Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again, whether you like it or not. “The End” is a time to reflect and take note of this year’s successes, failures, and overlooked moments before we turn around and move forward into 2025.
When it comes to multi-tools, 2024 didn’t have the star power that 2023 had. Many big brands seemed content to stay in the shadows and release simpler updates, customizations, and added color variations. To be honest, many of the startups that came forward to fill that void were proposing tools that you wouldn’t actually want to carry around with you, much less use in the field. Who wants to have a sharp beggar stuck in their leg the entire hike, only to end up with that flimsy, weird, undersized knife failing at the most basic of cutting tasks?
So how do we put together the best of the year with so few nominees? We’re leaving everything open and incorporating our favorite knife designs. Perhaps this should have been done a long time ago, because one good knife is worth more than a pile of mediocre multitools.
2024 keeps things going with a cool knife design that’s destined to become a collector’s item, a redesign of one of the sleekest modern classics on the market, and an unpleasant multitool that’s nothing short of great. It brought some other interesting launches without overcomplicating things.
That’s not to say there aren’t notable multitools that we look back on fondly. Some products stand out with their interchangeable features, sleek and ultra-portable bodies, and unique features.
In no particular order, here are the standout knives, split-purpose pocket tools, and all-around multifunctional gadgets we’ve featured throughout 2024.
