Best Survival Multi-tool for preppers

Last Updated on April 26, 2023 by Lisa Vargas

If you’re forced into a survival situation due to a bugging out, you’re going to want to have the best survival multi-tools possible.

We found some of the best survival multi-tools for preppers are the:

• SOG PowerLock EOD Heavy Duty Tactical Multitool
• LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-tool
• Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool
• LEATHERMAN Wave Plus Multi-tool
• Gerber MP600 Multi-Plier
• RoverTac Multi-tool Camping Tool Survival Gear
• Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier
• Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool CS Plus with Leather Pouch

Always having the proper survival gear will keep you much better equipped to deal with problems that may arise. Keeping this in mind, it’s necessary to prepare for survival and safety, no matter what situation may arise.

Thankfully, there are tons of tools that are quite handy in this regard, but some of them can be quite bulky and restrict us from taking multiple of them at once.

This makes us wonder, is there a way to take numerous survival instruments at once without compromising on portability?

Fortunately, the answer is yes. With the advancement in technology, manufacturers compacted and merged various tools, and saved us from the trouble of carrying multiple of them with difficulty in the woods.

We are talking about multi-tools that comprise of numerous tools merged as one.

In this post, we’ll solve your survival kits’ portability issue by sharing the best survival multi-tool for preppers, alongside a buying guide.

Let’s get started!

8 Best Survival Multi-Tools For Preppers

Below we are going to look at some of the best survival multi-tools that preppers can own. These are all options for you when trying to determine which ones to buy. These are some of our favorite.

1. SOG PowerLock EOD Heavy Duty Tactical Multitool

Check Prices

Features:

• Trusted by and designed for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad
• Comprises of 18 built-in tools
• Offers twice the power than any of its competitors
• Made from stainless steel and covered with black oxide wax and oil for corrosion protection
• GSA approved
• PowerLock system
• Comes in a ballistic nylon multi-tool sheath

We are starting off this list of top 5 best survivor multi-tools for preppers with our favorite, the SOG PowerLock EOD Heavy Duty Tactical Multitool.

Now, most of you would be wondering, why is it our most favored? This is because it was specifically designed for the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) squad. Fancy, eh?! 

This compact instrument, which seems tiny, actually comes with 18 built-in tools with functionalities ranging from screw insertion to wire crimping.

These include an awl, can/bottle opener, crimper, file, hex bit driver, knife, plier/gripper, ratchet, ruler, scissors, 4 screwdrivers, wire cutter, and wood saw. In addition to this, it offers twice the power than any of its counterparts.

Now, let’s talk a bit about its construction. This heavy-duty multi-tool is made from stainless steel, one of the best materials in terms of durability.

On holding the multi-tool for the first time, you’ll notice that it is pretty greasy. This is because it is covered with black oxide wax and oil to protect against corrosion and to tone down its presence in the wild.

Pros

• Crafted in 420 stainless steel
• Easy to crimp blasting caps and demolition cord with less hand pressure.
• The crimper produces non-flaring, high pull out strength crimps
• Replacement parts are available for this tool.

Cons

• TSA will not allow you to carry on board a plane.
• Some people have complained of poor coating material.
• Needle nose pliers have been reported to not function properly after some use.

2. LEATHERMAN Surge Heavy Duty Multi-tool

Check Prices

Leatherman Features:

• Comprises of 21 tools
• Contains the largest pliers and longest blades among Leatherman’s multitools list
• Single-handed unlocking and usage
• Locking mechanism for all features
• Comes in a premium nylon sheath

If you are looking for something heavier than the SOG PowerLock EOD Heavy Duty Tactical Multitool, then check out the Leatherman Surge Heavy Duty Multitool, which comprises of 21 different tools.

Leatherman is quite proud of this design because it contains the largest pliers and longest blades among its multitools list.

Now, the majority of you would be wondering that since it is bulky then it would be pretty heavy and wouldn’t be portable.

Rest assured, this is not the case. Although it contains over 20 tools, still it weighs only 0.9 pounds.

Within this carriable weight, the Leatherman Surge Heavy Duty Multitool contains needlenose and regular pliers, replaceable wire cutters, straight and serrated knives, saw with blade exchanger, bottle and can openers, and a large bit driver.

In addition to being portable, this multitool is quite convenient as well. You can unlock and use the majority of its tools single-handedly, even those that are hidden inside. Furthermore, it has a locking mechanism to ensure maximum safety.

You can get this survival multitool in two different colors: silver and black. The black one has a black oxide wax coating for corrosion resistance.

Last but not least, Leatherman offers a 25-year warranty, which shows that they are confident about their products’ construction and quality.

Pros

• 25 year warranty.
• Very heavy-duty and well-built.
• One of the largest and most durable multi-tools on the market.
• Comes with a premium leather sheath.

Cons

• A few customers complained that the tool is very stiff in the beginning.

3. Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-Tool

Check Prices

Swiss Army Features:

• Very compact and great for a bugout bag.
• 17 functions
• Height: 1″
• Length: 3.3″
• Weight: 3.9 oz.
• Material: ABS/Cellidor

In terms of compact design, our most favored in the best survival multi tools for preppers is the Victorinox Swiss Army Multi-tool. They have been in this business since 1897 and know what they are doing!

Although it’s a pocket knife, it contains 17 other tools as well. These include scissors, a corkscrew, and a bottle opener, can opener, nail filer and cleaner, 2 screwdrivers (3mm, 3.5mm, and 5mm), keyring, toothpick, large blade, tweezers, magnifying glass, wire stripper, reamer/punch, and sewing awl, wood saw.

This compact tool is made from superior quality Swiss stainless steel that has been tempered, annealed, and polished so that it stays by your side for a lifetime. Each tool precisely follows the four principles of Victorinox: functionality, innovation, iconic design, and quality.

Even though the tool won’t corrode, the knife might get blunt with usage. You can re-sharpen it again through a whetstone by placing it at an angle of 15֯ – 20֯.

Furthermore, if you feel that the tools are sticking together, then simply open and close it in warm water multiple times and it will get normal. Also, oil the spring and tools with Swiss Army Knife Oil to avoid this issue altogether.

You don’t need a pouch or any such carrier for this tool because it is extremely compact, which is evident from its dimensions of 3.3” x 1”. Simply place it in your pocket, and you’ll be good to go!

Pros

• The most compact tool in this list of best survival multi-tools for preppers.
• Doesn’t require a pouch; you can carry it in your pocket.
• Made from tempered, annealed, and polished Swiss stainless steel.

Cons

• It might be small for the liking of a few people

4. LEATHERMAN Wave Plus Multi-tool

Check Prices

Leatherman Wave Features:

• 18 different tools.
• Upgraded from original version.
• Features all-locking blades that you can trust around the home
• Weight: 10.4 oz.
• Product Dimensions: 4 x 1.5 x 0.75 inches
• Nylon sheath included.

If the Leatherman Surge Heavy Duty Multitool is advanced for you, then check out the Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool, which is an upgrade to the previous Wave version.

It comprises of 18 tools. These include can and bottle openers, knives and scissors, screwdrivers, filer, saw, wire stripper, and replaceable wire cutters and pliers.

The whole multitool is made from stainless steel and covered with a black oxide coating. The construction material and the coating both help it in fighting against corrosion, which might eat away your tool way before its end time.

One of the major issues with multitools is that they either lock all at once or don’t lock at all. Leatherman kept safety as a priority and equipped each blade of its Wave Plus multitool with an individual lock.

Having locks doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to wrestle with the tool to open and use it. In fact, the wave plus opens up every instrument with a single hand, even those that are hidden inside the tool.

Leatherman knows that each tool is worth every penny spent on it, and thus, offers a 25-year warranty.

Leatherman Wave Pros:

• Made from stainless steel and covered with a black oxide coating
• Pocket-size so it fits well in a bugout bag.
• Knives are incredibly sharp.
• All-locking blades
• 25-year warranty

Leatherman Wave Cons:

• The tool will be a bit stiff to use for the first few times.
• No pocket clip.
• Pliers are not spring-loaded.

5. Gerber MP600 Multi-Plier

Check Prices

Gerber Multi-Plier Features:

• 14 tools in one.
• One-hand opening design is accessible + simple to use.
• Ballistic nylon sheath included.
• Made in the USA.
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 2.5 x 0.75 inches
• Weight: 8 oz.

We can list down tons of reasons as to why you need the Gerber P600 Multi-Plier in your gear when you head out in the wild, but for now, we’ll stick with the top ones.

The first major attraction of this tool is that although the name says it’s a multi-plier but it comes with numerous other built-in tools as well. These are 14 in total and include wire cutters, serrated knife, can and bottle opener, ruler, wire crimper, file, and various types of flathead screwdrivers. The pliers include regular, needlenose, and bluntnose ones.

It is quite simple to use, thanks to the sliding jaws that allow you to open the tool single-handedly. Apart from convenient usage, it’s sturdy and durable because it is made from stainless steel, a material that doesn’t let corrosion take control.

The Gerber MP600 Multi-Plier comes with a ballistic nylon sheath, which will help you in keeping your multi-tool ready for immediate usage. Did we mention that Gerber offers a lifetime warranty?!

Pros

• Comprises of 14 built-in tools
• Sliding jaws allow single-handed tool usage
• Made from stainless steel
• Comes with a ballistic nylon sheath
• Gerber’s lifetime warranty

Cons

• The tool is covered in lubricant which might not be a few people’s cup of tea.

6. RoverTac Multi-tool Camping Tool Survival Gear

Check Prices

RoverTac Features:

• 14 different tools.
• Made from heavy-duty stainless steel.
• Nylon pouch included.
• Product Dimensions: 7.00 x 3.50 x 1.00 inches
• Weight: 0.93 lbs

If you want a multi-tool that comes with a hammer, a must-have while camping, then our pick is the RoverTac Multitool Camping Tool Survival Gear.

Having a hammer doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to carry it around. In fact, it is lighter than most of the conventional hammers with a weight of just 15 oz.

Including the hammer, it has 14 tools in total, which include an ax, file, saw, knife, wire cutter, regular and flat jaw plier, fish descaler, various types of screwdrivers, wrenches, and a bottle opener. The hammer is quite handy for emergency situations as it can easily break car glass.

As far as the construction is concerned, the multi-tool is made from heavy-duty stainless steel and coated with a black oxide finish. RoverTac ensured that it stays visible in the wild by painting the handle red.

You can easily carry this tool around by fastening it your belt via the reinforced nylon sheath that comes with it.

Pros

• Comprises of 14 tools including a hammer
• Made from heavy-duty stainless steel with a black oxide coating
• Red handle for visibility
• Comes with a reinforced nylon sheath
• Lifetime warranty and no reason return policy

Cons

• A few customers complained that it dulled quickly.

7. Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier

Check Prices

Gerber Multi-Plier Features:

• Product Dimensions: 4″ L x 1″W x 6″ H
• Weight: 9.6 ounces
• 12 tools in one.
• Comes with nylon sheath.
• Color: Titanium

The Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier is one of the most versatile tools trusted by millions of professionals throughout the world for its durability and functionality.

It comprises of 12 tools with multiple options for numerous of them. These include two knives, one with a straight blade and the other with a serrated one, multiple forms of screwdrivers, wire cutter/stripper, and needle-nose pliers.

This suspension multi-plier is made from stainless steel with an aluminum handle that provides a superior ergonomic grip. Apart from being durable, it is quite safe as well, thanks to the Saf.T.Plus Locking System. As far as aesthetics are concerned, its sleek butterfly design is quite attractive.

The Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier comes with a nylon ballistic cloth sheath so that external factors don’t decrease its durability and functionality when not in use. Although its light and seems tiny, its sturdiness and functionality beat the majority of its bulkier counterparts!

Pros

• Made from stainless steel with an aluminum handle.
• Ergonomic grip.
• Saf.T.Plus Locking System.
• Comes with a nylon ballistic cloth sheath.

Cons

• The carry case isn’t of top quality.

8. Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool CS Plus with Leather Pouch

Check Prices

Victorinox Swisstool CS Plus Features:

• 37 functions in this one tool!
• Made with stainless steel.
• Product Dimensions: 4.13″ (105mm), Height: 1.93″
• Weight: 17.13oz

The most versatile multitool in our list of the best survival multitools for preppers is the Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool with its 37 functions.

After reading 37 functions, a few of you might have assumed that it would be bulky or heavy. Don’t worry! It only weighs 17.13 oz and has dimensions of 4.13” x 1.93”.

As you would have gathered from the name, it is made in Switzerland with its premium stainless steel that provides exceptional durability and sturdiness.

Discussing all of its 37 functions would be a handful so we’ll stick with the major ones. Its pliers’ joints are hot riveted, which provide them smooth functionality. Also, the machined joints and hardened edges ensure that you aren’t bothered by bluntness. Its ruler won’t fade away, thanks to the engraved measurements.

The Victorinox Swiss Army Swisstool will become your go-to tool for electrical chores because of its wire stripper that has a pliers-style nose, anti-pinch grip handles, and spring release locks.

Apart from outdoor activities, you can use it for multiple other chores as well such as electronic repair, DIY and crafting, and jewelry making, thanks to its spring-action that allows maximum control and precision.

You can access single tools conveniently because of the release button, which only requires a single slide to open and close the lock. This tool, for sure, is a steal at its price!

Pros

• Made from Swiss stainless steel.
• Suitable for multiple operations including electrical items’ repair.
• Each tool opens individually with a single slide.
• Lifetime warranty.

Cons

• It might be a little too heavy for your taste.
• Not as easy to pull out the tools as it could be.

What’s the Difference Between A Survival Multi-tool and A Regular Multi-Tool?

Most of the time people assume that a survival multi-tool and a regular multi-tool are the same. However, many of the survival tools stand alone in class in that they are primarily used for specific emergency situations, whereas a regular multi-tool may just be used for everyday scenarios.

So, let’s start with looking at an example of what I would consider to be a regular multi-tool.

A regular multi-tool, can be something similar to an oscillating power tool. These power tools allow you to switch between blades and accessories, thus, enabling you to perform various tasks with a single apparatus. A few of these tasks include:

• Cutting a bolt off flush
• Cutting of plumbing pipes
• Dry rot removal
• Grout removal
• Openings and cut-outs in drywalls
• Plunge cutting in plaster and timber
• Removal of stubborn sticking agents such as adhesives
• Sanding
• The scrapping of old paint
• Trimming of door frames

Now, let’s look at a survival multi-tool.

A survival multi-tool is an assortment of tools attached together as one, which can provide numerous functions in outdoor and survival circumstances. These functions can be as follow:

• Cooking in the wild
• First aid support
• Hanging and adjusting tarps
• Making fishing lines and hooks
• Making shelters
• Making small hunting traps
• Starting campfires
• Support in repairing cars, gadgets, and other such items.
• Woodworking

By now you would have probably understood that a regular multi-tool is useful in construction and other household chores, whereas, a survival multi-tool comes handy while camping, trekking, and other such outdoor activities.

Apart from these, there are other multi-tools as well, which are as small as a credit card or a key. People usually carry them around in their pockets or attach them with their key rings for unforeseen situations.

How to Choose A Survival Multi-Tool?

A survival multi-tool might not cost you a fortune, but its failure in the wilderness might lead to trouble. Therefore, before clicking on the purchase button you should analyze a few factors to get the best one for your anticipated circumstances.

In this section, we’ve explained 4 essential criteria that will help you in choosing a survival tool capable of tackling the majority of the survival emergencies.

1. Durability of the Survival Multi-Tool

This is a no brainer since a survival multi-tool will be your go-to item in the majority of the emergency situations, therefore, it needs to be sturdy and durable. To make it simple, you can consider these two things while checking for durability.

2. Survival Multi-tool Material

The idea is to look at the manufacturer’s note and find out what substance they used in the production of these tools.

The material of the multi-tools indicates how much force it can take and how long it will last. Our suggestion is to go for stainless steel because it is sturdy, durable, and corrosion-resistant.

3. Warranty Matters

Another way to find out the durability of a product is the duration of the warranty. Companies that manufacture durable multi-tools give years of warranty to its buyers because they trust their product.

4. The functionality of Survival Multi-Tools

In the case of the best survival Multi-tool, the more does not always translate to better.

You should have an idea of which tool you will actually require during your adventure and which will be a waste of space.

Once you know what functions you want from your multi-tools, it will be easier to pick the one that includes the tools you desire.

5. Size and weight of Survival Multi-Tools

As we mentioned earlier, carrying a tool with tons of functions that might not come in use is a waste of space.

Keeping this principle in view, you should choose a tool that is portable and won’t hinder your progress in the woods.

As far as size is concerned, you should decide on it based on whether you want to carry it in your backpack or in your pocket.

6. Cost of Survival Multi-Tools

After considering the factors mentioned above, all you have to do is compare the price.

The more expensive ones are not always the best, however, if you can buy a better one with just a few bucks more, go for it!

These things last for years and payback for every penny spent.

After all, in the pinch of survival or emergency, regretting not buying the better one should be the last thing you want on your mind.

Related Survival Multi-Tool Q&A

Below are some other related questions that are asked when shopping for the best survival multi-tool for preppers.

Are All Leatherman Tools Made in the USA?

The easy answer to this question is an astounding yes! Leatherman is proudly made in Portland, Oregon. The founder, Tim Leatherman received his his Mechanical Engineering degree from Oregon State University. It’s nice to know that you can get quality made multi-tools from the United States these days.

Which Leatherman Has The Most Tools?

Many preppers know the brand name Leatherman as a representation of quality and therefore ask several questions, including which Leatherman has the most tools. The Leatherman Surge is one of the two largest multi-tools; a real powerhouse, built with our largest pliers, longest multi-tool blades and easy-to-use locks.

What multi tool does the military use?

Right now the military is using the Gerber Multi-tool Plier 600. What makes it practical for the military is that the MP600 comes in a lot of different variations including blunt nose pliers, needle nose pliers or blasting cap crimper pliers, replaceable or non-replaceable wire cutters, blade or bladeless, sight tool or RemGrit saw. 

Final Thoughts On These Multi-Tools

So there you have it! These are our top picks for the best survival multi-tools for preppers.

Let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below. Also, if you have used any of these before, then don’t forget to share the reviews.