Roxon Flex Multitool Review

Bottom Line

The Roxon Flex marks a departure from the way people think about classic multitools – and it’s a good one. The headline feature is modularity: you can swap out tools on the fly, buy new ones, and modify the layout. This means you can take the file out of the tool, sharpen the knife, and then put the diamond file back in the frame if you want. This new way of approaching multitools looks so obvious in hindsight, but Roxon has executed the concept well, offering 72 different implements at the time of writing.

It easily earns a place near the top of our best multitools guide, although it’s not without quirks. Although usability and feature set are excellent, we found the individual quality of the tools to be a bit lacking, with the file showing deep scratches upon first use, and the screwdriver bit not quite seating as well into screws as others. Additionally, the length of the implements isn’t extendable to the entire frame like some external frame implements can on other multitools. It just means the knife is a bit short relative to the tool’s overall size.

When we tested it on outdoor home projects and camping trips, we found it worked decently well, but it was truly excellent in everyday carry (EDC) situations where customization and smooth ease of use were key. The fact that it’s reasonably priced for what you get is another big positive, making it a top choice for the discerning multitool owner who wants the best tool for them, not just the best tool in general.

How We Tested

We tested the Roxon Flex over the winter in a few environments. First is where it is most likely to find a niche, working on household tasks, and as an everyday carry tool.

Next, we took the Flex out to a more rural area to see how it survived as a helping hand fixing chicken coops, upgrading decks, and any other outdoor adjacent activities. And finally, we had to take it into the backcountry to see how it fared as a camping tool. Pounding stakes into harder ground, grabbing boiling kettles from the fire, and cutting twine and cord for rigging tarps.

Tool Selection

This is where the Flex shines, not in the amount of tools that it offers in its base configuration, but in the vast quantities of tools you can swap into the frame. Roxon has built quite an ecosystem around its concept of modular yet functional multitools, and the Flex takes full advantage of that. Each tool can be swapped in and out of the frame at will, offering far more customization than a normal multitool. The Roxon offers 72 different options, ranging from outdoors-focused to bike/gun maintenance and EDC use.

In its default configuration, the Flex claims 19 tools, and by our count, the Flex has space for 10 fold-out tools in the frame, as well as the standard pliers/wire cutter combination. 

Discussing the included tools feels slightly diminished since you can easily swap them out, but it’s worth noting that the standard load-out has 9 in the frame since the Phillips screwdriver takes up two slots.

We found the default tool selection to be okay, but it lacked many tools from our preferred tool list. No serrated knife, saw, bit driver, or small screwdrivers would have left us lacking, except that all of these and more can be swapped in. That’s what makes the Flex so, well, flexible to the needs of users; it can accommodate pretty much anything.

In addition to the fantastic modularity, the Flex boasts a nearly one-handed operation. On the side are two studs that can be pushed upward to release the implements from the frame for easy grabbing. This means no more digging nails into grooves to pry tools open, and the action is smooth and satisfying. These same studs move in the opposite direction to unlock the implements for replacement, and small locking switches above the studs allow tools to be locked in place so they can’t be accidentally folded in if the thumb stud moves during use. And finally, spring pliers are always welcome, but rarely seen, they felt great to use here.

Tool Performance

We found the default configuration of tools to be average in terms of performance. In fact, there were some areas where performance was lacking. Part of this is due to the relatively average steel used. The 5CR15Mov steel in the wire cutters dented on the first cut of some thick gauge wire, and the file experienced scratches when attempting to file down protruding screws tips. Not exactly a confidence-inspiring first impression.

The knife is decent but not outstanding, offering a shorter working length than other tools and a curved sheepsfoot-style blade. This is a slight negative, since a more standard or drop-point blade allows the knife to be used for piercing more easily. It’s also using a lower quality steel by default, DIN 1.4116, which has a hardness of 54-56 HRC.

Chromium plating can often hide lower-quality tool steels, and while we couldn’t find exact material specifications for the material used in the frame, the rest of the implements seem to be made of acceptable stock. Yet again, the modularity of this tool makes it better than it initially seems, since the knife can be upgraded to higher-quality D2 steel, and if the frame ever does wear out, all the tools will pop into a new one easily.

We generally don’t advocate buying replacements as an excuse for low-quality products, and the Flex is by no means low-quality. However, its minor shortcomings in tool performance are somewhat mitigated by the ability to swap something out if it doesn’t perform to your liking.

Comfort & Ease of Use

We loved using the Flex. It incorporates a few features that we wished all multitools had. The first is, of course, the great modular system. One of the most telling experiences about using this happened upon the first minute of unboxing, when the initial disappointment at the knife being in a less-than-ideal location turned into a lightbulb moment: just move the knife. 

Less than 20 seconds later, the knife was in a new, easier-to-use location. It was unlike any other multitool experience, and we wish all multitools could do this.

Speaking of comfort, when did multitools decide they needed to be sharp and boxy-looking? Roxon bucks this trend, opting for a smooth, rounded experience that doesn’t necessarily look “techy” but feels far better in the hand than other tools. The spring pliers also lend a much more luxurious touch, but the feature is legitimately useful when it’s otherwise tricky to maneuver your fingers.

Weight & Size

At 8.8oz (249g), the Flex is slightly heavier than its closest competitors’ multitools, but by the numbers, it’s strictly in the middle of its class that averages closer to 9.4oz. It’s also average in size, at 4.21×1.49×0.86 in (10.7×3.8×2.2cm), making it feel like a comfortably weighty tool for its size.

Should You Buy the Roxon Flex Multitool?

If you’re someone who has a specific set of tools you’d love to keep with you at all times, the Flex seems like the perfect fit. For EDC and home tasks, this is a great option. The fact that it comes in at a reasonable price and that replacement parts are part of the feature set means that this one tool could be the last one you need as it evolves with you. 

Overall, we think it offers good value if it fits into a use case you can envision. In its default loadout, it’s not the best option for outdoor enthusiasts, but that can be easily fixed with a few different implements. Even so, we’d probably reach for other multitools if we were looking for an outdoor-focused tool, since those offer a more durable, feature-rich solution.

What Other Multitools Should You Consider?

While there isn’t another multitool quite like the Roxon flex, there’s other options we’ve loved for a long time on our gear guide that we reviewed.

Rocktol Gen R Review: For a cheaper, more well-rounded, and better-performing tool, the Rocktol Gen R is hard to beat. Boasting an impressive array of tools that are all good quality, the value proposition on the Gen R outstrips any other tool. You do sacrifice modularity, comfort, and ease of use, but nearly every other tool is better performing and more robust. If the idea of the Flex is just a bit too overwhelming and you “just want a good multitool,” then the Gen R is the way to go.

Leatherman Wave+ Review: If you’re looking for the best all-around multitool and don’t mind paying a premium for it, the Leatherman Wave+ is still a great choice. With a good selection of tools, excellent steel, and a compact and lightweight design for what you get, the Wave+ nails the fundamentals, making it a jack-of-all-trades. However, it commands a high price for what you get, and for people who would rather have a specialty tool, the Flex probably makes more sense.

Leatherman Skeletool CX Review: For a more stripped-back approach compared to the plethora of options the Flex has, the Leatherman Skeletool CX is worth looking at. It doesn’t have many tools, but it’s also lightweight, and the few tools it does have are good quality. For someone who just needs a good knife and pliers for their EDC kit, the Skeletool is hard to argue with compared to the weight and complexity of the Flex.

SOG Poweraccess Deluxe Review: For more tools and features at a similar price, the SOG Poweracess Deluxe is worth checking out. The unique geared pliers means you can apply a ton of force in tough situations, and the tool selection here is good. While it lacks modularity, it retains spring pliers for good ease of use, and the selection of tools it does offer are good. That selection doesn’t even come at a weight premium, as the Flex and Poweraccess Deluxe are roughly the same weight.