Most budget multitools have a tiny, useless knife squeezed in between the pliers. The Raxco Knife Multi-Tool turns that around: it has a full-size, partly serrated locking blade, with needle-nose pliers, a nine-bit driver set and the usual openers alongside.
We’ve used it around camp and in the workshop for the jobs a multitool usually gets: cutting cord, tightening screws, small repairs.
What’s in the box
A black, 16-in-1 stainless steel multitool with a black oxide coating, a nylon belt sheath and a set of nine screwdriver bits. Folded, it’s a compact 10.2 cm block that weighs 340 g.
What we like
- Full-size, sharp locking blade
- Serrated part cuts webbing
- Nine-bit driver set
- Sturdy needle-nose pliers
- Belt sheath included
- Great value at $25
What we don’t
- Tools stiff at first
- Bits are small
- Heavy at 340 g
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Raxco |
| Material | Stainless steelBlack oxide coating |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 340 g |
| Packed size | 10.2 × 3.2 × 3.2 cm |
| Tools | 16Plus 9 bits |
| Lock | Liner lock on the knife |
| Features | Nylon belt sheath |
The knife
This is the best part. The blade is a proper size and came very sharp, with a plain edge for everyday cutting and a serrated section that tears through webbing and cord. It opens with a thumb stud and a liner lock holds it open, so it won’t fold onto your fingers when you push into a cut. It’s the reason to pick this one over other budget multitools.
Pliers, bits and the rest
The needle-nose pliers are sturdy enough for pulling wire, holding a nut or bending small metal, and the wire cutter handles normal wire. The nine-bit driver set turns it into a small repair kit: slotted and Phillips bits sit firmly in the driver, handy for a loose screw on a camping chair, the case of a camp light or a panel on a camping fridge. The bits are small, though, and easy to drop in the grass. A can opener and bottle opener round it out.
The tools, grouped: the nine bits count towards its 16-in-1. Hover over a tool, or tap it on a phone, to see what it’s for.
Build and carry
The pivots are solid and the black oxide coating helps keep rust off in wet or dusty conditions. The tools sit tightly, which makes them stiff to open at first. The non-slip handles grip well, also with wet or greasy hands.
At 340 g it’s no ultralight tool. It’s one for the belt sheath, the glovebox or the tyre-repair kit, not a trouser pocket.
How it compares with other multitoolsMultitool comparison
Next to two other full-size budget multitools and the hammer one, the Raxco Knife Multi-Tool has the best knife and the only driver bit set. The RAXCO 15-in-1 Multitool Hammer adds a hammer for tent pegs but is heavier, the Bosch 16-in-1 is our top-rated full-size tool, and the Workpro 11-in-1 is the lightest. All of them are in our multitools guide.
This one Raxco Multi-Tool | Top rated Bosch 16-in-1 | Hammer RAXCO Hammer | Lightest Workpro 11-in-1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hammer | No | No | Yes | No |
| Carry | Belt sheath | Pouch | Sheath & clip | Sheath & carabiner |
| ToolsTools (functions) Victorinox counts for each model. | 16 + 9 bits | 16 | 15 | 11 |
| Folded length | 10.2 cm | 15.8 cm | 16 cm | 13.5 cm |
| Weight | 340 g | 280 g | 430 g | 220 g |
| Price | $25 | $32 | $30 | $24 |
| Our score | 8.6 | 9.0 | 8.2 | 8.6 |
Conclusion: Raxco Pocket Knife MultitoolConclusion
The Raxco Knife Multi-Tool is a lot of tool for about $25. The full-size, partly serrated blade locks open and is properly useful, the pliers are sturdy and the nine-bit driver set makes it a small repair kit. The tools are stiff at first, the bits are small and at 340 g it’s a belt tool. For a camp box or a 4WD kit, it’s great value.
A lot of tool for about $25.
The full-size locking blade is properly useful, the pliers are sturdy and the nine-bit driver set makes it a small repair kit. It’s stiff at first and heavy at 340 g.
- 4WD tourers
- Tradies & DIY
- Emergency kits
Yes. For about $25 the knife alone beats most budget multitools, and the driver bits make it a small repair kit. It’s heavy, so it lives on the belt or in the car.
