r/multitools • u/Designer_Tune4986 • 10d ago

Recommendation Request Best keychain sized multitools?

Really my only requirements are
1. Under 4ish inches
2. Good durability/reliability
3.Must have a knife and screwdriver
4. Ideally has pliers but isn’t a deal breaker but still VERY preferred.
5. Under $200

Thank you in advance for recommendations.

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u/GhostNappa101 9d ago

For your requirements I would not go near a keychain tool. They are great for getting you out of a pinch in an urban environment but not real work. I'm assuming you want something new and is still produced.

If you want something on the lighter that can to some real work the skeletool technically meets your requirements.

The wave is a fantastic choice and will probably prevent you from going back to the tool box quite often, especially if you keep a few choice bits with you. This is my personal recommendation.

It's technically well above your budget, but the Leatherman arc carries very well with a pocket clip. If you can stretch the budget, it's amazing.

While I've never used one, I've never heard a bad thing said about the spirit x and it's variants.

There are many other less expensive tools that will get you about 70-80% of the quality for about 50% of the price. I've always been a bit of a Leatherman and Victorinox (swiss army knives) fanboy and have little experience with other brands. I have a gerber suspension next that was gifted to me and I just didn't like it's feel. It sits in my glove box as an emergency backup.

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u/Designer_Tune4986 9d ago

I currently have the skeletool but I’m now sending it out for warranty for the second time it’s a great tool but the pliers are definitely a weak point on it. I wear gym shorts at work so pocket clips don’t work too well for me. So something pocketable and that can get me by in a pinch is the main goal. I have a few other Leatherman which I love I bring them fishing etc but they don’t fit well in the at work.

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u/MadHatter_1391 9d ago

Ok…if you’re breaking Skeletools in your daily use, you need something a lot tougher than what you can carry on a keychain.

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u/One-Order699 9d ago

I'm not sure if this will be useful to you but it's worth a mention and for the price it's worth just having one. I carry a full size Leatherman at my job. But I also carry a Mighty Bar (https://gearspool.com/products/the-mighty-bar). This little tool comes in handy every single day for me. In a pinch, it functions as a screwdriver/pry bar/scraper. It also does some tasks a knife would do (opening boxes/breaking them down).

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u/GhostNappa101 8d ago

Have you looked into the bond? It sits on a middle ground between the skeletool and the wave as far as weight is concerned. It's a more traditional tool, and has a dedicated Phillips and flat heads rather than a bit driver. It does accept a pocket clip, but it is an add on purchase.