Behold: The Swiss Army Knife Alternative That Broke Kickstarter

A Canadian YouTube star’s first project boasts premium materials, 21 functions and nearly $4 million in crowdfunding (so far).

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published August 8, 2025

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Updated August 8, 2025

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I first came across the Hacksmith (aka James Hobson) more than a decade ago, when the former engineer and product developer dropped a video wherein he designed and built actual Wolverine claws.

Projects like that have enabled the affable Canadian to turn Hacksmith Industries into a YouTube sensation, bringing fictional pop-culture objects into to life for 15 million-plus avid subscribers.

smith blade titanium multi-tool full — True to the Hacksmith brand, the precision machining on display with the Smith Blade is nonetheless impressive.

Now he and his team have turned their attention to creating something they can actually sell: The Smith Blade, a 21-in-1 Titanium Multi-Tool.

The secret sauce of videos recreating, say, Star Wars light sabers and John Wick’s bulletproof suit seems to be carrying over, as early in its run, the Kickstarter project has already raised nearly $4 million, with more than three weeks left to go.

But can this thing possibly outperform the renowned Victorinox Swiss Army Knives and Leatherman multi-tools that currently dominate the space? Let’s take a closer look.

Substantial steel

Considering how much time Hacksmith spends manifesting various superhero implements, it figures they would lean on a super steel for the blade of their first actual product.

In the case, it’s M390, a highly respected product of powder metallurgy that is prized for its edge retention and corrosion resistance.

smith blade deployment — The Smith Blade’s flipper deployment is something you rarely see in a bona fide multi-tool.

At 3.35 inches long — and deploying quickly and smoothly thanks to a rear flipper tab — this angular blade is up to just about any EDC task.

That material is also nicely complemented by the Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy making up much of the rest of the Smith Blade.

That makes it tough while keeping the weight low — 3.35 ounces with the driver bits, 3.1 ounces without.

smith blade in hand — Titanium alloy body construction keeps the build strong and the weight light.

Worth noting: only the top-end 21-function Smith Blade Pro features M390. The more wallet-friendly variants — the seven-function Smith Blade Lite and 14-function Smith Blade — get one of the better budget steels, 14C28N.

But speaking of those 21 functions…

Function fabulist

Not all multi-tool features are created equal, and writing about them regularly, I’ve noticed a pretty common tendency to stretch toward an impressive-sounding number, like 21.

In the interest of expediency, I’ll highlight a few of the Smith Blade’s best functions and then list the rest, leaving it up to you to decide how compelling they are.

The innovative approach to wire stripping is pretty cool even if you have no wires to strip.

First off, in a clever touch, Hacksmith put some grooves on the handle, enabling you to fold the blade in toward them, thread a 12-20ga wire through one and strip it.

Another thing I like is the pry bar/staple puller at the front end. It looks formidable, though I would like to see the groove go a bit deeper to give it a better chance of pulling nails, too.

Perhaps the best function (which Hacksmith ultimately lists four different ways) is its bit-driving capability.

smith blade bit driver — The bonus bit holder on the side dramatically multiplies the force with which you can drive bits.

In addition to being machined with internal hexagon channel, neodymium magnets and a titanium retention spring for convenient built-in storage, the Smith blade can drive both Phillips and flathead 4mm bits.

The bit holder also accommodates a 4mm pen tip for taking notes and there’s a separate bit holder on the side for 90-degree bit driving — perfect for tight spaces, plus extra leverage/torque when tightening or loosening.

Among the other most useful tools are a glass breaker, ferrocerium fire strike and a bottle opener.

Helping to boost the numbers — and admittedly quite handy for some folks — are a 15° adjustable protractor, nail file, tweezers, metric and imperial ruler, adjustable pocket clip, SIM tool/sewing awl, tritium illuminator, tungsten carbide metal scribe and bubble level.

Does all that add up to an SAK/Leatherman killer? Guess we’ll find out this fall.

Availability and pricing

The Smith Blade is currently available on Kickstarter in a number of different varieties.

The Smith Blade Lite (7-in-1) starts at ~$99, the Smith Blade (14-in-1) costs ~$197 and the Smith Blade Pro (21-in-1) with M390 blade steel costs ~$248.

Estimated delivery is November 2025.

Smith Blade 21-in-1 Titanium Multi-Tool

Starts at $99

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.