Best Multi-Tool Knives With Screwdrivers

Updated for 2024, our list of the best pocketknives with a Phillips screwdriver has come a long way! This frequently requested (and extremely useful) feature can be hard to find on a truly pocket-sized tool, so we’ve put together the best options on the market today:

Leatherman FREE Series Knives

The best no-compromises solution for a Phillips screwdriver on a pocket knife is undoubtably the Leatherman FREE. These premium USA-made tools offer true quality and usability from a name you can trust. Unlike the other options on our list that require two hands to deploy some or all of the tools, every knife in the FREE series gives you one-handed access to all tools via Leatherman’s innovative magnetic system. Even better, all the tools lock open! It also features a sturdy aluminum handle and deep carry pocket clip, making this a true pocketknife replacement. There’s nothing flimsy or frail here, just American-made excellence made to be carried every day and worked hard.

Leatherman has been leading the multitool market since their first innovative products hit the market in the 1980s, and their legendary warranty has you covered should anything ever go awry. Pick your size, color, toolset, and a Leatherman FREE will have you covered.

Gerber Armbar

More affordable than the Leatherman FREE but arguably even more versatile, the Gerber Armbar series is built around a 2.5″ sheepsfoot blade but also offers a number of options with a dedicated bit holder. There are now three models that feature fold-out screwdrivers that accept common ¼” bits, and all of them include a Phillips screwdriver bit right out of the box.

• Armbar Drive: bit holder, locking blade, hammer/bottle opener, awl, and scissors
• Armbar Trade: bit holder, locking blade, hammer/bottle opener, awl, and saw
• Armbar Slim Drive: bit holder, locking blade, bottle opener

Like the popular Gerber Center Drive, the screwdriver on the Armbar is engineered to keep the tool dead-center, making it feel and work more like a dedicated screwdriver than just about any other multitool out there—no awkward, lopsided twisting here, just unfold the driver and go! Plus, since you’re using a replaceable bit rather than an integral tool, there’s no need to worry about damaging the driver, and you can swap it out to fit the task at hand.

Kershaw Select Fire

The Kershaw Select Fire breaks the pocketknife paradigm by making screwdriver bits a centerpiece of the tool. Designed by Grant & Gavin Hawk, the Select Fire integrates a 4-piece bit set and bit driver that gives it a leg up over other knife-based multi-tools. The bit set includes two flathead and two Phillips bits, all conveniently stored in on-board carriers which can easily accept any standard ¼” bit to fit your needs. These carriers swing out on spring-loaded hinges, allowing you to quickly choose the right bit and snap it securely back into place when not in use. The bit driver is ergonomically integrated into the design, providing a nearly perfectly centered working position that makes it quite deft, and the contoured handle ensures a comfortable grip whether you’re using the screwdriver, bottle opener, or knife blade.

CRKT Septimo

Born from necessity and experience, the CRKT Septimo Multi-Tool is more than just a convenience; it’s a tactical essential designed by a seasoned Green Beret. While its tanto blade with a Veff Serration is a standout feature, its other functionalities are what set it apart.

Jeremy Valdez, a combat veteran from Olalla, Washington, designed the Septimo Multi-Tool as a tribute to his service in the 7th Special Forces Group. After a harrowing helicopter crash during his 2009 deployment to Afghanistan, where his standard knife failed him in critical moments, Jeremy was inspired to create a tool that wouldn’t let anyone down in a crisis. The result is the Septimo Multi-Tool, a rugged, deployment-ready powerhouse.

The Septimo includes both a Phillips and flathead screwdriver, ensuring you’re equipped for a variety of tasks. These screwdrivers, along with the tool’s adjustable wrench and glass breaker, add a level of practicality that’s crucial in both tactical situations and everyday use. The screwdrivers are easily accessible and designed to perform reliably under pressure, whether you’re making quick adjustments in the field or handling repairs at home.

Every element of the Septimo was crafted with purpose, ensuring that it’s not just another multi-tool—it’s a lifeline.

Victorinox Cadet

Victorinox Swiss Army offers many pocketknife multitools with a Phillips driver (see Tinker, Explorer, and Outrider for examples), but if you want something a little more refined, look to the popular Cadet.

The main challenge with integrating a good Phillips screwdriver into a pocketknife design is the thickness required—that X-shaped Phillips bit just doesn’t play well with the skinny form factory of a folding knife. Luckily, the Victorinox Cadet has found a sneaky way around that limitation. If you take a quick glance at the Cadet, you’ll notice there’s no obvious Phillips driver to be seen. However, the engineers at Victorinox have a couple tricks up their sleeve: they’ve actually shaped the pointy tip of the file to fit small Phillips screws, and the flat tip of the can opener to fit some larger Phillips screws. Since the tools are flat, you won’t be able to exert a whole lot of torque, but it works great in a pinch and it’s certainly better than nothing!

In exchange for the compromised screwdriving power of the Victorinox Cadet, you get a tool that is affordable, ultra-slim, and ultra-light, making it easy to carry just about anywhere.