is the strata worth twice a suspension?

[scrappy]

I own a gerber strata and a gerber suspension. The strata cost twice as much but both have similar tool loads.  I might not keep the strata. Is it really better than the suspension and worth keeping? Anyone use a strata much?
Thanks

[Grant Lamontagne]

I like the Strata- it's a good, beefy tool and is part of Gerber's attempt to reclaim their old reputation for making solid tools.  The only significant drawback there is to the Strata is the locks can be difficult to release since there's little traction texturing on it.  It's also a bit on the bulky side, but in a good way- it feels solid.

The Suspension on the other hand is poo.  It's bulky because no one felt the need to invest time in proper, efficient design.  The cheap pot metal used in the plier head means it's likely to snap with anything above minor use and quite frankly the tools were made as cheaply as possible.  The Suspension was designed to be mass marketed to Big Box stores, and compete with the cheap trash that's usually on their shelves.  It's slightly better than some cheapies, but not what one would expect from a serious brand name.

In short, the Strata isn't worth twice what the Suspension is worth- the Suspension is virtually worthless, and the Strata is worth several hundred times that.

Def

[J-sews]

I don't much care for either one of them. With the Suspension its pretty much the entire tool I don't care for - its too fat, too wide, the blades and drivers are too short, it feels cheaply built, etc, etc.

With the Strata on the other hand, my dislike is narrowly focused on one thing: the lock releases. Argh, they are the most aggravating thing on any multitool I have ever handled! Like Grant says, they wedge up stubbornly, every time, and won't let go. I've had to resort to prying them back open with a screwdriver!

<sigh> but maybe mine is an early model with issues, and they've since corrected that problem? If so, the Strata would be a pretty decent EDC tool in my opinion.

[scrappy]

Thanks Def and Bob
Sounds like you both think the pliers and implements are better on the strata. I almost wondered if it was just a nicer looking suspension with the same pot steel :-)  I take it the consenses is that it isn't the same quality. I have used both but not enough yet.
Thanks for the info.

[Grant Lamontagne]

The problem with the Strata is a simple design problem, which, if remedied, would make a great tool.  Yes, the locks are frustrating, but the Strata is otherwise a good quality tool.

The problem with the Suspension is absolutely everything about the Suspension. 

While the Strata has one (significant) flaw, the Suspension is a significant flaw!

Def

[J-sews]

The problem with the Strata is a simple design problem, which, if remedied, would make a great tool.  Yes, the locks are frustrating, but the Strata is otherwise a good quality tool.

The problem with the Suspension is absolutely everything about the Suspension. 

While the Strata has one (significant) flaw, the Suspension is a significant flaw!

Def

Here here

[Chako]

The Bear Grylls edition fixed the locking mechanism of the Strata. They are much grippier and easier to use.

My problem with the Strata is a safety issue. When the scissors are folded away, if you somehow press the scissor handle downwards, it pushes a sharp end through the other side of the handle, thereby creating a real potential to hurt yourself. Especially if you don't look at what you're doing.

The reason it can do this, the other side of the handles are cut away enough for the scissors to pivot inside the handles themselves. One would think they would have fashioned some sort of a physical stop to prevent this from happening. A bit surprised they didn't fix this in the newer BG version to be honest.

The Suspension is a safer tool to use...and I hate saying that.

[J-sews]

Hmmm, good observation Dan. I had not picked up on that problem before.


(also I had not noticed they dropped the wire cutter inserts on the Bear Grylls version)

[Syph007]

OUCH!  Nothing screams comfort like a sharp implement jammed through your palm!

I've never owned a gerber since most of the ones I ever held feel like junk.  It seems though they USED to make good solid tools back in the day?  My buddy has one from the early 90s that doesnt feel as cheap as the modern ones.  But I havent seen anything from their modern lineup that is even half as good as VIC/SOG/LM

[Grant Lamontagne]

Actually, while that is potentially dangerous, it's also pretty noticeable.  The real problem is when the blade is just sticking out a small amount that you don't notice- until your hand finds it.  That happened to me once and I noted it in the Strata review on the Main Site:

http://www.multitool.org/Gerber/Medium-Tools/2010/04/15/strata.html

A quick word on the scissors- they are fantastic in use, but I don't care for scissors that need to be stored in the open position, and the Strata is a perfect example of why.  With many designs, like that on the Leatherman Blast, the blades are contained inside the handles, so if they are folded improperly it's not as big a deal.  With the Strata, the scissors need to be opened 180 degrees, then folded into the handle, but if the user isn't careful when doing it, there is a chance that the tip of one of the scissor blades can be left protruding from the handle, which could result in a decent cut to your hand or fingers the next time you pick it up.  I found this out the hard way, but fortunately not too hard as I just got a small scratch.  It's a minor concern that can be solved by paying a little bit of attention, but still worth noting.

The tools you are referring to are probably the MP400/600, which do have a more solid feel than most other Gerber Tools.  Those I believe are still made in the US, while the rest of the line is made overseas.  Gerber made good tools for years but started chasing the mass market with cheap tools for a while with models like the Evo, Ripstop, Suspension, Tread, Crucial and a number of others, but they have realized these tools are damaging their brand name, and they have been working on better tools over the last few years.  There's a marked change from the Suspension (and it's clones- all identical except for name and handle scales, each developed so major customers and big box stores could have "their own multitool") and the newer, more serious models like the Grappler, Octane, Diesel, Flik and Strata.  While these tools are still made overseas, they are good solid working tools on par with offerings from SOG or Leatherman.

Def

[jzmtl]

Unfortunately they've already did damage to their own name, going to take a lot of work to reverse that.

[Chako]

Yes Def, I did exaggerate it for that photo...but one shouldn't be able to do this in the first place. With that said, I did manage to hurt myself with the Strata when I first got it due to this.  I agree, you are more than likely to just have that tip poke out slightly, enough to make you feel it. It is overall a bad design. Just surprised they didn't bother to fix it with the newer BG model.

[Syph007]

The tools you are referring to are probably the MP400/600, which do have a more solid feel than most other Gerber Tools.  Those I believe are still made in the US, while the rest of the line is made overseas. 

Ah I see.  Ya it says the army issue MP600 is US made.  I just figured it was all china made.  It looks decent enough, I might just have to try one and I never thought Id touch a gerber... but I may as well own at least one to round out the collection.     I see army issue MP600s new on ebay for a decent price.

[Grant Lamontagne]

USA Made Gerber Military Issue Multitool

Proof that "USA Made" is not a guarantee that something is good or not.   

Def

[jerseydevil]

The tools you are referring to are probably the MP400/600, which do have a more solid feel than most other Gerber Tools.  Those I believe are still made in the US, while the rest of the line is made overseas. 

Ah I see.  Ya it says the army issue MP600 is US made.  I just figured it was all china made.  It looks decent enough, I might just have to try one and I never thought Id touch a gerber... but I may as well own at least one to round out the collection.     I see army issue MP600s new on ebay for a decent price.

Given the reputation that some Gerber tools have here, I thought the same thing for a while. Then I got an MP450 in a trade here. It's become my most used non-SAK. I also have an Octane, which though Chinese-made is a great little tool IMO, and one of the US Army MP600s. I'm looking to pick up either another MP600 or a Diesel to keep in my bag. I've found a new respect for Gerbers and earned a lesson-don't knock 'em until you try them.....except for the Suspension. Its POS rep is well deserved. I broke one just handing it a bit in the store.......