The James Brand Helton: A Slim, Lockable Knife-Based Multitool With VG-10 and Detachable Tools

The James Brand has released its latest knife-based multitool, fleshing out a branch of its offerings that until now had consisted of a single model. The Helton takes the minimalist approach to deliver additional utility while still remaining lightweight and thin. For a brand whose identity is built on clean, considered design, the Helton is a natural evolution: more tools, same aesthetic restraint.

Knife-based multitools, as a genre, are built really upon a single company — Victorinox. There used to be two companies working regularly in this space, but Wegner was eventually acquired by its competitor, leaving the Swiss Army knife as the default template. When knife companies begin exploring the realm of the multitool, more often than not they follow in the footsteps of Leatherman-style plier tools instead. The James Brand has taken the opposite path, building on the knife-first approach and expanding it with the Helton.

Compared with its predecessor, the Helton expands the tool selection by quite a bit. There is still the main blade, of course — a 2.3-inch combo-edged drop point made from VG-10, a steel known for a good balance of edge retention and ease of sharpening. The scissors are still here too, but they are now joined by a Phillips driver/bottle opener, a flathead driver/file, and two detachable tools that slot into the handle. That is a meaningful step up in utility for a package that remains thin and light enough for minimalist carry.

Another key feature — and another differentiator from the average knife-based MT — is that all of its folding tools are lockable thanks to liner locks placed through its frame. Locking knife-based multitools are not unheard of, but it is a feature anybody used to the safety of the average modern folder will appreciate. It removes the worry of a tool folding closed on your fingers mid-task, which is the one complaint that keeps many people away from traditional slipjoint-style multitools.

For EDC fans who like the idea of a multitool but find plier-based designs too bulky, the Helton is a compelling middle ground: the slim profile of a knife, the utility of a mini toolset, and locking implements for safety. It is a thoughtful entry into a genre that has had very few new ideas lately — and proof that there is still room for innovation in the knife-based multitool.