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).
: The Leatherman Wave+ maintained its legendary status, praised for its smooth opening mechanism and the then-recent addition of replaceable wire cutters, which solved long-standing durability issues with the original Wave.
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. 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.
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 2021 tests were distinct from previous years
If you're looking for information on a specific multitool test from 2021, could you provide more details? For example, what kind of test was it? Was it comparing different multitools, or was it a review of a particular model? Knowing more about the context will help me give you a more accurate and helpful response.
If you have specific needs or preferences (like a focus on outdoor use, everyday carry, or a particular budget), I'd be happy to help narrow down the options. No multitool excelled at every task
Test results from 2021 highlighted distinct advantages for each of the "Big Four" brands:
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.
For detailed reviews and test results from 2021, consider checking out: