Pliers First or Knife First: Picking a Multi Tool
Leatherman Wave Plus wins overall with outside access blades and full size pliers that handle daily tasks. Gerber Center-Drive suits anyone who drives more screws than they cut. Leatherman Wingman covers everyday carry without the bulk or cost of the larger tools.
Leatherman Wave Plus does everything well enough to be the one tool worth buying if you are only buying one. Gerber Center-Drive earns its place when screws outnumber cuts in your work. Leatherman Wingman covers everyday carry without the bulk or the price of the larger options here.
A multi tool’s spec sheet counts functions, but daily use gets decided by which tools open without unfolding the whole thing. Plier jaw shape, driver reach and whether blades lock separate genuinely useful tools from drawer fillers. We compared published specifications, tool layouts and long term owner reports across seven current models.
What to look for
Decide what you’ll reach for first The most important question is whether you grab the knife or the pliers more often. Knife first users want outside access blades, as on the Wave Plus or Spirit X, so the tool works like a folding knife. Plier first users can live with a butterfly opening design, since the pliers appear the moment the handles swing out.
Why bit systems aren’t interchangeable Leatherman uses its own flat, double ended bits, which pack thin but require buying from Leatherman directly. Gerber’s Center-Drive takes standard quarter inch hex bits, so anything already in a workshop fits. Neither approach is wrong, but it decides what spares you can realistically carry.
Why locking matters more than tool count A saw or file that folds while you are pushing on it is how people get hurt. Full locking on every implement, not just the blade, is a genuine safety feature and one of the clearest dividing lines between price tiers. Check the specification directly rather than assuming a tool locks.
How to weigh carry weight against capability A heavy tool left at home does nothing for anyone. Something around the weight of the Wingman gets carried in a pocket every day, while a full size model usually needs a sheath or a bag. Many owners settle on a light tool on the body and a capable one in the vehicle.
The top picks, ranked
Leatherman Wave Plus
The Wave Plus stays the benchmark because its four most used tools, two knives and two saws, open from the outside with the handles closed. Needlenose pliers come full size with replaceable wire cutters, and every tool locks. Owners report it is the multi tool that stops being a novelty and starts living on a belt.
Pros
- Outside access blades open one handed
- Replaceable wire cutters extend its working life
- Every tool locks, down to the file and saw
Cons
- Heavy for pocket carry without a sheath
- Bit driver accepts flat Leatherman bits only
Gerber Center-Drive
A driver sitting on the tool’s centre axis earns the Center-Drive its name, turning like a real screwdriver instead of an offset stub. Standard quarter inch bits mean you are not locked into a proprietary shape. Pliers open with a one handed slide, and the blade opens from the outside too.
Pros
- Strongest screwdriver action in this comparison
- Uses standard hex bits you likely already own
- One handed plier deployment
Cons
- Carries fewer tools than the Wave Plus
- Sliding plier mechanism needs regular cleaning
Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X
Chamfered edges that do not bite your palm and tool action that feels machined rather than stamped make the Spirit X the most refined pick here. Every implement opens from the outside and locks with a slim release. Buyers who value finish and comfort over sheer tool count land on this one.
Pros
- Handles stay comfortable even under pressure
- Every tool opens without unfolding
- Fit and finish exceed the rest of this list
Cons
- Plier jaws grip less aggressively than Leatherman’s
- Sits at the premium end of this category
Leatherman Free P4
Magnets hold tools closed on the Free P4 instead of tight friction, so a thumb flick opens any implement and no fingernail is needed to close it. The widest tool set in the Free line includes a pry tool and an awl. That range comes with a thicker handle stack than the Wave Plus.
Pros
- Easiest one handed deployment in this comparison
- No fingernails required to open any tool
- Broad tool set that includes a pry bar
Cons
- Bulkier and heavier than the Wave Plus
- Magnetic detent attracts steel filings
SOG PowerAccess Deluxe
Compound leverage gearing genuinely multiplies grip force at the plier jaws, useful for pulling a stubborn nail or crimping wire. The Deluxe version adds a bit kit and hex driver to a tool that already covers the basics. Fit and finish trail the Leatherman and Victorinox options, but the value holds up.
Pros
- Compound leverage adds real gripping power
- Includes a genuinely usable bit set
- Strong value relative to tool count
Cons
- Edges feel less comfortable under load
- Tool action starts stiffer out of the box
Gerber Suspension NXT
The Suspension NXT suits a glovebox or drawer where losing it would not hurt. An open frame design keeps weight down, spring loaded pliers do most of the work, and a pocket clip now comes standard. Expect the blade edge and driver to feel basic next to the premium tools here.
Pros
- Light for its size
- Spring loaded pliers reduce hand fatigue
- Very affordable entry point
Cons
- Open frame traps grit and debris
- Blade steel dulls faster than premium models
Leatherman Wingman
The Wingman is light enough to forget you are carrying it, which is what convinces people to carry a multi tool daily. The knife opens from the outside with one hand, pliers stay spring loaded, and the whole package clips into a pocket. It is not built for heavy plier work, and it does not pretend to be.
Pros
- Light enough for daily pocket carry
- One handed blade access
- Spring loaded pliers included
Cons
- Only the blade locks on some versions
- Pliers flex under heavy load
How they stack up
| # | Model | Tools | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leatherman Wave Plus | 18 | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Gerber Center-Drive | 12 | Best for driving screws | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | Victorinox SwissTool Spirit X | 24 functions | Best build quality | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | Leatherman Free P4 | 21 | Best one handed use | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | SOG PowerAccess Deluxe | 21 | Best value | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Gerber Suspension NXT | 15 | Best budget | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | Leatherman Wingman | 14 | Best for everyday carry | 8.0 | Check price |
Good to know
What does outside access mean on a multi tool?
It means the blade or saw opens while the handles stay closed, so the tool works like a folding knife. That is the single biggest usability difference between multi tool designs.
Which multi tool works best for driving screws?
Gerber Center-Drive, because its driver sits on the tool’s centre line and takes standard quarter inch bits. Offset drivers on other tools still work but require awkward wrist angles.
Are replaceable wire cutters worth seeking out?
Yes, if hard wire gets cut regularly. Cutters fail first on any multi tool, and models like the Leatherman Wave Plus let you swap the inserts instead of replacing the whole tool.
Can you fly with a folding multi tool?
Not in a carry on bag. Any multi tool with a blade has to go in checked luggage, and some bladeless models still get flagged at security. Pack it in checked baggage to be safe.
How do you maintain a folding multi tool?
Rinse out grit, dry it fully, and add a drop of light oil at the pivots occasionally. Open frame designs like the Suspension NXT need this more often than closed handle tools.
Is a serrated blade necessary on a multi tool?
Serrations help with rope, webbing and fibrous material, and they stay useful even blunt. A plain edge sharpens easier and cuts cleaner for card, food or general cordage.
How many tools on a multi tool actually get used?
Most owners report using four or five implements regularly: the pliers, one blade, a driver, scissors and the wire cutters. Judge a tool on how good those specific implements are rather than the headline tool count.
Leatherman Wave Plus vs Free P4: what’s the real difference?
The Wave Plus stays slimmer and lighter with the same outside access blades. The Free P4 adds magnetic tool action so everything opens and closes one handed, at the cost of extra thickness.
Our take
Leatherman Wave Plus is still the folding multi tool worth recommending first, since outside access blades and replaceable cutters make it useful daily rather than occasionally. Gerber Center-Drive fits better if screws dominate the job, and Leatherman Wingman earns its place by staying light enough to carry every day.
