The central tenet of tactical preparedness is being skilled at survival. Some people think it’s only about militia-style posturing, and the online conversation has often played into that⁠—but it’s only one flavor of tactical lifestyle. Dig deeper, and you’ll find that the tactical life is really about being skilled, being prepared and being knowledgeable about your gear.

Speaking of gear⁠—here’s a handy guide to the multi-tool for you! Brush up on your knowledge and learn about essential multi-tool features, the various designs and the best multi-tool brands. Because a well-made multi-tool is a tactical survivalist’s best friend!

Essential Features For an Outdoor Multi-Tool

We have some thoughts about what utilities should be included in a versatile multi-tool for survival applications. 

Knife. This is perhaps the most basic of multi-tool features. You probably have a dedicated knife for outdoor use, and that’s a good thing. Still, you wouldn’t say no to a backup, right? Especially when practically every multi-tool worthy of the title comes equipped with a blade. Many will include at least two types of blade, one with a plain edge and one with a serrated edge. A serrated knife is better for cutting leather, canvas or rope.

Pliers. One of the most handy tools, famously popularized by the Leatherman brand. Whether you need to twist a bolt or bend a wire, you’ll be glad that you’ve got a pair of pliers on your person. It has so many uses. The only drawback is that a multi-tool is bound to include only one type of pliers, which might not be the right fit for every job. It is likely to work well enough for the majority of use cases, though! That’s better than having no pliers on you at all.

Screwdriver. Another very important tool! So many times, you’re gonna find yourself wanting a screwdriver to do a quick fix, open something or tighten it up. Though even the best multi-tool can only have a limited number of screwdriver options. Sometimes your multi-tool screwdriver is not the right one for the job. That said, you’ll want something that gives you both flat head and a Phillips head options. Even just those two will cover many types of use cases. An even more versatile multi-tool may include other options, such as a hex-bit head.

Saw. You probably won’t have much need to use a multi-tool’s saw on a regular basis. But from the perspective of tactical preparedness, this is one of the essential multi-tool features you’ll want to have. You are planning ahead for a survival scenario, one where you might have to build a shelter for yourself. A saw is gonna come in pretty handy in such a situation.

Can opener/bottle opener. Just like with the saw, we selected these features on the basis of their utility in a survival scenario. Yes, there are many ways to open a bottle or can. You can even use the knife on your multi-tool⁠—but you’ll risk dulling its edge, which is not ideal if you are planning to survive outdoors for many days. Thus it’s good to have a proper opener. Imagine a future where you’re scavenging for supplies⁠—you’re bound to find a lot of canned goods on your runs. You’ll want to be able to open them with zero hassle!

Choosing a Multi-tool: The Different Types and Their Uses

Card type multi-tool. Let’s get this one out of the way. The credit card sized type of multi-tool is surely the most compact version of the device. It can fit in your wallet, and that’s very convenient. We don’t really see this as an outdoor multi-tool, though. Perhaps it can come in useful in a scenario where you don’t want to carry anything with you. But that’s not gonna be happening in an outdoor adventure, nor is it in line with a good survival plan. We also don’t expect it to hold up for long-term heavy duty use⁠—and especially not keeping its blade sharpness.

Pocket knife multi-tool. Another type of compact multi-tool. The iconic example of this device is the Swiss Army Knife. You can surely picture that in your mind, right? Many people think it’s the best multi-tool for everyday purposes. While it’s not our top pick, it certainly is a classic multi-tool worthy of great respect. Note that pocket knife multi-tools actually vary in size quite a bit. You can find highly compact ones and fairly large ones. Some of the bigger types are laden with multi-tool features. Besides the blade, they’ll have a saw, screwdriver, scissors, corkscrew, punch, bottle opener, tweezers and metal file.

Butterfly opening multi-tool. This type of multi-tool unfolds in the style of a butterfly knife, converting it into a workable pair of pliers. The design is closely associated with the Leatherman brand, which has been manufacturing the “Boy Scout knife with pliers” since the 1980s. The classic Leatherman tool is larger than a Swiss Army Knife, and doesn’t fit comfortably in one’s pocket. It is generally sold with a belt pouch to help you carry it with you. 

Specialized multi-tool. You will find a wide variety of multi-tools in the market, including types designed for cyclists, golfers, fishermen, hunters, mechanics, carpenters, and so on. Choosing a multi-tool for a specialized purpose can be an option for you. Such a device can certainly be useful, but it is not the focus of this guide, which favors a more versatile multi-tool design that one can rely on for a survival situation.

Choosing a Multi-tool: Recommended Brands for Outdoor Survival

Leatherman. One of the most famous brands in this category. Leatherman is known for their sturdy, long-lasting products. We recommend picking up a second hand “Pocket Survival Tool” (the Leatherman PST) to save on costs. It is still not the cheapest option, but you should not be going for the cheapest option when it comes to your tools! Especially not for an outdoor multi-tool that may see use in harsh conditions. Should you prefer a brand-new product, the Leatherman Signal is the best multi-tool for outdoor use. It is specifically designed with multi-tool features for camping and survival.

If you’re looking for a more hiking-friendly option to carry around on a multi-day trek, you could opt for the Leatherman Squirt PS4. It’s a keychain multi-tool, so it’s lighter and still very serviceable. It’s similar to a Swiss Army Knife, but it also comes with spring-loaded pliers. That puts it ahead, in our eyes.

Victorinox. Many of our Leatherman recommendations are not being made anymore. You’ll need to purchase a used model. If that’s not possible, you can opt for a classic Swiss Army Knife. It’s more suitable for a camping trip than a long-term survival plan, but it’s certainly a quality multi-tool that you can depend on. If you’re getting it for hiking, we suggest going for the more lightweight version for comfort and convenience.

Gerber. A brand name that often comes up in multi-tool discussions. This company does make some good tools, although its reputation has yet to rival Leatherman’s. If you’re a handyman, you’ll like the Gerber Dual Force for its do-it-all capabilities. It’s a good device to have when you’re not carrying a whole toolkit with you. It is too heavy for general outdoor hobby use, though. But still a possible contender for an emergency survival pack.

SOG. This company makes a fine product with a lightweight build and do-it-all capabilities: the SOG PowerAccess. You should try handling one before buying one, however⁠—it can be a bit too small for some hands! But that makes it a great choice for some people, too.