A multi tool is super handy, whether you're at home or on tour – and we've put 10 to the test! Find out more.
Multi tool group test
- Thread starter LizziePope
- Start date
- Mar 8, 2009
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I have 'one' of these multi tools, (bought for me as a present a few years back) and sits in the van just in case? Hardly ever been used in anger. Looks better than it is, not the most user friendly of tools for handling and doing jobs. (Ps don't like buying work nowadays either!)
- Oct 12, 2013
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Expensive stocking fillers , they look good though if you should ever need one , if there's any free trial tests going my address is . . . . . ! 
And I'll try and remember to return them to you Lizzie in the nr future !!
And I'll try and remember to return them to you Lizzie in the nr future !!
Never been a multi purpose tool fan. A lot of skin can be lost if the tool doe's not fit correctly I always look for the tool that fits.
Trevor
Trevor
Mel
Moderator
- Mar 17, 2007
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Out of interest, what is the legality of carrying a Swiss Army Knife or similar Multitool with a knife blade. In these days of knife crime and the carrying of a blade being, quite rightly, challenged by the police, where does a humble caravanner with no nefarious intent stand?
Mel
Mel
- Nov 11, 2009
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I believe that a fixed blade longer than 3 inch is illlegal. Penknives should not have a blade that is lockable. My old Opinel camping knife would be deemed illegal as there is a collar that can be rotated to lock the blade. Regarding knives the law seems to require the owner carrying the knife to show they have reasonable cause to be carrying it. So a carpet fitter carrying a knife during his working day shouldn’t be a problem. But he’d find a problem if it were taken out during the evening/weekend. Even a Stanley knife could lead to charges if carried in the wrong circumstances. As could a bradalll!
- Sep 29, 2016
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I have a wide selection of tools and I do put them to use, albeit some of the more specialised tools are used very infrequently.
A multi-tool (the pliers and the knife being the most useful) can be handy as a fishing accessory or for camping off the beaten track when carrying minimal gear is a requirement.
I bought a multi-tool once and have been given a few as gifts, never really found any use for them save for perhaps fishing and to a lesser extent camping.
I can't think of any reason I would reach for a multi tool over a dedicated tool.
We already have knives and a can opener in the caravan, my wife will have a nail file or emery board in her bag of tricks. Add to what is already there a set of insulated screwdrivers, standard pliers, taper nose pliers and you have something functional that will see you through a host of smaller type repairs.
Most of us will already pack a hammer and insulating tape and perhaps duct tape, how much remedial work are we really going to undertake when away in the caravan?
A multi-meter is a good addition to the toolbox.
Decent set of screwdrivers, 2 pairs of pliers and a multi-meter need cost no more than £25.00.
Sorry, but multi-tools are pretty much eye-candy and of little real practical use. If mine were taken away today I would never replace them (or miss them ).
A multi-tool (the pliers and the knife being the most useful) can be handy as a fishing accessory or for camping off the beaten track when carrying minimal gear is a requirement.
I bought a multi-tool once and have been given a few as gifts, never really found any use for them save for perhaps fishing and to a lesser extent camping.
I can't think of any reason I would reach for a multi tool over a dedicated tool.
We already have knives and a can opener in the caravan, my wife will have a nail file or emery board in her bag of tricks. Add to what is already there a set of insulated screwdrivers, standard pliers, taper nose pliers and you have something functional that will see you through a host of smaller type repairs.
Most of us will already pack a hammer and insulating tape and perhaps duct tape, how much remedial work are we really going to undertake when away in the caravan?
A multi-meter is a good addition to the toolbox.
Decent set of screwdrivers, 2 pairs of pliers and a multi-meter need cost no more than £25.00.
Sorry, but multi-tools are pretty much eye-candy and of little real practical use. If mine were taken away today I would never replace them (or miss them
).
- Nov 11, 2009
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When I first took up greenlaning the route leader said “Have you got tie wraps, WD40, Duct tape a hammer and pliers?”
Afraid I have to agree with the others. Cheap multi-tools tend to have uncomfortable handles and soft metal tool heads. More expensive ones are better but you quite often need to use two of the component tools at the same time. I'll stick with my very random collection assembled and fine-tuned over 60 years.
- Mar 14, 2005
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I have tried a number of them in the hope they will provide a neat solution to number of basic tools I need to have with one of my hobbies, but none has become my preferred go to tool. Handles are often uncomfortable, the pliers don't open wide enough, the blades are poor quality and either don't lock open and can almost shut on your fingers, or the blade locking mechanism is needs you to fiddle with other blades to unlock the one that's open,
The cheaper ones are usually made of very soft material, so don't hold an edge, or the screwdriver bit gives up the ghost.
You cant beat proper tools, and I just have to resort to carrying a small tool bag with teh rest of the gear.
The cheaper ones are usually made of very soft material, so don't hold an edge, or the screwdriver bit gives up the ghost.
You cant beat proper tools, and I just have to resort to carrying a small tool bag with teh rest of the gear.
- Nov 11, 2009
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Just had a read of the article and wow what prices for the top ones. I think the Leatherman Tread with its 44 functions would be a bit like trying to do a Rubiks Cube, and would certainly help in keeping ones brain young. Having spent a delightful afternoon browsing at our local farmers' outlet I think that for the price of the top multi tools I could buy enough quality tools to overhaul a tractor. I see the real benefit of a multi tool being for campers where compactness and the range of pieces would be useful. However I couldn't envisage myself buying one as after all off the years I have camped my old Swiss knife with cork and bottle openers is sufficient to guarantee a successful jaunt. For the caravan my always-carried 7kg toolbag rarely gets used if at all (thankfully), but it comes in handy to set up noseweight. Strange how everything comes down to noseweight :evil:
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