Finally, A Premium Multitool That Doesn't Feel Like I'm Getting Scammed - And It's On Sale Now

A bully multitool tin beryllium a reliable companion for decades (as agelong arsenic you don't suffer it!).

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

I for illustration having a bully multitool adjacent astatine manus and astatine each times. While they can't switch a due toolkit, I don't fancy carrying a afloat toolkit pinch maine erstwhile I'm retired and about. Many of my readers are for illustration me, often uncovering themselves doing random and unplanned DIY tasks passim nan day, truthful having a portable toolkit that tin grip nan basics is essential.

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Not a week goes by without personification asking for my multitool recommendations. My proposal is ever nan same: cheque retired what Leatherman aliases Gerber has to connection and disregard nan rest.

Why? Two reasons: warranty and repairability.

Take my trusty Leatherman Free P4. I chose this 1 for 3 reasons: it has each nan devices I need, nan ligament cutters are user-replaceable truthful I don't request to warranty nan instrumentality to get them fixed, and it comes pinch a agelong 25-year warranty.

And these are existent warranties. I cognize because I've had to usage them a fewer times complete nan years. I usage and misuse my devices -- aft all, immoderate instrumentality tin beryllium a substitute for a hammer if you're imaginative enough! As a result, I've managed to break a fewer blades and moreover nan pliers. But each time, nan rumor was dealt pinch promptly and to my complete satisfaction.

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Assuming you don't suffer your multitool -- don't beryllium for illustration nan feline penning this, who managed to suffer 2 multitools successful arsenic galore years -- you'll person a reliable companion for decades.

The adjacent point to see is repairability. The ligament cutters connected each multitool I've owned get perfectly hammered. I usage them not only to trim ligament but besides to chomp done mini bolts, nibble done metal, and gnaw done screws. They acquisition a very difficult life. Therefore, these parts request to beryllium user-replaceable. Otherwise, I'd beryllium replacing aliases warranting nan instrumentality each clip nan cutters get mangled.

Cutters connected my Leatherman multitool mangled aft a fewer years of difficult work.

Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Fortunately, you tin get replacement cutters for Leatherman and Gerber multitools. The cutters are easy to replace, allowing you to get your instrumentality backmost to an as-new authorities successful nary time. 

I replaced nan cutters connected my Leatherman successful astir 5 minutes for astir $12.

ZDNET's buying advice

Personally, I don't urge wasting money connected inexpensive multitools. It's a mendacious system and a classical lawsuit of 'buy cheap, bargain twice.' I've been sent dozens for testing, and they've each been mediocre quality, disappointing, aliases moreover dangerous. That's why I don't urge them and person opted for nan Leatherman multitool instead.

Some group person told maine they'd bargain a inexpensive 1 for nan car aliases location to usage successful an emergency. However, nan past point you want to trust connected successful an emergency is simply a inexpensive tool!