When you’re putting together your own EDC, you’ve got a budget to follow. Especially when you’re starting out, there’s a daunting list of gear to buy and it can get pricey. It’s easy to think it would be too expensive to add a full-size multi-tool to the mix. But it might surprise you that you don’t actually have to break the bank to carry a quality EDC multi-tool. What’s more: you don’t have to settle for small niche form factor tools that only have limited use cases. A lot of the best and most popular multi-tools carried by our community fall under 50 dollars. In this guide, we’ll show you the best everyday carry multitools you can pick up in this budget category.
Best Affordable Multi-tools
Leatherman Wingman |
Victorinox Spartan |
SOG PowerAccess |
Gerber Dime |
Boker Tech Tool 3 |
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| ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ | ★★★★ |
| L: 3.8″ Wt: 7.0 oz | L: 3.6″ Wt: 2.1 oz | L: 4.1″ Wt: 5.90 oz | L: 2.75″ Wt: 2.2 oz | L: 3.8″ Wt: 4.16 oz |
| 14 Tools | 12 Tools | 18 Tools | 12 Tools | 12 Tools |
| Carry: Sheath, Clip | Carry: Lanyard | Carry: Clip | Carry: Keychain | Carry: Clip |
| Pro: Reliability | Pro: Tool design | Pro: Fast access | Pro: Portability | Pro: Blade steel |
| View on Amazon |
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Leatherman Wingman
If you’re looking for a traditional clamshell multi-tool that will last you for ages, the Leatherman Wingman is for you. For many, a Leatherman is the be-all-end-all of the EDC multi-tool world. Their tools are synonymous with quality and practicality. Take one look at the Wingman and you’ll see why. It fits 14 different tools and functions into an affordable pocket-size frame. From the needle nose pliers to the assorted screwdrivers it has it can handle any task you throw at it. A pair of versatile and easy-to-use spring-loaded scissors rounds out the mix.
Victorinox Swiss Army Spartan
Victorinox Swiss Army is another trusted and traditional name in the EDC multi-tool world. And if you’re looking for a multi-tool that doesn’t look too aggressive but can still get the job done, the Spartan is for you. It has everything you need to get you through the day, work or leisure. It comes with two sizes of knives, a bottle opener, and a can opener with screwdrivers built in. But the Spartan also has a corkscrew, and with it you can be the most handy person to have around at the next party.
SOG PowerAccess 2017
If you’re looking for the most efficient tool to do the job but not looking to carry around huge bulk, take a look at the SOG PowerAccess. Their unique compound leverage system makes tough plier tasks easy to perform. Because of it, no other line of multi-tools allows you to grip as much with less effort as a SOG. And with the PowerAccess, you get that technology in a compact frame that weighs less than 6 ounces. Despite its size, it’s still fully equipped with 18 different easy-to-access functions built in.
Gerber Dime
If you’re looking for a tiny and inexpensive multi-tool to round out your everyday carry, the Dime is it. It’s a popular choice because it fits 12 different tools and functions into a light 2.2 ounce frame. It even includes a pair of scissors in the handle for delicate work not fit for a knife. It’s small enough to fit on a keychain if you want to carry it that way, too.
Boker Plus Tech-Tool City 3
If having a quality blade on your multi-tool is your top criteria, look no further than Boker Plus Tech-Tool. It has the best knife out of the other tools on this list. Its composition is excellent, featuring durable and sharp 12C27 Sandvik stainless steel construction. Its hollow-ground 2.8″ blade can deal with your everyday cutting and slicing tasks. But while it feels like a folding knife, it includes useful EDC multi-tool features as well, including a proper pocket clip — something you don’t see too often on multi-function knives in this class.
What’s your favorite budget multi-tool for EDC? Let us know in the comments below!
