Best Survival Multi Tool in 2023
Be prepared. This simple motto was coined by a soldier who formed the Boy Scouts of America in 1910. True preppers today take the motto to heart and stay prepared for emergencies and catastrophic disasters. They keep survival kits at home, in their vehicles, and take survival gear along on outdoor adventures.
A survival multi tool is a jack of all trades gadget that is a mini-version of the basic tools in a toolbox. These survival multi tools can help you perform a range of daily tasks from sparking a fire to building a makeshift shelter.
They come in styles such as the classic folding knife, folding multi tools, and technology’s latest, the survival business card.
Our Top Picks
This guide will help you choose a survival tool to wear close to the body for quick access when needed and one to stash in your home survival kit. Get one or more today so you can always be prepared.
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Top Survival Multi Tools
LEATHERMAN Super Tool 300
Built with the manufacturer’s strongest pliers, the LEATHERMAN Super Tool 300 features 19 varied tools and is made to be gripped while wearing work gloves.
You get knives with good edges, pliers, wire cutters, and more. Screwdrivers include one Phillips and three flatheads. All tools except for the screwdriver head, lock when fully opened so you can work with confidence.
The LEATHERMAN tools are all full-sized and heavy-duty yet portable. The sloped handle design lets you maneuver in tight places. Grasp all the tools even with clumsy work gloves on thanks to the large side cutouts. Hard, regular, and stranded wire cutters come standard and are removable so you can resharpen or repair them as needed.
Overall, the LEATHERMAN Super Tool 300 is a great addition to your camping gear and at home, you’ll find yourself turning to this survival multi tool instead of your regular toolbox. It comes with a leather sheath and has a lanyard hole for hanging.
Pros
- includes 19 varied tools
- tools lock when fully opened
- removable tools for resharpening and repair
Cons
- Velcro closure on sheath hard to secure
Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp Pocket Knife
Be ready for almost anything anywhere with the Victorinox Swiss Army SwissChamp multi tool. The pocket knife has 33 functions including a 2.45-inch sharp blade.
It features Phillips head screwdriver, pliers, a wood saw and metal saw, and much more. The Swiss Army stainless steel construction is encased in the manufacturer’s iconic polished red ABS scales for sleek durability.
Weighing a light six ounces, and 3.6 inches long, this multi tool is made for tasks around the house or in the wilderness. Use the fish scaler with hook disgorger to clean fish. There’s even a ruler to measure your fish. Open a can of beans with the can opener and the corkscrew to open a bottle of wine.
The Swiss Army SwissChamp is easy to resharpen at an angle of 15-20 degrees and gives a cutting edge of 30-40 degrees. For optimal care, rinse the blade in warm water when the tools start to stick together and apply a drop of Swiss Army oil periodically.
The Victorinox SwissChamp is the Swiss Army knife with a tool for almost every task and is virtually a toolbox in your pocket. Made in Switzerland, you get trusted quality and a lifetime guarantee in workmanship and materials.
Pros
- includes 33 functions
- high quality and lifetime guarantee
Cons
- blade non-locking
- no pouch included
LEATHERMAN Tread Bracelet Wearable Multi-Tool
The travel-friendly LEATHERMAN Tread Bracelet is the world’s first wearable survival multi tool. It features 29 tools and links you can customize to fit your needs all worn on the wrist. It doesn’t get any “handier” than this.
Tools include box wrenches, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, oxygen tank wrench, hex drive, and more. Add or remove links in the quarter and half-inch increments for a customized fit.
Wear your survival multi tool anywhere you go. It’s TSA-compliant so you can travel with it on. Made of stainless steel, it’s amazingly lightweight at 1.12 ounces and the dimensions are 3.9 x 5. 9 x 9.4 inches.
The bracelet is comfortable to wear and doesn’t pinch or pull. Links are available at treadlinks.com to turn the Tread into a very cool survival watch band.
The LEATHERMAN Tread Bracelet is a bit pricey but comes with a 25-year warranty.
Pros
- 29 tools worn on wrist
- TSA-friendly
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- pricey
- must remove links to fit smaller wrists
Holtzman's Survival Paracord Grenade
Be prepared and keep you and your loved ones safe in emergencies and disasters with the Holtzman Paracord Grenade.
It includes 48 different tools for any emergency situation. Lightweight and space-saving, you’ll have the tools to keep wild animals at bay, build a shelter, and start a fire.
Disassemble the grenade to find an LED flashlight, razor blade, pocket knife, compass, and much more. The Paracord Grenade is a practical and unbulky way to what you need quickly without wasting precious time in an emergency. Toss one in your buyout bag or clip it with the snap hook to the backpack.
In addition to an array of tools, you get 45 feet of 550 paracords and two feet of safety orange thin paracord. The Holtzman Paracord Grenade comes with a free credit card-shaped blade.
Pros
- lightweight and space-saving
- 48 survival tools
- paracord included
Cons
- compass doesn't point north
LEATHERMAN Charge Plus TTi Multi-Tool
The premium-designed LEATHERMAN Charge Plus Multi-Tool is an upgraded version of the original with the most asked-for features and upgraded wire cutters.
You get 19 handy tools all in one including pliers, wire crimper and stripper, a saw, and serrated and plain knives, and much more. The extra-sharp 530V 2.9-inch steel knife blade is corrosion-resistant, and it’s lightweight at 8.89 ounces.
Titanium handles with a one-hand opening give you easy access to a bottle opener, spring-action scissors, files, and even tools that aren’t accessible from the outside. Tools that are accessible in the closed position mimic a pocket knife’s functionality.
All tools except the pliers head are lockable for safe use. Unlock them manually to store the survival multi tool away.
The sturdy, ergonomic LEATHERMAN Charge Plus is a practical multi tool for big and small jobs. It comes with a pocket clip and quick-release lanyard ring and carries the LEATHERMAN 25-year warranty.
Pros
- 19 tools in one
- extra-sharp steel knife blade
- 25-year warranty
Cons
- knife lock-up lacks tightness
- rough thumbholes on blades
TAC9ER 22-In-1 Wallet Multi-Tool
The TAC9ER Wallet Multi-Tool is a survival multi-tool the size of a credit card featuring 22 functions.
Weighing less than one ounce and with dimensions of 3 and 3/8ths x 2 and 1/2 inches with a thickness of only 1.0 mm, it’s a great addition to your home emergency kit or bug-out bag. It also makes the perfect EDC tool. Use it for quick repairs and small emergencies.
The ergonomic TAC9ER is made of strong heat-treated stainless steel. Functions include a bottle opener, can opener, two Hex wrench sets, two screwdrivers, and more. Perform small jobs such as repairing eyeglasses and prying nails. When not used as a tool, the TAC9ER converts into a handy smartphone stand.
The TAC9ER Wallet Multi-Tool is TSA-friendly so you can have your personal survival tool with you wherever you go. It has a good assortment of tools at a small size and a small price. This survival multi-tool makes a great gift. Get several for stocking stuffers.
Pros
- several functions at a small size
- TSA-friendly
- good addition to emergency kits
Cons
- no Philips head screwdriver
Paracord Grenade Keychain Survival Kit
The ultra-portable Paracord Grenade Keychain features a durable carabiner that clips to your belt, jacket, or bug out bag. It’s small enough to fit in the palm of your hand yet packs plenty of power with 14 essential survival tools.
It includes one scalpel blade and a 3-sided ring knife, fire starter, and several fishing tools such as weights, bobbers, hooks, and swivels.
The Paracord Grenade Keychain is highly versatile and wrapped in nine feet of military specs 550-pound paracord that unravels to form long lengths of heavy-duty rope. Use it as an EDC tool.
The low price allows you to buy several. Pack one in your emergency kit, take one on hiking and camping trips, and keep one in your vehicle.
The small Paracord Grenade Keychain can help you survive even the worst-case scenarios. The manufacturer offers six months any reason refund guarantee.
Pros
- amazing content for size
- includes 9 feet of paracord
- six-month refund guarantee
Cons
- must unravel paracord to access tools
READYMAN Wilderness Survival Card
Made of highly durable 301 stainless steel, the READYMAN Wilderness Survival Card was designed by U.S. Special Forces and is 100 percent American made.
With dimensions of 3.5 x 0 x 2 inches, it only weighs 12 grams. Pack it for hiking and camping or stash one in your wallet as an EDC survival tool.
The READYMAN Wilderness Survival Card features nine fishing hooks, five arrows, three saw blades, four snare locks, an awl, sewing needles, and tweezers. Catch fish, snare animals, and survive in the wilderness. You can fit 550 paracords in both the large and small holes. Even cut wood with the saw.
The READYMAN has features that can help save your life in the wilderness.
Pros
- designed by U.S. Special Forces
- tools to survive in the wilderness
Cons
- hooks a bit small
- doesn't come with instructions
SOG Multi-Tool Pocket Knife
The SOG Multi-Tool Survival Pocket Knife features lightweight specialty tools made of durable 420 stainless steel with a satin polished finish. It includes pliers, screwdrivers, can and bottle openers, blasting cap crimper, V-cutter, file, and wire cutter.
Two one-hand opening pocket knives have 2.75-inch blades, one straight-edged and one serrated. The knives have excellent edge retention for cutting and need infrequent sharpening.
The SOG Survival Multi Tool is light to carry with a closed length of 4.6 inches and a weight of 9.6 ounces. It comes with a ballistic nylon sheath. Use it as an EDC outdoor multi-tool and for camping and hiking.
Pros
- durable 420 stainless steel
- knives have excellent edge
Cons
- clumsy blade thumb assists
- report of tip breaking on pliers
LEATHERMAN Mut Multi-Tool and Fire Arms Tool
The LEATHERMAN Mut Multi-Tool has tools specific to firearm dismantling and cleaning as well as tools for work and survival.
The 14-in-1 tool includes a supersharp knife with a blade length of three inches, a saw, hammer, pliers, cutting hook, and more. The bronze carbon scraper and #8-32 cleaning rod brush adapter and disassembly punch can be used on military-style weapons.
Heavy-duty yet portable, the LEATHERMAN Mut ‘s one-hand open access gives you the confidence to complete jobs safely. It includes a MOLLE sheath and scope adjustment wrench to attach to a belt or backpack. The screwdriver bits are sized for both military and civilian sightings adjustment. Store the included extra bit in the handle for enhanced capability.
Use the LEATHERMAN Mut for maintaining firearms, cutting steel wire and rope, crimping wire splices, cutting wood, pounding nails, and more.
Pros
- 14-in-1 tool
- helps maintain military-style weapons
- includes MOLLE sheath
Cons
- a bit clunky to use as EDC
What to Look For
The best survival multi tool is designed to perform multiple tasks, hence the name multi tool. The survival multi tools in our collection come in styles that include folding Swiss Army style knives, folding multi-tools, and small, incredible keychain and wallet card survival tools.
When choosing a multi tool, consider the main purpose, how you’ll carry it, and where you’ll store it when not in use. Will you use it for EDC? The outdoorsman will look for features good for wilderness survival.
The true survivalist will have more than one survivor multi-tool. Keep one in your survival kit, bug-out bag, and in your vehicles including boats. Campers and hikers will include one in their gear.
That way you’re not borrowing from one place to another. Emergencies are unannounced, and you won’t have time to remember the last place you had it.
Purpose
For any use, you’ll want a multi tool that is lightweight and efficient. Look for blades that are lockable for safety and ease in use. The one-hand open feature gives you quick and easy access to tools.
Consider carry options for EDC and hiking. The outdoor adventurer will want tools that help survive in the wilderness.
Style and Size
Style and size are a matter of preference, but use purpose as an influencer. A sturdy multi-tool is a good addition to a home survival kit or bug out bag. Folding multi-tool knives and keychain multi-tools are good for EDC, and many survival wallet cards are TSA-approved.
Functionality
The true survivalist does more than simply replace the tools in a toolbox. A good survival multi-tool will have features that help you live through catastrophes that result in displacement or survive in the wilderness if necessary.
Consider features for cutting wood, setting traps, catching fish, and lighting fires. Although the survival multi-tools in our collection perform many functions, be careful with specialized features such as military options unless they’ll be used for that purpose or something else.
Our Picks
Best Multi-Purpose Folding Tool
The LEATHERMAN Charge Plus Multi-Tool has 19 tools necessary for survival including extra-sharp 530 V stainless steel serrated and plain blade knives.
- A Leatherman for Everyone: For the last 40 years, Leatherman has been empowering millions to conquer the expected and unexpected, transforming everyday challenges into triumphant moments
- Engineered to Withstand: From our Portland, Oregon factory and backed by our 25-year warranty, our multi-tools are built to last a lifetime, embodying the innovation and perseverance of our founder, Tim Leatherman
Best Multi-Tool Folding Knife
The Victorinox SwissChamp with over 33 functions and a sharp, 2.45-inch blade and solid Swiss Army construction is our choice for a multi-tool folding knife.
- Features 33 functions to equip you for everyday adventures - including 2.45" large blade, scissors, bottle opener with large screwdriver, pliers, and corkscrew (See product description for full list of features)
- Stainless steel construction encased in polished red ABS scales provides sleek durability
Best Multi-Tool Keychain
The Paracord Grenade Keychain Survival Kit features a Carabiner that clips to anything and has 14 essential survival tools.
Best Wallet Card
The size of a credit card, the TAC9ER Wallet Survival Card can perform several tasks and is TSA-friendly.
- 22 Nifty Tools in 1 - For that on-the-go convenience, make sure you keep this useful credit card-sized multitool in your pocket. The wallet multitool comes with 22 handy tools like a hex wrench, a can opener, a bottle opener, an eyeglass screwdriver, and a slide blade, to name a few. It's great for quick fixes, minor emergencies, and moments when you wish you had something useful on hand to help you out.
- Cool Survival Tool, Cooler Gift - Get a loved one a gift they will always have on them! This card multitool is the perfect giveaway at corporate functions and even as groomsmen gifts. It's also the perfect pocket tool starter gift for beginner preppers.
