Choosing a Multi-Tool for Any Personality

Workman Model: C5045R See details Our price: $23.00

Multi-tools have been a popular gift for a long time because of their versatility, usefulness and portability. Pretty much anyone could use a multi-tool in his or her car, boat, purse or pocket. Instead of carrying around several individual tools, a multi-tool provides many different types of tools in one small, convenient package. Basic multi-tools may provide a knife, pliers or tweezers, and scissors. More sophisticated multi-purpose tools may include a nail file, one or more screwdrivers, a corkscrew, a bottle opener and even a flashlight. Depending on whom you are buying for, you can select a multi-tool with just the right combination of features. The goal is to get the lightest, most efficient model with only the most desirable tools.

Buying for an Outdoorsman

While a seasoned outdoorsman may already have full-size necessary tools for camping or hiking, a high-quality multitool can be a wonderful gift. You want to make sure that the outdoorsman’s multi-tool has a regular knife, a serrated knife, a flashlight, pliers, a fish scaler, a can opener and a flashlight.

Key elements of a good, outdoor multi-tool are solid, rugged construction without too much weight, possibly with the ability to clip onto a belt, backpack or raft. It is more important to purchase a tool that is well made, has quality features and is easy to keep close by, rather than buying the multitool with the most tools available.

Buying for a Handyman

As mentioned above, a handyman probably has full-size tools to use on regular jobs, but a well-chosen multi-tool can be a huge asset. You may want to look for one that includes at least one set of sturdy pliers. A good handyman multi-tool will also include at least one size of both Phillips and flathead screwdrivers. You might want to consider a model that comes with multiple screwdriver bits, which usually are stored separately from the multi-tool itself.

Something convenient and portable will serve the handyman well. You may also want to select a slim multi-tool intended to be stored on a tool belt, or a multi-tool that comes with a sheath to be attached to any style of belt. Again, you will want to look for a lightweight but heavy-duty style that contains needed tools is an efficient package.

Buying for a Techie

If the techie you know is anything like the ones we know, they are all about the gadgets. A techie may not be interested in the same type of multi-tool an outdoorsman would want. Luckily, there are multi-tools out there just for the techie on your gift list. These typically have small to medium-size USB drives.

If your techie gets into computer repair, look for a multi-tool with a flashlight, pliers, a wire cutter, wire strippers and wire crimpers. Some include a pen and even a laser pointer. Depending on the techie you are buying for, you might want to look for multitools with a stainless steel or carbide finish, as these features can be desirable in other tech tools.

Buying for an Independent Woman

There is much debate about the right multi-tool for a woman, but the solution lies in knowing the woman you are buying for. Some women will be supremely happy with a high-utility multi-tool like you might buy for the outdoorsman or a handyman-type. Others might prefer something smaller with fewer tools. The woman on your gift list may be happy with a multitool in a particular color, size or weight.

If you are buying for a woman who will store the multi-tool in her purse or car, a slightly larger or heavier model may be acceptable. Should the woman you’re buying for enjoy wine or bottled drinks, make sure the multi-tool you purchase has a corkscrew or a bottle opener. For the perfectly coifed woman, the right multitool might have scissors to help with loose threads on clothing or accessories, tweezers to help with an unruly hair or splinter, and a file to help with nail snags.

~ Ben Anton, 2010

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