SlashGear Picks 5 Foldable Harbor Freight Tools With Ratings Up to 97%

Q: Is Harbor Freight's budget multi-tool a smart buy or a risky bet for your EDC kit?

Harbor Freight’s Gordon 20-in-1 Multi-Tool is a smart buy only if you want a low-cost backup or starter tool; for a true everyday-carry workhorse, it is a riskier bet. The case for it is straightforward: it is inexpensive, compact, and unusually full-featured for the price. Reviews cited in the coverage say it closely mirrors the layout of the far pricier Leatherman Wave+, and it has generally held up respectably over about a year of use. Customer feedback is also solid, with a 4.5-star average from roughly 600 reviews, suggesting many buyers find it useful for light-duty tasks. The downside is durability and day-to-day usability. Long-term testing found the expected compromises of a budget multi-tool: lower-grade blade steel, non-replaceable wire cutters, some deformation in the cutting jaws, and a driver bit that can work loose. It also requires two hands to deploy the pliers, which makes it slower and clunkier than better EDC options. Those are meaningful drawbacks if you rely on a multi-tool frequently. That matters because expert guidance on EDC tools emphasizes durability, ergonomics, quick deployment, and dependable load-bearing performance. On those measures, the Gordon appears serviceable rather than standout. If your goal is a glove-box tool, kitchen-drawer backup, or an affordable way to try a full-size multi-tool, it makes sense. If you want something for constant pocket carry and repeated hard use, spending more on a proven premium model is the safer move.

1 articles · Updated · SlashGear · Jul 5

Five Harbor Freight items made SlashGear’s compact-tool list: a foldable work light, utility knife, 20-in-1 multi-tool, Torx key set and hawkbill flip knife.
4-star-plus ratings and at least 80% recommendation rates drove the selection, with the published list saying the lowest recommendation figure among the picks was 89%.
800 lumens, 12 inches and 8.5 hours define the Icon rechargeable work light, while the Pittsburgh mini utility knife drew a 4.8/5 average from more than 750 reviews and a 97% recommendation rate.
Other standouts included the $5.99 seven-key Torx set with a 4.7/5 rating, plus the Gordon multi-tool and Doyle flip knife, though some users flagged durability or sharpening drawbacks.
The roundup centers on pocket- or backpack-friendly gear aimed at people who want everyday tools without carrying bulkier equipment.