Buy It For Life
Multitools

Tools & Garden Equipment

Buy it for life: the most durable multitools,
according to r/BuyItForLife on Reddit —
recommended by people who have owned them for years. How we pick.
Do you know of an item that should be on this list? Let us know!

Leatherman Skeletool

Lightweight everyday-carry multitool with pliers, accessible knife, screwdriver bits, and compact pocketable design.

Mentioned 12 times in the threads we read

• Light and easy to carry
• Has the essentials only
• Knife accessible without opening pliers

Leatherman Skeletool. Carried one nearly every day since they came out in 2007.
– redhandfilms

100% I love this one because it's a smaller Multitool, has the essentials and you can access the knife without opening the Pliers.
– BourbonInYourCoffee

Iv’e had a leatherman skeletool in my pocket for 7-8 years now and it’s far and away the most useful multi tool for me.
– Blaizefed

Victorinox Spirit

Swiss-made full-size multitool praised for durability, refined build quality, and long-term hard use.

Mentioned 9 times in the threads we read

• Extremely durable
• Excellent build quality
• Strong warranty support

Carried and used daily since. Abused without a second thought on a regular basis. It's probably the single best tool/knife purchase I've ever made.
– thelunk

Just to add to the conversation, I have one of these as well, and I twisted the Phillips screwdriver bit off. Contacted victorinox and they sent me a whole new tool for free, and allowed me to keep the busted one.
– AirsoftRawksMySawks

Victorinox Spirit X. Always at hand when need to do something quick and don't need to bring out dedicated tools. Have done small renovations with it. Never fails me and it's a beautiful tool.
– TjStax

Leatherman Wave

Popular full-size multitool balancing portability, tool variety, and dependable long-term daily usability.

Mentioned 11 times in the threads we read

• Good balance of tools and size
• Reliable for daily carry
• Widely trusted long term

I've been carrying a Leatherman for about 30 years now since I sent in Marlboro miles to get my first one.
– JustinCayce

Leatherman Wave+ is my go to. The carrying case is great, and has all the tools I need. Got it as a gift, and use it everyday
– PhlySam

Leatherman wave w a bit kit has been keeping me out of trouble for a few years now.
– Dinosaurtattoo11315

Gerber Multi-Plier 600

One-handed-opening plier multitool favored for ruggedness, glove-friendly use, and lasting service.

Mentioned 6 times in the threads we read

• One-handed opening
• Good for gloved use
• Durable over years

Gerber Gear Multi-Plier 600 military version. Does everything I need.
– zapv01

IMHO the Gerber sliding mechanism is the king of multi-tool pliers for being able to open with one gloved hand on a ladder without looking at it
– Antrostomus

Gerber multiplier. One handed opening is a must for me
– windisokay

Victorinox SwissTool

Full-size Swiss multitool with externally accessible tools, robust construction, and smooth long-lasting action.

Mentioned 6 times in the threads we read

• Tools accessible without opening pliers
• Resists rust well
• Smooth action after decades

The only valid design of the tool... Notice you can fold the various tool out without opening the pliers.
– jim10040

Lost it in my yard for like two years. Found it with my lawnmower running over it. Not a spec of rust, still in excellent condition a decade later.
– smaxsomeass

Had mine over 20 years and she still snaps open and closed satisfyingly. Beats every leatherman imo.
– Ricktus-Grin

Leatherman Signal

Outdoor-oriented multitool with pocket clip, survival extras, and sturdy construction for abuse.

Mentioned 5 times in the threads we read

• Pocket clip for carry
• Includes camping-oriented features
• Holds up to abuse

I carry a Leatherman signal. I like that it has a pocket clip so I don’t need the belt pouch
– echocall2

I love that the signal has all the silly things I will personally almost certainly never need, but like to have just in case
– Merrickk

Love my Leatherman signal. Have absolutely abused and beaten the shit out of it and it’s still trucking.
– robotmafia666

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