Top 10 Best Pocket Multi-Tools in the UK 2021 (Leatherman, Victorinox and More)

Knife crime has been something of a hot topic over the last few years in the UK, so we thought it would be pertinent to clarify them due to the fact that many pocket multi-tools contain folding blades. All the items on our list are legal to buy in the UK, but there are some restrictions on carrying them in public that you should be aware of.

In short, it is illegal to carry a knife in public in the UK without a good reason, unless it is a folding blade that is less than three inches long. Knives with a locking function are not classified as folding knives and are illegal to carry without a good reason.

Examples of "a good reason" are for work or demonstration and teaching purposes. Ultimately, it is up to a court to determine what is "a good reason", but if you're carrying a multi-tool while camping, working, or travelling to somewhere for those purposes, you should have nothing to worry about.

For more information on knife possession laws in the UK please refer to the GOV.UK website.

When looking for the right multi-tool, you'll probably have some idea of what you'll be using it for, but there are some functions that are universally useful in almost any situation you may find yourself in. Others are more specialist, but if you're looking for a multi-tool for something specific, there are some that you won't want to miss.

To start, we're going to take a look at the essential tools that you won't want to be without in most situations. Whether you spend your time outdoors camping, on the road cycling or on the water sailing and fishing, you won't want to be without these incredibly useful functions.

In 9 out of 10 outdoor situations, a sharp knife will be one of the most useful tools to have with you if you're away from civilization. Whether you're camping, sailing or working on a vehicle, having something to cut wood, rope or wires is something that is essential. 

You may not realise it, but we promise that you'll find yourself in many a situation where you'll be kicking yourself if you don't have a sharp blade handy. You'll want to look for a hard-wearing and quality metal to make sure that your blade retains its sharpness, as well as determining what sort of length will be of best use.

Swiss army knives are a popular choice for a reason as they are one of the best all-around options when spending time outdoors thanks to their long blades. However, there are also many foldable plier designs that are well suited to electrical or technical work, and which almost always have a small blade included.

Seeing as knives and pliers are the two most useful things to have on a multi-tool, it's no surprise to see that one or the other features prominently in most designs. If you're working with anything electrical or mechanical, a pair of pliers will be your best friend.

Foldable plier designs are perfect if you're an avid cyclist. Whether you spend a lot of time on the road for cycling holidays or you just ride casually, having a pair of pliers handy is a necessity when working on your bike. Similarly, if you're a fan of fishing, you'll find life incredibly difficult without a pair of pliers.

Something you're almost certain to find whenever you're undertaking any repairs is screws that need unscrewing, and fortunately, a common tool found on most pocket multi-tools is either a flat head or Phillips screwdriver. However, while you'll often find a screwdriver, you may not have the widest range of options available.

Many Swiss army knives will have a Phillips screwdriver, which folds out at a ninety-degree angle, as well as a flat head that's often attached to a bottle opener. When it comes to the more plier-like varieties, some are very limited in what's included while others have a full range of bits in different sizes, so you'll want to check this before you buy online. 

While we're sure some of you will claim that a bottle opener is a real necessity, the reality is that most multi-tools worth their salt will have many extra tools and functions. Tin openers, for example, are always useful to have around in a pinch, but if you're spending a lot of time hiking and camping, they become a must-have.

You'll find most tools will have a saw included as standard, but where you're planning on taking it will influence what you should look for. The saw on a Swiss army knife can be useful for cutting things like rope when camping or sailing, but if you're spending time in woodland, you may want something a bit more serious for branches or crafting.

Finally, you'll want to consider whether you're planning on throwing your multi-tool in a bag or pocket to have just in case you need it or whether you'll want to have it in a case attached to your belt for easy, and emergency, access. If you're camping with friends or after something for the glove compartment of a car, you're in a very different situation than when you're alone in woodlands or the peaks.

We know that the term 'pocket' is a neat way to describe something that's small and easy to carry around rather than something that will actually spend the majority of its time in your trousers, so it's worth double-checking the size of the multi-tool when everything is all folded away to make sure it fits into that particular rucksack compartment you had in mind.

All of the items on our list are small by nature, but they're also relatively light when compared to carrying around each individual tool. In certain situations where every gram counts like cycling, sailing, or hiking, you may also want to keep an eye on how much your multi-tool weighs. While it doesn't seem like much, an extra 250 g can make a difference on long excursions.

Now that you've had a chance to look through all the different functions a pocket multi-tool has, it's time to take a look at our top 10 list. Whether you're looking for something to have handy while you traverse the outdoors or you just want a compact device for occasional use, there's a tool for everyone below.

With everything the great British outdoors has to offer, we don't blame you for wanting to get out there and enjoy it. To help you make the most of your hiking or camping excursions, check out these other guides to discover the best products on the market. 

A pocket multi-tool is one of those things that everyone should have kicking around somewhere in case of emergencies and it's a necessity when spending any time out in nature. We hope we've been able to point you towards something suitable and wish you all the best in your outdoor endeavors! 

Author: David Sexton