Awesome Tools

If you’re going to take up space on your keychain with a tool, it should do more than one thing. Whether you prefer something minimal or a multi-bladed tool, there are plenty of choices out there. Everyday Carry picked 18 of their favorites, from the simple, key-shaped Geekey to the featured-packed Leatherman Squirt PS4.

This special edition TINI 2 celebrates 15 years of Nitecore. The keychain-friendly flashlight outputs up to 500 lumens for 15 minutes in turbo mode and features a gold-finished stainless steel body. It also has 15-, 65-, and 200-lumen modes with longer runtimes. Charges quickly via a USB-C connection. Just 1000 will be made.

NEBO’s pocket tool combines three useful functions in one. In addition to working as a 2200mAh emergency power bank, it has a tri-mode 400 lumen flashlight, and a 3″ utility blade. It’s made from anodized aluminum, is water- and impact-resistant, and is USB rechargeable.

The Gerber Mullet is a tiny multitool that’s meant to be carried on a belt loop or clipped to a keychain. It functions as a wire stripper, a scraper, a nail puller, a pry bar, a small and a large flathead driver, a cross driver, a 1/4″ hex driver and the ubiquitous bottle opener.

The Altair FX is a lightweight knife with a 3.4″ fixed blade comprised of high-carbon steel, chromium, and molybdenum. This combo results in excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance. It has a fastener-free, removable GRN handle and comes with a SOG Universal Mounting System compatible sheath.

Trying to install or remove screws in a tight spot is a common problem. This drill accessory from DeWalt is a must in every toolbox, offering easy access to confined spaces with its 12″ long flexible shaft and right-angle bit holder. Its Rapid Load head makes for easy bit changes, and is backed by a strong magnet for holding screws.

This all-in-one multitool combines a variety of everyday and emergency functions in a hefty aluminum and titanium package. It has a laser measure, wrenches, a box cutter, a rope cutter, a bottle opener, a firestarter, a screwdriver, a seat belt cutter, a compass, an emergency alarm, a flashlight, and more.

This 19.5-ounce survival axe from SOG chops firewood and hacks through branches with ease. It’s got a claw/spike tool on its back end and a hammering surface on its side. Its 3″ blade is made from stainless steel, and its handle is glass-reinforced nylon wrapped in paracord with a firestarter rod hidden inside.

This pocket flashlight featured a durable aluminum shell, anodized in bright orange. It offers 275-, 200-, and 15-lumen modes, as well as an emergency strobe. It’s also fine in the rain or on a boat, thanks to an IP67 waterproof rating, and it has a dual-direction pocket clip that lets you clip it to the brim of a hat.

Cleaver-shaped pocket knives are ideal for food preparation like chopping and also whittling wood. Everyday Carry picked out a dozen of these snub-nosed knives from brands like CRKT, Kershaw, Off-Grid, and Kizer. And the award for the tiniest cleaver knife you can buy goes to the unique Spyderco Squarehead.

Chiseled Design created what they call “The king of all screwdrivers.” This 18K gold-plated multitool packs 40 functions in one. Its magnetic body holds 27 different 1/4″ driver bits, a 9-in-1 spoke wrench, a file, inch and metric rulers, a bubble level, and more. It also can open packages with ease.

This handy keychain tool combines four useful functions. In addition to sharpening knives, cutting seat belt webbing, and turning flathead screws, it’ll pop open beer bottles with the best of them. Its blade is made from sturdy 2CR13 stainless steel with a glass-reinforced nylon handle.

This palm-sized ratcheting socket wrench helps you turn bolts in tight spaces. Its center has a gimbal design which allows it to pivot on two axes, so you can squeeze into traditionally tricky locations and still turn it. Available in a 1/4″ or 3/8″ drive to fit a variety of standard sockets.

Handmade in Japan’s Nagao Kanekoma factory, these pocket folders have a Wharncliffe blade made from Warikomi steel, wrapped in a satin brass handle, and comes in three sizes. The simple design and antique style have been passed down through five generations over 125 years. It also comes in satin black.

This pocket-sized tool helps keep your knives sharpened wherever you go. It has a 320-grit diamond plate sharpener and a fine ceramic rod for honing. Built-in angle guides make it easy to give blades a perfectly-refined edge every time.

Kershaw’s bargain-priced pocket tool makes it easy to pop open bottles, pry objects apart, and can also turn some flathead screws. It’s made from durable stainless steel and has a loop for attaching a keychain or lanyard.

This compact flashlight from NEBO attaches to the brim of a baseball cap or your backpack strap. Its 50-lumen LED light source is bright enough for tasks like finding your keys or walking the dog at night. It has an adjustable angle clip, is water resistant, and can be activated with the wave of your hand.

Koch Tools designed these pocket knives with a cleaver-style blade and a smooth-opening pivot. They have a 3″ steel blade that works for food prep, shaving and scraping, and other small chopping tasks. They come with various handle scales, including G10, Micarta, and titanium. Our fave is the dimpled titanium gradient.

A while back, the guys from How Ridiculous built a stupidly large hammer for smashing stuff. To kick off their latest round of hammer-induced carnage, they used it to drive a giant nail into the ground. Then they used it to screenprint a bunch of t-shirts, launch some baseballs, play a piano, and crack open an ATM.

This lightweight folding knife from Benchmade has an appealing orange design. Its 3.5″ clip-point blade is made from CPM-154 steel. It’s just as capable of field dressing after a hunt as it is at preparing meals. Its Grivory handle scales offer excellent grip, and its blade deploys with a no-catch thumbhole.

Gear Aid’s versatile drop-point knife is ideal for outdoor adventures. It has a titanium-coated 3″ steel blade with straight and serrated edges, plus a glass breaker and bottle opener at its rear. Its full tang construction means long life, and it comes with a quick-release sheath that can be mounted to webbing or a belt.

Metalsmith Hassan Abu-Izmero came up with the idea to build a modular outdoor tool that works as a pickaxe, a saw, and a shovel in one. While there are off-the-shelf tools with similar versatility, we appreciate the work that went into Hassan’s custom-built multitool.

This stainless steel bow saw can easily cut through branches and timber for making shelters or campfires. When not in use, its structural tubes serve as storage for its blade and other parts, minimizing its size in your pack, and protecting other items from its sharp blade teeth. Comes in black, gold, or silver finishes.

Digital security systems are decreasing the need for physical keys, but most of us still carry some keys. That makes keychains a great place to carry compact tools. Everyday Carry shares their top picks for keychain flashlights, some of which can crank out impressive brightness thanks to modern battery and LED tech.

This versatile hand tool is small enough to carry on your belt and packs a variety of useful functions for outdoor living and quick repairs. It has a 3″ axe head with a hammerhead, a pry bar, a nail puller, metric wrenches, and a bottle opener. It has a full tang powder-coated steel blade and a non-slip TPR molded handle.

Milwaukee’s compact and portable work light produces a smooth, wide-angle beam of neutral white light at up to 1000 lumens. It runs on an M12 REDLITHIUM battery pack and has multiple mounting options, including hanging, clamping, and powerful magnets. It’s also impact-, water-, and dust-resistant.