Choosing a credit card multi-tool: Review of features and options

Multi-tools are a godsend if you want to keep your Everyday Carry (EDC) kit portable while ensuring that you still have access to the many useful features of a single tool. But when you’re traveling, a credit card multi-tool is the next best thing: it’s small enough to fit in your wallet, and it’s TSA-compliant. (h/t to ThePreppingGuide.com)

Take note that most credit card multi-tools are TSA-compliant — as long as they don’t have a blade, so you can take them anywhere. Don’t waste money on a cheap multi-tool. You’ll need a card made with sturdy material so it can handle a significant amount of pressure while you’re tightening bolts or driving screws.

There are many credit card multi-tools available from different manufacturers, and if you’re not sure which one to get for your EDC, you can choose from the cards detailed below. They’re made from high-quality materials. Some cards only have five features, while others offer as many as 60 useful features.

WildCard (Zootility Tools)

Zootility’s Wildcard only offers five tools, but it’s the only credit card multi-tool with a fold-out pocket knife. To make the card TSA-compliant, you can remove the blade.

The Wildcard is made with heat-treated stainless steel. The credit card tool is only two millimeters (mm) thick.

Tools:

• Blade
• Bottle opener
• Folding knife
• Pry bar
• Two screwdrivers

Victorinox Swisscard Lite Pocket Tool

Victorinox, the same Swiss company that makes the Swiss Army Knife, is also behind this card with 13 tools. This is the only card that comes with an LED light, magnifying glass,, pressurized ballpoint pen, straight pin, and tweezers. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. (Related: Improvising while prepping: Everyday items that can double duty in an emergency.)

Tools:

• ½” Phillips screwdriver
• 00/0 Phillips screwdriver
• 3mm screwdriver
• 5mm screwdriver
• LED light
• Magnifying glass
• Metric ruler
• Pressurized ballpoint pen
• Scissors
• Stainless steel pin
• Standard ruler
• Tweezers
• Emergency blade / letter opener

37-in-1 Multipurpose Credit Card Tool (SMART RSQ)

This multi-tool is stronger than other credit card tools in the same price class because it has a heavy-duty alloy finish. It’s durable, portable, and easy to use.

Tools:

• Bottle opener
• Box/letter opener
• Cable bender
• Cable peeler
• Can opener
• Fruit/vegetable peeler
• Knife edge
• Metric ruler
• Multiple screwdriver heads
• Multiple wrench sizes
• Nail file
• Nail puller
• Right triangle
• Saw blade
• Smartphone stand
• Standard ruler

Toolcard Pro (Lever Gear)

The Toolcard Pro packs 40 tools into a 1.5 mm-thick multi-tool. Precision-engineered from heat-hardened 420 stainless steel, this card is lightweight and durable.

The card has smooth edges that are easy to grip, and it won’t damage your pocket or wallet. The Toolcard Pro also has an upgrade option with a money clip.

Tools:

• 1/4″ Hex bit holder
• Bottle opener
• Can opener
• Circle-drawing template
• Cord cutter
• Metric ruler (eight centimeters)
• Standard ruler (three inches)
• Eight metric wrenches (5 mm to 15 mm)
• Eight open-end wrenches (7 mm, 8 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 13mm, #4, #6, #8, #10, 1/4″, and 5/16″)
• Eight standard wrenches (3/16″ to 9/16″)
• Large flathead/Phillips screwdriver
• Protractor
• Pry bar with nail puller
• Small flat-head screwdriver
• Small Phillips screwdriver
• Speed square (30°, 45°, 60°, and 90°)
• Straight edge/scraper

Credit Card Multitool (MRF Multitools)

The MRF Credit Card Multi-tool has more than 60 tools packed into a tiny piece of equipment. It is made with heavy-duty 440c carbon stainless steel hardened to 52 HRC.

This two-mm thick and ultra-durable card is rust-and water-resistant. The card’s handle is slip- and sweat-proof. The card comes with a genuine leather case to protect its sharp ax edges.

Tools:

• 1/4″ bit hex driver
• 30-60-90 angle gauge
• Ax
• BBQ grill scraper
• Bottle opener
• Box opener
• Butterfly wrench
• Can opener
• Cord cutter
• Distance ruler
• Drill guide (inches and metric)
• Firestarter
• Inch compass
• Inch/metric ruler
• Knife
• Leatherman standard bit driver
• L-square
• Metric compass
• Metric wrenches
• Nail puller
• O2 wrench
• Protractor
• Pry bar
• Scraper
• Standard wrenches
• Screwdriver
• Shovel
• Spoke wrenches
• Sundial clock
• Sundial compass
• Tire tread depth gauge
• Wire bender hole
• Wire stripper slot

Credit card multi-tools are affordable, sturdy, and light. It won’t hurt to keep one in your wallet, backpack, bug-out bag, and key chains. You can also keep one in your car, so you always have access to a set of basic tools wherever you go.

Sources include:

ThePreppingGuide.com

SkilledSurvival.com