Mossy Oak 27-in-1 Review

Though not explicitly stated, the 27-in-1 is clearly a clone of the popular Leatherman Signal. Similarity in features aside, the 27-in-1 lives up to the task, and we feel it deserves worthy consideration as a Signal replacement.

Everyday Utility

Like the Leatherman Signal, the set of functions and tools included in the 27-in-1 are ostensibly for the outdoors and camping crowd. Things like a fire-starting rod, emergency whistle, even the wood saw, aren't going to be used in everyday life in the city or 'burbs. But make no mistake, there's plenty of utility to be found here.

That “27 functions” claim is definitely inflated. We can understand needlenose and regular pliers being counted separately… But when we see each of the 8 included swappable bits, or soft and hard wire cutters as separate features, that's when we raise eyebrows.

Ultimately, we count 16 distinct tools. The pliers are not spring-loaded, but they do have replaceable wire cutter jaws — unheard of on a tool in this price range. A bottle opener, can opener, small file, and awl are all pretty standard. We love the ridged hammer built into the carabiner, which itself has 2 separate hex bit holders. The belt sheath includes room for swappable bits, but importantly, they are NOT a standard 1/4" size. Instead, they maddeningly chose a non-standard hex size for their bits, so you're forced to use their limited set.

Construction Quality

Where budget tools often skimp on quality control or suffer from lax manufacturing precision, we didn't see those issues on the Mossy Oak. The tool arrived mildly oiled, and the major tools — pliers, knife, and saw — swing open easily.

In general, we're happy with the build quality here; it's an all-metal construction with just plastic bits on the whistle and its holder within the handle. Very little rattle or slop is detected; our only callout is a bit of play in the pivot for the pliers. That could get worse over time if they're used for twisting and prying. Otherwise, we're not concerned with the longevity of this tool.

Bottom line, we had a tough time detecting any corners that were cut; the Mossy Oak feels more like a premium option than anything else in its price range.

Ergonomics

For an all-metal body, the Mossy Oak is strangely comfortable to grip and use, especially for the pliers. The needlenose teeth go right to the tip and are delicate enough to hold apart smaller key rings, for example. If these were spring-loaded, they'd be up there with some of our favorite pliers on a multi-tool.

A 2.7" knife is plenty for most tasks. We don't feel the need to carry a separate pocket knife with this tool nearby. It specs a budget but legitimate stainless knife steel alloy (7Cr17MoV).

Where things get murkier are with the driver bits. A couple flathead drivers are included on the fold out tools, but no Phillips. Instead, the set of 4 double-ended bits can be used either on end through the impact surface, or 90 degrees out the side of the carabiner. We love the swapability of the system, but you'll need to carry them separately. In our experience, these tend to get forgotten or lost, and any standalone bits you may have won't fit here either… in this case, we would have preferred a single decent Phillips driver be permanently built in instead of the swappable system.

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The whistle/ferro rod combo tool sit securely in the handle, yet pop out easily when coaxed. It's probably the only piece you'll have to keep an eye on, as it could come loose rattling around in a bag.

The four fold-out arms on the inside of the handle are our only real gripe. Those are a little stiffer to pry out, and the nail nicks are deep enough that they can be hard to access. One of our testers literally chipped a nail doing so.

Portability

This is a tank of a multi-tool, no doubt, but it still feels sleek and constrained. There aren't many 'sharp' edges to rub a hole in fabric, or scrape up a knuckle against. This isn't an EDC (everyday carry) tool, though; it's made to be carried more intentionally.

We generally preferred to carry it via the belt sheath, which is itself bulky but fine, plus you can keep the extra driver bits there as well. It feels too heavy to clip on a belt loop via the carabiner, but that would be perfect on the outside of a pack. The included pocket clip is surprisingly decent, but again it's just too bulky for a consistent pocket carry.

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The upside here is that many of the tools are on the larger side and can effectively replace their stand alone counterparts. No need for a secondary pocket knife here, and we think reaching for the Mossy Oak instead of seeking out a hammer, saw, or pair of pliers makes sense too.

Should You Buy the Mossy Oak 27-in-1?

There's no better value in our tested lineup than the Mossy Oak. You get way more than you pay for. Truthfully, this will be one of the first options we look at for gifts in our own circles moving forward. The question is whether you're okay with the outdoor-focused feature set and want to carry the heft of an 8-10 ounce multi-tool (depending on sheath addition).

What Other Multi-tools Should You Consider?

Assuming the feature set is perfect for you, then the Leatherman Signal should be looked at. It costs 5x as much — no joke! — but the Signal's design is more polished. The Skeletool CX is only about 3x more expensive and has a similar carabiner design in a more manageable form. Otherwise, we simply can't recommend anything near the value the Mossy Oak provides.