Which Leatherman Should I Get?

History of Multi-Tools

The origins of multi-tools go back hundreds of years—at least eighteen hundred. Archaeologists have unearthed early Roman multi-tools from 200-300 A.D. that included a knife, pick, and eating utensils.

More recently, multi-tools appeared as Army and fishermen’s tools. Herman Melville makes a mention of a multi-tool in his famous 1851 work Moby-Dick: a pocketknife that included a screwdriver, corkscrew, and more. Army knives were ubiquitous throughout WWI and WWII and, in the mid-century, became regular pocket-fare.

One of the most commonly known multi-tools is the Leatherman. The name Leatherman sounds like the manliest name a marketer could conceive of, but the truth is that Leatherman was named after the company founder Tim Leatherman. While on a road trip in 1975, Tim discovered that his scout knife really wasn't enough for his needs. So, he started sketching and designing a pliers-based multi-tool. After years of prototyping and perfecting, the Leatherman was born, hitting store shelves in 1983.

Additional high-quality brands followed the lead and example of these muti-tools innovators to create some truly ingenious and useful tool designs. Today, it’s rare to find a do-it-yourselfer who doesn’t carry a multi-tool wherever he or she goes. Grabbing a pocket multi-tool in the morning becomes as second nature as grabbing your keys and wallet.

But whether you're a multi-tool newbie or looking to upgrade your current tool, there are so many options and accessories to choose from. So how do you pick the best multi-tool?

Assess What You Need from a Multi-Tool

First, it helps to understand the different options for pocket accessories and tools. They are mainly classified by size, from small keychain-style multi-tools to heavy-duty large-scale tools used by professionals.

If you’re all about preparedness and would like to carry the right tool for the job wherever you go, it’s time to invest in a multi-tool. You’ll discover the confidence and convenience that comes from always having a multi-tool handy.

If you aren’t sure which accessories and features you need, try this test. For the next few days, mentally note each time you wish you had a pocketknife, needle-nose pliers, a screwdriver, bottle opener, or wire cutter handy. At the end of the "test," jot down which tools would have been handy to have on hand (or rather, in your pocket.

Choosing a Multi-Tool as a Gift

What if you're trying to choose the right multi-tool for someone else? How do you know what they will like, and which features they will find the most useful?

If you’re trying to choose the best multi-tool for someone else, it helps to explore the many multi-tool options offered at Do It Best. Mid-size tools are generally the most universal and useful. On the other hand, you may want to look for a smaller multi-tool or a keychain accessory for a petite person. For those who have DIY tendencies, look for a tool with plenty of features.

Minimalists might like multi-tools that are flat, like a credit card. These multi-tools are easily carried in a wallet or slipped into a purse. They don’t take up much room in a glovebox and can be extremely useful in emergency situations.

Of course, if you're looking for a pocket-friendly multi-tool, size or weight may also be a consideration. But no matter which multi-tool you select, go ahead and get attached! At Do It Best, we carry some of the best multi-tools on the market, and they're built to last.

Of course, the features of any given multi-tool can vary widely by brand and design. But no matter the features, multi-tools are an economical and convenient way to carry a lot of handy features in a small, convenient package. If you were to buy all the tools in an average multi-tool, you’d need a tool kit to carry them around (and it would be an investment).

If you want to carry an entire toolkit in your pocket, purse, or glovebox, then you can’t go wrong with a multi-tool. It offers DIY-ers the convenience of all your tools in one easy-to-carry package.

Find the Best Multi-Tools at Do It Best

While you may still need to invest in some conventional tools for DIY jobs around the house, a multi-tool is an extremely wise and helpful item to have when you're on the go. Store a muti-tool in your kitchen drawer, car, desk, and any other place where quick and easy access to tools might be handy.

One of the best aspects of multi-tools is that they make everyone feel prepared for any little emergency. Whether you work in an office or need a multi-tool on a job site, you'll be equipped and prepared for whatever the day has in store.

If you've never had a multi-tool before or you're looking to upgrade your go-to pocket tool, Do It Best has plenty of options. Explore all our fantastic, high-quality multi-tools today. Once you've chosen the model that best suits your needs, you can order it online or pick it up at your local store!