I have both multi-tools and Swiss Army Knives, but I prefer to carry a multi-tool as part of my EDC system. So when I noticed my brother in law carrying a Swiss Army Knife, it made me beg the question; What makes a multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife better than the other?
So, what does makes a multi-tool or Swiss Army Knife better than the other? The easy answer, it really comes down to whether or not, you need pliers. If you need a good pair of pliers, then It makes sense to go with a multi-tool.
When choosing between a multi-tool and Swiss Army Knife there is more to it than pliers alone. The two have very different designs to accomplish the same thing, providing a mix of common tools to solve a number of everyday problems. There are many factors to take into consideration when deciding which best suits your needs.
Trying to compare Swiss Army Knives to multi-tools, is like trying to comparing apples to oranges. They share some similarities but are very different at the same time. That is one reason it is so difficult to do a side by side comparison. So for this discussion, I will be using mostly generalizations with a couple specific examples. Because of the vast number of options available for both multi-tools and Swiss Army Knives, I will keep the discussion focused around Victorinox and Leatherman, the original designers and manufacturers of their respective designs.
Leatherman’s Multi-Tool
As I said before, the main difference between a multi-tool and a Swiss Army Knife is the pliers. When Tim Leatherman created the original Pocket Survival Tool, he based it around a full-size pair of needle nose pliers. By using needle nose pliers as a base to work from, he was able to make a tool that had the room to house larger tools that more closely resembled full-size tools.
Fast forward to present day and you will find multi-tools smaller than your average pocket knife and larger than your average pair of full-size pliers, too large to practically carry in your pocket. All having more features packed into them than ever thought
(Click here to check out my Recommended Tools page) a collection of my top picks.
The Multi-Tool’s PROS
HEAVY DUTY PLIERS: First and foremost the multi-tools pliers are the biggest difference between them and the Swiss Army Knife, making it one of its biggest advantages. The pliers on multi-tools are larger and more capable than the little ones found on some Swiss Army Knives. On most multi-tool pliers are also wire cutters which add to its abilities and value.
One multi-tool manufacture has taken their design to the extreme. SOG has their own unique addition to the multi-tool plier’s design with their Compound Leverage system. SOG’s Compound Leverage system nearly doubles the gripping power of the plier’s jaws. This design is great for people with weaker hands.
LOCKING BLADES: Another multi-tool PRO in my book, is that most modern multi-tools have locking blades. Besides the micro, key-chain, and smaller multi-tools, most multi-tools not only have generally larger knife blades but also have all locking blades and tools, making them much safer when performing heavy-duty tasks. If you look across the Swiss Army Knife options, most still do not have locking features.
POCKET CLIP: Many modern multi-tools now come with pocket clips. Having a quality pocket clip can be the difference between knowing where your tool is, and thinking you know where your tool. For someone who may switch between a multi-tool and a pocket knife, having similar carry methods can be important too.
ONE-HANDED OPENING KNIVES: Following the trend of pocket clips, externally accessible knife blades, that can be opened with just a thumb, have become the standard in modern multi-tool design, with some even offering assisted opening blades as well.
METAL CONSTRUCTION: There are many multi-tools that are made entirely of stainless steel, while others use a mix of stainless steel and other durable materials like aluminum or titanium. Using these heavy-duty materials makes multi-tools extremely durable and reliable.
The Multi-Tools CONS
THEY ARE HEAVY: One thing about multi-tools is that, because they are built around pliers, they are heavier than your typical Swiss Army Knife. The pliers add a substantial amount of weight.
LARGER: When you are talking about pliers, larger may be better but when you are talking about a tool you want to carry in your pocket then size will become a factor.
MAINTENANCE: Because of the pliers, there are more moving parts and more moving parts equals more maintenance. With the extra pivot points required to function as pliers, it creates more areas for dirt and debris to collect and affect the smooth operation of the tools. Also, more moving parts creates more points of possible failure.
Victorinox’s Swiss Army Knife
The infamous Swiss Army Knife has been around for a long time, for over a hundred years, and has had a reputation for being the “jack of all trades”. The Swiss Army Knife went reletivly unchallenged for many years, that was until the Pocket Survival Tool came on the scene.
The Swiss Army Knife’s PROS
ENDLESS OPTIONS: One of the biggest advantages that the Swiss Army Knife has is the vast number of variations available. Victorinox makes well over 100 different models, everything from a small one with only a hand full of tools to larger models that have over 50 different tools. Whatever your needs, there is a Swiss Army Knife for you. If you spend enough time searching you will find one that covers most if not all of your needs.
LIGHTWEIGHT: Another positive thing about the Swiss Army Knife is that because they are not built around pliers, there is a lot less steel needed. This equates to a much lighter tool overall. The weight of a Swiss Army Knife will solely depend on the number of tools and features that it has. So, with the many different models to choose from, a little time searching, you should be able to find one that has just what you need and keep the weight down.
The Swiss Army Knife’s CONS
NO POCKET CLIP: I know I talked about this in regards to multi-tools but for me, having a pocket clip is important. I’ve got a phone in one pocket and keys in the other, so having a pocket clip, keeps the multi-tool/knife high in my pocket and keeps it clear of my keys. Plus it keeps the multi-tool/knife out of any lint that may find its way into the pivot points.
NO ONE-HANDED OPENING KNIFE: Once again one-handed knives has become a more common addition to pocket knives and multi-tools. Most Swiss Army Knives that have larger selections of tools don’t include this feature.
Compare and Contrast
When comparing a multi-tool and a Swiss Army Knife of similar size and weight, the Swiss Army Knife will generally have more tools and features. This is due to the difference in design and heavier duty pliers.
Now Leatherman makes multi-tools ranging from 1.4 oz. all the way up to 12.5 oz. There are a few that are comparable in size and weight to some Swiss Army Knives. One comparison that comes very close is the Victorinox Deluxe Tinker and the Leatherman Juice S2.
The Victorinox Deluxe Tinker is 3.6″ long, weights 4.3 oz. and has 16 tools including a small pair of pliers. The Leatherman Juice S2 is 3.25″ long, weights 4.6 oz. and has 12 tools including its pliers. These are similar in size and weight but as predicted, the multi-tool still comes in heavier and has fewer tools
Final Thoughts
As you may have noticed, many of the multi-tools strengths are the Swiss Army Knife’s weaknesses and vice versa. It really comes down to how much you would use pliers or how you prefer to carry your tool
THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE GUY OR GAL: You prefer to carry yours by just tossing it in your pocket. You don’t have much need for pliers and if you do, it’s for light-duty tasks.
THE MULTI-TOOL GUY OR GAL: You prefer to carry yours with a pocket clip or in a sheath on your belt. You use pliers often and may use them for heavy-duty tasks that require durable pliers. You generally use your tools more often and expect higher performance from your tools as well.
