Table of Contents
Our team has tested and reviewed different multitools and in this article, let’s go and tackle the creams of the crop for this year!
LEATHERMAN, Charge Plus TTi
Our overall winner is the Leatherman Charge+ TTi for its excellent mix of functional features. It is made of high-quality materials and is versatile in nature. Among all its features, the blades come at the top of our list.
Its titanium frame decreases the weight slightly. This multitool is average in weight at about ½ pound. Although it’s not on the lighter end, people find it easy to carry around as it can sit well on the belt sheath, on a lanyard, or simply clipped to the pocket.
However, the Charge+TTi holds a rather high price tag. It’s the most expensive of all the products we’ve tested. Another thing is that we wish it came with a full-size ¼” bit driver instead of the smaller version.
They could’ve just removed the generic flat screwdriver to make way for the full-sized bit driver. Despite the drawbacks, the pros still easily outweigh the cons making this our champ!
- Number of functions: 19 + bits
- Weight: 8.8 oz
- Sophisticated materials and build
- Impressive features
- Well-thought layout
- Durable
- On the heavier side
- On the pricier end
Leatherman Skeletool CX
If you’re all for a smaller tool set, this one is a great option. It’s easier to carry around on a daily. The features included, although limited, are usable and cleaner. You can rest in the fact that it’s of high quality as Leatherman is known to not compromise in this department.
The Skeletool CX is just the right amount of small, in our opinion. This was pretty much risk for the company but it ended up paying off just fine. It contains the most useful features, so it’s great to have it in your pocket, just in case.
However, the bit driver is again too small for our liking. But if portable is what you prefer, the decision is way too easy with this one.
- Number of functions: 5 + bits
- Weight: 5.0 oz
- Pocket clip carry
- Low profile transport
- Tool come in full sizes
- Limited features
- Proprietary bit driver
Leatherman Wave Plus
The Leatherman Wave+ is almost as complete as the Charge TTi. It houses 90% of the features Charge TTi has but is sold at only 60% of the cost, which makes this the tool that’s truly worth every penny.
In terms of sophistication, of course, this runs second to our overall winner. But then again, it comes at a fraction of the price. The downside is that it does not house everything the Charge TTi does.
But other than materials and accessories, both the multitools chrome in similar general design, tool selections, and dimensions. If you want to save some money, this is a great option to consider.
- Number of functions: 17
- Weight: 8.5 oz
- Full of features
- High-quality build
- Limited stock carry options
- Compromised materials
Leatherman Wingman
Are you working on a tight budget here? Well, fret no more! The Leatherman Wingman brings the company’s high-quality promise, but with a price tag, no one can say no to it.
It has interesting features as well: a quirky opener, hand strain-reducing pliers, and an integrated pocket clip for easy carrying.
But of course, the deduction in the price is for a reason. The lone blade comes in a hybrid straight or serrated edge which demands regular sharpening because of its mid-grade steel material.
But still, we attest that you truly get more than your money’s worth with this multitool. If you’re the type to lose things quickly, you might need to consider this as it won’t hurt your pocket that much!
- Number of functions: 10
- Weight: 6.8 oz
- Affordable
- High quality
- Excellent tool selection
- A hybrid blade is difficult to sharpen
- Short blade
- No accessory bit driver
Gerber Center-Drive
The Gerber Center Drive is undoubtedly the best screwdriver in town! It has easily dethroned our former favorite SOG Baton Q4. The Center-Drive screwdriver houses a longer extension and a handle that is capable of more torque, thus, more efficiency.
It is also ergonomically made, with it centering the bit along the axis. This mimics the feel of a single-purpose screwdriver. Overall, the Center-Drive is more versatile and diverse than the SOG.
If what you always need is a screwdriver, the Center Drive will fit you just right. It is the best we’ve tried so far. But, if you need the other tools as much, it’s not the best of the other departments.
The pliers are pinching-prone, taking several steps to access other available tools.
- Number of functions: 15
- Weight: 9.9 oz
- Ergonomically-made
- One-handed pliers
- One-handed main blade
- Deploying pliers is required to access other tools
- Rattly build
Gerber Dime Mini multi-Tool
The Gerber Dime wins our best keychain tool award. In fact, it is smaller than the usual key “fob” available in newer cars. This minimalist keychain houses some useful tools that can help you in your daily life.
If it were up to us, this might also be called a keychain bottle opener. The bottle opener is protruded in a way that it’s easily accessible and available for use. This feature is actually what made it rise to the top of the keychain tool department.
- Number of functions: 9
- Weight: 2.3 oz
- Small
- Durable
- Readily available bottle opener
- Blade is short
- Other functions are too tiny
Leatherman Crunch Multitool
If you’re looking for pliers, you might have just found the best one yet. A typical multi-tools buyer would buy one to use in his/her daily life. This is why versatility and portability are of high importance.
What sets this apart from other pliers is that it is a locking type.
The drawbacks are the readiness of the other tools and their selection. It houses just about half of the number of Charge+’s features. It also takes multiple steps to be able to access the Crunch’s blade.
The Crunch comes with an integrated driver. However, the locking mechanism screw should be removed first to access it. But if the majority of your needs lie in the pliers, this may be more than enough.
- Number of functions: 8
- Weight: 6.8 oz
- Locking pliers
- Compact
- Excellent quality
- Limited features
- Pliers must be deployed to access other tools
Analysis and results
In 1984, Tim Leatherman placed the “Pocket Survival Tool” on the market. This basically started the multi-tool we know today. Here, we disclose the specifics of how we tested and analyzed the different multi-tools in this article.
Value
We have examined the relationship between the price and its functions, construction, materials, and ergonomics. This is basically a question of “is it worth my money?” One thing to note is that multi-tools, no matter how good, assume compromise when it comes to ergonomics.
No matter how expensive, it will still be better to utilize a stand-alone screwdriver than a multi-tool with one in it.
Points were awarded to those with the comfortable operation. The Leatherman Wingman is a great value since it’s perfect for everyday carry. It houses the typical functions needed.
On the other hand, the more expensive but still cheaper than the Charge+ TTi is the Leatherman Wave which performs similarly to its pricier counterpart.
Functions
For this parameter, we have evaluated the features of each multi-tool. We took into consideration the usability of each tool more than the number of functions they house. For example, we will choose a multi-tool with ten great tools than one with fifteen below-average functions.
The most valuable functions are a great blade, tight-and-pointed pliers that come with wire cutters, integrated bit drivers, and scissors. The topnotchers of this department are the Leatherman Surge, Leatherman Charge+ TTi, and Leatherman Wave.
Moreover, some users prefer the advanced package openers of the Gerber Dime and the Leatherman Wingman.
Different companies count their tools in different ways. The SOG PowerAssist and the Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X feature almost similar sets, but the former has claimed 16 features while the latter has 26. The Gerber Suspension offers sufficient feature sets, while the SOG Baton Q4 has lesser features.
Additionally, the Leatherman Skeletool, Gerber Crucial, and Gerber Center Drive house few features than others, but every function offers great ergonomic consideration.
Products with locking pliers typically house fewer features, but the features available are fully functioning. Examples are Leatherman Crunch and Irwin 5WR Vise-Grips, with the former having fewer tools than the latter. This Irwin is bigger, with an accessible blade from the outside. Despite this, we still prefer the Crunch a lot better.
The small Gerber Dime houses a package opener, while the Leatherman Squirt PS4 has a file, but they almost look the same. But between the two, a ready-to-use bottle opener is better. Thus, the Gerber Dime is the better option.
A line of multi-tools called “Free” was recently released by Leatherman. The hinges in the products of the line boast a smooth and unresisted pivoting mechanism. This is due to the hinges being heels in place by magnets and springs rather than friction.
The Leatherman Free P4 is a helpful tool, but less than the other variants from the same company. It does not have a bit driver, which is a big drawback.
Now, let’s look into the Leatherman Skeletool CX, which is a full-sized but minimalist tool. This is important for those who prefer their tools as normal-sized as possible. But, the bit driver can still be bigger for better usage.
Among all the products within our arms’ reach, the Havalon Evolve is the only one with a user-replaceable main blade. It comes with a thin and interchangeable blade that is sharp, flimsy, and flexible.
We would’ve loved it if the Havalon also included a more traditional blade.
Construction quality
Every product is a unique construction. The hinges and locking mechanism can easily give out the quality of the build. Higher scores were awarded to those with durable materials, tight build tolerances, and smart constructions.
The winners in this department are the Charge TTi, SOG PowerAssist, Wave+, Skeletool CX, and Victorinox Swisstool.
The smaller models such as the Squirt PS4, Gerber Dime, Gerber Vise, and SOG Micro ToolClip don’t have the greatest construction quality since all the tools are downsized, thus, weakening the build. Among these, the SOG and the Gerber Dime are the most durable.
One class that is typically quality-compromised when it comes to construction is plier hinges. But the models we have here help up pretty well. The Victorinox SwissTool Spirit XC wins because of its smooth construction and Swiss precision.
The Leatherman Crunch’s construction is rugged and sturdy. It’s filed under the locking pliers category, so the hinges have more play in this one. It houses reliable and sufficient blades and drivers. The Irwin 5WR Vise Grip is similar to the Crunch. It has to lock pliers as well with a bit driver and a blade attached to its body.
Ergonomics
The ergonomic quality is primarily judged via the comfort of the handle shape and the accessibility of the tools.
All of the variants tested come in a set of pliers with other tools built into the handle, except the SOG Baton Q4. The Baton is elongated like a screwdriver in its stowed form.
Typically, the pliers fold into the handles, but the manner by which this is done differs from one model to another.
All of our products actually passed this test. The SwissTool and Charge TTi win the smoothest handling category, while the Leatherman Free P4 inches close to the two.
In terms of plier handle roundness, the Crunch and the SOG PowerAssist are similar. The close the pliers’ handles are, the higher the chance of pinching your hand during use. This is not a problem with the Gerber Suspension, with the Victorinox coming in second.
They both have handles that are curved away, leaving enough space to prevent pinching. On the other end, the SOG PowerAssist and Center Drive have the most pinch potential.
Another great consideration is that main blades are deployed with the use of just one thumb without the need to deploy any other tools. These are the Havalon Evolve, SOG PowerAssist, Gerber Suspension, Wingman, Free P4, Skeletool, Charge+ TTi, and Wave+.
The one-handed blade opening is a convenient trend nowadays. It’s easy to understand why tools with this feature score high in the ergonomic department. In line with this, we bow to the SOG PowerAssist because of its ease of deployment.
The Crunch, on the other hand, requires the deployment of the eplieres before getting to the blades and drivers. The smaller products also fall short in terms of ergonomics, such as the portable Gerber Dime and Leatherman Squirt PS4. An exception, however, is the Gerber Dime’s bottle opener since its bottle opener is readily accessible.
Portability
We love our tools with various carrying methods for convenience. The Leatherman Charge+ TTi is easily carried around with a pocket clip, a lanyard, a kitchen, or through a rugged belt pouch.
This makes it portable despite it being on the bigger side. The Leatherman Surge and the Leatherman Wave+ can also be configured to be carried in different ways.
Among those that full-size house features, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is the most portable among all. It’s available in almost all of the common carrying options.
Take note that it does not have a lot of features, but all that are present come full in size with an external tool housing an integrated carabiner-style clip and a smart pocket clip. The Gerber Crucial also has similar portability features.
Moreover, we have the Havalon Evolve, which is a little bigger than the Crucial and the Skeletool. This is because the interchangeable blades and blade-changing tools take up significant space.
With the exception of the Dime, Crucial, Squirt, Micro ToolClip, Vise, and Wingman, all other products came with sheaths. The Skeletool and Irwin 5WR can be bought without a sheath, so it’s basically your choice.
Only the SOG Baton Q4 cannot be put onto a pants belt among all the products equipped with sheaths.
The Gerber Center Drive’s sheath is available in horizontal and vertical carrying options. The Free p4, Skeletool, SOG Micro, Havalon, Wingman, Baton, Crucial, and the Charge TTi is clippable to the front pocket’s edge. Aftermarket pocket clips are available with Wave+ and Surge.
The Leatherman Crunch, additionally, is best carried with the sheath it comes with or loosely in one’s pocket. The largest and the least portable among all the products under our belts is the SOG PowerAssist.
Final say
Now that we have given you our extensive review of the multi-tools of 2020, the decision is now all yours to make! Happy shopping!
