These Minimalist Multitools Are Best When You Need a Blade but Want Some Helpful Extras

This might be the most obvious example of a knife-based multitool. The Free K4 has a similar design to any normal folding pocket knife, with a sturdy handle and a clean folding motion. The key difference is that it houses and folds four additional tools out of the base.

While the tools look a little small for daily use, they should be fine in a pinch. (Full disclosure: I haven’t tested the Free K4 yet.) The benefit of their size is that they all fit into the handle without bulking it up. In fact, it isn’t much thicker than the handle of a regular foldout pocket knife with a similar-sized blade.

Key Specs

Of all the multitools I’ve tested that lack a central tool, the Gerber Lockdown Pry stands out for a few clear reasons. The first is because each of the four foldout tools is given equal space and attention. Essentially, all fit comfortably on the body without any one tool taking space or priority over the others. All four implements are big enough so that they don’t feel like compromises, as the extras in the Free K4 above do. As a result, each of the foldout tools works incredibly well. This includes a small, sharp No. 11 blade for opening boxes and making precise cuts.

You can remove and replace this blade once it goes dull. The only real issue I had when testing it out was the actual opening and closing mechanism. It was pretty stiff, requiring some muscle to get any of the tools out and the hinge was pretty hard to unlock without some extra leverage. The multitool locks its tools in place with a metal piece that snaps into place when the tool is fully extended. In order to unlock it and fold the tool back in, you have to bend the metal piece back down. Beyond the foldout tools, the multitool has a pry bar built into the back of the body for pulling up nails.

Full Gerber Lockdown Pry Review

Key Specs

Like other Swiss Army Knife variations, the Farmer X is great for carrying around for day-to-day tasks. The bottle opener, small scissors, and screwdriver are all great for minor needs than pop up.

What sets this one apart from the others I recommend here is the blade, saw, and can opener, which make it better suited for all-around use. The multitool is still quite slim, however its slightly larger size in comparison to the classic Swiss Army Knife gives it enough space to make sure the heftier tools are big enough to be of real use and not there to just make this seem more versatile that it is.

Key Specs