Best Leatherman Alternatives

Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X

Our first leatherman alternative comes from the original Swiss Army Knife manufacturers Victorinox, and their Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool Spirit X is one of the best multi-tools around.

As with all Victorinox tools, the Spirit X is made from the highest quality Swiss stainless steel which can handle the rough and tumble of the outdoors and blocks rust in saltwater environments too.

Ths Spirit X comes with 22 functions from pliers to wire strippers, blades, scissors, and screwdrivers. When closed, all the tools bar the pliers are easily accessible from the outside and firmly lock into place when opened.

The locking mechanism is tough and it holds well making it safe to use to the blades and saw with some cutting pressure.

At just 0.31 lbs it’s super light to carry and included with the Spirit X is a tough nylon sheath that you can attach to your belt and there is a lanyard hole so you can hang it around your neck too.

The one downside to the Spirit X is that you can not take it apart. This makes cleaning it a little trickier than a Leatherman. But it does come with a lifetime warranty.

Gerber Gear Truss Multitool

Gerber has been working hard to compete with Leatherman in the multi-tool market and they’re doing a good job.

The Gerber Gear Truss Multitool is one of the best leatherman alternatives out there, especially if you’re on a budget.

The Truss is made from quality stainless steel and having carried one of these and a Leatherman in my backpack around the ocean the Gerber wins. The Gerber barely rusted and the Leatherman had to be thrown in the bin.

The Truss comes with 18 tools from pliers to blades, screwdrivers, scissors, and a lot more. Every tool, bar the pliers, is easy to access from the outside and firmly locks into place. Unlocking is easy with one hand too.

The blades are super sharp and excellent on flat surfaces but there are some complaints regarding their length, as they are a little shorter than usual.

The Truss comes in a MOLLE sheath and if you roll with a tactical backpack, then you’ll be able to attach it anywhere. It also slips onto your belt with ease.

Overall, you can beat the Truss on price and quality when it comes to Leatherman alternatives.

SOG Multitool

You might not have heard of SOG in the multi-tool world as their main focus is knives and they make great ones, but the SOG Multitool is an excellent leatherman alternative especially if you use pliers a lot.

The pliers on the SOG are incredibly easy to use, they feel like an extension of your arm. Super smooth, easy to open and close, plus they come with compound leverage so you can grip and tighten more than ever.

The further 17 tools are also fantastic and easy to access. The SOG features a power lock mechanism that holds tools in place for safe use and opens with ease for storage.

Everything on the multi-tool is made from top draw 420 stainless steel that lasts and doesn’t rust easily. The wire cutters are a little delicate though and will chip if you try to cut something that’s too thick for them.

Otherwise, this is a great all-around leatherman alternative that will last and has a lifetime warranty as long as you look after it.

Gerber Gear 30-001194N Center-Drive Multitool

The Gerber Gear 30-001194N Center-Drive Multitool is another fantastic Leatherman alternative especially if you spend a lot of time using a screwdriver.

The main feature of this Gerber is that it comes with a center-axis driver that makes it far easier to use the screw-driver than on any other multi-tool out there. Ideal if you have to fix an engine or two plus you get 12 different bits with it.

There are 9 more tools on this Gerber, all of which can be opened with one thumb for easy access and lock firmly into place for heavy use.

The one common complaint about the Gerber is that the wire cutters seem to chip easily and aren’t the sharpest.

Otherwise, like all Gerbers, it’s built of quality stainless steel that lasts and handles rust very well. You can also take it apart and clean it easily.

SOG EDC Pocket Multitool

The next Leatherman alternative is another one from SOG. The SOG EDC Pocket Multitool’s main selling point is its lightweight design and pocket clip.

At just 4.6 ounces, it’s incredibly light and is licenses for EDC carry. It sits well with the pocket clip and is exceptionally easy to access in a time of need, plus it has 17 tools to go with it.

All the tools are what you’d expect from a multi-tool and the pliers are exceptional utilizing SOG’s compound leverage design to provide amazing grip so you can tighten and undo almost anything.

The SOG EDC Pocket Multitool is made from excellent stainless steel that lasts but being so light, the material is a little thin and a lot of users have found that it can bend quite easily under stain so be careful using it.

If this does happen, you are covered by SOG’s lifetime warranty and they will make it right.

RoverTac Multitool

If you’re looking for a very affordable Leatherman alternative to have on standby for emergencies then the RoverTac Multitool is a good option.

The RoverTac is made from black oxide stainless steel giving it excellent corrosion resistance and a long-lasting build, plus it comes with a lifetime warranty.

There is a total of 12 tools, a little less than some others, but all the most useful ones are included such as pliers, saw, wire cutters, and a blade of course.

Once opened, each tool locks firmly into place but accessibility is a bit of a problem. Instead of having all the tools on the outside and the pliers on the inside, they are all on the inside.

This means you’ll have to open up the multi-tool to access anything and two hands is a must.

Overall, the RoverTac suits anyone who isn’t planning on using their multi-tool every day or in a hurry. It’s perfect for keeping in your backpack for a time of need.

Gerber Gear 31-003568 Armbar Drive

I’m not sure if you can call the Gerber Gear 31-003568 Armbar Drive a Leatherman alternative as it doesn’t come with pliers. But for those of you who don’t use pliers often, this is a fantastic option.

The Armbar is also about being light, compact, and having a screwdriver that gives you access to screws that are usually out of reach to a multi-tool.

The screwdriver on this works very well but you have to hold it in the right places to stop it from slipping. With a little practice, it does become second nature quite quickly.

The further 7 tools are all excellent but the scissors are a little blunt and might need sharpening on arrival.

One of the best things about the Armbar is its tool’s accessibility. All the tools can be opened with one hand and lock into place firmly, ideal when you’re holding a screw.

Overall, this is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a light, affordable, Leatherman alternative without pliers.

Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool

Our final Leatherman alternative is a great one, the Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool.

The Swisstool is a little different from the Spirt X which featured above but still has the resounding Victorinox quality and is made from the best swiss stainless steel.

Even when put into a saltwater environment, the Swisstool doesn’t rust which is a lot more than I can say for a Leatherman.

All the tools bar the plies are on the outside for quick access and lock firmly into place. There is no wiggle when using them so you’ll be able to do heavy-duty tasks with ease.

Of the 22 tools, the ones you wouldn’t usually find on a multi-tool include a ruler, crimper,  and a metal saw, while the rest of them are pretty standard.

Overall, it’s hard to beat Swiss quality but you do have to pay a little more for it compared to other multi-tool brands.