On a long trip, a multi-tool is a nice safeguard for all the little mishaps that turn up.

A zipper might bend out of place, your valuables might be secured with an impossible-to-untie knot, or you might need to crack open a bottle of Thums-up cola.

Whatever the need is, a small multi-tool that has the basics can really save the day. The Gerber Vise is such a tool.

If you’ve used a Leatherman before, you’ll find the Vise very familiar.

The trusty little Gerber tool contains a serrated blade, a straight blade, a pair of small pliers, a bottle opener, a nail file, a screw driver, and what appears to be a small chisel, for all your portable chiseling needs. It even has a small loop for attaching to a keychain. What is missing, however, is a can opener.

For cans of liquid, the chisel seems to do a decent job, but if you have a can of soup you are left in the dust.

The two small blades on the Vise are both extremely sharp and very effective for small jobs. They can cut through a small baguette, shoelaces, and nylon straps with ease, but look elsewhere if you’d like to do a little whittling or more precision cutting.

These few shortcomings aside, the Vise is a very capable tool for quick fixes and the negatives can all be overlooked by its incredibly attractive price tag. At just under $15 dollars it is a far cheaper alternative than the similar Leatherman Juice.  Just remember to keep this little guy stuffed away in your checked luggage when country-hopping by plane.

If you are planning a long-term trip, I would definitely suggest bringing a multi-tool. The Gerber Vise has a nice feature set at a nice price, and is an effective tool for small jobs. However, if you’d like bigger blades or a can opener, I’d suggest looking for another tool.

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