KnifeCenter FAQ #121: Best Multi-Tool for your Vehicle

In the spirit of preparedness, what multi-tool is best to keep in your car or truck? Plus, we’ll look again at some game-changing developments in the pocket knife industry, from still-proprietary lock designs to modern super-steels.

Featured Knives

0:00 Intro
0:48 Keeping a Multi-Tool in a Vehicle
11:24 Kershaw Blackout Alternatives
13:54 Measured One, Cut Twice - More Game Changing Knives
29:04 EDC Sword

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[dr.oetqer]

One of the most important (emergency) tools in my car is a ResQme. I'm carrying one, attached to my car keys, for over 15 years. I'm thankful I've never been in a situation where I needed to use them, but I know they work. Years ago I was in the opportunity to test them at a few car windows and seat belts, just amazing (if used properly).
As for a multitool I have a Gerber Centerdrive with extra bits and sockets in a small emergency / toolkit in my car.

[scottjones]

I am not sure how accurate this is about the use of ball bearings in the pivot. This is what Chat GPT says: The first knife to use ball bearings in its opening mechanism is generally attributed to the Benchmade 710 model, originally released in 1999. The 710 features a patented Axis lock and ball-bearing pivot system, allowing for smooth and easy one-handed opening and closing of the blade. Since then, many knife manufacturers have incorporated ball bearings into their folding knife designs for improved performance and ease of use.

[lyacoubian]

For all the reasons you outlined, the WINGMAN is exactly what I picked up for my wife's car..!!! Good choice David..!!! A SOG PowerLock rides with me.

[Datsyukiandeke]

They make a bladeless Rebar with scissors but no blades, but it's perfect for someone who already carries a dedicated folder or fixed blade, then you get scissors too.

[Dysention]

May not be FAQ material but I would love to see a showcasing of different serration shape types and its uses from different companies.

[cornelartho]

I would carry a knipex plier. It will cover many box wrench sizes and does a great job without stripping the nuts

[NonyaDamnbusiness]

Many years ago when I was on tanks in the 90s and 00s, we pretty much settled in on the basic Leatherman as the premier tanker's tool.
At the time in the 90s there was only Leatherman and Gerber but the Gerbers had (have?) a problem with their pliers - they would break far more easily than the Leatherman.
I don't know if it was the heat treat itself or the metal they used, but that sh1t would break long before the Leatherman pliers would.
Eventually everyone in the entire platoon had a Leatherman on their belt even the Platoon Leader, a Second Lieutenant.
Fast forward to the 00s and the wars get cranked up to the 11s and pretty much *everyone* in the entire 1st Armored Division has a Leatherman on their hip.
I have literally brought an M1A1 Heavy tank back from the dead with a Leatherman, at least enough to get the turbine fired up so we could move the tank itself.
Tankers everywhere hated it when Leatherman discontinued the original, luckily they saw the error of their ways and brought it back although in a slightly modified form.
I keep a Leatherman in my IT toolbag, in my vehicle, and in all my various my go-bags scattered around the country.

[jasonmed]

Wanted to comment at 1:45 before I finish the vid. I carry a Leatherman Wave and keep the Leatherman Supertool in the truck. I also carry the Supertool care on my hip next to the wave but use it to store my spare mag for my CZ P10, an unobtrusive mag carrier option while appendix carrying. While in the service I carried a first generation generation Leatherman {later Supertool} and a first gen Gerber multitool. I found having two helped for holding a bolt and twisting a nut while working in the field and quick vehicle maintenance, & the option of flat or needle nose plyers.. Enjoy the vids and keep'em a rollin. Now to watch the rest of the video. Cheers...

[MountainFisher]

I had a very small SOG multi tool with a blade, screw driver tips and a nice pair of small scissors that was constantly used in my tacklebox. Had its own compartment and it got knocked overboard.
I remember those old Cold Steel commercials where a Tanto was stabbed through a car door. I think it was Cold Steel, my brother thought it was silly said you could do that with a railroad spike.

[michaellehmann]

DCA and KC team, thank you very much for your thoughts and work on my question! I hope it helped other folks, too.

[RichardPoogerman]

Best multi-tool I have found for dealing with mechanical devices is the Leatherman Crunch. Vise Grips are multi-tools in their own right and these ones, though small and lacking in leverage, are tough as hell. I've abused the same pair many times for almost 10 years and they are still in great shape. You don't need to worry about having the right sized wrench as these will inelegantly but effectively turn most bolts 1 inch and under, and allow you to remove bolts that are rounded off. They can be used as a clamp. They can function as a handle for saw blades or broken tools. They give you compound leverage and can be used as a pipe wrench. The fully serrated blade, though short, is nicely hollow ground and is perfect for cutting rubber hose. The file is good quality and three sided. The phillips driver is excellent. The flat heads are decent. The wire stripper is surprisingly good. And while the bit driver is cumbersome to operate, it is still nice to have in a pinch. Paired with the Leatherman bit extender and bit kit, this very small package can handle most roadside problems that can conceivably be handled at the roadside.

That Victorinox is so effing cool and I think I need a sword cane and a carcass splitter too🤣

[sithus]

One tool not mentioned in Dave talking about the Leatherman Wingman is the "Package opener" It is something that is sharp enough out of the box to slice a seatbelt I believe if needed. It's close to being a gut hook and would be a safer option than a blade if needed.

[FreeLatveria]

My son got me a Roxon Phantom for my birthday recently and I love it.

It's a bit bigger than I usually like, but it is rounded in a way that it is one of the most comfortable I've ever held. The replaceable blades are nice. And the scissors are just about perfect for me.

[projectxero]

Love the Wingman. It's my favorite budget leatherman. I love the Wave and Skeletool for edc. But for bag or vehicle the Wingman is great.

[danielcluley]

I carry a Mora Companion in my boot along with a set of wrenches, a craftsman small socket wrench and set, and knipex cobras.

IMO, a multi-tool is not ideal for a car. You want specific tools that can help you out of the situation, that will last and be functional when you really need it.

Also in my car: 2 liters of water, always, jumper cables, shovel, floor pump, wool blankets, headlamp, leather gloves, and a deck of cards.

[jamesR]

I picked up the SOG Power Access Assist years ago based on your videos on multitools.

Still love it about 4-5 years later and carry it daily. That Quarter Inch bit and socket capability is fantastic

[qui-gone]

Great show as always.

Question: what would be your recommendation for a "survival knife" for hikers / campers with the following criteria:

1. Under 100$ (I'm from India and that's almost the high end of affordability for a casual hiker)

2. Full tang, and if possible, US made

3. Stainless steel since it's quite humid in most jungles and mountains here

I usually recommend Moras since they're quite affordable, but some bigger / chunkier options would be nice.

[insanogeddon]

The Victorinox Handyman has been THE vehicle based multi of choice since 1986 that provides best quality at a low price that can do it all and has no legal issues as being a weapon within reach of children and those who dislike weapons.
With SOG you can reverse the handles so the pliers are between the handles to grip larger objects.
A SOG only feature people that don't use them often don't know.

Nowadays I would recommend the Gerber BLADELESS mp600 for timelessness and it is a travel ready tool that can happily leave the vehicle no matter where you holiday or as a general multitool EDC for loved ones that they can take to work/college/overseas for life.

[jaredm]

SOG Powerlock! That was my immediate thought for the first question too - glad to see it was covered.

It's not my favorite multitool, but I think it's perfect for a vehicle. Doesn't matter that it's heavy if it rides in a glove box and the slower access to the inside-mounted tools doesn't matter so much if it doesn't see regular use.

Plus, it's cheap for the tool loadout and capability, you can use it with sockets - hey, you forgot to mention the crimper on the inside part of the handles or that SOG will sell you alternate tools or replacement parts if you want to customize!

[ukaszborowik]

DCA spreading love, care and knowledge. Thank You Man