DI Camping DL1 Multi-Tool Review: A Fresh Take on the Familiar Formula

Introduction

The DI Camping DL1 has quietly become one of the most talked-about budget multi-tools recently, and for good reason. It is not yet sold in the American market, so most buyers need to order it through AliExpress. That extra friction might normally be a dealbreaker, but the DL1 earns attention because of what is actually in the tool set rather than how closely it copies anything else.

An Unusual Tool Set That Fills a Real Gap

What makes the DL1 interesting is that it is not a one-to-one copy of a better-known design. Where most budget alternatives mirror the same familiar layout, this one assembles a combination of tools that people have been asking for in mainstream multi-tools for years but never quite got.

You get two blades, like the classics: a straight blade and a fully serrated blade. There is a meaningful difference here, though. The straight blade uses 7Cr17 steel while the rest of the tools are made from a combination of 2Cr and 3Cr. That is a genuinely better steel for the cutting task, offering improved edge retention and higher hardness where it matters most.

On the outside you also get an unusually aggressive saw with notably long teeth, and on the opposite side, a very large pair of scissors. Our example arrived a bit tight out of the box, but that is easily adjusted, and the lock-up was solid with no concerning play in the tools.

Standout Scissors and Sharp Edges

The scissors are the surprise of this tool. Despite blades that look a little thin, cutting performance was excellent, slicing cleanly all the way out to the tip. Cutting to the tip means there is not enough flex in the steel for fibers to split and slip between the blades, which says a lot about the geometry. The caveat is durability: the softer 3Cr steel used here will not hold an edge as long as harder alternatives, so expect great cutting now but more frequent sharpening over the long run.

Elsewhere, the reamer is genuinely, almost alarmingly sharp, and the can opener arrives with a nice chisel grind that stays sharp out to the tip. The small flathead is best treated as a pokey bit rather than a dependable driver, given the low hardness of around 53 HRC. The U-shaped wire cutter is also noticeably larger than on earlier tools from this family, a welcome improvement, along with a deeper finger cutout.

What Comes in the Box

The included accessories add real value. The full hex bit driver works with double-sided bits once a small quarter-inch magnet is dropped in, and the kit ships with three additional double-sided bits that are ball-detent capable. You also get a spare set of replaceable cutters and a sheath that holds the spare bits.

The DL1 also uses cutout sections for weight savings, which brings it to around 9.1 ounces versus roughly 9.6 for comparable models. That is a modest but real difference if you carry a multi-tool daily. One design note worth knowing: the outside-accessible tools sit on the opposite side from the plier pivot, which eliminates the hand pinch that plagues many larger multi-tools. It is a small change that meaningfully improves the user experience.

Should You Buy the DL1?

At just under $40, the DL1 offers a complete package: a solid tool set, replaceable cutters, extra bits, a pocket clip, and a sheath. The main trade-off remains the soft steel throughout most of the tool, though people pushing these tools hard report they hold up well. A better steel throughout would be welcome even at a higher price, but the upgraded 7Cr17 straight blade may be enough for most buyers at this price point.

As a kick-around tool for the garage, camp kit, or glovebox, the DL1 makes a lot of sense. If you prefer a diamond file and an inside-mounted scissor instead, competing models on Amazon offer that alternative layout for similar money. Pick based on which tools you actually reach for.

Conclusion

The DI Camping DL1 stands out in a crowded field of budget multi-tools by doing something slightly different: a sharper straight blade steel, genuinely excellent outside-accessible scissors, a pinch-free tool layout, and a generous accessory package, all under $40. If you want a capable everyday multi-tool and do not mind sourcing it from AliExpress, the DL1 is an easy recommendation.