With multi-tools having such a wide range of options, it’s hard to know which ones offer the best value for your hard-earned money, and whether you’re getting a good deal or not. Everyone is always looking for a good deal, whether it’s 10% off, 20% off, or more. My goal here is to save you time and money by showing you that there are a few select multi-tools that are high-value options that should cost more for what you get and consolidate them here. We all want the Best Bang for our Buck.
$ Best Budget Multi-Tools
It’s hard to get anything these days that is built to last but a quality multi-tool isn’t so difficult. So, what can you get for a budget Leatherman, Gerber, and Victorinox? They all offer great quality multi-tools from keychain to full-size options covering everyone’s budget range.
Leatherman Style CS and Style PS
The Leatherman Style CS uses a similar design as the Style PS but contains a very different set of tools. Where the Style PS has a pair of pliers like a traditional multi-tool the Style CS has a solid pair of spring-loaded scissors and since the CS has a robust pair of scissors, the spot on the tool where the scissors would be is a small 1.6″ knife blade made from 420HC stainless steel
Otherwise, they share nail files, screwdrivers, bottle openers, and tweezers. Plus they both have carabiners that are great for keeping track of these tiny multi-tools. These little guys are great keychain multi-tools if you want something small and ultralight.
Features and Specs
- Style PS Weight – 1.58oz
- Style CS Weight – 1.4oz
- Closed Length – 2.9″
- Spring Action Scissors
- Needlenose Pliers (Style PS)
- Wire Cutters (Style PS)
- 1.6″ 420HC Knife Blade (Style CS)
- Bottle Opener/Carabiner
- Tweezers
- Nail File
- Flat/Phillips Screwdriver
Gerber Suspension NXT
The Gerber Suspension NXT is a nice upgrade over the original Suspension. With less weight and more tools, the NTX lost a knife but gained a file. The NTX also gained an actual Phillips screwdriver and a pocket clip, making it easier to carry it in your pocket now. The NXT isn’t the best Gerber has to offer but it does have one of the most full-featured tool selections for the money.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 6.7oz
- Closed length – 4.25″
- Needlenose pliers
- Wire cutter
- Wire stripper
- 2.25″ fine / serrated combination blade
- Scissors
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Large, medium, and Small Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Awl
- File
- Ruler
Victorinox Fieldmaster
Okay, you got me, Victorinox Fieldmaster is pushing the envelop on the whole budget price range, but the value is well worth it. The Fieldmaster is a well-rounded multi-tool/pocket knife. The Fieldmaster has a little something for everyone.
This versatile multi-tool is missing the pliers you would expect from a standard multi-tool but the Swiss Army Knife design does not usually accommodate a set of pliers but it has most all of the other features you could want. The Fieldmaster comes with the classics like knives, bottle opener, and screwdrivers but also includes a few tools you don’t see in many other multi-tools like an awl, toothpick, and tweezers.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 3.5oz
- Closed Length – 3.6″
- Large Knife Blade
- Small Knife Blade
- Wood Saw
- Scissors
- Awl
- Corkscrew
- Toothpick
- Tweezers
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Phillips Screwdriver
- 3mm Screwdriver
- 6mm Screwdriver
- Wire Stripper
- Multipurpose Hook
$$ Best Affordable Multi-Tools
Leatherman Wingman
Leatherman’s Wingman is my first pick in the affordable category. The Wingman is nearly identical design as the Leatherman Rev but with a few improvements. The Wingman comes with spring-action needlenose pliers, plus a set of robust spring-action scissors, very similar to the ones on the Leatherman Surge. With a replaceable pocket clip and a knife blade that can be accessed with one hand, you won’t need a pocket knife anymore.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 7oz
- Closed Length – 3.8″
- Spring-Action Needlenose Pliers
- Wire Cutters
- Wire Stripper
- 420HC Combo Knife
- Spring-Action Scissors
- Package Opener
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Small Screwdriver
- Ruler
Gerber MP600
The core design issued to the US military, the Gerber MP600 is a proven multi-tool with many years of service. Utilizing Gerber’s classic design with one hand opening pliers and tools stored in the handle. For those who like the one-handed plier deployment the MP600 just might be for you.
Features and Specs
- Weight: 9.0oz
- Closed Length: 4.9″
- Needlenose Pliers
- Carbide Wire Cutters
- Wire Crimper
- Straight Edge Knife Blade
- Serrated Knife Knife Blade
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Small, Medium, and Large Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- File
- Ruler
- Solid stainless steel construction
- Saf.T.Plus locking knife and tools
Victorinox Deluxe Tinker
The Victorinox Deluxe Tinker is a great option if you prefer a Swiss Army Knife design but still want more traditional multi-tool functions. The Deluxe Tinker has many of the standard tools shared by both multi-tools and Swiss Army Knives like a knife, bottle opener, can opener, scissors, and screwdrivers.
The Deluxe Tinker also comes with a few tools that you won’t find on a traditional Swiss Army Knife, like a pair of pliers, wire cutters, wire strippers, and crimpers. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen a few tools that are the staple tools of the classic SAK, the Tinker also has your tweezers, toothpick, and an awl. That’s a whole lot of Swiss Army Knife/multi-tool in a small affordable package.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 4.3oz
- Closed Length – 3.6″
- Large Knife Blade
- Small Knife Blade
- Small Pliers
- Scissors
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wire Cutter
- Wire Stripper
- Wire Crimper
- 3mm & 6mm Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Awl
- Toothpick
- Tweezers
- Multipurpose Hook
$$$ Best Bang For Your Buck
Leatherman Rebar
Just by looking at it you can see that the Rebar is a direct descendant of the original Leatherman PST. Sharing many of the same features and tools, with some modern upgrades. Made with 100% stainless steel construction, the Rebar still uses the original butterfly opening design and is an exact copy of the Leatherman Super Tool 300 just smaller.
There are a host of great upgrades like locking tools, two knives, and replaceable wire cutters. Even though they share the same length, due to the extra tools and a new plier design to accommodate the replaceable wire cutters, the Rebar is a little heavier, but not enough to really notice. The Rebar is a great option for someone who wants a full-size multi-tool with heavy-duty features
Features and Specs
- Weight – 6.7oz
- Closed Length – 4″
- Needlenose Pliers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Replaceable Hard-Wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Wire Stripper
- 2.9″ 420HC Knife Blade
- 2.9″ 420HC Serrated Knife Blade
- Saw
- Awl w/ Thread Loop
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Large Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Small Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Ruler
SOG PowerAssist
Another multi-tool from SOG using their Compound Leverage pliers system, which nearly doubles the gripping force of the pliers. The PowerAssist also has another great feature that sets it apart from other multi-tools. It has two assisted opening knife blades, one straight edge and one serrated, both of which are accessible with the tool in the closed position. This makes carrying the PowerAssist like carrying a regular pocket knife but sadly it does not come with a pocket clip.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 9.6oz
- Closed Length – 4.6″
- Straight Edge Knife Blade (Assisted Opening)
- Fully Serrated Knife Blade (Assisted Opening)
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Crimper (Blasting Cap)
- 3-Sided File
- Large Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Medium Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Small Flat Blade Screwdriver
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Ruler
- V-Cutter
- Wire Crimper
- Wire Cutter (Hard)
Gerber Center Drive
Gerber hasn’t made any major changes to their original multi-tool design for many years, that is until the Center Drive. The Gerber Center Drive was a big change in the Gerber lineup with a 3.2″ bit driver that uses standard 1/4″ bits. This is great for someone who uses a bit driver regularly and who wants to be able to customize their bit selection. Another big change to the sliding plier’s design was an easy access knife blade, that does not require you to open the tool to access the blade.
Features and Specs
- Weight: 9.5 oz
- Closed Length: 4.7″
- Spring-loaded needlenose pliers w/ X-Channel rail system
- Rotatable carbide wire cutters & strippers
- 3.25″ 420HC Stainless Steel Knife Blade
- Serrated Knife blade
- Magnetic 3.2″ Center-Axis bit driver
- Pry bar w/ nail puller & bottle opener
- Awl
- File
- Magnetic Flathead and Phillips Bits
Leatherman Wave+
My favorite multi-tool for under a hundred dollars, the Wave+ can often be found in the eighty dollar range and at that price, I think the Wave+ is a steal. Even at a hundred dollars, the Wave+ is still a great deal. The Wave+ has all of the same tools as the Leatherman Charge+ without the extra cost. To make the Wave+ a more affordable multi-tool they use different steel for the main knife blade and stainless steel scales instead of aluminum. The only things that are different between the two are the addition of 0.2oz of weight and a 420HC stainless steel blade instead of Charge’s 154CM stainless steel.
The Wave+ has four tools that are accessible with the tool in the closed position, both knives, a saw, and a file, plus the main thing that changed with the last upgrade was the addition of replaceable wire cutters.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 8.5oz
- Closed Length – 4″
- Needlenose Pliers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Replaceable Hard-wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Wire Stripper
- 420HC Knife Blade
- 420HC Serrated Knife Blade
- Saw
- Spring-Action Scissors
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Diamond Coated File
- Large Bit Driver
- Small Bit Driver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Ruler
$$$$ Best Multi-Tools When Price Is No Object
Leatherman Surge
The Surge is Leatherman’s largest and most capable multi-tool. At a whopping 12.5oz, the Surge is packed full of heavy-duty tools. With the same basic design as the Leatherman Wave+ but larger with slightly different tool options and really nice scissors that are accessed with the tool in the closed position. With the Surge, everything is bigger not just the scissors. The pliers, knife blades, and saw are all larger.
One thing that is really cool about the Surge is the Blade Exchanger. The Blade Exchanger allows you to customize your Surge. Maybe you find yourself using a file more than a saw or maybe you have no use for a file and want a saw, now you can have one or the other or maybe both if you want to carry it along.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 12.5oz
- Closed Length – 4.5″
- Needlenose Pliers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Electrical Crimper
- Wire Stripper
- 3.1″ 420HC Knife Blade
- 3.1″ 420HC Serrated Knife
- Saw
- Spring Action Scissors
- Awl With Thread Loop
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Wood/Metal File
- Diamond Coated File
- Blade Exchanger
- Large Bit Driver
- Large Screwdriver
- Small Screwdriver
- Ruler
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X comes in just over the one hundred dollar mark. It’s fit and finish is top quality and Victorinox could easily sell them for twice that, and most people that have seen a SwissTool wouldn’t bat an eye at the price.
The SwissTool has all of the standard tools you come to expect from a full-size general purpose multi-tool. The usual suspects like a knife, scissors, saw, screwdrivers and more. The SwissTool Spirit X is perfect for someone who wants a more refined multi-tool but does not want to drop the coin on a Leatherman Charge+ or a Charge+ TTI.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 9.75oz
- Closed Length – 4.13″
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Wire Cutter
- Straight Edge Knife
- 2mm Screwdriver
- 3mm Screwdriver
- 6mm Screwdriver
- Bottle Opener
- Can Opener
- Scissors
- Metal File
- Metal Saw
- Wood Saw
- Reamer
- Phillips Screwdriver
- Chisel/Scraper
- Wire Stripper
- Wire Scraper/Round Cutter
- Multi-purpose Hook
Leatherman Charge+
The Leatherman Charge+ uses the same architecture as the Wave+ with upgraded materials. The Charge+ comes with a 154CM stainless steel knife blade and aluminum handle scales making it 0.2oz lighter than the Wave, but then why would you buy the Charge over the Wave? It’s all about the knife blade. The 154CM stainless steel knife blade is a substantial jump in strength, durability, and edge retention over 420HC. To learn more about the steels that Leatherman uses check out my article: What Steel Does Leatherman Use?
Besides the knife blade and the handle scales, there is one more thing that is different about the Charge+, the secondary serrated knife includes a cutting hook/line cutter, that does come in handy sometimes, make cutting cordage ultra-easy.
Features and Specs
- Weight – 8.3oz
- Closed Length – 4″
- 2.9″ 154CM Stainless Steel Straight Edge Knife
- 2.9″ 420HC Sheepsfoot Serrated Knife Blade
- Cutting Hook
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters
- Wire Stripper
- Spring Action Scissors
- Wood/Metal File
- Diamond Coated File
- Saw
- Can Opener
- Bottle Opener
- Large Bit Driver
- Small Bit Driver
- Medium Screwdriver
- Ruler
Final Thoughts
No matter what your budget restraints are, there is a quality multi-tool for you. Just remember that when it comes to multi-tools you often get what you pay for. If you try to compare the quality and capabilities a Gerber Suspension to a Victorinox SwissTool you will find out real quick that you can’t make that comparison. For my top picks click here to check out my Recommended Tools page; Best of the Best: Top Tier Multi-Tools
