Best Small Multi-Tools: Four Leatherman Squirt Alternatives Worth Carrying

Introduction

The Leatherman Squirt PS has been discontinued, and for fans of genuinely tiny plier-based multi-tools, that leaves a real gap. The Squirt was one of the smallest tools that still offered usable pliers, and nothing in Leatherman’s current lineup replaces it one-to-one. The good news is that there are still several compact options worth considering, each with its own strengths and compromises.

This roundup looks at four candidates: the Leatherman Squirt PS itself if you can still find one, the Leatherman Style PS, the Leatherman Skeletool, and the Gerber Dime.

Why Small Multi-Tools Still Matter

Tiny multi-tools fill a specific role: they handle the small, unpredictable jobs that come up in daily life. Pulling a sliver, trimming a loose thread, opening a package, tightening a loose screw. A full-size multi-tool covers these too, but it lives in a bag or a drawer rather than in a pocket or on a keyring. The smaller tools in this list are the ones you actually carry every day.

That daily-carry factor matters more than raw tool count. A big tool left at home does nothing; a small one on your keys is always there.

Pliers Are the Real Test

A useful way to judge any multi-tool is through the lens of the pliers. If pliers were not the priority, you would simply carry a knife and a separate pair of pliers. The plier head is what separates a real multi-tool from a Swiss Army knife, and it is also where the differences between these compact tools become obvious.

For very small tools, the tip geometry matters most. You are more likely to pull a sliver or a tick than to tighten a bolt with a keyring-sized tool, so a fine, precise pinching tip is essential.

The Squirt PS and Skeletool both deliver excellent tips here, with the Squirt’s fine point standing out as one of the best in this size class. The Style PS has a slightly different tip profile that still works well for fine gripping.

Leatherman Squirt PS

The Squirt PS remains the benchmark for tiny plier-based multi-tools. Its sandblasted aluminium scales feel noticeably better in the hand than the polished aluminium used on some competitors, and the plier tip has a rock-solid lock-up right at the very tip. It also has a near-lock that holds firm almost all the way down the travel, which makes it feel like a proper pair of tweezers when you need fine control.

The downside is availability. With the Squirt discontinued and no direct replacement from Leatherman, finding one means hunting through remaining stock. If you can find one at a reasonable price, it is still the small tool to beat.

Leatherman Style PS

The Style PS is the TSA-friendly option in Leatherman’s small lineup. Because it omits the blade, it can travel in carry-on luggage, and it still includes scissors along with the pliers, which is a rare combination at this size. The design is slim and pen-like, and it is a genuinely good tool even if it does not have quite the same charm as the Squirt.

It is also a candidate for a DIY project: trimming the bottle opener and carabiner attachment from the end could bring it down closer to the Squirt’s tiny footprint, essentially recreating a discontinued favorite from a tool that is still in production.

Leatherman Skeletool

The Skeletool sits at the boundary between compact and full-size. It is arguably the smallest of the full-size multi-tools, with a lightweight frame and only the most-used tools: pliers, a blade, and the essentials. It inherits design lineage from the smaller Squirt family, and the plier tip is excellent for fine work.

Not everyone loves the Skeletool, but for anyone who values simplicity, a good feel in the hand, and a genuinely great pair of pliers, it makes a strong case as the daily-carry compromise when a truly tiny tool is not available.

Gerber Dime

The Gerber Dime is the most direct size competitor to the Squirt. It is a very small keychain tool with a similar overall layout, including a bottle opener. It also has a genuinely clever extra: a cutting tool designed specifically to slice open plastic blister packaging, which can be as useful for unwrapping stubborn clamshell packs as for anything else.

On the mechanical side, the Dime uses a captured spring in the pliers, which should be more durable over the long term than designs where a small spring can break. The trade-offs are build quality details: the scales are a shiny rather than sandblasted aluminium, and the alignment and finish feel a step below the Leatherman options. It is also made in China, which some buyers factor into their decision.

Overall Buying Advice

If you want the smallest, finest pliers and can still find one, the Squirt PS is worth hunting down. If you need something airplane-friendly with scissors, the Style PS is the clear pick. If you want a step up in capability while staying reasonably compact, the Skeletool is the smallest full-size option with only the tools you actually use. And if you want the closest size match to the Squirt at a lower price point, the Gerber Dime gets you there with a couple of clever features, accepting some compromises in finish and alignment.

Conclusion

The discontinuation of the Squirt PS is a genuine loss for tiny multi-tool fans, but the market is not empty. Between the Style PS, the Skeletool, and the Dime, there is a compact option for nearly every carry style. Matching the tool to how you actually use pliers, and how often you will have it on your person, matters more than any spec sheet.