You probably remember getting your very first Swiss Army knife. The coolest little gadget you had ever seen—it was a knife, a saw, a corkscrew, and a set of pliers all in one. Your first camping excursions, woodworking projects, and general hijinks with friends weren’t complete without that trusty Swiss Army knife. But you’ve grown up since then, and the Swiss Army knife has, too. That familiar red model is just the entry-level form of the multi-tool. In adulthood, whether you’re on the beat or relaxing on your weekend, here are some reasons to carry a multi-tool.

On-the-Go Repairs

One of the unforeseen consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic was an explosion in bicycle purchases. With the world under quarantine and people seeking independent exercise and recreation, bikes flew off the shelves to the extent that America experienced a bike shortage in the summer of 2020. If you were one of the people who bought a bike, or if you rely on a bike at work, having a multi-tool on hand can help you take care of small repairs while you’re on the road, ensuring you won’t have to take a long walk back.

Opening Packages

As we do more online shopping, we receive more packages, and those packages seem to be more and more tightly packed with each passing day. Don’t try to get a fingernail through that heavy packing tape when you can simply reach for your multi-tool and slice right through. Even the mail you get at your desk each day is a worthy candidate for some quick and easy letter-opening, courtesy of your multi-tool. Opportunities to work smarter and not harder are everywhere.

Unscrewing Tiny Screws

Whether it’s your laptop, your entertainment system, or your kid’s toys, you’re likely to find screws that your standard flathead and Phillips screwdrivers are too big to unscrew. For these tasks, a handy multi-tool can do the job in a hurry. Take note—even the most versatile multi-tool probably won’t keep you from dropping and losing those tiny screws as you work.

More Than We Can Mention

The true merit of a multi-tool is that it can do a little bit of everything, just in time and just in case. No matter what you’re doing, new reasons to carry a multi-tool may arise. While it’s rarely the ideal piece of hardware for a given situation, it’s almost always enough for the moment. If you value preparedness, you’ll always want to have a multi-tool on hand. When you’re outfitted in OCP gear, you’re ready for anything. Make sure you’re ready by making a multi-tool part of that gear.