A pocket multi-tool is one of the most useful and versatile pieces of equipment you can carry around with you. If you were ever in the Scouts when you were younger, you may remember their motto of "Be Prepared" and if you're planning any outdoor adventures or camping trips, then you'll want to make sure you pack a multi-tool for every eventuality.
They're also a handy item to have around the home, garage or workplace as well to keep in the car or when out cycling in case of emergency. Whether you find yourself in need of a screwdriver, a pair of pliers, a knife or a can opener, a multi-tool pocket knife will have you covered, and we've taken a look at the best buys on Amazon UK for you to look at from the comfort of your own home.
Quick List - Top Pocket Multi-Tools
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Knife crime has been something of a hot topic over the last few years in the UK, so we thought it would be pertinent to clarify them due to the fact that many pocket multi-tools contain folding blades. All the items on our list are legal to buy in the UK, but there are some restrictions on carrying them in public that you should be aware of.
In short, it is illegal to carry a knife in public in the UK without a good reason, unless it is a folding blade that is less than three inches long. Knives with a locking function are not classified as folding knives and are illegal to carry without a good reason.
Examples of "a good reason" are for work or demonstration and teaching purposes. Ultimately, it is up to a court to determine what is "a good reason", but if you're carrying a multi-tool while camping, working, or travelling to somewhere for those purposes, you should have nothing to worry about.
For more information on knife possession laws in the UK please refer to the GOV.UK website.
When looking for the right multi-tool, you'll probably have some idea of what you'll be using it for, but there are some functions that are universally useful in almost any situation you may find yourself in. Others are more specialist, but if you're looking for a multi-tool for something specific, there are some that you won't want to miss.
To start, we're going to take a look at the essential tools that you won't want to be without in most situations. Whether you spend your time outdoors camping, on the road cycling or on the water sailing and fishing, you won't want to be without these incredibly useful functions.
In 9 out of 10 outdoor situations, a sharp knife will be one of the most useful tools to have with you if you're away from civilization. Whether you're camping, sailing or working on a vehicle, having something to cut wood, rope or wires is something that is essential.
You may not realise it, but we promise that you'll find yourself in many a situation where you'll be kicking yourself if you don't have a sharp blade handy. You'll want to look for a hard-wearing and quality metal to make sure that your blade retains its sharpness, as well as determining what sort of length will be of best use.
Swiss army knives are a popular choice for a reason as they are one of the best all-around options when spending time outdoors thanks to their long blades. However, there are also many foldable plier designs that are well suited to electrical or technical work, and which almost always have a small blade included.
Seeing as knives and pliers are the two most useful things to have on a multi-tool, it's no surprise to see that one or the other features prominently in most designs. If you're working with anything electrical or mechanical, a pair of pliers will be your best friend.
Foldable plier designs are perfect if you're an avid cyclist. Whether you spend a lot of time on the road for cycling holidays or you just ride casually, having a pair of pliers handy is a necessity when working on your bike. Similarly, if you're a fan of fishing, you'll find life incredibly difficult without a pair of pliers.
Something you're almost certain to find whenever you're undertaking any repairs is screws that need unscrewing, and fortunately, a common tool found on most pocket multi-tools is either a flat head or Phillips screwdriver. However, while you'll often find a screwdriver, you may not have the widest range of options available.
Many Swiss army knives will have a Phillips screwdriver, which folds out at a ninety-degree angle, as well as a flat head that's often attached to a bottle opener. When it comes to the more plier-like varieties, some are very limited in what's included while others have a full range of bits in different sizes, so you'll want to check this before you buy online.
While we're sure some of you will claim that a bottle opener is a real necessity, the reality is that most multi-tools worth their salt will have many extra tools and functions. Tin openers, for example, are always useful to have around in a pinch, but if you're spending a lot of time hiking and camping, they become a must-have.
You'll find most tools will have a saw included as standard, but where you're planning on taking it will influence what you should look for. The saw on a Swiss army knife can be useful for cutting things like rope when camping or sailing, but if you're spending time in woodland, you may want something a bit more serious for branches or crafting.
Finally, you'll want to consider whether you're planning on throwing your multi-tool in a bag or pocket to have just in case you need it or whether you'll want to have it in a case attached to your belt for easy, and emergency, access. If you're camping with friends or after something for the glove compartment of a car, you're in a very different situation than when you're alone in woodlands or the peaks.
We know that the term 'pocket' is a neat way to describe something that's small and easy to carry around rather than something that will actually spend the majority of its time in your trousers, so it's worth double-checking the size of the multi-tool when everything is all folded away to make sure it fits into that particular rucksack compartment you had in mind.
All of the items on our list are small by nature, but they're also relatively light when compared to carrying around each individual tool. In certain situations where every gram counts like cycling, sailing, or hiking, you may also want to keep an eye on how much your multi-tool weighs. While it doesn't seem like much, an extra 250 g can make a difference on long excursions.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leatherman Surge | ![]() | The Only Pocket Multi-Tool You’ll Ever Need to Buy | |
2 | Victorinox Champ Swiss Army Knife | ![]() | The Ultimate Swiss Army Knife | |
3 | ManTool Wallet Multi-Tool | ![]() | Something a Little Different to Keep In Your Wallet | |
4 | Mossy Oak 21-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool | ![]() | A Great All-Rounder at a Highly Competitive Price Point | |
5 | Victorinox Hiker Swiss Army Pocket Knife | ![]() | From the Best Swiss Army Knife Brand in the World | |
6 | Gerber Dime Mini|31-01134 | ![]() | The Perfect Compact Addition to a Keychain | |
7 | Yong 12-in-1 Multi-Tool | ![]() | Ideal for Survivalists Featuring a Self-Locking Design | |
8 | Spifflyer 13-in-1 Multitool | ![]() | A Great Simple Option if Your Focus Is on the Pliers | |
9 | Honzin Swiss Style Multi-Function Pocket Knife | ![]() | Unbelievable Value for Quality Stainless Steel | |
10 | Bibury 10-in-1 Multi-Tool | ![]() | A Budget-Friendly Option for Group Camping |
Yes, it's expensive, but that doesn't make the Leatherman Surge bad value at all. It's reliable, hard-wearing and simply an exceptional tool when it comes to quality. It may seem like a lot, but you'll never have to buy another multi-tool ever again.
As well as the incredible pliers, numerous steel blades and multi-bit holder, the heavy-duty diamond-coated file is the pick of the extras. The lanyard ring and sheath are also extremely handy and mean you'll never be without your multi-tool in case of emergency. If you're after the best of the best, this is it.
The Swiss Champ features everything you could possibly want in a Swiss army knife, including some lesser-used tools like a magnifying lens, wire stripper and even a pressurised ballpoint pen.
If you think you won't need half the tools on here, we should remind you that it's always better to be over-prepared than under. You don't want to be in a situation where you're left wanting, and the Swiss Champ will ensure you're always covered.
If you were to look solely at our table you may be confused to see this sitting so high as it doesn't have a lot of the essentials. However, while we wouldn't recommend relying on it if you're out camping, the average person will probably get more use out of this than any others on our list.
Being no thicker than a credit card, it slips almost weightlessly into a wallet yet it packs in a mind-boggling 46 functions – including practically everything you need to repair a bike out on the road. All of this for under a fiver makes it a no-brainer that every wallet should have.
If we were judging this list solely on value for money when it comes to quality and functionality, then this offering from Mossy Oak would be right at the top. The pliers are fantastic, it is locked when folded, and each of the tools can be folded in and out without opening the pliers.
The ultra-durable stainless steel and hollow structure make for a sturdy and comfortable tool, and the magnetic multi-bit holder can be adjusted to a 90-degree angle for greater leverage if needed. This is a well-thought-out and convenient to use multi-tool that even comes with a carry case.
When it comes to small-form multipurpose tools, there's no name more famous than the Swiss army knife, and Victorinox are the Swiss army knife brand. This classic hiker's knife is small, light and the best possible quality you can find.
Victorinox offer a lifetime assurance against any defect in material or workmanship, so you can be confident that it can be relied upon when needed. If you like to spend your time hiking, then this is the best choice for you.
It may be hard to visualise, but the Dime Mini from Gerber is absolutely tiny, sitting at just under 8 cm long and under 1 cm thick when folded. Add this to the fact that it's made from sturdy stainless steel, and it's the perfect addition to a keyring.
This is a sturdy tool, but it's also important to be realistic when considering its size versus the sort of things it will be able to handle. You'll have no trouble clipping or bending wires or opening packaging, but if you try and apply serious pressure, it will bend.
The hard stainless steel ensures that this multi-tool can handle any environment and is suitable for even the worst weather. The knife, in particular, is a fantastic choice for any survivalists out there as the secure self-locking design means that you won't have to worry about accidents.
It even comes with a multi-bit tool that can be fitted with a wide range of screwdriver heads, and the nylon portably carry case means you'll always have it to hand when needed. While it is a great tool in its own right, there is more value to be found below.
Unlike some of the other budget options on our list, this offering from Spifflyer is all about the pliers as it has both needle nose and regular pliers as well as wire cutters. It's also available in three different colours depending on your preference.
The other tools all have a safety lock mechanism to prevent accidental closure, which is a nice touch, but you will have to open the pliers up to gain access to the rest of the kit before folding it up again which is an unnecessary hassle. Still, the quality of the pliers is well worth the price of admission.
This Swiss-style pocket knife from Honzin makes a great addition to a glove compartment when out on the road for extended periods of time. The quality is surprisingly good for a budget option, as all the tools are made from stainless steel to prevent rusting.
If you're after a multi-tool for those "what if..." moments, then you won't be disappointed in this option for the price. The only downside is the lack of a pair of pliers, but other than that the rest of the tools will serve you well.
If you're looking for something to take along with you on casual camping trips, festivals and the like, then the Bibury 10-in-1 is a great choice for those who may not be the most experienced outdoorsy folk yet enjoy the occasional camping experience.
You'll find everything you need to make it through a few nights in a tent, including a safety knife with a blunted tip that's great for food or cutting rope without the danger of poking holes in yourself. It even has a handy tool to swap the SIM cards in your phone.
With everything the great British outdoors has to offer, we don't blame you for wanting to get out there and enjoy it. To help you make the most of your hiking or camping excursions, check out these other guides to discover the best products on the market.
A pocket multi-tool is one of those things that everyone should have kicking around somewhere in case of emergencies and it's a necessity when spending any time out in nature. We hope we've been able to point you towards something suitable and wish you all the best in your outdoor endeavors!
Author: David Sexton
No. 1: Leatherman|Surge
No. 2: Victorinox |Champ Swiss Army Knife
No. 3: ManTool|Wallet Multi-Tool
No. 4: Mossy Oak|21-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool
No. 5: Victorinox|Hiker Swiss Army Pocket Knife
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