Gerber Fan Club.

[Gareth]

OK so Gerber comes in for a bit of stick here, but they've got a lot of very good MT's out there IMO.  So lets hear from you fans, and see some pics of course.

I'll kick it off with two of the mainstays of the Gerber line; the MP600 and MP400.


I also have the Clutch, but I'm not so sure I'm a 'fan' if I'm honest.   It's not a bad tool at all, but Leatherman does it better with the Squirt I'd say.



Gerber also do a good, if basic, torch.  The Infinity Ultra.



So lets hear from some of Gerber's other fans.

[Grant Lamontagne]

You forgot one of Gerber's coolest tools ever!

I am also a huge fan of the Infinity Ultra- I've beaten one of those for years working at the bar and it's gone through the wash on several occasions, and it still works.  Also, while it may not be that bright compared to other lights, the battery in it lasts forever.

The MP600 takes a slot as one of the most iconic multitools of all time, and while I think everyone is entitled to their opinions, anyone who disagrees with that statement is wrong. 

If I had to choose my favorite variant of the MP600, I'd have to say the Pro Scout:



The removable/replaceable saw blade is probably the best on the market- sorry Leatherman fans! 

Last but not least, while they have had their problems (cough cough Suspension cough) they have innovated some of the best ideas in the industry- the afore mentioned blade exchanger and replaceable carbide cutters for example.

Like Gerber or not, that's your choice, but you do have to respect their innovations.

Def

[Gareth]

The Infinity has become my 'stay-at-work' light, as it resides clipped to my desk tidy.  Rather than grabbing a bigger, brighter light from my bag I'll often just slip the Infinity in my pocket.

[Sazabi]

The Infinity has become my 'stay-at-work' light, as it resides clipped to my desk tidy.  Rather than grabbing a bigger, brighter light from my bag I'll often just slip the Infinity in my pocket.

I have to second the Infinity Ultra(-M model); I have one that is in my daily rotation.  Wonderful little light; I came home with a box of them from SMKW when they had them on closeout for $10/each; kinda wish I'd picked up more, heh.

[Grant Lamontagne]

The Infinity has become my 'stay-at-work' light, as it resides clipped to my desk tidy.  Rather than grabbing a bigger, brighter light from my bag I'll often just slip the Infinity in my pocket.

I makes a perfect backup/emergency type light because the batteries last forever.  I've often heard that a flashlight is a place to store dead batteries, but if that's the case than mine must be defective!

Def

[scrappy]

Def
Have you had any issues with the saw? I bought several and none will fit.

[5hif7y]

i dont carry nor do i own any (big) gerber tools. i find that there just not as usefull as a leahterman tool for me at work. i understand that's my opinion and it down to my work needs.

i would never say i hate gerber. there the tool company that thinks outside the box, there ideas have some drawbacks IMO but are different and clever. i love the idea behind the sliding plier head, its way cool 

i respect there tools and the people that carry them. if i had the money i would collect them but i dont think i would use them as much as a leatherman.

i do have a cluch though and that's a neat little tool. i do feel that leatherman do a better job with the squirt but it doesn't mean its not good in its own way.

[50ft-trad]

What Gerber lack in consistency it makes up for in innovation and having the guts to try something different.

Many times they have got things very wrong ... the "dead fly" springs to mind



This got sent on a passaround with Kirk13's mini suspension, and I hope it hasn't left a trail of injuries in it's wake. I'm sure that thing was sponsored by Elastoplast. As for my experience with some of their other offerings, I appreciate how important the multiplier was in the evolutionary cycle, but I can't bring myself to use mine for fear of a profanity overdose and terminally mangled palms. The Flik was ... well ... flikkin hopeless, or at least mine was. Great idea, shame about the excecution ... but every now and again ... they do come up with a real winner.



I know the MP700 doesn't seem to garner much attention round here, but I've found it to be an excellent everyday tool, and it's one of my most carried items. Outside opening tools with scissors, a 3D phillips and indexable cutters ... I'm continually surprised it wasn't more popular and got dropped from the line.

The MP600 is certainly iconic, but needed the help of an ugly bearded chap in a far away land to realise it's full potential 





 

Gerber deserves the scepticism for their quality and consistency historically and indeed for some of their designs, but they also deserve recognition for some good gear which has been overshadowed by another company ... who actually accounts for the bulk of the tools I've gotten rid of in the search for something that works as well as the MP700!

I think the reasons for their failures is the same reason they've had some very successful innovations ... they're completely bonkers, and I'd have a pint with them anyday 

[5hif7y]

I think the reasons for their failures is the same reason they've had some very successful innovations ... they're completely bonkers, and I'd have a pint with them anyday   

i totally agree. there ideas are crazy and sometimes crazy pays off. leatherman are great but they do play it safe at times.

a perfect example of leatherman playing it safe IMO is the rebar. the supertool300 has done well so they release it smaller.(dont get me wrong, i really want one  )

[scrappy]

 the 600 is a great tool
 the 650 is even better
 the 800 is the best if you ask me. I have a hard time finding saws that fit but the saw works great. The pliers are nice and the tool load is good.
I also like the diesel
The freehand is okay and would better if not for the tool load

[Chako]

Count me in. I like the odd ball items better than the run of the mill stuff.

The 650 Evolution and the 500 Recoil are the first two that come to mind for me.

[jerseydevil]

I'm in. My MP450 is one of my most-used multis. The Octane is a great little tool for what I need, and my BO MP600 is just sweet.

[David]

My first MT was a Gerber BO Blunt nose Multi-Lock. That was stolen. Since the place I got it from no longer carried them I got the new MP600 w/needle nose and bit kit. It was my only MT for almost ten years. It served my well in that time.     

[WH867]

My MP600 Bluntnose is still my most carried tool. 


these I don't carry

[David]

Those are      Dennis.     Some more Gerbers.