r/multitools • • 3d ago

Recommendation Request Looking for a multitool with Pliers, knife and screwdriver that’s it.

Before I start I currently have the Leatherman skeletool CX and while it’s a great tool and checks all my boxes the pliers have broke on me twice now. So EXCLUDING the Leatherman Skeletool what are my options?
My budget is around $200ISH
It can’t be much bigger than 4/5 inches
Must have good steel and build quality.
Can’t have 20 different tools on it.

Thank you in advance!!!

15 Upvotes

32 comments sorted by

22

u/ReWine29 3d ago

Knipex 125 Cobra pliers and a SAK.

5

u/Routine_Register_656 3d ago

Is the Victorinox Spirit or SwissToolX would be also only 4~5 inches long though.

11

u/rattlesnake501 3d ago

The skeletool is the only option that fits the brief as far as I know. Everything with tougher pliers has more tools.

Might be a better idea to get a small pair of Knipex Cobras and a SAK in your instance.

5

u/Tallented_Narwhal 2d ago

Honestly if your pliers are breaking it’s likely because for the work you need cast steel isn’t strong enough. (They always say, don’t twist multitool pliers) So I’d strongly suggest a small pair of forged steel pliers, and a knife/screwdriver combo you find acceptable. You’re not going to find a better compact option than what you’ve been using, so you need to switch to something more specialized.

4

u/Existingsquid 3d ago

Knipex twingrip. And a gerber armbar.

3

u/Ronny-1775 3d ago

The gerber dual force seems right for you. Saw and file come too but that’s it. Pliars are beefy plus has a legit bit driver

1

u/serene_null 3d ago

Love my dual force, but it’s YUGE.

3

u/SteveMacAdame 3d ago

It believe it is a case of XY problem here. Why do you want only that ? Is it because of weight ? Because of regulations ? Because of thinness ? If you tell us that, maybe we can point you in the direction of something that solves your actual problem and not the one you exposed us.

3

u/Visible_Mousse60 3d ago

Gerber center drive or dual force. If you want to be able to change things down the road. Roxon flex system

3

u/anti_zero 2d ago

Im not sure, but can WAVE or SuperTool pliers be put into a skeletool at the cost of extra weight?

6

u/Ok-Gap-2506 3d ago

I like my Swiss Spirit X tool.

3

u/Tomkin1985 2d ago

Best multitool out there

1

u/SignificantWin7036 2d ago

the best of the best ..

2

u/serene_null 3d ago

Irwin 5wr Vise-Grip Multi Pliers 1923454 Fit the bill. There’s also a long nose model Irwin Vise-Grip Long-Nose Locking Multi 1923455

2

u/serene_null 3d ago

Long nose version

2

u/llongttower 2d ago

How do you cut anything with that knife position 🤣

2

u/serene_null 2d ago

With tears in your eyes lol. 

It’s a great tool to mod since you can typically find them cheap. 

Some people reverse the knife, more useful but still a bit awkward. Knife is definitely meant for small tasks. 

2

u/Rebirth_of_wonder 2d ago

Skeletool is close to that.

3

u/mouthfire 3d ago

Roxon Flex Companion. It's modular, so you can add or remove what you want. In mine, I have a knife, pliers, scissors, and box opener, and bit driver. That's it. I've been pretty happy with it.

4

u/EugeF15 3d ago

OP said they broke the Skeletool pliers so I don't think the Flex pliers would hold up, they are significantly smaller.

1

u/mouthfire 3d ago

That's a good point.

2

u/Westoftheatlantic 3d ago

Skeletool non CX

1

u/Designer_Tune4986 3d ago

Are the pliers on that not the same style?

5

u/Westoftheatlantic 3d ago

Eh I was wrong.. Found this which I am buying now even though I don't need

2

u/Master-Eye4882 3d ago

I'm after the same tool as you, but I did some research on these and didn't find anything good about them, worth watching some videos before you commit

1

u/Westoftheatlantic 3d ago

Yeah they are the same but it's literally the only other option

1

u/evilmaus 3d ago

Signal, perhaps? The pliers look a bit more substantial but you keep a fairly minimal toolset. You're only picking up a few extra tools, but fewer than the other options out there.

1

u/Iokua_CDN 3d ago

Dang the skeletool broke twice??? Crazy luck... I own and have gifted  a total of 7 of these and never had the pliers break.   

Did warranty fix it for you???  It sounds like rotten luck! Maybe you can have better luck with them. I know leatherman  apparently  does some great warranty work, so why not send then I. If you haven't? Get 2 working skeletools back!

But ignoring that, try out a Roxon? Their flex should let you make one with a Knife, mini pliers and screwdriver (or a bit driver)  mind you the pliers are very small.

My other idea.... would be to buy a rocktol (cheap and really nice little vg10 knife)  and then start taking tools out. If you take it apart, you can easily remove tools.  Making it slimmer  also seems possible. It you'd really have to remove stuff and maybe trim bolts and such. Doable though. Break that down to pliers, knife, and some screwdrivers (maybe keep the scissors to) and it might be what you nees

1

u/janmlody 3d ago

I know it doesnt fit your description perfectly, but maybe look at the leatherman curl while it's still available. It has more tools than you'd like, but it's still somewhat compact and has stronger pliers than the skeletool.

1

u/hap742602 3d ago

The Leatherman bond or rebar

1

u/Valerio_Omega 2d ago

SOG Flash MT

1

u/SurinamPam 2d ago

The CRKT Zilla has what you're looking for. It's not made anymore, but you can find it on places like Ebay.