Can seven carefully selected hand tools outperform a premium Leatherman multitool for roadside repairs, while weighing less than 1kg and costing roughly half as much?

That's the experiment I decided to run.

I own two Leatherman Surges, and they're undeniably clever pieces of engineering. But there's a fundamental difference between designing tools to fold into one compact package and designing tools to perform individual jobs as effectively as possible.

So I assembled seven quality tools, prioritising real-world mechanical capability first, compactness second, with a weight limit of 1kg and a budget of approximately half the price of a Leatherman Surge.

Here's what I chose, why I chose it, and where you can get the same tools.

Watch the Video: Multitool vs Actual Tools

The Seven Tools — Complete Shopping List

These are the seven tools selected for my compact roadside repair thought experiment.

Tsunoda PLC-150U — Slip-joint pliers:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B0iNtQ57V
Engineer PZ-67 — Auto-locking pliers:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B0eaeJkfW
Engineer PH-55 — 160mm multi-function scissors:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B09wrIhVJ
Vessel 220W-3 — Ball-grip interchangeable screwdriver set:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B09wDOVzY
Vessel TD-25 — Ultra-thin ratcheting screwdriver with 10 bits:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B0jeDrogD
Klein Tools 6-in-1 — Metric impact-rated flip socket set, 7–14mm:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B0ijw3HrO
Lobtex UM24XD — Hybrid Monkey adjustable spanner:
Click here> https://link.amazon/B04hSQsRm

Additional Tools Worth Considering

If you want to extend the capabilities of your toolkit beyond the original seven-tool experiment, these are some additional tools and consumables worth investigating.

These are not included in the original seven-tool weight or budget constraints.

Lobster Shifting Spanner (200mm) — Additional reach and leverage for larger fasteners:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B0hyCKZ9H
Fujiya Power Monkey Parallel-Jaw Pliers (180mm) — Powerful parallel gripping action for hexagonal fasteners:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B05CY2zaf
Silicone Self-Amalgamating Tape — Useful for temporary wrapping, sealing and electrical insulation:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B08ksjEOg
Dental Picks — Handy for manipulating clips, seals, O-rings and small components:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B08gjR85z
Surgical Forceps — Useful for retrieving small parts in confined spaces:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B0aSuTsBn

Why I Chose These Seven Tools

The whole point of this exercise was to build a compact collection of genuinely useful mechanical tools rather than a miniature general-purpose mechanic's toolkit.

Every tool needed to justify its inclusion by expanding the range of problems the collection could solve.

1. Tsunoda PLC-150U Slip-Joint Pliers

A proper pair of slip-joint pliers is one of the most useful general-purpose gripping tools you can own.

The compact Tsunoda PLC-150U provides dedicated gripping capability without the ergonomic and mechanical compromises of folding multitool pliers.

Useful for manipulating components, gripping awkward objects and dealing with all manner of small mechanical problems.

Click here >https://link.amazon/B0iNtQ57V

Grip expansion exceeds 26mm dimetre

Curved front jaws offer confident grip feel

Cuts up to 2mm bullwire

2. Engineer PZ-67 Auto-Locking Pliers

Sometimes ordinary pliers simply aren't enough.

The Engineer PZ-67 adds specialist locking and gripping functionality, particularly useful when dealing with damaged screw heads, stubborn fasteners and components that refuse to cooperate.

Rather than expecting one compromised multitool plier head to handle every gripping task, this gives you an additional mechanical capability.

Click here> https://link.amazon/B0eaeJkfW

Compact, long enough (175mm)

2 sets of 4 grooves cut circulalrly

perfect bite-down on flat and round surfaces

3. Engineer PH-55 Multifunction Scissors

Don't underestimate proper scissors.

Cable ties, electrical tape, packaging, flexible materials and numerous other items encountered during roadside repairs are considerably easier to deal with when you've got a capable cutting tool.

The Engineer PH-55 is a compact 160mm multifunction scissor featuring robust stainless-steel blades, micro-serrated cutting capability and additional useful cutting features.

These are proper scissors, not a tiny cutting implement squeezed into a multitool handle.

Click here> https://link.amazon/B09wrIhVJ

Wire cutters built into handle joint

Micro-serations pierce on contact

Childproof packaging

(Unenergised) insulated cable

Trim, insulation, carpet

4. Vessel 220W-3 Ball-Grip Screwdriver Set

The Japanese ball-grip screwdriver design is a wonderful example of ergonomics applied intelligently.

The Vessel 220W-3 provides comfortable, controlled screwdriver operation with interchangeable bits.

It complements the TD-25 beautifully. One is optimised for restricted access, the other for conventional screwdriver operations where comfort, control and torque matter.

Together, these two tools provide substantially greater flexibility than a conventional multitool screwdriver arrangement.

Click here > https://link.amazon/B09wDOVzY

Perfect fit (no slack)

Positive, snug ball grip

Adaptability to other driver bits you already own

Compact multi-role application

5. Vessel TD-25 Ultra-Thin Ratcheting Screwdriver Set

Access is everything when you're attempting a repair in a confined space.

The Vessel TD-25 provides an exceptionally compact ratcheting screwdriver arrangement, supplied with ten bits.

It's particularly useful for fasteners located where a conventional screwdriver — or the relatively bulky body of a multitool — simply won't fit.

Click here> https://link.amazon/B0jeDrogD

Low-profile access in confined space

Compact extension

Posi, hex, flat, phillips

6. Klein Tools 6-in-1 Metric Impact-Rated Flip Socket Set

One of the more obvious deficiencies of a typical multitool is its lack of proper socket capability.

And when you're dealing with automotive fasteners, that's a significant limitation.

This ingenious Klein Tools set incorporates six metric socket sizes from 7mm through to 14mm in a compact flip-socket arrangement.

They're impact-rated, too. So if you already pack an 18V impact driver in the vehicle, you’ve got common impact sockets to match.

Used with a compatible drive tool, they're an efficient way of carrying a useful assortment of metric socket sizes without the bulk of a conventional socket set.

Click here> https://link.amazon/B0ijw3HrO

All the common sizes + 1/4 in. driver doubles as storage solution

Adapts to ball-grip screwdriver handle for seating thread

Klein flip sockets relegate conventional 1/4-inch socket sets to the drawer when it comes to compactness, lightness and portability.

7. Lobtex UM24XD Hybrid Monkey Adjustable Spanner

Sometimes there's simply no substitute for a proper spanner.

The Lobtex Hybrid Monkey provides the versatility of an adjustable spanner without requiring an entire collection of individual open-ended spanners.

It's useful for gripping and turning hexagonal fasteners and provides an additional option when a job requires two tools working together.

A logical inclusion in a toolkit optimised for capability rather than merely minimising the number of individual components.

Click here> https://link.amazon/B04hSQsRm

Compact, robust, easy to find in your kit

Spring-loaded slide-jaw + three faces of contact

Multi-role application

The Fundamental Problem With Multitools

A Leatherman Surge is an exceptionally clever packaging exercise. But packaging multiple functions into one folding body inevitably requires compromises.

The pliers share their handles with numerous unrelated implements. Screwdriver access is constrained by the geometry of the multitool body. And cutting tools must fit within the limited space available.

None of this makes the Surge useless. Far from it. You can probably think of many examples where a multitool works quite well.

But if you're designing a roadside repair toolkit to maximise the number of practical mechanical interventions available to you, there's a strong argument for choosing each tool on its individual merits.

The Leatherman unquestionably wins on one-piece convenience.

But convenience and mechanical capability are different engineering objectives.

And when you're stuck beside a broken-down vehicle, the ability to perform a useful repair may be more important than having an ingenious collection of folding implements in your pocket.

Add tweezers, CRC lube pen, graphite pencil, electrical & gaffer tape, cable ties and hose clamps for the ultimate toolkit

The Verdict: Capability Beats Clever Packaging

Weight including additional tools + carry case: 1.9kg

I own two Leatherman Surges. I appreciate their design, engineering and convenience.

But if I'm deliberately assembling a compact roadside repair toolkit, I don't see the point in accepting the compromises of an integrated multitool when properly selected individual tools can provide substantially better functionality.

That's what this experiment was intended to demonstrate.

Seven proper tools. Under 1kg as the design constraint. Approximately half the price of a Leatherman Surge.

And a potentially much more useful collection when an unexpected mechanical problem threatens to leave you stranded.

Get them here

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Tsunoda PLC-150U — Slip-joint pliers https://link.amazon/B0iNtQ57V
Engineer PZ-67 — Auto-locking pliers https://link.amazon/B0eaeJkfW
Vessel TD-25 — Ultra-thin ratcheting screwdriver with 10 bits https://link.amazon/B09wDOVzY
Vessel 220W-3 — Ball-grip interchangeable screwdriver set https://link.amazon/B0jeDrogD
Engineer PH-55 — 160mm multifunction scissors https://link.amazon/B09wrIhVJ
Klein Tools 6-in-1 — Metric impact-rated flip socket set, 7–14mm https://link.amazon/B0ijw3HrO
Lobtex UM24XD — Hybrid Monkey adjustable spanner https://link.amazon/B04hSQsRm

ADDITIONAL PRODUCTS

Lobster Shifting Spanner (200mm) — Additional reach and leverage for larger fasteners:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B0hyCKZ9H
Fujiya Power Monkey Parallel-Jaw Pliers (180mm) — Powerful parallel gripping action for hexagonal fasteners:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B05CY2zaf
Silicone Self-Amalgamating Tape — Useful for temporary wrapping, sealing and electrical insulation:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B08ksjEOg
Dental Picks — Handy for manipulating clips, seals, O-rings and small components:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B08gjR85z
Surgical Forceps — Useful for retrieving small parts in confined spaces:
Click here > https://link.amazon/B0aSuTsBn

Disclosure

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

This article contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase qualifying products through these links, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate commissions help support the independent research, testing and production of AutoExpert content.

Product specifications, prices and availability are subject to change. Always confirm the product model and suitability for your intended application before purchasing.

7 Proper Tools That Beat a Multitool for Roadside Repairs — at Half the Price