One reviewer for GearJunkie poignantly noted that during the power outages of the 2021 winter storms in Texas, his multitool wasn't used to defuse a bomb or scale a cliff; it was used to pry open a frozen battery compartment on a flashlight and to open a can of chili. That mundane utility, he argued, was the truest test of all. The multitool tests of 2021 were never just about pliers and knives. They were a reflection of a year defined by fragility and the desire for self-reliance. In a world where supply chains faltered and professional repair services were hard to access, carrying a compact engine of agency felt empowering. The tests revealed that a multitool’s greatest feature is not its saw or its file, but its promise: You might not be able to fix everything, but you can at least try. And in 2021, that promise was worth its weight in stainless steel.
This led to a philosophical fork in the reviews: the "everyday carry" (EDC) minimalist versus the "bug-out bag" maximalist. The tests argued that a multitool is not a replacement for a toolbox but an insurance policy against inconvenience. The 2021 reviews praised tools that embraced this limitation. For example, the Leatherman Skeletool—which offers only pliers, a knife, a bit driver, and a carabiner—was frequently crowned the "urban winner" because it didn’t pretend to be a full workshop. It was honest about its role as a keychain-sized problem solver for opening packages, tightening loose glasses, and clipping to a belt loop. Another critical axis of the 2021 tests was material quality. Reviewers obsessed over blade steel (420HC, 154CM, or the premium S30V) and handle ergonomics. But beneath the jargon lay a consumer anxiety: value for money in an inflationary year. With multitools ranging from $30 to $200, the tests asked a blunt question: Will this last a lifetime, or will I lose it first? multitool test 2021
A key metric emerged: the "flickability" or one-handed deployment. In 2021, with many people multitasking between Zoom calls and minor home repairs, the ability to access a blade or pliers with a single hand became a premium feature. This marked a departure from the traditional, two-handed Victorian approach of the Swiss Army Knife, symbolizing a shift toward impatient, efficiency-obsessed utility. The most profound finding of the 2021 tests was the inherent compromise at the heart of every multitool. No multitool excelled at every task. The Leatherman excelled in plier strength but had uncomfortable handles. The Victorinox offered surgical precision in its tools but lacked a pocket clip. The Gerber’s one-handed slide mechanism was fast but prone to grit ingress. One reviewer for GearJunkie poignantly noted that during
In 2021, as the world tentatively emerged from the isolation of lockdowns into a landscape of hybrid work, supply chain disruptions, and renewed outdoor enthusiasm, the humble multitool found itself under an unexpected spotlight. A slew of comparative reviews—collectively known as the “multitool tests of 2021”—were published by gear blogs, YouTube channels, and consumer magazines. On the surface, these were simple shootouts: Leatherman against Victorinox, Gerber against SOG. Yet beneath the torque measurements and steel-grade comparisons, the multitool tests of 2021 served as a fascinating cultural barometer. They were not merely about finding the best pliers or the sharpest blade; they were an examination of how modern individuals value adaptability, craftsmanship, and the philosophy of "just enough." The Anatomy of the Test The 2021 tests were distinct from previous years in their rigor and scope. Reviewers moved beyond simple checklist features to simulate real-world, pandemic-era scenarios. Tools were judged not just on whether they had scissors or a saw, but on how easily they could be sanitized, how one-handed operation fared while wearing a mask or latex gloves, and how well the included bottle opener performed after a long week of remote work. The leading contenders—the Leatherman Wave Plus, the Victorinox Swisstool Spirit X, and the SOG PowerAccess—were subjected to wire cuts, screw turns on loose IKEA furniture, and can-opening challenges (a nod to the resurgence of home cooking). They were a reflection of a year defined
Significantly, the 2021 reviews also touched on repairability and warranty. Leatherman’s 25-year guarantee and Victorinox’s lifetime warranty against defects were highlighted as markers of sustainable consumption. In a year when "buy it for life" became a trending ethos, a multitool that could be sent back for sharpening or repair rather than thrown in a landfill was seen as morally superior to cheaper, disposable competitors. Despite all the torque wrenches and calipers, the most subjective element of the 2021 multitool tests was the emotional one. Reviewers admitted that a multitool is a deeply personal object. It lives in your pocket, smells of oil and metal, and gains a patina of scratches that tell a story. The tests concluded that the "best" multitool is not the one with the most features, but the one that disappears into your hand when you need it.