Everyday Carry

The Best Mid-Sized Multi-tools for EDC in 2017

Authored by:
Mikey Bautista
Reviewed by:
Bernard Capulong
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
14+ Years Reviewing EDC Products
The Best Mid-Sized Multi-tools for EDC in 2017

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We all know how great full-sized multi-tools are. In your workshop, desk, or your car, they're a toolbox worth of utility minus the actual toolbox. But for everyday carry, they're not always the best. While you do save yourself the trouble of having to lug around said toolbox, full-sized multi-tools aren't exactly featherweights either. Carrying one as part of your EDC isn't an optimal use of pocket space and can end up weighing you down.

So we've rounded up a list of the best mid-sized multi-tools you can actually carry every day, because a cumbersome tool is an unused one, after all. They may not have all the functionality you would get from a full-sized tool, but in exchange you get a more compact profile that isn't a hassle to carry and still gets the job done when needed.


Leatherman Juice XE6

Leatherman's probably the first brand in mind when talking about multi-tools, and their Juice line has a long history of compact utility. With 18 tools, the XE6 is the most capable model in the series, packed into a very pocket-friendly 3.25” package when closed. Its textured, anodized aluminum handles meet at pliers in the signature Leatherman butterfly design, with the rest of its tools folding out from its middle and and ends. From knives to scissors to drivers and even a corkscrew, the XE6 has the bases covered for everyday tasks.

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Leatherman Skeletool SX

The Leatherman Skeletool is an EDC favorite thanks to its solid selection of tools and its lightweight, skeletonized, and carry-friendly design. But our pick here isn't the carbon fiber-accented CX model you may be familiar with. In exchange for the CF accent (at no additional weight), a diamond-coated file adds an extra bit of functionality to the Skeletool SX's handles. You still get robust functionality from its pliers, 420HC combo knife, bit driver and handy carabiner, with an extra touch of utility for filing and sanding tasks.

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Leatherman Juice S2

The second Juice on this list may have fewer functions than its brother (15 tools compared to the XE6's 18), but sticking to the basics saves it a lot more weight. It measures 3.25” closed like the rest of the Juice line, but it's one of the lightest at 4.6 ounces. The lighter weight doesn't cut down on its usefulness, though, as the S2 comes with essentials like pliers, a knife, scissors, and a solid set of drivers and openers. It's the perfect middle ground in the Juice line with a nice balance of tools and weight.

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Victorinox SwissChamp

You can't have a list of multi-tools and not include Victorinox. They've been at it for decades, getting the job done with multi-tools of every size from keychains to full-sized workhorses. But among their dozens of models, only one has “Champ” in its name. The SwissChamp is undoubtedly the king of their mid-sized multi-tools, packing 32 functions into 3.6 inches. From pliers to drivers to blades and files and features you didn't even know you needed like a hook disgorger and magnifying glass, you'll be hard-pressed to find more functionality in 6.5 ounces.

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Victorinox Huntsman

The Huntsman has the distinction of being one of the few 3.6” Swiss Army Knives that come with an LED flashlight. Add that to a versatile set of 20 other tools and you have incredible utility in your pocket. With its blades, scissors, openers, drivers, saw, corkscrew and many more functions, there are very few everyday tasks you couldn't handle, not to mention being a great way to consolidate your EDC.

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Victorinox Pioneer X Alox

Victorinox's Alox line gives you the robustness of their 3.6” multi-tools while drastically reducing their weight thanks to embossed aluminum scales with anodic oxidation. What you lose in handle-based tools like tweezers and toothpicks, you gain in sleekness that make them ideal for everyday carry. Among the Alox Swiss Army Knives, the Pioneer X is unique thanks to its pair of scissors, adding much-needed utility when a blade isn't the perfect tool for the job. With 8 other tools it's a perfect pocketable multi-tool to add to any EDC.

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SOG Sync II

While this list is about saving pocket space with more compact tools, sometimes you just don't have any space left to spare.  The SOG Sync II takes advantage of a spot you wouldn't think to find a multi-tool—your belt. It's specially designed to fold into a compact 3.1” rectangle, which when paired with a detachable base, gives you access to 12 useful tools when used as a belt buckle or clipped to a pack. It's a clever use of space which gives you plenty versatility to add a multi-tool to your EDC.

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Do you carry a compact multi-tool in your EDC? Let us know your favorite and how it's helped with your daily needs in the comments below.

Mikey Bautista

Director of Everyday Carry Operations


About the Author
Mikey Bautista is an everyday carry (EDC) expert who has been working with the EverydayCarry.com team for nearly a decade, starting with an interest in EDC as a hobby and ending up as a writer for the site in 2014. Through the years, he’s led the site in editorial content and writing about products across every category, from knives to bags to flashlights and everything in between, as well as discovering, bringing exposure, and building bridges with many brands in the industry. Today, he is the site's Director of Everyday Carry Operations, leading the editorial team and managing day-to-day operations.

He has lived through many personal and professional lives, spending nearly a decade in the workforce management industry, a minor career in gaming, and has lent a hand with entrepreneurial efforts back home in the Philippines. He has also been an active participant and helped build a number of significant social communities online, both for EDC and his other hobbies.

Mikey has been at the cusp of gaming, technology, and the internet since the ‘90s and continues to lend his experience, expertise, and authority to all his pursuits. When not online, in a game, or watching movies, you'll find him in the gym, speedrunning his next hobby, or talking at length about EDC with anyone willing to listen.

Bernard Capulong

Founder and Editor-in-Chief


About the Reviewer
Bernard Capulong is an everyday carry (EDC) gear expert, entrepreneur, all-around nerd, and the founder and editor-in-chief of EverydayCarry.com—the largest online community for EDC gear enthusiasts. Since founding Everyday Carry in 2009, he’s built over a decade of experience in the industry, reviewing and highlighting brands and products, including pocket knives, flashlights, wallets, watches, bags, pens, and much more.

Bernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media.

In addition to being the editor-in-chief and main social media personality for EverydayCarry.com, Bernard is an avid gearhead and collector in general. His personal collections span technical bags, fountain pens, digital cameras, retro gaming hardware, personal hi-fi audio gear, and mechanical wristwatches, to name a few. Bernard Capulong is a prominent figure and trusted authority in the everyday carry industry with a career dedicated to helping people discover this hobby and stay prepared with quality gear.

Discussion (13 total)

Johan Bertilsson ·
You are a bit wrong friend, there is another model with the name champ in it and that is the Minichamp and it have several versions one with a flashligt.
Beside that a very good multitool review.
Daniel Griffin ·
I don't know if it qualifies as a mid-size, but my go-to multi-tool is a Gerber Crucial. I carry it everywhere. It's 5.0 oz weight is barely noticeable and it's only 5.5 inches long opened and just a little over 3 closed. Similar to the SOG Sync II (which is a beaut, by the way).
Darren Tong ·
The Gerber Crucial is in fact right there in that size range. It's about the same size as the Juice CS4
Franklion ·
Dang. If I had known about the SOG Sync I or II I would have gotten that instead of the Dime.
Jared Campbell ·
Love the Skeletool, when I carry a multitool that's the one for me.
White Knight ·
My Leatherman Juice XE6 has served me very well over the years. A great all-rounder.
I have modified it by adding two Victorinox tools. A mini screwdriver in the corkscrew and have managed to fit tweezers under the corkscrew. Champion!
Jacob Williams ·
I carry a workpro security multi tool. It's really small and compact, which is great; the knife is quite blunt but the saw is sharp enough for both and the flathead screwdriver is perfect for ripping the wiring out of a fencing foil. Great little tool
Yogi ·
Of course lbeing an older guy I prefer older units, translation... Discontinued.
Requirements, two blades, saw, awl

Leatherman Juice KF4 with straight and serrated blades
Swiss Army Knife Harvester, Alox Farmer with pruner (hawkbill);blade instead of can opener.

In your current selections would take a SAK Field Master over the Huntsman. Replace cork screw with Phillips screwdriver. In yellow with Gadsden Flag/motto.

Of worthy mention... The newer Boker Plus Tech-Tool 7 with blade, saw, awl, scissors and other tools.
Drew ·
I've got a Juice S2 and love it. My only gripe is that the blade could be longer. There's room left in the handle for a longer blade but they didn't use it. Solid MT otherwise.
John ·
I carry the Juice S2 daily. Some hate the redesign, but I like it - I sent my old one in for warranty work (I bent the fine screwdriver) and they sent me a brand new one. The knife blade is shorter but I prefer the Wharncliff shape. The can opener still sucks, but it works. All in all it's a solid tool and a solid performer!
Shane ·
I just don't like how clunky any MT feels in the pocket, my wave lives in its sheath on my belt. Incidentally my Olight S1 mini fits into the elastic loop on the side of the sheath perfectly.
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