The Swiss Army knife is good, but is it 'multitool' good? The advantage a good multitool has over a Swiss Army knife is that there are simply more tools to use, for instance, pliers, which help with quick roadside repairs. While the tools aren’t perfect or as robust as you'll find in your garage toolkit, they allow you to get a part-time fix done before you get the proper tools.
Are multitools legal in the UK?
Yes, multitools are legal in the UK, but there are a few caveats that you should look for when considering your purchase.
If there is a knife on the toolset, then this is where there is a sticking point. In England and Wales, under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, it may be an offence to have any sharply pointed or bladed instrument in your possession in a public place unless you can show good reason or lawful authority for doing so.
The wording ‘good reason’ can be pretty ambiguous, but could be if you are a farmer, joiner, estate manager, electrician, plumber, game shooter, angler or anyone else who has reasonable grounds for expecting to need a knife whilst pursuing a lawful activity. This could include someone wild camping and building a hide or fire.
However, if the knife on the multitool has a cutting edge of 3 inches (7.62cm) or less and it’s a friction blade (not a locking blade), it is legal to carry in public.
Difference between a friction blade and a locking blade
Unfortunately, most multitools have a locking blade – it’s convenient and safe. The last thing you want is the blade folding; you risk cutting your fingers.
The legal definition of a locking blade is a folding knife secured in an open position by a locking device. It can only be released from the open position by pressing a button.
A friction blade does not have any lock or spring mechanism to hold it in place; it simply uses the friction of the handles to hold the blade in place. The issue here is that, though legal, they are riskier to use for tasks as they likelihood of them closing is greater.
What to look for in a multitool
It’s best to get a tool which you think would best suit your automotive needs. Usually, this means something that you can grip with like a set of pliers, something to cut with like a knife or scissors, and general-purpose items like a Philips head or a flathead screwdriver.
How much should I spend on a multitool?
It’s best to spend within your means. You can, of course, buy a Leatherman, which is upwards of £100 or buy one from a well-respected brand Stanley for £20. While there might be sharpened diamond blades on one and not the other, it’s all about how often you think you’re using it and the durability of the pieces. The last thing you want is the screwdriver head to bend when you don’t need it.
While Stanley’s prices are much lower than Leatherman, they’re both excellent brands.
What’s the best multitool?
Let’s have a look and point you in the right direction regarding the many multitool options.
Budget option for under £15
www.toolstation.com
In this handheld multitool, you get pliers, a wire cutter, a saw, a small and large knife, two bottle openers, we assume because one isn’t enough, two flat-head screwdrivers, a Philips screwdriver, and a fine and a coarse file.
Open it is 16.5cm long, and closed, it’s only 10.6cm and comes with a handy pouch and belt clip.
Pros
- Hardened steel
- Pouch and belt clip
- Handy size
Cons
- Spring-loaded pliers might not be the strongest
Best budget option for daily use
www.toolstation.com
The Stanley Fatmax T16 has 16 different tools, notably a ruler, bottle and can opener, pliers, knife, scissors, file and screwdrivers.
Nice long screwdriver heads mean you can get to harder-to-reach places. While there are wire cutters on the pliers, the knife is sharp enough to strip wire casing, and an excellent soft grip on the handles means you can grip nice and hard with the pliers.
Pros
- A good number of tools
- Soft grip
- Reputable brand
Cons
- No mention of hardened steel
Best for outdoors
A low price for a mini multitool, it’s small enough to fit in your pocket or to carry on your keys. With a small 2.5cm non-locking folding blade, you’ll know that this multitool is safe to carry in the UK. It has 12 tools in total, which is a lot packed into 8cm.
Pros
- Small
- Lightweight
- UK Legal
Cons
- The smaller size means smaller tools
Lots of tools in one package
Roxon might not be the best well-known name in the world of multitools, but this one deserves mention because of the number of tools packed into it and clever thinking that gives you more options. 19 different tools will provide you with plenty of options, and even the possibility of a sleeve will enable you to put on different types of screw heads.
Pros
- Plenty of tool choices
- Nice price point
Cons
- Heavy
Best branded multitool for workman
A durable and chunky multitool with 16 different options to help you get the job done. On this thicker side, you can put more power into the pliers, and all the tools on the inside are stowed neatly out of the way.
Pros
- Respected brand
- Easy-to-use pliers
Cons
- Tools can be fiddly to access
Best all-rounder
In a similar design to the DeWalt above, this is an evolution of the original suspension chassis by Gerber. Made from stainless steel, this multitool comes with needle nose pliers and regular pliers, a 2.25-inch fine edge blade and a 2.25-inch serrated edge blade among its 17 tools.
Pros
- Respected brand
- Plenty of tools
Cons
- Blades can blunt quickly.
Best alternative option
The SOG PowerLock can be opened with one hand; it has a compound leverage system to give a superior grip when using the pliers. Moreover, it has 18 tools, including cleverly placed wire clippers.
Pros
- Durable
- Strong grip
Cons
- High price
Best of the Best
Leatherman’s name has become so synonymous with multitools that people often refer to any multitool as a Leatherman. They hold a high price due to their name and durability; the Signal has 19 tools, including a fire-starting Ferro rod, whistle, knives, and pliers. A touch longer at 17.4cm closed but packed full of features.
Pros
- Well respected brand
- Built for outdoors
- Plenty of tools
Cons
- High price but durable