Part of putting together your EDC is knowing what tools you’ll need on an average day, but it’s hard to be prepared for everything. So many people rely on a reliable multi-tool to cover their bases. Traditional full-size multi-tools aren’t for everyone, however. They can be a bit bulky or heavy for a minimalist EDC and can be hard to justify if you don’t use one often enough. Smaller multi-tools that can fit on your keychain, however, are worth a look to keep essentials handy without weighing you down. Whether you’re looking for functional alternatives to larger tools or don’t want to be caught without one and looking for a capable backup, the items on this list are tried and tested EDC classics.
Best Keychain Multi-tools — 2023 Edition
The Best Overall Keychain Multi-tool: Victorinox Midnite Manager [Buy]
The Best Budget Keychain Multi-tool: Gerber Dime [Buy]
The Most Capable Keychain Multi-tool: Victorinox Minichamp Alox [Buy]
The Easiest Keychain Multi-tool to Carry: Gear Infusion EverRatchet Clip [Buy]
The Best Butterfly-style Keychain Multi-tool: Leatherman Squirt PS4 [Buy]
![Victorinox]()
Key Features
Magnetic screw
10 functions
Unique design
Specifications
Dimension
2.25” x 0.25” x 0.6”
Victorinox needs no introduction for EDC. The iconic multi-tool manufacturer has been building Swiss Army Knives of every size for decades. If you’re going for small and practical, then the Midnite Manager should be on your shortlist. At a little over an ounce, the Midnite Manager is a classic keychain knife with ten tools, featuring everything from a small blade and flashlight to a screwdriver and pen built right into the small body. It does a little bit of everything and is easily one of the best keychain options around.
![GERBER]()
Key Features
7 functions
Titanium Nitride coating
Airline safe
Specifications
Dimension
2.75” x 0.25” x 0.5”
The Gerber Shard is a surprisingly versatile, TSA-friendly multi-tool. It’s an EDC classic and is one of the most affordable additions to any kit. The tool’s minimalist design hides no less than seven tools in plain sight. These include a Phillips screwdriver, two flat drivers, a pry bar, a wire stripper, and a bottle opener. It has a hole for lanyard carry and comes coated with titanium nitride for extra durability.
![SOG]()
Key Features
12 functions
Pint sized
TSA regulations
Specifications
Dimension
2.5” x 1.5” x 0.05”
Besides high functionality, the MacV is designed in a unique, striking style. This gadget is made of premium steel and boasts 12 tools, including wrenches, drivers, a blade sharpener, and a cutter. No more significant than a standard door key, this multi-tool will come in handy for most of your DIY needs while resting on your keychain in the meantime.
![Nite]()
Key Features
7 functions
Portable & travel friendly
TSA friendly
Specifications
Dimension
2.6” x 0.7” x 0.1”
The sturdy Nite Ize DoohicKey multi-tool makes up for a limited number of tools with its robust construction. It features a flat screwdriver but no Philips variant. However, the DoohicKey has the advantage of being TSA-friendly and equipped with a box cutter, which is a useful bonus. It also has a carabiner clip, making it easy to attach without taking up much space on your keychain.
![TPT]()
Key Features
14 functions
One-handed operation
Pocket clip and lanyard
Specifications
Dimension
4.1” x 2.6” x 0.9”
The original Titanium Pocket Tool was a huge success, but the newer TPT Slide has an updated design that lets you deploy its utility blade quickly by simply sliding it out. Like the original, you get several useful tools like a bottle opener, mini pry bar, and universal wrenches on your keychain. The Grade 5 titanium construction means you don’t have to baby it. Of course, it also comes with a pocket clip if you’d prefer to carry it that way. But at just one ounce, tossing it on your keychain is also a solid option if you don’t want to take up space in your EDC organizer.
![Keyport]()
Key Features
10 functions
Lanyard hole
TSA friendly
Specifications
Dimension
2.7” x 0.1” x 0.6”
The Keyport MOCA is designed so discreetly that you might not notice all ten tools at first sight. Packed in this multi-tool shorter than 3” are 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8-inch wrenches, a flathead driver doubling as a pry bar, a scoring tool, box opener, cord cutter, hex bit driver, bottle opener, and even a 2” ruler. Furthermore, the tool is TSA-friendly, so you always have a backup when you fly.
![Geekey]()
Key Features
16 functions
Key-shaped
TSA compliant
Specifications
Dimension
2.76” x 1.14” x 0.2”
When it comes to the variety of tools and design elegance, the Geekey passes with flying colors. The multi-tool features a screwdriver combo, imperial and metric rulers, a wrench combo, a serrated edge, and a wire bender. Better yet, the gadget is TSA-compliant and built from premium stainless steel in the shape of a regular key, making it a perfect fit alongside the rest of your keys.
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![KeySmart]()
Key Features
5 functions
Ruler built into handle
Small and portable
Specifications
Dimension
2.39” x 0.44” x 0.13”
If you want a small, light EDC multi-tool that covers all the bases and integrates perfectly with your key organizer, the KeySmart multi-tool is the right solution. The tool has both flat and Philips drivers, a ruler, a pry bar, and a box cutter. The best thing about the KeySmart is how light yet sturdy it is. In addition to its robust stainless steel build, this multi-tool comes with a two-year warranty.
![Victorinox]()
Key Features
15 functions
High-grade alox scales
Pocket clip and lanyard
Specifications
Dimension
2.28” x 0.6” x 0.8”
When you need a whole load of functionality—18 functions, to be exact—the MiniChamp Alox is worth checking out. It’s fully loaded, considering it’s a keychain-sized Swiss Army Knife. Packed into its compact size are tools like a small blade, an orange peeler, cuticle pusher, combo screwdriver, scissors, and even a ruler, to name a few. If you don’t already EDC a pocket knife, this could handle more than its share of tasks. The signature Alox scales make the exterior tough enough for life on your keychain, and at only 1.4 ounces, it won’t weigh you down.
![Leatherman]()
Key Features
10 functions
Ring attachment
Personal care tools
Specifications
Dimension
9.5” x 5.3” x 0.39”
Leatherman is best known for their popular pliers-based full-size multi-tools, but their larger size makes them harder to carry. The Micra swaps out the pliers to get a more compact tool while still packing a comfortable pair of scissors. The Micra is perfect for your keychain, and even at just 2.5”, you get ten different tools that come in handy in a pinch. Plus, the brushed stainless steel construction gives it decent durability while being able to mix in with many EDC aesthetics.
![Leatherman]()
Key Features
9 functions
One handed operation
Outdoor focused toolset
Specifications
Dimension
3.1” x 2” x 1.18”
One of the defining features of a full-sized multi-tool is a quality pair of pliers, which is admittedly hard to find on a keychain multi-tool. So if a solid pair of pliers is a must-have for you, then the Leatherman Squirt PS4 should be at the top of your list. This multi-tool measures only 2.25” yet still packs a punch in its 2-ounce body. You get spring-action pliers, scissors, and a small blade to go along with many other valuable functions.
![Gerber]()
Key Features
12 functions
Butterfly opening
One handed operation
Specifications
Dimension
4” x 2.75” x 0.6”
One of the best entry-level EDC items you can get is the Gerber Dime, but being affordable doesn’t mean it lacks functionality. The Dime is an EDC favorite, thanks to its excellent combination of features and portability. It’s compact at around two ounces and has a discreet profile for inconspicuous carry. Its butterfly-opening design gives quick access to the tool’s pliers. Other handy tools built into the handles like spring-action scissors, screwdrivers, and a package opener can handle general tasks on the fly.
![Gerber]()
Key Features
9 functions
TSA compliant
Lanyard hole
Specifications
Dimension
3” x 0.75” x 0.06”
A one-piece multi-tool worth checking out is one of the newer options from Gerber: the Mullet. Similar to the Shard, its popular predecessor, you get a single piece of metal with a clever design that packs 11 different tools into a 3” body. It comes with a pry bar, wire stripper, flathead screwdriver, and a ¼” hex driver, along with a belt loop hanger to help with EDC. Also, check out the Gerber Shard as an affordable alternative if you don’t mind sacrificing the ability to suspend the tool from your belt loop.
![Gear]()
Key Features
8 functions
Unique ratcheting system
TSA friendly
Specifications
Dimension
2.4” x 0.7” x 0.2”
The EverRatchet is a carry-friendly multi-tool that balances function and size. It’s only about 2.5” long but built with solid features, with everything from a flathead screwdriver to a scraper and seven wrenches packed into the all-metal design you can hang off of a belt loop. It comes in either stainless steel or titanium and has an integrated bit driver for safekeeping. The
EverRatchet’s key feature is what Gear Infusion calls their “dynamic ratcheting beam,” a system that holds the bit still under force but lets the tool rotate back to its starting position to get additional torque in use. This means no longer having to reset your hands or the tool when ratcheting, giving you a unique and efficient way to drive your existing bits.
![Kershaw]()
Key Features
8 functions
K-texture pattern
Lightweight
Specifications
Dimension
3.25” x 1.5” x 0.13”
Kershaw is best known for the excellent value you get from their unique, high-performance knives, but the PT-2 is an impressive multi-tool offering that nails the basics. It has eight tools built seamlessly into its design, including a pry bar, hex drives, and bottle opener, and the glass-filled nylon handle is textured for a better grip. The PT-2 comes with a bead-blasted 8Cr13MoV stainless steel construction that’s as attractive as it is tough. If you want a tool to throw on your keychain and forget about until you need it, this might be for you.
![True]()
Key Features
9 functions
K5 carbon steel blade
Quick release clip
Specifications
Dimension
3.3” x 1” x 0.3”
The best-designed multi-tools do more with less, and the True Utility FIXR is a prime example of that philosophy. The FIXR is only about 3” long, but its clever design holds 20 different tools, including a bottle opener, eyewear screwdriver, a wire stripper, and a sharp edge for easily opening packages. The best part is the gold-plated disc that rotates to expose even more functions. Once the task is done, you can turn them back into place and keep them out of your way.
![Griffin]()
Key Features
12 functions
TSA compliant
Small and portable
Specifications
Dimension
3” x 0.6” x 0.2”
You can’t have a list of keychain multi-tools and not include the Griffin Pocket Tool. This one-piece multi-tool is one of the most popular EDC items, thanks to its size, practicality, and robust construction. The single piece of metal offers everything from a pry tool to a screwdriver and has an integrated pocket clip so you can hang it from your belt loop. The 3” tool is long enough to give you extra leverage when loosening a stubborn nut. Plus, you can be confident that the stainless steel construction will hold up to even the most demanding jobs.
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![CRKT]()
Key Features
5 functions
Small and portable
TSA friendly
Specifications
Dimension
3.99” x 1” x 0.15”
The CRKT Viva is another keychain multi-tool that gets the job done without any moving parts. Besides the typical tools you’d expect, like a bottle opener and prybar, the Viva also puts multiple wrench sizes and a screwdriver in your pocket. The unique design measures just under 4” in length and only weighs 1.1 ounces, making it tough enough to carry your keys but light enough to carry until you need it.
Some Basic Multi-Tool FAQs
What is the purpose of a keychain multi-tool?
Keychain multi-tools are primarily made for two things: versatility and everyday carry. Carrying a mini multi-tool on your keyring or even a simple lanyard will instantly allow you to jump into a DIY project.
What does a keychain multi-tool do?
A keychain multi-tool can represent an entire tool kit. Depending on the tool, it might feature everything from tweezers to a knife blade. Some models will include Philips and regular head screwdriver additions, while others might come with more specific components like needle-nose pliers.
What are the benefits of a keychain multi-tool?
The most significant benefits of a keychain multi-tool are the functionality and small size. With a high-quality multi-tool, you can carry a box cutter, flat screwdriver, can opener, and much more. Best of all, it comes in compact form factors that you can always keep with you.
How we picked
Decades of experience and deep connections in the everyday carry industry give us a unique viewpoint on the market to inform our product recommendations. We have the depth of information for thousands of products that have come before and an extensive eye on the market to see what’s new and trending for each piece of gear. The result is a buying guide that we feel is informative and useful for EDCers of every trade, industry, and budget.
What is Everyday Carry?
Everyday Carry is both the concept of what people carry in their pockets and the process of picking out gear that thoughtfully considers what one wants or needs in their daily lives. It encompasses everything from style to preparedness to utility, meaning an entire industry full of valuable tools and essentials to choose from.
Why you should trust us
Our team has decades of combined experience in all aspects of everyday men’s essentials, from wallets to pens to bags and everything in between, and we know where to find great gear ideas that you may not come across at your local stores or when shopping online. Our expertise with the industry and familiarity in design, materials, and usability help you make more informed choices when it comes to picking up your next piece of gear.
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