This year’s SHOT Show had it all; guns, gear, beer and a selection of some of the coolest outdoor gear that’s about to hit the market. It might be a weird way to kick off our post-SHOT show coverage, but I’m a huge fan of multitools, and this year everyone seemed to have something new in this category — I promise I’ll get to some of the new firearms and preparedness gear soon!
Our Favorite New Multitools for 2017
SOG gets our innovation award this year, for completely rethinking the multitool design and turning things a bit on their head. I’m a huge fan of SOG Multitools, I’ve been carrying a SOG PowerAssist Multi-Tool around for years, and to this date, I haven’t found anything that comes close in quality. That being said, their new designs are pretty darn cool, and I can definitely see adding them to my rotation.
SOG Baton Multitool Series
The Sog Baton series is expected to hit the market in the coming months and is probably the most unique, everyday carry tool that we saw at the show. They small minimalist design makes them extremely discrete, so you can take them anywhere without attracting much attention.
There are four different Baton’s toolsets which are meant to accommodate separate users: office & administrative work, urban emergency, basic wilderness & urban essentials, and advanced wilderness & urban essentials.
SOG SNYC II
The SOG Sync II is another innovative idea that allows you to carry your Multitool as part of your belt buckle. The Tool will be available later in the year and can be worn with the detachable belt buckle base or clipped right on a pack strap or boot.
The Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool
Gerber’s new Center-Drive Multitool is going to be a huge improvement for anyone who uses their multitools screwdrivers on a regular basis. The tools center-axis driver is designed to provide maximum torque and gives the user the feeling of using a real screw driver.
When closed the tool is 4.7″ and weighs in at only 9.5 ounces. It comes with:
- Spring-loaded needlenose pliers w/ X-Channel rail system,
- Magnetic 3.2″ Center-Axis bit driver
- Pry bar w/ nail puller & bottle opener
- Rotatable carbide wire cutters & strippers
- Full-size 3.25″ 420HC fine edge blade
- Serrated blade
- Awl, file
- Magnetic flathead and Phillips bits
The Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool is just starting to hit the market and is selling for around $110 on Amazon.
The Leatherman Signal
Leatherman took their rock-solid multitool design and reengineered it with preparedness in mind. The Brand new Signal Tool combines the traditional tools you would find in a Leatherman and pairs them with preparedness features like a shaped diamond coated sharpener for maintaining your straight and serrated blade, a fire-starting Ferro rod, and an emergency whistle.
Here is the full lineup of features:
- Needlenose and Regular Pliers
- Replaceable Wire Cutters, Hard-wire Cutters and a Wire Stripper
- 420HC Combo Knife
- Saw
- Hammer
- Awl w/ Thread Loop
- Can Opener and Bottle Opener
- 1/4” Hex Bit Driver
- Bit Driver
- 1/4″ Box Wrench
- Carabiner
- 3/16″ Box Wrench
- Safety Whistle
- Ferrocerium Rod
- Diamond-coated Sharpener
The tool just hit the market and is retailing for around $100 on Amazon.
Wow, that SOG SNYC II looks very very nice, hope I can get my hands on it sometime soon.
Adding an edge sharpener, ferro rod and whistle to the multi-tool is a good move on Leatherman’s part, if nothing else but for backup. I’ve tried to find a spark rod that fit inside the SAK corkscrew but haven’t found one as of yet (the BSA rod is close, but no cigar).