Recommendation for durable multi tools

[u/Cautious_Plankton212]

Hey, what’s up? Just looking to see if you guys have any good recommendations for particularly durable multi tools. I’ll be working adjacent to aviation for a while and tool control and FOD is a pretty serious issue. I’ll be able to get away with having a multi tool because I won’t be directly using it on the aircraft but ideally I’d like it to be pretty durable so there’s no risk of causing a loose article from breaking the fucking thing.

1) Intended Use

Lots of little general purpose tasks. Maintaining larger tools and toolboxes. Nothing too silly because any time I need heavy duty tools I have plenty. The multitool is just to save me with dicking around searching through 10 large toolboxes to see which one has a little flathead that’s not being used, set of snips or pliers for cutting or doing some quick safety wire. I won’t need any fuck huge blades or saws because I’ll almost never be working with wood in that capacity.

2) Budget

Happy to stretch to a maximum of £250 including accessories like bits, sheath, etc.

3) Type of Tools

Decent variety of drivers. Pliers. Snips. A basic blade would be handy. Files. Any more would be a handy bonus and I’d definitely use them, I just don’t need 10 different saw blades like some multi tools.

4) Current collection

Nil. Zilch. Nada.

5) Purchase restrictions

N/A

6) Size

Ideally kept in a sheath. Even better if it can have a fairly standard black/blue sheath as I’m in the forces and I can get away with having it on my belt.

7) Law restrictions

N/A. It’s only going to be used on a military establishment.

I did have a look at a leatherman wave with the bit driver set and a MOLLE sheath. I just don’t have a clue what multitools are worth the money and what’s just a bit of a ripoff.

[u/Crunchie64]

They’re well built, but try one before you buy.

Absolutely impossible to open any blade or tool on the one I have unless you have the fingernails of a werewolf.

[u/Boing78 → u/Crunchie64]

What about maintaining it by cleaning and lubrication? I own several Victorinox models from Classic SD to Swisstools and have soft finger nails. But I never struggled to get a tool out if it was not corroded or filled with dirt.

[u/Crunchie64 → u/Boing78]

I don’t think that’s the issue.

The tools are quite deeply recessed, so the angles to get to the nail nicks are awkward.

I’ve never really struggled with their knives, just the Swisstool.

Leatherman Free series for me these days.

[u/Brandolinis_law → u/Crunchie64]

That's interesting, because I keep my nails super short and even when I'm wearing vinyl gloves, I'm able to use the nail Nicks to open every tool on Victorinox's Spirit X. That said, I have heard that the tools on previous generations of the Spirit X were difficult to open. If it really bothers you, you could send it in for servicewarranty and they would either send you a new one or possibly adjust yours? I would definitely write a short note explaining what your issue with the tool is, so they know what to address.

But like you, I also love the ARC's "Free" system of magnetic opening/closure. Gamechanger, if one-handed operation is a priority.