Best EDC Gear of the Week: 7 Pocket Tools Worth Considering

Introduction

This week’s roundup covers a lot of ground: a clever new folder from Artisan Cutlery, an ultra-budget slim knife from SRM, two utility knives at very different price points, a keychain multi-tool, a budget multi-tool with a CNC-milled plier head, and an inexpensive sheath that solves a real problem. Some of these are easy recommendations. Others come with caveats worth knowing before you spend anything.

A quick note on what did not make the list: a couple of widely marketed budget multi-tools simply do not hold up against the competition at their price. We touch on those briefly near the end so you know what to skip.

Artisan Cutlery Crossbar Lock Knife

This new folder from Artisan Cutlery stood out immediately for its lock mechanism. It uses a conventional crossbar lock, but with an added tab at the back that lets you actuate it with both sides at once. That makes disengaging the lock noticeably more comfortable. The travel required and the spring tension are high enough that accidental disengagement is not a realistic concern.

The blade runs on AR-RPM9, an in-house production steel that is essentially 9CR18MOV with more toughness from its manufacturing process. It compares favorably to 440C while offering better toughness, making it one of the better budget steels available. Execution is solid across the board: a versal clip, good G10 texture, and a thin slicy grind with a fun blade shape. There is not much to dislike here. It is affordable, novel, and well executed.

SRM 12C27 Slim Flipper

This is the sleeper pick of the week. The SRM uses a steel integral construction that feels very stable, weighs just 1.6 oz, and has a nearly perfect flipper tab that fires the blade out fast. The slim profile is CEO-style, and the disappearing flipper means you get essentially full-length handle grip. It uses Sandvik 12C27 Swedish stainless steel, has G10 handle scales with a nice mini texture, and an excellent flush pocket clip. The clip is right-hand only, but the knife is slim enough to use comfortably in either hand.

The price is what makes this one special: it comes in at less than $20. It is slim enough to fit inside a standard wallet, the gimping is excellent, and the handle texture is good. This is a knife that genuinely needs no improvement at its price. If you want one sub-$30 folder that punches far above its cost, this is it.

WorkPro Button Lock Utility Knife

WorkPro has updated one of its most popular utility knife designs by adding a section of G10 on top for grip and comfort. The extra thickness is worth it. There is noticeably more texture now, which matters when you are using the tool hard and do not want it slipping forward or back in your hand.

Two versions exist: a button lock and a liner lock. The button lock is the clear winner. It is smoother out of the box, easier to flick open one-handed, and never requires putting a finger in front of the blade. It also has a deep carry clip and a lanyard attachment at the bottom. The liner lock version is grittier, harder to open, and lacks these extras. Both are cheap, with a two-pack available for less than $10, but go straight for the button lock.

Guiltech Titanium Utility Knife

On the premium end, Guiltech makes this utility knife in the US from a single piece of titanium. The blade fits in two different positions, and the tool is very comfortable in hand. It includes a socket for holding a 1/4-inch bit driver with a stop, a bottle opener, a lanyard hole, and a place to add a pocket clip.

Guiltech has also partnered with Lowe’s to offer the same basic mechanism in an inexpensive three-pack of utility knives, so you can support the small company even if you are not ready to buy the premium titanium version. If you are going with the US-made version, titanium is the one to pick because it offers the strongest prying option. It costs more, but it should last a lifetime.

Roivvon U4 Pro Keychain Multi-Tool

The Roivvon U4 Pro is a titanium keychain carabiner that packs in more than you would expect. Pressing the button gives access to a locking 4mm double-sided bit driver, and there is also a locking scalpel holder with spare blades included in the box. Sourcing replacement bits used to be difficult, but companies like Straido now sell inexpensive double-sided 4mm bits that work with it, which makes the tool much more practical than it was a few years ago.

The latest version improves the hook shape for more secure carrying and has good spring tension. You can set keys in it and attach it to a belt loop. It is very light and covers a lot of what you might want from a keychain multi-tool. If you travel with it, removing the scalpel blade makes it a non-issue.

Mossio CNC-Milled Multi-Tool

Mossio’s $35 multi-tool has a CNC-milled plier head, which is a genuine plus at this price and something the company can back up with evidence. It uses 7CR blade steel, weighs around 8 oz, and the reamer is thick, narrow, and well executed. The striker design on the end is also clever. The G10 version at this price is a solid value.

There are real caveats though. The 5mm bit system is a problem because double-sided 5mm bits with ball detents are extremely hard to find anywhere outside the company itself. The inner tool set is mixed: the reamer is good, but a flathead combined with a file on the same tool is annoying, and a single can opener with a V-notch stripper misses the chance to use a combination tool. The saw is also shorter than the frame allows. These are worth knowing before buying, but at $35 with a CNC plier head, it still earns a place on this list.

Universal Multi-Tool Sheath

After Leatherman changed its policy on including sheaths and pocket clips with many tools, finding an inexpensive replacement sheath became a real need. This one delivers good quality for the price. The stitching is some of the better work you will find on a budget sheath, and quality control is solid.

It offers both a clip option and a belt pass-through underneath, so you can choose between extra security or quick on-and-off convenience, such as when getting in and out of a vehicle. The magnetic closure works well. Inside, there is plenty of room for large multi-tools like the Leatherman Surge or the Dual Force, with enough space to spare. Two side pouches with closed bottoms are wide enough for a AAA flashlight, and a rear pouch holds bits.

It is a little bulky, but at this price it is a genuinely useful option, not just for multi-tools but potentially as a small tool kit pouch as well.

Conclusion

The SRM 12C27 Slim Flipper is the standout value pick at under $20, while the Artisan Cutlery offers a clever lock mechanism with good steel at an accessible price. The WorkPro button lock utility knife is an easy recommendation over its liner lock sibling, and the Guiltech titanium version serves anyone wanting a premium option. The Roivvon U4 Pro remains a well-thought-out keychain tool, and the Mossio multi-tool is good value at $35 if you can live with the bit sourcing issue. The universal sheath rounds things out as a practical solution to a new problem.

On the other side, avoid overpriced clones and poorly executed budget multi-tools that get pushed hard through ads. There are far better options at the same or lower prices if you know what to look for.