Best keychain multitool under $40 and 45g (1.5oz) for everyday carry

[@maxlvledc]

This video is sooo good. You have done a remarkable job explaining it perfectly. Cheers, Dominic

[@todd.parker]

Thanks Dominic. This video has been brewing for 6-7 months so it was interesting to distill it down so other people wouldn't need to research (and buy) everything I had to. Took me forever to sort out all the Vic options but it was a fun journey.

[@maxlvledc]

@@todd.parker I'm super annoyed they discontinued the manager...easily their best model imo

[@todd.parker]

100% agree. I carry real toothpicks so swapping the pen for the toothpick is totally worth it. I’ve been looking to buy another and I can’t even find them on eBay. It’s all Midnite Managers. Feel like I got lucky to get a new one a few months back.

[@NaturalSynthetic777]

WHAT IS WITH ALL THIS DISCONTINUING OF THE BEST STUFF!!!

[@josephascroft4774]

I can’t agree with this question more, also why does the jet setter not have the nail file and flathead? I can’t abide it when people say the mini champ is better than the manager either cos it’s just full of junk you don’t need, I mean why have a package opening tool or orange peeler when you have a knife?

[@rabcarver333]

Leatherman's Style PS is probably the best option for a realistic EDC (most people don't need to carry a wood saw and metal file in their pockets all the time) multitool, when paired with a realistic EDC Swiss Army Knife. It being discontinued is a mind boggling decision from Leatherman. Resellers are asking $80+ for them on ebay.

[@manwiththeredface7821]

They think you will buy multiple products if there's no one product that would be enough for you. Lazy as hell solution (and a disgusting one) as opposed to keeping the best products (Manager, or one of the FEW European legal carry Leathermans the Style PS) and improving on them even further. They're lazy and greedy.

[@prestonnovinger3762]

My dad got me a clear red manager when I was probably 10 and I still carry it every day about 15 years later. It’s an awesome complement to a larger knife and a flashlight! Glad to see someone else agrees!!

[@roundpaw]

Your custom rambler is *awesome*

[@todd.parker]

Thanks! It was pricey but it’s been kind of perfect.

[@fpassow1]

The Rambler has been my most-carried knife for years. I rotate other, larger knives just for fun. But the Rambler is always there because I can't stand being without "tools". Plus, you can't beat the small scissors! 🙂

[@kirbysmith4135]

I carried a SD Classic on my keychain every single day for about 33 years until the scales finally broke all to pieces a few days ago. I now have the Rambler. May it last just as long! If it does, that means I will have made it to 100!

[@mdgdm]

Been carrying Classics for about 30 years, bur after watching this I'm going to try a Rambler. Thanks - well done.

[@micahgonzales5689]

Please keep making multitool videos. You have inspired my EDC and make great practical and engaging videos. Maybe a video about the best multitool leatherman has every made? Idk but any video you make with a multitiool is a great video!

[@natalyakeane]

ive been using the nextool mini flagship for years now. keep it in my wallet. having those amazing scissors and a knife the perfect size for a package opener has come in handy more times than i can count. a very useful little tool. that said, its not made of the greatest materials and is getting some pretty noticeable signs of wear and tear, including the scissors sticking. i will probably buy a new one when i move countries later this year.

[@dcvariousvids8082]

I think the Jetsetter is aimed at those, who know they’ll only ever need to open a cap bottle and maybe carefully snip open a letter. So visiting friends or an office worker* who’s not allowed to carry a knife in the office. The Manager is aimed at the person, who told *, they were not allowed to carry a knife in the office.

[@ParkerBinion]

Great video, Todd! Love that custom alox Rambler! I carried a Manager on my keys for years. I tried a MiniChamp for awhile, but did not like it. It's set up totally differently than the Manager/Rambler, and the tools were confusing to find. But I really liked the orange peeler and emergency blade. Fortunately, Victorinox once made a Rambler with those two extra tools. It's called a Vagabond and set up very logically like the Manager/Rambler. I bought a couple of Vagabonds on Ebay and added the retractable pen. I call my modification the VcGyver LOL. I also really like the Swiss Card Lite and Swiss Card NailCare. I replaced the blade on my SC Lite with a metal file from Optics Planet for $2, so both cards are bladeless and good for travel. With the mag glass, quattro screwdriver, nail file, scissors, pen, pin, toothpick and tweezers, it frees me up to leave the VcGyver at home and just carry a normal folder if I want. Recently, I picked up a Nextool MiniSailor Lite which is also bladeless if I want to travel with a small multitool with pliers. It's not bad, although frankly I could just take the Knipex Cobra 100s, 711L Lollipop, Steinwhale bits and Klein 4" safety scissors and have a much better collection of bladeless tools all around.

[@todd.parker]

Good call on the vagabond, that’s a cool configuration. I’ve been using my 711L lollipop driver a ton recently and it’s so good.

[@ParkerBinion]

Can't wait to see your review of the Lollipop! BTW FixIt Sticks makes a little mini pry bar hex end wrench tool that works great in the Lollipop.

[@todd.parker]

@@ParkerBinion Ooh, thanks for the idea, that looks like a nice addition to a EDC kit. In my cart...

[@ParkerBinion]

@@todd.parker While I typically find it easiest and fastest to use the L handle for torque and spinning the Lollipop in my fingers when the screw is loosened, I wanted to add that both the tiny Gear Infusion EverRatchet and much larger Doohickey Ratchet work well with the Lollipop on tough screws. Slips over a bit extender before seating the extender in the Lollipop. Flip the EverRatchet or Doohickey Ratchet to go the other way...

[@Faenwolf]

Hey Victorinox… Rambler in red Alox… License to print money… You’re welcome. Edit: didn’t watch the whole video. You actually say the same thing. Kudos 😅

[@todd.parker]

Heck yeah. Especially alox with scale tools

[@robcoscia1574]

Said the same thing this afternoon.

[@elanrhys3178]

The great thing about the midnight manager is you can write notes in the dark

[@MrNb131]

I've collected many mini tools and multi tools over the past couple years and keep coming back to the victorinox manager/rambler as my minimal carry and the swiss champ/cybertool as my 5th pocket carry. It's amazing that after all these years those designs have stood the test of time. Still won't prevent me from trying out all the new ideas though!

[@elleryj9609]

Nice informative video. I carried the mini champ for 60 days and wrote down the implements I used. All in all it lead me back to the rambler unless I am travelling by car or hiking then the midnight manager comes in handy with the red light and pen. Either way they still typically are my backup or quick use multi-tools.

[@Jasonoid]

What an excellent video for someone wanting to get their first EDC that takes up minimal space! I love the idea of the Rambler, and then I saw that metal Alox version and I love that! Your custom version with the bigger knife is also really cool! 😎👍

[@DavySilverwind]

So crazy that leatherman discontinued all their best micro tools and kept the worst one.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, seriously. They are focusing on larger, super premium tools which is a shame

[@marcomlott9099]

I love Rovyvon flashlights. I have owned several and they are awesome.

[@np22-b2i]

I actually managed to shear my victorinox scissors at the base of one of the blades on my minichamp, must have been a manufacturing defect it had since I bought it judging by the colour of the material after it snapped. I'd had it for probably 10 years at that point, but their lifetime warranty was great! Within 24 hours I had a postage label and it was back to me within a week. Hope I don't have to test their lifetime warranty again, but I know they'll honour it even if I do. I've had that knife on my keychain for the past 6 years or so, and probably will for the foreseeable future. I have bigger ones, but I have to remember to take them with me - which means I usually don't. At least this one I'll always have when I need.

[@todd.parker]

That’s done amazing service. The best tool is the one you have on you so these fit the ticket

[@enricomauri4573]

Best of all: Olight Otacle P1 Multitool and Victorinox Rambler

[@bani_niba]

The Rambler has been on my keychain for several years. HIghly recommended.

[@briananderson4386]

I like the SAK nail clip 580. The nail clippers are excellent, scissors are excellent, has nail file, knife blade of the classic sd and you have the tweezers and tooth pick

[@gerbenmoljr]

I agree, the Rambler is the best choice, but after years i decided to go with the mini champ, i usually carry a combo of a 91mm Vic and a 58mm Vic, one with alox scales and one with the scale tools....a black compact and alox mini champ is my favorite combo..... thanks for the video, i agreed with your conclusions....also, that alox rambler is beautiful, wanted one of those for years! Greetings from Maastricht

[@heart4Pahoa]

Interesting offerings in this class. As a carabiner requiring carrier, I want to see the Style PS come back. But as an owner who has sent mine back 4 times for warranty repair on the scissor spring , I hope they retire it with the intent to replace it with a much better scissor solution.

[@todd.parker]

Those darn scissors! Mine were broken too so I couldn't show them working in the video

[@heart4Pahoa]

@@todd.parker Sounds about right. I have paid for more in shipping charges for the “25 year warranty” than I paid for the Style PS itself. All 4 times the spring broke while the scissors were not in use. I want to support the Leatherman company, but I can’t any longer. I have been recommending the Roxon brand to family, friends and co-workers. I have been eyeing the Roxon Flex platform for a while now. Thinking about selling by 30 year old Leatherman Super to pay for it.

[@Ninjaembryo]

Years ago I wanted to skate by as light as possible on my EDC so I only carried a Victorinox Vagabond, a long discontinued 58 mm model, and it worked well until I had to build a display rack one day, and that little guy just wasn't up to the task. I'll give it a go again though and carry my midnite mini champ, but those tiny blades make me a bit apprehensive, that's for sure.

[@meleniumshane90]

I've had the Swiss Army knife with the pen and red LED that came with the Nextel Motorola i90c since 2002. The light still works somehow. I keep that on my car keys. I need to order a pen replacement and sharpen the blade a bit.

[@rabcarver333]

I have a Micra and a Style PS, and the Style's tiny scissors are much better than the Micra's larger ones, which tells you how bad those Micra scissors really are. And the Style is hands down much better than the Micra in every other way. Crazy that Leatherman discontinued the Style, but kept the Micra.

[@richreyes1214]

The Jetsetter really should be the rambler minus the knife, I think that would be most people's travel multitool if Victorinox would actually make it. I have a couple of leatherman squirts and victorinox ramblers stashed away. Glad I did too since the squirt is discontinued.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, I get they need to balance the layers but replace the knife with something and keep the file layer or something

[@martinfisker7438]

It's crazy how different our needs are. I just want a good knife, and occasionally a bit driver. I give no shits for "around the house stuff", because I have 5000usd worth of tools in my house and a big leatherman in my living room for when I dont want to go to the garage

[@scottshaw1310]

Olight Otacle K1 is pretty close to an Alox Rambler. 73 x 22 x 8 (mm) and 1.55oz for $20 No toothpick or Phillips driver though! I'm also a fan of the Mini Sailor Scissors although its a touch too big for my keychain.

[@todd.parker]

Looks pretty good, thanks for the recommendation

[@RockMonsterDad]

Pioneer Alox X is my always have it tool and my most used EDC item. No scale tools but the sleek design and sturdy build make it worth the trade off.

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, huge fan of the bigger, minimal Alox knives like the Pioneer X. I had a Bantam X (scissors) made by a modder and it's really nice, just a little smaller than yours.

A Victorinox is a good choice and it never makes a person flinch back if you pull it out. I know making this videos are a lot of work (thank you), but chapter marks would improve it by am order of magnitude.

[@todd.parker]

Very true! I add chapters and just forgot. Fixed now.

@@todd.parker Thank you!

[@BenGoldNYC]

The midnight mini champ is one of my favorite tools from Victorinox. The scissors are fantastic, I think because they have micro serrations on them

[@todd.parker]

That thing is packed with utility. Vic has so many options, I didn't ever cover that one. 58mm models are fun because you can go over the top with features and it's still super tiny and light.

[@trikyy7238]

I ground the flathead in the Vic file SMALLER to make it fit the screws in eyeglasses.

[@todd.parker]

That works too. My beef is it's an in between size - too wide to use for micro stuff, too narrow to work on flatheads. It's a holdover from the Classic SD where it needed to kinda be a philips/flathead combo but it's not good at either. Since the Rambler/Manager has a proper 3D philips, they should have made this a more optimized flat head but I get they want to use the same parts.

[@Mark-f7o]

Ive got the midnight manager. Its got all i need.

[@nlowe39]

I carry a Swiss Card Nail Care in case I forgot I need to fly. I also like the Style CS (for the big scissors) and Squirt PS, but I am quite hesitant to use them now because they are no longer in production. Going forward though, I think the Mini Sailor Lite is promising.

[@donaldcarr8766]

I use swiss card nail care as it is good for travel and to pair with the alox farmer. I also purchased the mini sailor lite you mention as a good travel option.

[@todd.parker]

Guess I should have included the Swiss card in the video. I have one but don’t really use it.

[@donaldcarr8766]

@@todd.parker You have demonstrated a good selection of options much appreciated.

[@todd.parker]

@donaldcarr8766 Thanks! I had a lot of fun researching and testing these. Now I need to return that Dime before time runs out…

[@CarlConti]

Thanks for doing this! Excellent review and some great option!

[@todd.parker]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jliu919]

Had a very similar experience, and also ended up with the rambler! Countycomm makes some nice feeling scales that I got, and threw on. They sell in a honeycomb or topographical pattern titanium. Not quite as slick as the alox, though

[@salvatorefranco8356]

The Leatherman PS4, Dime etc. are certainly great multitools. But in my opinion the individual tools were not of such high quality . They were also too heavy for me personally to carry it togheter with my keys. The pliers also broke quite often, even with not so heavy work. I always recommend a Victorinox for heychain - i recommand the Mini Champ Alox - lightwight andy each tool is high quality - especially the 3D Philips - incredible tool. I carry most of the time the VIC Spirit (with the clip) - Thanks to the slim form factor, it disappears into my pocket tool. Also the Leatherman Bond (also with the clip super compact ) togehter with the Mini Champ Alox on my keychain is my 2nd most carried EDC combo.

[@TheChristianherud]

The Bantam‘s Screwdriver works as a Phillips😉

[@todd.parker]

@@TheChristianherud I mean it “works” better than nothing but it’s pretty awkward to angle in in and rotate it

[@kirbysmith4135]

​@@todd.parker I filed mine down to work as a mini knife/box tape cutter to preserve the main blade.

[@conclusionist]

When will you be selling the LM micro driver tray for 58mm Vic? I already carry a small pen since people often ask to borrow, plus i usually don't want to pull out a knife (even a cute little red one) when all i need to do is write something... people can be weird about that. Rambler with your eyeglass-driver addition would be the perfect always-carry set of tools. Great video. Thanks.

[@todd.parker]

I have them all printed out, just need to set up the Etsy shop

[@bryanb2613]

Great video, but what if I insist on having a set of pliers? My go-to option has long been the Leatherman Squirt PS4 but I lost mine and getting a replacement is difficult because as you pointed out, they are discontinued. As far as the options you reviewed, it didn't look like the quality was fantastic on available models that include a set of pliers. And as far as I can tell, Victorinox does offer scissors all day long, but not so with pliers. To be fair, I do like scissors on an EDC pocket multi-tool. My wife and I backpack together and we have always brought with us two Leatherman squirts, one that had scissors and one that had pliers. Best of both worlds while keeping the weight and bulk to an absolute minimum.

[@todd.parker]

I cover the NexTool Mini Flagship at 2:24 as my recommended tool I you want pliers and scissors. amzn.to/4ebkoYw

[@HongKongFuy1]

Todd I love your videos. Just wondering why you didn't look at the Roxon M2. Small, has pliers and a big pair of scissors, Phillips, and more. The only thing I don't like is that there is no flat head. The cost is $30. Thanks for your videos.

[@todd.parker]

The M2 is 4.48oz so it’s triple my weight goal but someone pointed out the M4 is quite a bit lighter, might be worth checking out

[@HongKongFuy1]

@@todd.parker Okay. Yea I have the M4, I love it.

[@sloanNYC]

The Rambler or Manager (adds a pen) is on my keychain. I keep that and a mini flashlight (A8) on a magnetic keyring I can easily pop off when I don't want them in my pocket, or to make them easier to use. The Jetsetter would be so much better if they just added a file onto the edge of the multi-tool. I just open the scissors to use them as a mini-blade when needed. The mini Champ is such a missed opportunity... just update it already Victorinox!!!

[@todd.parker]

~ Mind meld ~

[@narii87]

Those are all cool😊 great video thank you

[@todd.parker]

You're welcome. Thanks for watching!

[@francoleon91]

Great video dude

[@todd.parker]

Appreciate it

[@PhilippeDoyleGray]

Roxon M2 and M4 are great keychain tools, and while not as good quality as Swiss Army knives are pretty close, and only cost between one-third and one-half the price. I swapped the M4 for my Victorinox Mini Champ Silver Alox and never looked back.

[@todd.parker]

Good recs, thanks! I wish I had found the M4 because I would have included it! The M2 at 4.5oz is way too big, the M3 is still too much at 2.75oz but the M4 is interesting because it's 2.25oz and has a nail clipper. It looks pretty big but does it carry well in your pocket?

[@PhilippeDoyleGray]

@@todd.parker It carries exceptionally well, partly because it’s covered in leather on two sides, and machined on all sides to be a rectangular box without any bumps or ridges. On a keychain, it looks like a key fob, so it does not attract attention. I don’t notice I’m carrying it and I use it all the time. I particularly appreciate that the tools lock open, and that they open without needing fingernails. I didn’t care about the nail clipper, but it turns out it’s excellent as well. I cannot recommend the M4 highly enough. I have been a Swiss Army knife fanboy for decades, but they lack innovation and are very expensive in comparison. I pass through airport-style security as part of my job, and I’ve had too many tools confiscated, because I forgot I had them on me, so I was looking for something that neither attracted attention, nor was too expensive to replace in case it was confiscated. The M4 fits that bill perfectly.

[@todd.parker]

@@PhilippeDoyleGray Awesome, thanks for the details. So you'e taken this through TSA and they haven't flagged it?

[@PhilippeDoyleGray]

Not specifically TSA as that’s only in the USA and I haven’t travelled there since purchasing, but I have taken it through the equivalent elsewhere more than a dozen times, maybe two dozen. I’ve done it so often, I don’t even think about it any more, which is the whole point, because I’ve lost too many tools, forgetting that I was carrying them. On a ring with keys, a Rovyvon flashlight, and an Apple AirTag, it has never attracted any attention whatsoever. By way of contrast, in my experience, even the smallest Swiss Army knife or keychain tool looks like it warrants closer inspection.

[@ParkerBinion]

@@PhilippeDoyleGray Their Victorinox Nail Clip 580 is a similar tool. If Roxon came out with an Elite M4 with an 8cr or D2 blade and 4116 scissors and other tools, it would be hard to beat.

[@hitchpost5822]

Once the Rambler & Rambler based tools came out I never looked back to the Classic sd, which I carried and wore out several of.The one thing that still bothers me is the scales not holding up to pocket wear so I ended up with the alox Minichamp. as much as I like Victorinox they confound me with there choices. Why no alox Rambler ?

[@todd.parker]

Why indeed. I think they'd sell a ton of Alox Ramblers. I don't get why they focus so much on the Classic SD when the Rambler is way better. I was very lucky to find that custom Alox Rambler for only $70, it's really nice and will last forever.

[@brikinahonix]

That custom rambler is EDC P0rn

[@Hervelebaba]

J’ai eu le leatherman style le plus petit je l’ai pas gardé car le noir du manche s’est écaillé et c’était moins jolie avec le temps aussi…je pensais en retrouver dommage d’arrêter autant dé référence… je tâtonne désormais pour trouver le multi outils idéal ou le petit couteau idéal

[@BuckfastWarrior]

Don't get the Gerber Dime hate, mini pliers are super useful and it has tweasers too. Also NexTool Mini Sailor is a great option at less than half the budget

[@simonh6371]

Yep I'm surprised he got the Nextool Flagship Mini and not the Mini Sailor, the Sailor is more compact, comparable in size & weight to the Squirt, whereas the Flagship is a fair bit bulkier and heavier. Also Olight make a version of the Mini Sailor, I think it's called the Otackle or something similar. I like the look of that better with black scales.

[@trikyy7238]

The orange peeler rips through fabric, leather, straps...

[@todd.parker]

Yeah, that thing is super sharp

[@JackBufford]

You should check out Swiss tech

[@todd.parker]

Any specific model you think fits the bill?

[@asoma64]

Would you recommend any discontinued weatherman tool over the other recommendations ?

[@todd.parker]

The Squirt PS4 was my favorite but the scissor spring breaks every time and there’s no easy way to replace it yourself so I’d say no

[@anagramagt9717]

What a nonsense to have discontinued the Manager 🙄🙄🙄

[@DanielTAGyota]

Throw that dime out and replace it with the Nextool Mini Sailor, dime is obsolete

[@llongttower]

I refuse to believe that saw on a 58mm is useful for anything

[@jooky5]

The micra is designed for cheech and Chong 😂😂😂 the scissors will cut your “product” to a rollable size and the tweezers offer a good purchase to comfortably hold the ember without burning your fingers In all seriousness I do like my micra for cutting plastic or somewhat thick material

[@todd.parker]

Ha, good to know

[@SAKMods]

Great video!! Hope you're enjoying the Spydernox!

[@todd.parker]

Thanks, I love it!

[@randomescu]

SquirtPS4 ia by far the best! It can cut 2 mm hardwire with no signs of wear.

[@simonh6371]

But the scissors are a weakpoint, the spring often breaks due to inadequate heat treatment, and |LM never resolved that issue. I carry mine despite the scissors not working but then have to pair it up with a Victorinox which has scissors, like the Jetsetter or Climber.

[@randomescu]

@@simonh6371 i noticed that Leatherman's scissors works way better if you center punch them and sharpen them even when new. I did that on 2 Surges and the PS4. But the Victorinox scissors are way better anyway.