I resisted carrying a multi-tool for years.
My logic was pretty simple. I've got a knife. I've got my phone. I know where the hardware store is. Why would I strap a chunk of folded stainless steel to my belt loop and walk around looking like I'm permanently ready to defuse a bomb?
Then I spent 45 minutes trying to fix a wobbly shelf bracket with my car key and a butter knife. Sarah was watching from the doorway. She didn't say anything. She didn't have to.
I bought a multi-tool the next day.
Multi-tools have this reputation for being either dirt cheap and useless or stupidly expensive and over-engineered. The sweet spot, in my experience, is actually pretty wide. You can get a genuinely capable multi-tool for under $50 without settling for garbage. You just have to know what you're looking for.
Quick Picks
| Item | Price | Buy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leatherman Skeletool | ~$45-50 | Amazon ↗ | Best overall |
| Victorinox Cadet | ~$30-35 | Amazon ↗ | Office / everyday |
| Gerber Suspension-NXT | ~$25-35 | Amazon ↗ | Best budget |
| Leatherman Style CS | ~$30 | Amazon ↗ | Travel / TSA-friendly |
| Gerber Dime | ~$20-25 | Amazon ↗ | Keychain / minimalist |
What Makes a Good EDC Multi-Tool?
Before I get into the picks, here's what actually matters for everyday carry — because the specs on the box are usually marketing, not reality.
Pliers are the whole point. That's the thing you'll reach for 80% of the time. Spring-loaded pliers that open on their own are a genuine quality-of-life improvement. Non-spring pliers work fine but get old fast.
One-hand opening on the knife. If you have to set something down and use two hands to get your blade out, that's annoying. Not a dealbreaker, but annoying.
Locking tools. Cheap multi-tools have tools that fold back under pressure. That's a good way to cut yourself. Look for individual tool locks, especially on the knife and screwdrivers.
Weight and pocket presence. Multi-tools are heavier than knives. Some people clip them to a belt, some pocket carry, some throw them in a bag. Know where you're putting it before you buy.
1. Leatherman Skeletool — ~$45–$50
The Skeletool is the one I'd buy if I were starting over. It strips out all the stuff you never use (who actually uses the sewing awl on their multi-tool?) and doubles down on what matters: spring-loaded needle-nose pliers, a 420HC blade that takes an actual edge, a carabiner clip, and a combo screwdriver/bit driver with a few included bits.
It weighs 142 grams. Not light, but not absurd either. The all-cutout frame means it's lighter than most multi-tools this capable.
The bit driver is what really makes it useful day-to-day. Most screwdrivers on multi-tools are fixed and limited to two or three head types. The Skeletool accepts standard 1/4-inch bits, so you're not stuck if you run into a Torx screw or something unusual.
One gripe: only seven tools total. That's intentional, but some people feel like they're missing out. If you've ever pulled out a multi-tool and specifically needed the file, this might frustrate you. I've been fine.
2. Victorinox Cadet — ~$30–$35
The Cadet is the multi-tool I didn't know I needed. It's not a plier-style tool — it's a Swiss Army knife, which means it does different things than the Skeletool.
What it does: small blade, nail file, screwdrivers (flat and Phillips), scissors, orange peeler. That last one sounds like a joke until you're at a lunch meeting trying to peel an orange with dignity. The scissors in particular are genuinely sharp and useful in ways you don't expect.
What it doesn't do: pliers. So this isn't the tool for mechanical stuff. But if your EDC needs are more office-and-everyday than garage-and-trail, the Cadet is weirdly perfect. The aluminum scales come in a bunch of colors if that matters to you. Thin enough to carry in a front pocket without thinking about it.
Victorinox's quality control is excellent. I've had a Cadet for four years and it still holds up.
3. Gerber Suspension-NXT — ~$25–$35
The Suspension-NXT is Gerber's budget multi-tool, and for the price it's impressively complete. You get spring-loaded needle-nose pliers, both flat and Phillips screwdrivers, a can and bottle opener, saw, file, and a blade that's... fine. Not great, but fine.
The butterfly (or "butterfly open") design means the two halves of the handle fold out to form grips around the pliers. Solid design that Gerber has been using for years. Everything locks open except the pliers themselves, which is standard.
At $25-$35 street price, this is the "I want to try a multi-tool without committing" option. It's also the one I'd throw in a camping bag without worrying about losing it, which is its own kind of value.
The bit driver is a nice touch at this price point, though the bit selection is more limited than the Skeletool's.
4. Leatherman Style CS — ~$30
If the Cadet is the sensible Swiss Army option, the Style CS is for people who want pliers in something small enough to forget they're carrying it. It's tiny — genuinely shirt-pocket small — with spring-loaded pliers, scissors, screwdriver, file, and a knife.
The tradeoff is obvious: tiny means limited grip and leverage on the pliers. You're not cranking on a bolt with this. But for light tasks — adjusting glasses, snipping thread, opening packaging, tightening a small screw — it's excellent.
Worth mentioning: the Style CS is TSA-friendly. The blade is under 2.36 inches. I've taken it on a dozen flights without incident. If you travel a lot and want something you can keep on you in airports and hotels, this is worth considering.
5. Gerber Dime — ~$20–$25
The Gerber Dime is the one to grab if budget is the main concern. At $20-$25, it's a legitimate multi-tool with spring-loaded pliers, package opener, scissors, tweezers, screwdrivers, file, and a blade.
It's small — about the size of a lighter — and can be kept on a keychain, which is its whole identity. The keychain multi-tool category is crowded with garbage, and the Dime is one of the few that I'd actually trust.
The blade doesn't lock, which is a real downside if you're doing anything with actual cutting pressure. The scissors are better than the knife for most tasks this size handles anyway.
If you're buying this for a teenager or someone who's never carried EDC before, it's hard to beat for the price. For experienced users, step up to the Suspension-NXT or Skeletool.
Which One Should You Get?
- Best overall: Leatherman Skeletool. It's near the top of the budget but earns it.
- Best for office/everyday use: Victorinox Cadet. Thin, light, and the scissors are underrated.
- Best budget option: Gerber Suspension-NXT. Solid features, won't hurt to lose it.
- Best for travel: Leatherman Style CS. TSA-friendly and genuinely pocketable.
- Best for minimalists: Gerber Dime. Keychain-sized and actually useful.
Multi-tools are one of those things where you'll think you don't need one, then carry one for two weeks, and wonder what you were doing before. The best one is whichever you'll actually keep in your pocket.
Looking to refresh your entire EDC for spring? Check out our Spring EDC Refresh: Budget Upgrades Under $50 for a complete gear overhaul.
Rounding out your kit? Check out Best EDC Flashlights Under $50, Best Affordable Knives Under $50, and EDC Pouches & Organizers.
New to EDC? My Budget EDC Guide covers how to build a capable everyday carry kit for under $100 — multi-tools included.
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