Multi-tools are exceptional companions — compact, versatile, and rugged — but they still require care to perform reliably and last year after year. Whether you carry a Leatherman, a Gerber, or something in between, the same principles apply: keep it clean, keep it dry, lubricate, sharpen, and inspect. Below is a guide based on manufacturer advice, user experience, and best practices.
Why maintenance matters
Even though many multi-tools are made from high-grade stainless steel, “stainless” does not mean “rust-proof.” Over time, corrosion, grit, and wear in pivots and joints can degrade performance.
Regular maintenance ensures:
- smooth opening/closing of tools
- less wear on parts
- retention of sharp edges
- avoidance of stuck or seized joints
- increased useful lifespan
Basic care steps:
1. Clean
- After use, especially in dirty, sandy, marine, or sticky environments, flush your tool with fresh water.
- For tougher grime, soak in warm water with mild detergent (dish soap) and open/close all tools under water to dislodge debris.
- Use soft brushes, cotton swabs, toothpicks, or a cleaning pick to reach tight crevices, especially around pivots and springs.
- Avoid aggressive solvents: for sticky substances (tar, adhesive) Leatherman suggests turpentine or other mineral spirits (but warns that acetone or brake cleaners may damage plastic parts).
- Never (or rarely) put your tool in a dishwasher — high heat, detergents, or agitation may distort plastic scales or damage components
2. Dry thoroughly
- After rinsing, dry each tool and pivot carefully. Use a cloth, compressed air, blow-dryer (cool or warm) to drive out residual moisture.
- Don’t fold up the tool while still wet — that traps moisture in joints.
3. Lubricate
- Apply a light lubricant (light oil, knife / multi-tool oil, synthetic oil, PTFE / Teflon-based lube) to pivot points, slides, and friction surfaces.
- Open and close tools several times to ensure oil penetrates the joints.
- Wipe off any excess oil to avoid attracting dust or debris.
- Be especially vigilant in corrosive or marine environments — rinse, dry, and re-oil more often.
4. Sharpening & edge care
- Straight blades: use whetstone, rods, sharpening stones, or diamond/ceramic sharpeners. Leatherman recommends ~32° (16° per side), though others accept angles up to ~20° per side.
- Serrated blades: use a tapered rod or file sized for serrations. Only sharpen the serrated side, not the flat back, to preserve the shape.
- Gerber suggests a uniform 15° angle on each side (30° total) for their knife edges, and to use quality diamond, ceramic, or hard abrasive sharpeners.
5. Inspect & handle with care
- Periodically inspect screws, pivots, springs, and other hardware for wear, looseness, or corrosion.
- Avoid using blades or tools beyond their intended purpose (e.g. prying with a blade) as that can damage the edges or pivots.
- If a tool becomes loose or fails, avoid disassembling it yourself (especially while under warranty) — seek professional servicing.
6. Long term storage
If you don't plan to use your multi-tool for a longer period you can safely store it in a dry place, using the original manufacturer box. If you don't have the box, you can always store your multi-tool neatly folded in the TacTree holster, specially designed to keep your tool safe and ready to use.
Brand-specific pointers
Leatherman
- Leatherman official maintenance advice emphasises that stainless steel is corrosion-resistant but not impervious to rust, and recommends regular cleaning, drying, and lubricant application.
- For sticky or tar-type substances, Leatherman suggests turpentine or mineral spirits, but warns against acetone or brake cleaner (which may damage plastic parts).
- Black Oxide Coating makes your tool anti-reflective and corrosion resistant. It's applied by repeatedly dipping the metal in hot baths to create a chemical bond and black colour called "magnetite". As a natural part of this process, a material may be be on the blade. However it'll rub off after a couple of uses, or can be cleaned off with oil (regular mineral oil, gun oil, 3-in-1 oil. The coating may wear off with regular use, but it will not fall or flake off.
- If you regularly clean your tool with oil, your tool will look nicer longer and minimise wear and tear.
Gerber
- Gerber’s product care guidelines advise cleaning debris and moisture first, then applying a light oil (3-in-1, gun oil, or similar) on hinges and sliding surfaces.
- For serrated blades, they recommend using a round shaft (diamond) to file each serration, then checking for a burr on the flat side to confirm sharpening.
- Gerber notes that their stainless steel, while high grade, is still susceptible to corrosion without maintenance.
- After contact with salt water, flush thoroughly and re-oil.