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This article was taken from the May 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
Pocket-sized helpers that promise an implement for every occasion
How we tested
These multi-tools contain between 12 and 25 appliances, and are suitable for domestic maintenance, outdoor adventures and quasi-military activities. We assessed build quality, design and the ease with which tools could be extracted, and one-handed operation. We performed a range of function tests, including snipping through a regular wire coat-hanger, sawing through wood and removing screws and nails.
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Leatherman Charge TTi
The titanium finish and rounded edges make the TTi comfy in the hand, and the main blades are forged from heavy-duty S30V steel, giving them terrific strength. Thanks to close, sharp serrations and lots of grip, the saw-blade cut through wood very smoothly. The handles need to be opened fully to access most tools, but this arrangement means that lots of useful components can be squeezed in. The wire-cutters barely managed to snip through our coat-hanger, though.
Wired: <span class="s3">Top-notch steel
Tired: <span class="s5">Expensive
Score: 7/10
Cost: £180
Gerber Steady
A tool for fans of the "selfie" snapshot, the Steady has foldable legs that convert it into a mini tripod. Digital cameras weighing under 340g attach via a threaded mount; smartphones fix to the sucker pad. Despite the name, as a tripod it's actually rather unsteady, and the sucker dropped our iPhone. The rest of the Steady feels compromised, with basic components in a lightweight, plastic body. The selection of mini tools isn't bad, but some are poorly thought out - for example, the cutting serrations on the main blade are limited to a tiny 2cm section, so they're of almost no use for sawing.
<span class="s3">Wired: <span class="s4">Mini tripod
Tired: <span class="s4">Poor build
Score: 4/10
Cost: £77
Victorinox SwissTool X
With its rectangular shape and highly polished handles, the SwissTool X is beautifully utilitarian. Its clean lines make for an uncomfortable grip, though, and it's slippery in wet hands. A strong fingernail is required, but all components can be accessed without opening the handles. The tools lock out reassuringly, but you need spare fingers to slide the release catch after use.
Wired: <span class="s4">Quick, clean extraction of tools
Tired: <span class="s4">No one-handed deployment
Score: 6/10
Cost: £75
Bear Grylls Ultimate Multi-Tool
Survival expert Bear Grylls has worked with Gerber to create this affordable multi-tool with spring-action pliers, which are most suited to users with large hands. All other tools can be extracted without opening the handles, but inner components block access to outer ones, and the short, thick saw clogs easily.
Wired: <span class="s4">Sturdy pliers; comfortable grip
Tired: <span class="s4">Inefficient layout; rubbish saw
Score: 5/10
Cost: £60
SOG Powerassist
With a nonreflective matt-black finish, the PowerAssist looks stealthy and slick. Single-handed operation of its two main blades is possible thanks to the geared opening mechanism that gives this tool its name. There is a catch to prevent accidental blade-opening, but this can slide out of position. Extracting non-blade tools was also fiddly, with none releasing cleanly.
Wired: <span class="s4">One-handed blade extraction
Tired: <span class="s4">Fallible blade safety-catch
Score: 7/10
Cost: £99
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
