Is the multi-tool a necessary thing to have, or just a gimmick?

Welcome to Fluther.

It probably depends on the man. Several of us carry multi-tools because we have use for them (and because they’re good enough quality that we enjoy using them). However, if he travels a lot, and unless the tool is going to pass every TSA agent at every airport he might fly through, then he’ll probably lose it to TSA eventually when someone tells him that he cannot proceed with it on his person or in his carry-on bag, and there’s no time to put it into checked luggage. So he would learn, if he hasn’t already, to do without it in that case.

But if you’re going to look, then the brand to start with is Leatherman. Other manufacturers have copied much of their design and function, but they were the first, and are – I believe – still the best. They make all kinds of models for all kinds of functionality – and price.

I’ll bet they would double their sales if they would offer a “free replacement if confiscated by TSA” guarantee, but the government being as crazy as it is, they’ll probably never take the risk to make that promise.

It’s a useful gimmick, and a handy thing to keep in the glove compartment. Leatherman would also be my choice.

I have a Leatherman in my travel suitcase, you never know….

I have Leatherman as well. In the car and in my packed suitcase! I use it often.
Once you have one you wonder how you managed without it.

Personally, I’ve been more fond of the Gerber Multi-pliers if for no reason other than there have been times where the ability to use it one-handed has come in handy. By comparison, I’ve found the Leatherman™ to be cumbersome and, quite frankly, frail. Then again, working in a machine shop beats tools up harder than normal household tasks or something like, say, electronics, so it may be a little overkill for some.

In any event, they are pretty handy to have in your pocket when you don’t have a full toolset handy.

I too prefer the gerber version. I have had the same one for 15 years and it gets heavy use.

I/ve had a Leatherman Wave for about 10 years. I’ve gotten a lot of use out of it, when I’m puttering, and don’t necessarily want to go all the way down to the shop for a screwdriver or other tool.

I just used my Leatherman. I bumped the temperature indicator on my woodburning stove with a log while loading and it slid into the heat vent. It is 300C, 600F in that region. I opened the long blade on my leatherman and could pull it out. Good as new.

I got a Leatherman way back when they first came out, have never needed it. Not even the knife blade has been used.