Hello, tapping in to the hive mind again...
My bro's 50th is coming up soon, and I'd like to treat him to a nice multitool.
He carries a small swiss army knife most of the time, so I wanted to get him a beefier multitool with pliers on, but not full of tools that he's then doubling up on, and obviously UK legal.
I love the Gerber Crucial, and the Leatherman Skeletool but the blades lock 🙁
So that gives you an idea of the sort of thing I'm after.
Price up to £100, any suggestions?
If you want the best, it's Leatherman.
I have various - the ARC being the newest and most useful/easy to use, but technically not legal.
They do a bladeless Rebar for under £100
Or there is the Bond, which is non locking, but it doesn't feel like a premium Leatherman
I have the Skeletool. It's nice and minimal but actually fairly uncomfortable to hold when you're using the pliers I find, and as you say, not UK legal.
I don't worry about that personally although I'm sure I'm supposed to. Perhaps there is a way that you can make it non-locking.
Edit- Seemingly you can make it non locking by filing down the little engagement tab or by fitting a thicker washer which stops the lock engaging.
The Leatherman Bond is UK legal apparently.
f you want the best, it's Leatherman
They are good, but I've SOG Multi-Tool, and they're (IMO) equally well made and a bit less 'regular' than a Leatherman mine's lasted me ages, blade's still sharp, it hasn't loosened up over time, and has everything you'd need on it.
but I've SOG Multi-Tool, and they're (IMO) equally well made
I'll check them out - I have a SOG knife which is a nice bit of kit
He carries a small swiss army knife most of the time, so I wanted to get him a beefier multitool with pliers on,
I think the only thing I'd caution is theres quite a big difference between pocket knife and a pair of pliers in your pocket... along with a phone, wallet and anything else. If his preference to date has been something quite small / slim then a lot of multitool options are going to feel quite weighty and cumbersome by comparison
I use a comparatively cheap and cheerful Sidekick (currently very cheap in Costco just now) and while there are all sorts of other options that are more bling or more comprehensive in terms of whats included with them thats all moot as they'd never actually be to hand on the occasions where I'd use them. The sidekick is pretty small but its also a very pocket friendly shape and profile
I'll check them out - I have a SOG knife which is a nice bit of kit
What's the collective noun for multitools I wonder. Seems like a noun you'd get the most use out of 🙂
I think the only thing I'd caution is theres quite a big difference between pocket knife and a pair of pliers in your pocket.
Very true, although something like the Gerber Dime is pretty tiny and still has pliers, albeit small ones.
Hello, tapping in to the hive mind again...
My bro's 50th is coming up soon, and I'd like to treat him to a nice multitool.
He carries a small swiss army knife most of the time, so I wanted to get him a beefier multitool with pliers on, but not full of tools that he's then doubling up on, and obviously UK legal.
I love the Gerber Crucial, and the Leatherman Skeletool but the blades lock 🙁
So that gives you an idea of the sort of thing I'm after.
Price up to £100, any suggestions?
I'm with macruisken on this.
I nearly always have a swiss army knife on me often a teeny tiny rambler.
A multitool might be a nice nice but i have never had call of pliers out and about* and a non legal locking blade is basically something i would have to take out of my pocket which would just mean it wouldn't be carried.
* And when i do need a pair i just go and get an actual pair of pliers.
Victorinox make some very nice multitools if you want to avoid USA made products (which I am trying to do).
However I would be wary of buying a locking blade tool as a gift due to UK knife laws. Leatherman do make a non-locking tool called the Bond which was mentioned above which is non-locking but it is more of a budget model (£48 at Go Outdoors).
Maybe a limited edition Victorinox knife might be a good option? The 2026 limited edition Pioneer X is rather nice with the blue scales.
I carry a Swiss Army Knife most of the time and my favoured model is the Companion which has the new box cutter in place of the can opener. It also has scissors, a pen and a useful file. It took me about four models to arrive at that one which fits my needs the best.
I carry a pair of 100mm Knipex Cobra pliers which are brilliant for gripping tasks and more useful (imo) than the pliers on my Leatherman Wave and Skeletool models.
https://www.knipex.com/en-uk/cobra-xs
These live in a small Alpaka pouch with a small ratchet, scissors, small SAK, cable ties, tape, pen and USB cable. The total weight is about the same as a Leatherman Wave but are more flexible and UK legal.
I don't think you will find any premium UK legal pliers based multi-tool off the shelf. The Leatherman Bond and bladeless Rev are probably the best available but neither are premium models.
Heinnie Haynes have a section on their web site about UK legal multi-tools which might be useful.
Hope this ramble contains something of use.
I have used the can opener its quite useful. Weird it still has the parcel hook though 😀
Thanks guys,
That's some good advice up there, it also has made me aware that I am, perhaps, buying a gift that I would like to receive, rather than something specific to my brother 🙁
I'm going to look at Victorinox, I do like the 2026 Pioneer...