It’s safe to say we all need at least one set of tools in our home, no matter who we are, where we are, or what we are . And while some may opt for massive tool boxes, I think the majority of us could get by with a multitool.
When you have something you simply have to cut, screw, or twist, be sure you have the right tool at your disposal. Think about your latest box from Amazon. Or consider those few dying leaves sucking the lifeblood of an otherwise healthy plant. Cutting off hardcore tags from clothes? Unscrewing a fixture from the ceiling so you can replace a lightbulb? Tightening the tiny screws in your glasses so they pivot smoothly and gracefully. My favorite (and most recent) experience involves the loose handle of my everyday saute pan — that’s right, it doesn’t need to stay loose, friends. A few twists on the old Philips screwdrivers and you’re back in full control.
When it comes to multitools, the brand that immediately comes to my mind is LEATHERMAN, whose multitools I’ve seen my family buy and gift a dozen times. I’m a fan of the Wave. It covers most of what you’d need: cutting, screwing, plying, wiring, filing, opening. And while most of its innards satisfy all of those needs, the real value of the Wave is in the accessories available on its outside. You can swipe them open without pulling its body apart, meaning quick and easy access. I’ve seen the Wave sitting outside a patio door, caked in mud, and likewise secured into a motorcycle’s tankbag. It comes in black if stainless steel doesn’t match your vibe. If you’ve got a camping trip in your near future, check out the Signal Multitool, which includes a litany of tools as well as a fire-starting rod and an emergency whistle — your cell signal might die but this multitool won’t.
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Crowd favorite Gerber can also satisfy your multitool needs. Its comprehensive Center-Drive multitool includes a center-axis driver to help you screw more accurately. This could be a selling point if you’re not an everyday screwdriver-user and could use a little extra support. Or consider the more modest Suspension Multi-Plier (love the name), which is a crowd favorite and give you most of what you need for $30. You can bundle it with the a Parafram knife, which on its own isn’t a multitool but makes for a great and easily-accessible cutting utensil.
When I was a six-year-old, I didn’t need a Swiss Army knife, but I wanted it, and remember how excited I was when I was finally gifted with one. Today I learned that gift from two decades ago is called the Swiss Army Evolution Pocket Knife, complete with locking blade, wire cutters, Philips screwdriver, scissors, and a reamer (if you didn’t know, this last one is used to punch through leather or canvas and knit). Since then, my needs have evolved, and so has the design of the Swiss Army knife. The Fieldmaster, for example, seems closest to covering all the basics needs of a city dweller like me, and while its new and modern body is ergonomic, it’s still got that classic look that makes me want to go out and build a treehouse.
With this many options, you can really curate the type of multitool best for you. But really, be sure you have something around so you’re not held back from living your best life in the absence of basic and centuries-old technology.
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