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this post was submitted on 08 Feb 2026
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Leatherman plier-based multitools. They invented the category and they continue to be the top choice. You can get cheaper tools that are adequate, but Leatherman always has some of the best designs, reliably high quality, and outstanding support. I'm constantly trying new tools from all over, but I always end up carrying one Leatherman or another.
I've found Gerber to be a very close second. Depending on what you're looking for in a multitool, I think some of their stuff is better.
Gerber has made some very good multitools. They have also introduced some significant design improvements over the years. Among other things, they were the first to build one (Legend) where the tools opened outward instead of inward, which seemed like an obvious improvement to me.
My only complaint is that Gerber's quality has been inconsistent. During some periods they've put out cheaply made tools. During others they've produced tools that were the equal of anything else on the market.
That's totally fair. I'm not super familiar with them myself, but some of my colleagues used to rave about the brand. I also haven't really carried a multitool for the better part of the last five years, since I changed careers and work in an office now lol.
I like their offset driver design and wish leatherman would come up with something similar- it sucks balls to drive a little screw with any of the leathermen I've owned.
Have you tried the multitool made by Victorinox?
Yes, I have both a SwissTool and a Spirit. They are excellent tools. I've carried them both at, at one time or another, but I keep going back to Leatherman after a while. I don't think they are better or worse, it's just a matter of what particular uses you have.
Swiss Army knife with tools predates the leatherman by a century, leatherman might have been first with pliers but did not invent the category.
I did specify that I was talking about plier-based tools in my original response.
I grew up with Swiss Army knives, back before Leatherman was in business. (Yes, I am that old.) I still carry a Rambler with me everywhere I go.
I used to agree with you, but their prices have gone up and they've been transforming themselves into a high end lifestyle brand.
My Charge is now almost 20 years old and still going strong, so I'm nit saying their products are bad, but I'm not seeing real innovation come out of them and I'd honestly say for most people a Wave clone is probably good enough. They're totally phoning it in on small tools as well, China is way ahead of them on design.
For me, the Free series was a significant innovation, but it all depends on what aspect matter to you.
My thing is they discontinued a lot of the tools I like. I carry a Skeletool and a Style CS, that pair works out great, but they don't make any of the Styles anymore. I also really like my Squirt ES, another they discontinued.
That has frustrated me too. The Style PS was my idea of a perfect keychain tool, but they killed it in favor of the older, and less capable, Micra.
The screwdriver on the Style series, the PS, CS and tiny little Style all have it, is unique among multitools. It's long and thin so it can reach down into recessed screw pockets and it comes to a tip sharp enough to turn eyeglass screws. It was perfect, so of course they got rid of it.
My Skeletool is one of my favorite possessions. I was genuinely upset when it broke (doing something very aggressive with it, not because of any flaw) but it turned out their warranty is legit and I got it back good as new. They even gave me new bits for it when they sent it back.