What should I look for in a multi-tool?

Before the function count, the force the pliers give and whether the blades lock under load. An unlocked blade folds when you push on it.

Models here run from 75 mm to 180 mm. Longer means more plier force and blade length, less pocketability -- choose by where it will be carried.

Does a multi-tool replace shop tools?

No. It replaces the tool that is not with you, not the full-size one on the bench.

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Pocket Multi-Tools

A pocket multi-tool folds pliers, blade, screwdriver and saw into one body -- the tool you carry when you can only carry one, in the field, in the vehicle or in the service bag. Locking jaws stop it folding under load. It does not replace a full-size shop tool; it replaces the tool that is not with you.

Not the function count -- the lock and the pliers

Function count is the first thing people look at and the least decisive. What matters is whether the pliers jaws give usable force and whether the blades lock under load. An unlocked blade folds when you push on it, onto your fingers.

Six models are listed, from a 75 mm mini to a 180 mm pro, with 7 to 15 functions and stainless steel bodies. As length goes up, plier force and blade length rise and pocketability falls.

What it replaces, and what it does not

A multi-tool does not replace a full-size shop tool; it replaces the tool that is not with you. It earns its place in field service, in a vehicle, on an electrical inspection round and in a service bag.

Care is simple: a drop of light oil on the pivots now and then, and a regularly honed blade. Stainless helps in damp conditions but a neglected pivot still seizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for in a multi-tool?
Before the function count, the force the pliers give and whether the blades lock under load. An unlocked blade folds when you push on it.
Which size?
Models here run from 75 mm to 180 mm. Longer means more plier force and blade length, less pocketability -- choose by where it will be carried.
Does a multi-tool replace shop tools?
No. It replaces the tool that is not with you, not the full-size one on the bench.