I was curios when the first multi-tool, folding knife with pliers, was made and did a quick search only to raise a rhetorical question of when does a knife with more than one blade become a muti-tool and does a muti-tool have to have a knife.

Please correct or add more information.

The first multi-blade knife may go back Roman times but I could not find any pictures of one.

The industrial revolution 1760-1840 is when mass production started so should be the time when a multi-tool or folding knife with multiple implements became wide spread in population as it was also a time of mechanical innovation. There is a reference to a knife with multiple implements in the story of Moby Dick 1851.

The company that started in 1884 and become Victorinox is likely one of the first to mass produce a folding knife with multiple implements. In 1891 they manufactured a folding knife with multiple implements for military use .

Updated with info from /user/grrttlc2/

Has pliers. https://wiki.multitool.org/tiki-index.php?page=Barnett+Plier-Knife "By far the most well-known of the vintage multitools is the Barnett Plier-Knife. Patented at the end of the 19th century, (1900) the Barnett was by no means the first multitool. However, it WAS the first multitool to be mass produced, widely distributed, and generally available to everyone at a modest price."

Gerber started manufacturing knifes in 1939, folding knife in 1981? and added pliers in 1991?. (I could not find a timeline on folding knifes for Gerber)

Leatherman produced a folding knife with pliers in 1983 which is likely the first multi-tool with pliers. Maybe the first butterfly design with pliers.

Please correct and or add any information you have on original multi-tools.

I’ve concluded that the Leatherman Squirt would have been the perfect final piece to my edc puzzle but unfortunately I’m a little late to the game on that one. I’m looking for recommendations for a tool of a tool set and form factor. I’m hoping Leatherman comes out with a new small keychain-sized option but for now I’ll take what I can get. I am a college student so I would happily consider any bladeless options as well. Any advice would be much appreciated.

For context, I'm a Barista and Espresso Technician, gigs as a Bartender, off the clock I do mixed media art. I own an offbrand multitool that someone else gifted me, definitely helped me in a pinch,, but on the clock I'm reaching for the wine key.. This is my first time searching for the right multitool, and I am intrigued by the SOG powerlitre because it's a trusted brand and it has a cork screw. Also I've heard that SOGs are moddable and I am interested in modding a multitool. My most used tools are in order Scissors, flat head, wine key, allen key, tweezers, knife, wrench, pliers. Is the cork screw good on the SOG? Is it fiddley or smooth to operate? Is the powerlitre worth investing in because it has a cork screw or am I better off just keeping the wine key in my pocket and focusing on other tools in a multitool. Are there other multitools with cork screws that are better quality? I'd appreciate any advice on the matter.

Hey guys,

Im looking for a good multi bit precision screwdriver that is compact and can fit in weidmuller spring terminal blocks. Does anyone have any good recommendations.

I know I can just carry a 1/8” flat blade, but it would be nice to have at least a phillips 1 or 0.

Most multi bits are too short to properly engage terminals.

Thanks for the help,

Hi all. This may be a stupid question but I have read various posts on various platforms about making multitools TSA compliant. I get their issue with blades and other sharp tools, but I am confused about why a person would feel the need to carry such an item onto an aircraft. I get some people travel light and never check luggage and just can't put their multitool in their suitcase to be transported in the luggage area of the plane. Is this the reason? I have travelled with a checked multitool loads of times and had no issue. Bit of a no-brainer, actually. Am I missing something here? Happy to be enlightened. 🙂

Been looking for a cheap multitool since I lost my last one.

daicamping dl30 - seems too big

so far selected dl1,dl6, dl12. Anything else? looked at swiss tech 18-1.

I’m looking to get a new multi tool. Debating between the Victorinox swiss tool with the ratchet/bit. Or a leatherman surge with all the accessories I can buy. I’ve heard some thing’s about the surge. Mostly just QC, someone gets a bad one etc. Has anyone had any bad experiences with newer leathermans? If you were stuck in the desert had to choose between the two what would be your pick?

I've been wanting to get myself a multi-tool for a while now, especially now that Christmas is coming up. But for some reason I just have not been able to find one that checks all of my boxes, so I was hoping perhaps one of you guys could help me out.

Here is my checklist:

• Pliers
• Straight-edge blade
• Saw
• Scissors
• Philips/Flat head screwdriver
• Bottle/Can opener
• Awl
• Tools that are relatively well sized (I plan to use this as an EDC, so it can't be absolutely massive, but overall size isn't a big concern, but I still want my tools to be well sized)
• One-hand-open tools (able to access tools without opening pliers first)
• Not that expensive (not entirely sure what the market is like so I'll let you guys decide what is "not that expensive")

I really hope that this list doesn't sound too reasonable; I'm quite new to multi-tools so please let me know if I need to screw my head on lol.

What is with the strange tip on the can opener and the bottle opener of my SOG Power Pint? Is it a tool? Is it usefull for anything?

Just received my Mini Sailor and am slightly disappointed, I didn't pay much so expectations were not high but from all the positive youtube reviews I did expect a more robust tool. This tool might be fine to carry in a purse but not for a backpack. The pliers are NOT substantial and probably only good for grabbing/turning something when you don't want to chip your nail polish.

The pliers are spring loaded and do pull hair but I can not recommend this for a personal grooming kit as it doesn't have a file. The scissors might be fine for cutting the tag off clothing or loose thread on a shirt but not for cutting paracord even if a youtube review said otherwise. The knife blade steel is of poor quality so just carrying it for a pocket knife isn't going to work. It is very light in weight and seems to be manufactured well but it also seems fragile. Fragile and tool don't belong together.

I have no use for this tool as I can not imagine a time it would ever be useful to me.

Seems like it might be for hygiene

Leatherman

                     Sammler Edition 2023

                  Pocket Survival Tool - Set

Pocket Survival Tool - Set

Is this a good deal

Hey everyone. A family member just got a promotion and is working in a warehouse checking inventory. Im trying to find him a Christmas gift and I didn't know if there were any good mult tools that were more oriented to opening the wrapped pallets and such. More day to day warehouse life.

I've been going in circles looking for the right multitool for someone. They want something that has a decent knife, screwdriver that can hold multiple bits (e.g. various hex bits), and in a small carry size. Other functions like pliers, scissors, etc. are fine but not a priority at all.

I saw the Gerber Armbar might be the best fit, but I've seen consistently bad reviews, and in particular it seems the screwdriver doesn't lock, which seems like a terrible design flaw. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

I want something like the 6e6 or the old sogs I just don’t know where or what to search for any ideas?

Hello. 👋 Could you guys give me some suggestions? 🧐 Thank you! 👍 (Btw I'm from Sweden 🇸🇪). 🩷🩵🤍

I want to buy my dad a multi tool that has a fire starter built into it, as well as a saw, but I don't want to pay $100+ for it.

i like to test weird stuff so im curious what type of multytool that people have i not heard of.

My sister-in-law is college age. She really liked my multi tool last time she saw it. I'm hoping to grab her one for Christmas.

My multi-tools have traditionally been picked up during after Christmas sales, and have never been that expensive or nice. (Currently carrying a Gerber suspension next). I'm pretty prone to losing things, so this has worked well for me.

Wife's sister has a similar track record with losing things, but it's Christmas ... So I don't want to cheap out too much. Looking to spend 30-60 on this one.

Edit: Full size, not mini

.

I've heard leatherman are good for customizations.

My sister enjoys bushcraft so she wants the signal leatherman and I thoroughly enjoy bushcraft so I thought having a designated multitool for survival purposes would be ideal for ppl like us. But then again there are much more options out there that can do the same. Although they dont have a firestarter or knife sharpener like the signal so i might just get that first. Regardless i am looking for the best multitool.

Victorinox Ive heard theyre better quality material wise.

Im just curious to know what companies and products are out there that are the best overall.

As soon as I saw the flex/blanks the first thing I thought of was trying to cut a house key from one. Has anyone tried it yet? What are yalls thoughts?