Micra / Leatherman

The Micra is built around a different idea from most Leatherman tools. Where the others centre pliers, the Micra centres spring-action scissors, unusually good ones for a tool that closes to 2.5 inches, and that single choice defines what the keychain carries. The scissors are the spring-loaded part; the other nine tools, a knife, screwdrivers, a file, tweezers, a bottle opener and a ruler etched into the handles, fold out the conventional way and need the handles opened first. At 1.8 ounces in stainless steel, it is light enough to forget on a keyring. The design has been essentially unchanged since 1996, which says something about how settled it is: it does scissors-first, light-duty work better than almost anything its size, and does not pretend to do more.