Gift guide: Top 10 multitools

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Victorinox SwissCard
A credit-card sized multitool that you can slip into a purse of wallet. Kitted out with the same high-quality scissors that you find in any Swiss Army Knife,
- Nail file
- Screwdriver 2 mm
- Toothpick
- Tweezers
- Pressurized ballpoint pen
- Pin, stainless steel
- Emergency blade (letter opener)
- Scissors
Price: $38 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Leatherman Surge
A chunky multitool that can is tough enough to take whatever you can throw at it.
- All-locking blades
- Needlenose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Wire cutters
- Hard-wire cutters
- Stranded-wire cutters
- Electrical crimper
- Clip-point knife
- Serrated knife
- Scissors
- Blade exchanger
- Diamond file blade
- Wood file blade
- Saw blade
- Large bit driver
- Small bit driver
- 5/16-inch screwdriver
- Awl with thread loop
- Ruler (9 inches/22 cm)
- Bottle/can opener
- Wire stripper
- Lanyard ring
- Two double-ended bits
Price: $99.85 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Leatherman Tread Multitool Bracelet
A multitool that you can wear around your wrist. Feels a bit gimmicky at first, but once you get used to it, it's very functional.
- 1/4-inch box wrench
- 3/16-inch screwdriver
- 6mm hex drive
- 1/4-inch hex drive
- Oxygen tank wrench
- 3/16-inch hex drive
- 1/8-inch hex drive
- 3/16-inch box wrench
- 3/32-inch hex drive
- 3/32-inch screwdriver
- 1/8-inch flat screwdriver
- 4mm hex drive
- 8mm box wrench
- 3mm hex drive
- 5/16-inch screwdriver
- 3/8-inch box wrench
- 1/4-inch flat screwdriver
- #1 Phillips
- 6mm box wrench
- #2 Phillips
- Carbide glass breaker
- Pick/SIM card tool
- Cutting hook
- 1/4-inch socket drive
- Bottle opener
- #2 square drive
Price: $220 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Victorinox SwissTool CS Plus
A robust multitool packed with 39 different functions. This is a true toolbox that you can fit into your pocket.
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Wire cutter for thin and soft wire
- Hard wire cutter
- Blade, large
- Scissors
- Wood saw
- Reamer/punch
- Can opener
- Screwdriver 3 mm
- Bottle opener
- Wire bender
- Screwdriver 5 mm
- Phillips screwdriver 1 / 2
- Screwdriver 2 mm
- Screwdriver 7.5 mm
- Crate opener, strong
- Chisel 7 mm
- Wire stripper
- Wire scraper
- Ruler (inch)
- Lanyard hole
- Ruler (cm)
- Metal saw
- Metal file
- Bitwrench
- Bit Phillips 0
- Bit Torx 10
- Bit Torx 15
- Corkscrew
- Mini screwdriver 1.5 mm
Price: $140 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Swiss+Tech Micro-Max 19-in-1
A compact multitool that you can clip onto a keyring. So cheap you can afford to get a set for all your keys.
- 1/4-inch Hex Wrench
- 7/16-inch Hex Wrench
- #0 Flat Screwdriver
- #1 Flat Screwdriver
- #2 Flat Screwdriver
- #0 Phillips Screwdriver
- #1 Phillips Screwdriver
- #2 Phillips Screwdriver
- Pliers
- Wire Cutter
- Wire Stripper
- Wire Crimper
- Nail File
- Hand Drill
- Bottle Opener
- Inches Ruler
- Inches Ruler Extension
- Ruler
- Ruler Extension
Price: $8.50 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Leatherman Raptor
A multitool aimed at EMT specialists who need a robust pair of scissors, this is a great tool for anyone who does a lot of cutting (fabric, cardboard, plastics and so on).
- 420hc stainless steel folding medical shears
- Strap cutter
- Ring cutter
- Ruler
- Oxygen tank wrench
- Carbide glass breaker
Price: $69.85 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Leatherman Squirt PS4
There are times when you might not want to carry a full-sized Leatherman multitool with you. This is when you need a Squirt.
- Spring-action needlenose pliers
- Spring-action regular pliers
- Spring-action wire cutters
- 420HC knife
- Spring-action scissors
- Flat/Phillips screwdriver
- Bottle opener
- Wood/metal file
- Medium screwdriver
Price: $36.50 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Leatherman Crunch
A multitool featuring an adjustable vice grip that can clamp objects up to 1-inch in diameter.
- Regular pliers
- Locking pliers
- Hard-wire cutters
- Wire stripper
- 420hc serrated knife
- Ruler
- Pin vice
- Bottle opener
- Wood/metal file
- 1/4-inch hex bit driver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Large screwdriver
- Medium screwdriver
- Small screwdriver
Price: $110.85 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Gerber Cable Dawg
A multitool specially designed for the US military, the Cable Dawg is a specialized, industrial grade multitool for work on fiber optic, IT, and cable systems. Very unusual, but highly useful for anyone who works with cabling a lot.
- Rugged and reliable design
- Can be used in various military, hunting, survival, tactical, industrial and outdor situations
- All products are field tested
- Wire cable cutter, with CAT5 jacket cutter and RJ45 crimper
- Magnetic driver extension and driver storage compartment
- Spring loaded jaw and head wire strippers
- Detachable component handle includes partially serrated edge knife with jacket cutter
- Made in the USA
Price: $190 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes
Swiss-Tech Utili-Key XT 8-in-1
The smallest multitool that I've owned, not much bigger than a key. I keep one on my car keys and I'm surprised how often I turn to it.
- Flat screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Micro-sized screwdriver (perfect for eyeglasses)
- Straight blade knife
- Serrated blade knife
- Bottle opener
Price: $8 | More information
Published: December 6, 2016 -- 15:59 GMT (07:59 PST)
Caption by: Adrian Kingsley-Hughes

We don't always have access to a fully-equipped toolbox, but with the right multitool, you can always have access to a basic set of hand tools. Here is a selection of the best multitools that I have owned and tested over the years.