www.leatherman.com, 1.58 ounces
For those whose love of gear and gadgets conflicts with today’s go-light approach to travel (nevermind the insult of paying to check a bag), there’s finally a multitool that’s TSA-compatible. Leatherman’s new Style PS gives you a hearty handful of tools in its 2.9-inch-long body, including a petite pair of narrow, spring-action pliers (with a wire cutter); small scissors; flat- and Philips-head screwdriver with a nail file; a carabiner/bottle opener; and a pair of tweezers that ingeniously slide into the tool’s black handle. As with most Leatherman tools, the construction is top-notch, including the 100-percent stainless steel body and 25-year warranty.  No, you won’t find any sort of blade, save those on the scissors (which are shorter than the four-inch max-length dictated by the TSA).  But until they stop making you remove your shoes at the security line and allow pocket knives on planes, this is one of the best carry-on multi-tool available.

www.wengerna.com,  four ounces
We love products that are built with input from of hardcore outdoor athletes. Not because our skill levels are equal to theirs, but because their insight into what makes something perfect means the product will never fail us. So when Wenger announced a partnership with alpine climber, Ueli Steck, we took notice. The result? Pretty damn impressive. Wenger’s Special Edition Knife is built to Steck’s rigorous specifics—which makes it more of a tool that just another knife.  The titanium blade is 50 percent thicker than standard blades, making it one of the strongest available. The 65 mm blade is partially serrated near the base, which adds to the cutting power. The knife boasts a long metal file, regular head screwdriver/bottle opener, a can opener/wire stripper, and a variety of hex keys (7, 10, and 13 mm) that slide into the grooves of the knife blade for loads of torque.  The soft pouch also carries a quarter-inch bit adapter as well as the flat- and Philips-head screwdriver bit, making it one of the most versatile tools on the market, even with a modest 2.3-inch length (when closed).   The handle even has a nice Ueli Steck graphic—it won’t make you climb the Eiger in under three hours, but it’ll perform admirably whenever you need it. We do wish the blade was easier to unfold one-handed; your thumb fits into the large hex in the knife blade, which allows you to flick it open—but we’ve seen other models that perform this action more smoothly for on-the-go, quick access.

www.leatherman.com, 9.6 ounces
I’ve owned the Super Tool since 1997. Whenever I travel or have an adventure my trusty tool comes along with me. This particular one has accompanied me ever since the previous model base jumped off Yosemite’s El Cap without a parachute. It’s versatile enough to slice cheese, cut bread with a serrated knife, poke holes in stuff with the awl, file my nails, adjust a derailleur, remove a fish hook, or open a can of tomatoes. The locking blades were a big improvement over the previous model; I no longer had to worry about a blade inadvertently closing on my fingers. I intend to keep using this tool until it is pried from my cold dead hands.
The Super Tool sports 19 appliances, including multiple knives, pliers, wire cutters, screwdrivers, openers, and crimpers.
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Barbara Howe