What Makes A Great Multi Tool? How To Pick The Best Tools For Your EDC!

This is my favorite video on the Internet.

Dude I’ve been rocking with you since Ben introduced you as the newest bhq employee. I enjoy all your videos. This one is no different 👌

I used to EDC a Leatherman Wave, but have come to appreciate Victorinox and have been carrying the Swiss Champ for the last two years. Like many I’ve modified it to my liking (added 2 more slots in the scales for a set of fine point tweezers and Firefly flint, ground the small blade to a whittling blade for better precision) and use it practically daily. I grew up watching my grandfather fix almost everything with his Swiss Army knife so Victorinox holds some sentimental value to me as well. On the SwissChamp key ring I have a Streamlight Pocketmate which has been extremely useful as well. 100-325 lumens in a small package, and a clip that doubles as both a pocket clip for the light and Victorinox as well as a way to clip the light to the brim of a hat for the use of both hands. The Leatherman wave sits in the tool kit (Maxpedition Mini) of my flight bag along with the bit kits, ratchet adapters, both 4” Knipex plier versions, and some tape. This kit gets used for more heavy duty tasks such as oil changes, or miscellaneous repairs. I really love how much Leatherman has opened up the door for opportunities with the bit kits and ratchet parts. For me they complete the Leatherman Wave, and I can no longer carry the Wave without them. While it’s the combination of the kit which just becomes a bit too much for a pocket carry, I always have them close by.

I don't need a lot of hard tools during the day working in IT so I carry a squirt ps4 on my keys, and have an extra one always from ebay. I have a bic pen that i cut down to size on my keys also, as well as a gerber shard for prying and an small olight I1r2. I love key carry cause it doesn't get in the way of anything and I have my multitool, writing impliment, prytool, and light all in one ring.

Awesome video! I have been developing my EDC ever since I found your channel, currently in my pocket I carry the Leatherman Free K4 and Knafs Lander 1. In my EDC I carry the Leatherman Garage 40 anniversary, a sleeve of leather man bits and the ratcheting driver as well as the Milwaukee 1505! I know the 40 anniversary is an expensive EDC but it literally has everything and was past of its concept by putting together all the favourite leather man tools on one multitool!

Such a good video...and I agree basically 100% with all things said here. I need to add 1 other crucial factor: How are you going to carry it? I personally have no qualms edcing a surge on my belt, but not everyone would carry it.

LOVE YOU ZACH. LOVE YOUR PASSION FOR EDC ❣️ been watching since your early bladehq days and you’re definitely and rightfully responsible for my own passion for edc, specifically knives up until now.. gonna look into multitools!

Zac, it's so awesome to see your channel growing so quickly! You da man!

Thanks Zach, great content as always. I’m a super Tinker or Field Master SAK and Knipex XS or 125 guy myself. So very similar to yourself. They can pretty much 98% of my daily needs. Love the compact.

My usual go-to set up (and what I carry while working): Leatherman Rebar, Olight Warrior Mini 2, and my new favorite knife, the Kizer Chili Pepper. On your recommendations, I started filling out an Alpaca gear pouch with small, lightweight, but still robust items as a grab-and-go sort of thing for outside of work. So far: Knipex mini pliers, Exceed Designs Tirant v3 utility knife, new titanium version of the FourSevens Preon 1 mk3, Big Idea Pocket Bit, Big Idea Mini Click Pen (with some random folded paper), TecAccessories ti-tape, and a Wazoo whistle. All getting packed into a single pouch and weighing under 8oz if I did my math correctly. Outside of work, I don't really use tools all that often, so this set up suffices. Only downside to this is I really end up missing my bigger light because of the greater functionality.

Thanks for coming into my YouTube life and really making fun, enjoyable content. You are one of my main channels I go to and watch it all. Honestly and truly you and your channel have positively impacted me and how I feel. Keep up the great work and I’ll keep watching!

I'm a airplane pilot and mechanic operating in the Quebec wilderness. I have my big tool kit at base for big maintenance, but i always carry a leatherman Wave, good flashlight, couples of tie-wraps, a spool of safety wires, a spool of lacing and duck tape. Got me out of little trouble numerous times.

I carry a Leatherman charge tti and it works great for me. I get use out of all the functions between my work and my hobbies. I’ve started carrying it 24/7 the last year. My only regret is I bought it when they first came out and I don’t have the replaceable wire cutters. The molded in ones are bad. I carry a gerber dime in my pocket over 10 years now. It’s great for splinters, cleaning nails, light tool use, and having an easy to sharpen “sacrificial” blade. I’ll use that for cutting stuff that may nick a better blade etc. The charge tti file is also perfect for quick sharpening other blades. One side is super fine for metal.

Thanks for the great content Zac. Love hearing all the different ideas from the videos and the comment section. Take care bud.

Not including the rest of my edc and only listing off the multi tool aspect of my edc: I'm usually always with a Cybertool S, Knipex 125 Cobra, and a 6" mini pry tool. Mostly I'm working on any tasks found new home construction........."mostly"..... This combo has definitely saved me more than a few trips back to the truck. From permitting, framing, plumbing/hvac/electric, insulation, drywall, painting, finish carpentry, landscaping and beyond this multi tool combo has proven its worth time and again!

Hey Zac! I'm a Machinist by trade, since watching your videos I've been trying out the victorinox compact and I absolutely love it! It's great for little tasks when I'm away from my tool box and all my specialized tools that allow me to do my job. I can definitely speak to how well the pin and tweezers work at removing splinters! Before the compact I used to used the tips of my calipers to remove splinters and it worked well, but the pin tweezers combo is far superior! The pen on the compact has saved me on numerous occasions as I'm always loosing my pen! Along with the compact I carry an olight microstream (with a hair band - much thanks for that hack I love it), a fisher space pen, when I remember to put it back in my pocket lol, and a tube of chapstick that I have electrical tape wrapped around it for minor cuts and when I need to keep two things together. Absolutely love your videos, it's so nice to see tips and tricks from a likeminded individual! Steve from Canada

Love it Zac and Jamie!! EDC and specifically multi tools ☺️😍 Pro tip 😉 : The nail file/flat head on a classic SD is great for getting pocket clips off flashlights. My new Prometheus Design Werx pry bar is a great multi tool - pry bar, large flat driver, bottle opener, scraper, 1/4 bit holder, fire steel striker and Amazon box opener just about. That along with my Nail Clip 580, Real Steel Luna and Thrunite Archer mini I’m ready for the day (until I get to work haha). My Surge was worth its weight in gold for the 4 years I was a general construction labourer. I’d highly highly recommend anyone working in construction getting one. Especially as a labourer or apprentice starting out you’ll instantly be 100x more useful.

My go to multitool has always been the Surge blacked out. Works pretty well in the field/on base

A few years back, was watching a video on an archaeological dig at Hadrian's wall. They found what can only be called a multitool. They don't know what or who it was for. So we're only keeping the tradition going. Great content. Keep up the great work. Thanks man

I use the middle opening in the Leatherman Surge when camping to attach the gas lines to the grills and cookers to make sure their tight. They work great if you dont have some pluming pliers on hand.