I’ve been using the Leatherman Hybrid Gardening Multi-tool ($40) constantly for the past month, and it’s proven more useful than I originally thought possible. I’m not normally a multi-tool kind of gal. I prefer single-task tools that perform a specialized job well. But frankly, this “all in one” tool has saved me a bunch of trips to the garage.

The bypass pruners work well for cutting back hydrangeas, spireas and my other shrubs with relatively thin branches. But they had some trouble cutting through my lilacs and other woody perennials more than 1 in. in diameter. The little saw comes in handy for tearing through fibrous, difficult stems like dead rugosa rose canes, as well as tangled grape and honeysuckle vines that don’t always cut cleanly with a pruning tool. And I’ve been using the small knife blade to slice open bags of potting soil, mulch and manure (which sure beats the ongoing hunt for my utility knife). Also, the wire cutters let me snip sharp edges off my 14-gauge wire trellis. I haven’t had a chance to try the other side tools, which include a weed remover, a Phillips and flat-blade screwdriver and a “bark lifter” (guess I don’t lift bark very often).

My main complaints: The bypass pruning tool is just not heavy-duty enough for larger-branched shrubs, and the molded plastic handle hurts when I’m squeezing hard (maybe because I have small hands). I also wish the tool were a brighter color. The yellow and black handle (which quickly became a muddy yellow and black) blends in so well with the cedar mulch in my garden beds that it’s easy to lose sight of it. That’s not a problem for folks who carry the tool in the sheath on their belt, but I only use the sheath when I put the tool away at the end of a gardening day. 

For the more serious pruning tasks in my spring garden, I’ll stick with my 15-year-old Felco hand pruners.  But for everyday light- to medium-duty trimming, deadheading, soil prep and planting, the Leatherman Hybrid Gardening Multi-tool is a great addition to my gardening toolbox. Find retailers (including online sources) on the company’s Web site.

Leatherman, (800) 847-8665. leatherman.com

--Elisa Bernick, associate editor

Associate Editor Elisa Bernick puts her Leatherman Hybrid Gardening Multi-tool to work on some shrubs.