quick deployment. The only thing limited with the PowerPint, is its size. The functionality is totally full-size. Again, the tool assortment isn’t anything out of the ordinary, what sets the PowerPint apart is the insanely small size SOG was able to fit all those tools into. If you have to have a compact multi-tool to fit your needs, this is the one.
Pros/Small footprint and barely-there weight of just 4.2 ounces
Cons/ Compact is great, but the smaller tool size may be an issue for hard-to-tackle jobs
Bottom Line/It’s a crazy amount of tool for the size
4. Havalon Evolve – Hunter’s Pick
The Evolve multi-tool from Havalon has a definite tilt towards hunters who are looking for a multi-tool. Depending on your needs, it may be exactly what you are looking for even if you aren’t a hunter, but its design certainly has the hunter in mind. The Evolve deploys the Havalon Piranta quik-change fitment so blades can be replaced easily for both the knife and the saw. It also has a fixed gut hook for cleaning game. It also incorporates traditional non-hunter options that are quite useful, like the bit driver with storage for additional bits. Certainly, non-hunters would still find the Evolve a clear option, and some hunters may choose a different multi-tool for their needs, but the Havalon Evolve certainly fits the bill for those hunts that take you further from your truck and your tools than you’d like to be.
Pros/Replaceable blades are clutch
Cons/I’m not personally a fan of this style of carabiner clip integration
Bottom Line/Loaded with hunter-friendly and needed tools
Deciding upon size
Any good bladesmith will tell you that most people think they need far bigger knives than they really do. While it may make you feel cool to pack a blade like Rambo or Crocodile Dundee, the reality is those big bowie knives can make a good number of jobs harder instead of easier. For general purposes, including cleaning came up to the size of elk, a blade in the 4”-5” range will be enough to handle the job.
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