One Tool in Your Pocket Beats Ten in the Garage
The day you need pliers, a blade or a screwdriver is never the day you're near a toolbox. That's the whole point of a multitool or a good pocket knife. These are the tools our crew points guys to, from full-size multitools to keychain backups. This list is part of The duuude EDC Series, our crew's guide to building a smarter everyday carry, from your pockets to your pack. Look for the next part at the bottom of the page.
The quick picks:
Best full-size multitool: Leatherman Wave Alpha
Best slim multitool: Leatherman Skeletool
Best for drivers: Gerber Center-Drive
Best classic: Victorinox Huntsman
Best keychain multitool: Gerber Dime
Best everyday knife: Kershaw Leek
1. Leatherman Wave Alpha
The do-everything multitool.
Leatherman's Wave is the multitool most guys picture, and the new Wave Alpha is the latest take on it. Catch the 2026 lineup in Leatherman 2026: What's New and our Leatherman vs Gerber showdown.
Best for: one tool that does it all
2. Leatherman Skeletool
Light, slim and pocketable.
A stripped-down multitool with the essentials: pliers, a blade, a bit driver and a bottle opener, without the weight of a full-size tool.
Best for: pocket carry
3. Gerber Center-Drive
A multitool with a real screwdriver.
Gerber's Center-Drive puts a full-size, center-axis bit driver in a multitool, so it works like an actual screwdriver. Read how Gerber stacks up in our Leatherman vs Gerber showdown.
Best for: guys who turn a lot of screws
4. Victorinox Huntsman Swiss Army Knife
15 tools, a century of trust.
The classic red Swiss Army knife, with scissors, a saw, a corkscrew and more. Light enough to carry every day.
Best for: a classic that never fails
5. Gerber Dime
12 tools on your keychain.
A mini multitool with pliers, a blade, scissors and a bottle opener, small enough to clip to your keys.
Best for: a backup that's always there
6. Kershaw Leek
A slim, sharp everyday knife.
A slim, assisted-opening folding knife with a 3-inch Sandvik steel blade. A long-time favorite for everyday carry.
Best for: everyday cutting tasks
The Final Duuude Take!
For most guys, one good Leatherman covers 90% of what life throws at you. Add a Gerber Dime to your keys as a backup and you're set. Always check your local knife laws before you carry. Next in the series: the bags and slings that carry it all.
Be the guy with the tool.
Pliers, blade, driver: always on you. Duuude-approved.
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