Multitool.org Forum
Tool Talk => Reviews => Topic started by: AimlessWanderer on October 24, 2012, 10:46:32 PM
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Not everyone can carry around a tool with a one hand opening locking blade all day, and people all round the world face various restrictions on what knives they can legally carry and when. It’s therefore a refreshing change to see a manufacturer bring a new product to market which can be appreciated and carried by a wider audience. Gerber’s new Balance multitool seems very much to have been built for the urban user.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00016.jpg)
Overall the Gerber Balance has a sense of civility about it. There’s just nothing “tactical” about this tool, even the flicky pliers ... don’t flick! Instead they slide out very smoothly with a central button.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00017.jpg)
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00025.jpg)
The deployed pliers do look a little small when compared to the rest of the tool, and indeed they are lighter duty than what you might find on a similar sized tool such as a Leatherman Kick, MP400, or Victorinox Spirit, but in effect they are about the same size as the perfectly capable pliers on a Leatherman Juice. The more observant may have also noticed the closed position of the handles when the jaws are closed. This DOES have the potential to be a little pinchy at times if you have fleshy palms, but not on the same level as the vicious original Multipliers. So far it has not caused me a problem – but then I’ve not had the tool long. The head shape seems good for general utility, and the anvil style wire cutters seem well made and worked fine, leaving only a few fine strands unsnipped as anvil pliers often do.
All tools on the balance are non-locking, and although the backsprings do feel rather soft, I’ve had no issues as yet with inadvertent closure. One side houses a combo edged blade, the plain edged section of which has a fair bit of belly to make it a useful slicer.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00021.jpg)
The only real niggle being the fact that the nail nick is so close to the pivot making it harder to deploy than could be necessary. However, with the knife deployed, the scale cut-out to access the nail nick does make a comfortable place to rest your index finger to keep it away from the knife edge – so this may have actually been intentional
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00022.jpg)
Alongside the knife blade is the first dedicated bit driver. Unfortunately both drivers take proprietary 3/16" hex bits, and it appears compatible bits may not be commercially available at this time. The driver came armed with a double ended bit sporting a 4mm flat and what looks like a #1 Philips. Being non-locking I was wary of the potential for the driver closing under use, but both bits and the holder were secure enough for me to tighten the hinges, adjust the strike plate and remove the handle from the office door for no reason whatsoever. One day I’ll get to the bottom of why I keep getting funny looks at work!
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00023.jpg)
The other side houses scissors, and in typical Gerber fashion these work perfectly fine on a range of materials. The small thumb pad makes the scissors easier to retrieve and more comfortable to use – a welcome step up from the normal multiplier scissors. Alongside these lies the second bit driver. This one comes preloaded with a small Philips bit suitable for opening up electronics, and a small flat driver on the other end which works excellently on spectacles. The base of the driver arm has a bottle opener, and it works – not the most efficient opener I’ve ever used, but effective enough. The final tool is a nice little pair of angled tweezers, tucked away in the scale at the pliers end.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00024.jpg)
Overall the tool feels ergonomic and reassuring. It doesn’t feel like a tool you can conquer the world with, but it does feel like it’s not going to let you down as a daily use urban pocket tool – and a pocket tool it is – no sheath or lanyard attachment came with the tool. I think it’s lovely coating isn’t going to be lovely for very long though. I threw mine in a pocket as soon as I received it, and within a few hours of sharing pocket space with car keys, coins and a pocket clipped knife the first few tiny flecks of metal beneath the coating were starting to show. Carried alone in a pocket it will probably last a long time, but rattled alongside keys and coins the scratches are liable to come thick and fast.
Initial impressions are that this tool could be a real winner for Gerber. The Balance is a good solid pocket tool for urban carry. A few years ago Gerber discontinued what they called their Urban Legend, the MP700. This tool is pretty much the same size in all directions, with all the same tool choices, but with a non-locking two handed blade to meet the urban restrictions that many people face today.
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG-20121024-00018.jpg)
Has the Urban Legend been reborn? Will it acquire the “go to” pocket tool status that the MP700 strived for, but never achieved? Only time will tell.
Pros:
A very ergonomic tool to hold
High quality feel
Integrated bit drivers
Cons:
Soft back springs
Awkward nail nick on knife blade
Driver bits are non-standard
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Great review Al,it might make it to my Christmass list :tu:
:twak:Now hurry up with the pix :twak:
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Cheers John,
Pics will probably be next week mate. I've a busy schedule in front of me at the me :salute:
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Cheers John,
Pics will probably be next week mate. I've a busy schedule in front of me at the me :salute:
Always the tease,arn't you
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Cheers John,
Pics will probably be next week mate. I've a busy schedule in front of me at the me :salute:
Always the tease,arn't you
You've got me feeling guilty now yer bugger!!! :twak: :twak: :P
OK, hang on a bit ...... quick phone pics coming so Kirky can sleep tonight ... :whistle:
EDIT: Quick pics up John - hope to get some prettier ones later :tu:
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Nice review, Al! :salute: A quick :twak: to you though - reading one of your reviews resulted in my getting a Deluxe Tinker, and a Balance is all but assured of joining the family now..... ;)
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Great review! I liked the Balance when I saw it- it's different but it's not. Different enough that it stands out but not so different (like the Fit for example) that no one knows what to do with it.
In my mind its the modern embodiment of the Juice series- or at least what they were intended to be.
Def
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
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Great review! I liked the Balance when I saw it- it's different but it's not. Different enough that it stands out but not so different (like the Fit for example) that no one knows what to do with it.
In my mind its the modern embodiment of the Juice series- or at least what they were intended to be.
Def
Sent from my MB860 using Tapatalk 2
Funny you should mention the Fit - I actually cut a chunk out of the review as it was getting a little overburdoned, and it was all about the Fit. Take the pliers away from the Balance and replace it with a flashlight, and that's exactly what you've got ... in short ...
Combo edged blade with the nail nick too high up, hex bit driver with cap lifter on the arm (the Balance's driver arms are far superior due to their one piece construction - but the Fit's bottle opener is better). One large philips for general screws plus a smaller one for electronics. One medium flat for general, and one smaller one which also fits spectacles. Scissors with the little thumb tab and the same spring arrangement, and even a pair of tweezers tucked inside too. The designs on all the components on the Balance are better, and all the tools lock on the Fit barring the two smaller drivers.
I quite like the Fit not just for the tool array, but it's also a very nice floody light and a very useful glove compartment item
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great review mate. :cheers:
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Nice review, Al! :salute: A quick :twak: to you though - reading one of your reviews resulted in my getting a Deluxe Tinker, and a Balance is all but assured of joining the family now..... ;)
I'm pretty sure you'd like this little feller, Tom. In fact I think there's a few here that would :)
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:tu:
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
none yet, I'm totally brassic right now. :D
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
none yet, I'm totally brassic right now. :D
.. or simply not inebriated enough last time you went online browsing >:D When you have trouble holding your head up and start inadvertently typing with your face, that's a good time to keep away from Amazon etc ... or at least that's the conclusion I came to after buying another CS4 :rofl:
I'm very glad I took the plunge on the Balance though. It's one I had been talking myself out of for a while. Getting this and selling some other stuff was for sure the right move - though I didn't necessarily do those two in the right order :whistle:
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
none yet, I'm totally brassic right now. :D
.. or simply not inebriated enough last time you went online browsing >:D When you have trouble holding your head up and start inadvertently typing with your face, that's a good time to keep away from Amazon etc ... or at least that's the conclusion I came to after buying another CS4 :rofl:
I'm very glad I took the plunge on the Balance though. It's one I had been talking myself out of for a while. Getting this and selling some other stuff was for sure the right move - though I didn't necessarily do those two in the right order :whistle:
:rofl:
I absolutely cannot go spending anything right now, this little toy has taking all of my "me" money for quite a while to come. :)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/Swords/Phonepics231012036.jpg)
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That's a beauty :tu: My BSA Lightening has been quite active lately on pest control at work after everyone has gone home. Not as sleek as that one of yours mate, but does the job nicely :)
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Looks like we might need to get a pellet trap for the next meet-up and do some shooting. ;)
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If Kirky's available I'm sure he'd be up for that too :tu:
You'll have to stop me getting too zoned in though, mate. I wouldn't want to get into that pest control state of mind. You'll all laugh at me when I run up to the pellet trap swear loudly and give it a couple of whacks with the fat end after every shot :whistle:
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If Kirky's available I'm sure he'd be up for that too :tu:
You'll have to stop me getting too zoned in though, mate. I wouldn't want to get into that pest control state of mind. You'll all laugh at me when I run up to the pellet trap swear loudly and give it a couple of whacks with the fat end after every shot :whistle:
You mean your not supposed to do that? :think:
That explains a lot!
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Nice thorough review! One positive is there appears to be quite a bit of reach with the 2 bit drivers :tu:
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If Kirky's available I'm sure he'd be up for that too :tu:
You'll have to stop me getting too zoned in though, mate. I wouldn't want to get into that pest control state of mind. You'll all laugh at me when I run up to the pellet trap swear loudly and give it a couple of whacks with the fat end after every shot :whistle:
You mean your not supposed to do that? :think:
That explains a lot!
No wonder I've been getting some funny looks at the club. :-[
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Nice thorough review! One positive is there appears to be quite a bit of reach with the 2 bit drivers :tu:
Thanks sawman ... yes and no ... great for getting at some screws that are hard to reach, but with some smaller screws I've found they can often be recessed in a hole not much bigger than the screw head, which means the bit will fit but the driver won't. In those instances the Fit is the better tool as it's small drivers are slender enough to reach - unless you have some extra long bits handy. That's one benefit a lanyard attachment would have been - you could have attached a pill fob with additional bits in. For most applications though you're absolutely right :tu:
I think I maybe need to keep my eyes open for a Cybertool 29 now. Minimal redundancy between the two, but complimentary drivers, an awl, corkscrew, can opener ... a modded CT41 with scissors and pliers removed adds a saw and file to the mix ... hmmmm ... what to pair it with :think:
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Wait, your Balance has different sized drivers? Both of mine are the same size! The bits themselves are different but either bit will fit in either driver. Only one of my driver arms has a bottle opener so they haven't somehow started using two of the same arm, either.
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Wait, your Balance has different sized drivers? Both of mine are the same size! The bits themselves are different but either bit will fit in either driver. Only one of my driver arms has a bottle opener so they haven't somehow started using two of the same arm, either.
:ahhh :ahhh :ahhh You're RIGHT!!! :ahhh :ahhh :ahhh
How on earth did I miss THAT!?!? :facepalm:
I'll tweak the review ASAP and ask a Mod to amend the OP :salute:
Thank you for pointing out that faux pas - I can't believe I didn't spot it :doh:
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I've not forgotten ... I just need to find my measuring tackle :-\
The bits are smaller than a standard bit, but larger than those in a cybertool. I'll confirm exactly when I dig out my 0-25 micrometer
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:rofl:
I had to have a little chuckle to myself on this one ...
I decided rather than me guessing and giving duff info again :oops: I'd be better off speaking to Gerber direct. I went to their website, but it diverted me to the UK site which only lists the UK agent's phone number. I gave them a call anyway and put the question of size and availability of replacement/compatible bits to them. They didn't know. :-\ I asked them for the phone number of Gerber HQ in the states so I could ask them directly. They didn't know it. :P
The lady on the phone decided to check on the website and also got diverted back to their website with her own number :rofl: She eventually gave me a switchboard number, but when I dialled the right numbers on the automated answering service I kept ending up on the voicemail for the warranty department :ahhh :ahhh
Eventually I got hold of the phone number for customer service off the net and gave them a call. The guy in CS answered that as far as he knew they were proprietary bits (both drivers) and that they were not commercially available seperately but probably covered by their warranty service, then asked if I was looking to sell the tools (I assume he meant as a dealer). I replied that I was a customer who had already bought the tool and wanted to get the most out of it, and that if replacement/compatable driver bits weren't available it would limit the effectiveness and versatility of a tool they had designed to take replaceable bits. I also said I was trying to do a review for an online tool forum (I didn't specify MTo), and asked him to confirm for definite whether these were non-standard bits.
He didn't know - but said he'd check :rofl: :rofl:
He then collared one of the New Product Development Team to ask them for the elusive information
They didn't know either - but said they'd check :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
They've taken my phone number and said they'd get back to me :popcorn:
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I guess I'll just have to check back on this thread later. :D
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I've found my micrometer :nanadance:
They measure 4.76mm A/F (across flats) which is 3/16" - an odd size indeed :think:
I'm still expecting a call from Gerber though .... :whistle:
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I've found my micrometer :nanadance:
They measure 4.76mm A/F (across flats) which is 3/16" - an odd size indeed :think:
I'm still expecting a call from Gerber though .... :whistle:
:wait:
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So the Balance cannot take 1/4" bits at all? That is a little disappointing. :-\
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It is ... but it is still a very nice pocket tool. Even if it turns out that it's limited to the four driver styles which come with the tool I'll still be happy with it. I would of course be even happier if it had more versatility and I wasn't worried about how to get replacement bits if/when the supplied ones wear or get damaged though.
I feel a bit guilty for cocking up the review a bit, but overall it's still worth grabbing, particularly here in the UK or anywhere else where tool choices for "normal" EDC (without good reason) can be limited.
I also checked through their advertising blurb last night, and at no point have I seen Gerber advertise this as having "replacable" bits. The hopes we pinned on the tool having 1/4" bits appears to be purely our own doing as a community, not us being misled by Gerber (which has disarmed me from tearing them a new arse crack as I had intended :-\ )
I'll tweak the wording on the review at some point and PM you a revised version for overwriting the OP if that's OK mate :salute:
EDIT: PM sent :tu:
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OK, the original review has been updated to cover the new information about the bit sizes. :)
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Thanks for that Gareth :salute: Apologies to all for getting it a bit squiffy before :oops:
Tom, don't worry mate - you're still going to love it :tu: :D :D
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I've found my micrometer :nanadance:
They measure 4.76mm A/F (across flats) which is 3/16" - an odd size indeed :think:
I'm still expecting a call from Gerber though .... :whistle:
:wait:
Looks like I'll not be getting an answer ::)
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
none yet, I'm totally brassic right now. :D
.. or simply not inebriated enough last time you went online browsing >:D When you have trouble holding your head up and start inadvertently typing with your face, that's a good time to keep away from Amazon etc ... or at least that's the conclusion I came to after buying another CS4 :rofl:
I'm very glad I took the plunge on the Balance though. It's one I had been talking myself out of for a while. Getting this and selling some other stuff was for sure the right move - though I didn't necessarily do those two in the right order :whistle:
Well it seems I'm not quite as brassic as I though, that and Amazon have one for £34 right now. ;) I'm not even drunk, not unless you can get pissed on coffee....can you?
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great review mate. :cheers:
Thanks Gareth,
So what colour are you getting? :whistle:
>:D
none yet, I'm totally brassic right now. :D
.. or simply not inebriated enough last time you went online browsing >:D When you have trouble holding your head up and start inadvertently typing with your face, that's a good time to keep away from Amazon etc ... or at least that's the conclusion I came to after buying another CS4 :rofl:
I'm very glad I took the plunge on the Balance though. It's one I had been talking myself out of for a while. Getting this and selling some other stuff was for sure the right move - though I didn't necessarily do those two in the right order :whistle:
Well it seems I'm not quite as brassic as I though, that and Amazon have one for £34 right now. ;) I'm not even drunk, not unless you can get pissed on coffee....can you?
Too much caffeine ... too much caffeine ... can't sit still ... I know ... I'll make coffee ... big mistake ... still cant sit still ... quick buy something ... amazon ... ebay ... amazon ... gerber ... get it ... get it ... :rofl: :rofl:
Good score mate, £4 is a great price - about £10 less than it cost me, and mine was the best deal around at the time :tu:
So which colour did you get mate? Mine is now starting to show some base metal. The coating is proving to be about as wear resistant as the Dime (so, not very) although it's going to have plenty of character within not many months which is always good :D
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At the price I was paying I didn't have a choice, so it's the grey for me too. :)
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And it's here. :mail: First impressions are good and tie in with Al's review. :cheers:
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Nice one mate :tu: I'd certainly be interested in your thoughts after you've had chance to play with it a bit and given it a few days carry and use. :)
I'm led to believe there's another Gerber fan signed up for one of these, and looking forward to their thoughts on it too :whistle:
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I'm led to believe there's another Gerber fan signed up for one of these, and looking forward to their thoughts on it too :whistle:
Someone else is getting a Balance? :think: It'll be interesting to see what they think of it. Oh, wait...... ;)
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:D
I think that just leaves Mercury and Kirky to pull their fingers out and go get one and then all the enlightened Gerberites on here will be good to go :D :D :D
Have we missed anyone that needs a :pok: ? :think: :P
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Just going to add some of my pictures on the tail of Al's review. ;)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/multitools/IMG_0024.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/multitools/IMG_0028.jpg)
(http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss260/gareth_SAKs/multitools/IMG_0023.jpg)
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:D
I think that just leaves Mercury and Kirky to pull their fingers out and go get one and then all the enlightened Gerberites on here will be good to go :D :D :D
Have we missed anyone that needs a :pok: ? :think: :P
:ahhh :ahhh :ahhh
GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN! :twak: :twak: :twak:
In fairness the thing thats been holding me back is the bit drivers!At work I'm very philips dependant,and I nee drivers with a fair reach as most of the screws I encounter are recessed(hence I NEEDED to back up my superduper Wave2 with my PST/SAK :rant:)
.The Bit drivers here look very much like that of the Cybertool,which,for me suffers the same problem as the Wave.
The other question is would it fit my Skinth?
All a bit moot as this months budget has already been overspent :mail:
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:ahhh :ahhh :ahhh
GET THEE BEHIND ME SATAN! :twak: :twak: :twak:
Sod off! People have tried catching me out like that before ::)
:D :D
In fairness the thing thats been holding me back is the bit drivers!At work I'm very philips dependant,and I nee drivers with a fair reach as most of the screws I encounter are recessed(hence I NEEDED to back up my superduper Wave2 with my PST/SAK :rant:)
.The Bit drivers here look very much like that of the Cybertool,which,for me suffers the same problem as the Wave.
What size Phillips, John? I'd have thought the Balance and Cybertool would be OK with many #2 screws, but maybe not with #1 or smaller :think: The holder on the Balance is slightly larger than that on a Cybertool diameter wise, so if the CT doesn't work, the Balance won't be any better. The mini Phillips driver on the Fit is quite good in that respect though :whistle:
Away from work though in an urban environment I do find it to be a nice capable legal tool ;)
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Some further thoughts after carrying it for a little while.
First up is the pocket carrying; much better than I thought it might be. I was worried when I first got it that, as it is bigger than my normal Juice CS2, I would find it to big for my taste. I happy to say I was wrong and that Grant and Al were right, the rounded shape really does help it sit well.
I'm not wild about the blade shape TBH, nothing wrong with it, but it just doesn't do it for me. I'm also not wild about the soft-ish backspring and I'm never a fan of serrated blade sections.
While I would love to of seen a bit driver that would have taken a bigger selection of bits, I actually don't have any real complaints with what it there. The bit heads are all well formed and fit what they are made for. Also the long holders help tackle the issue with other sliding pliers designs; namely that the body of the MT often gets in the way when using the drivers on a screw in a restricted position. No such issues with these holders. :tu:
The scissors don't seem quite as well finished as the ones I am used to on the MP600/400 range, but they actually work very well.
Finally the pliers themselves. I'm much more used to being able to flick the pliers on my other Gerbers, but there is nothing to really complain about with the sliding mechanism. Very easy to open one handed and only fractionally harder to close.
I've only just this minute remembered that this tool even has tweezers so can honestly say I've not had any issues with them. TBH, they're tweezers; what can go wrong with them? :whistle:
All-in-all a very nice package. :salute:
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Aight, I'm in too. :) This was actually a Christmas present from a salesman I deal with at work, just got it today! :tu:
(http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g448/Jerseydevil379/DSCF1340.jpg)
Now unlike Al, I didn't go off doing something crazy like dismantling doors to try it out - I took apart one of the paint shakers at the store. :D Initial impression? Oh, I like it. :tu: The driver length is nice, and they didn't feel like they were going to close on me. The pliers, while small, work nicely, and the scissors are just fine. The blade is decent, again though a soft backspring, but not irritatingly so. Like mentioned above, I wish the bits were a standard size, :( but that's certainly not a deal-breaker with me. For a light-duty tool it suits my needs just fine. That coating isn't going to last all that long in my pocket, but that just gives it character. :) The shape makes it very comfortable for pocket carry as well. I've had a Juice, and I just didn't get along with it. The Balance, though, is going to be seeing a lot of service. :tu:
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Al,JD,Gareth,your a bunch of smurfs,you all really are :rant:
I couldn't take the peer pressure,I've just ordered one :facepalm:
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Al,JD,Gareth,your a bunch of smurfs,you all really are :rant:
I couldn't take the peer pressure,I've just ordered one :facepalm:
Then my work here is done. :assimilate: :D I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are though, blame Al.... ::)
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Yeah, it's all Al's fault. He made us do it. >:D
:assimilate:
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Al,JD,Gareth,your a bunch of smurfs,you all really are :rant:
I couldn't take the peer pressure,I've just ordered one :facepalm:
Then my work here is done. :assimilate: :D I don't think you'll be disappointed. If you are though, blame Al.... ::)
JD,I usually do....
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Yeah, it's all Al's fault. He made us do it. >:D
:assimilate:
At least I got my revenge on you in advance Gareth :pok:HW97?
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Yeah, it's all Al's fault. He made us do it. >:D
:assimilate:
At least I got my revenge on you in advance Gareth :pok:HW97?
and believe me, that HW97 cost me a LOT more than any Gerber ever did. :cry: Still good fun though. ;)
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blame Al.... ::)
Yeah, it's all Al's fault. He made us do it. >:D
:assimilate:
Who me? :angel:
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I've been testing a very important aspect of the Balance in the past few days - fiddle factor of the pliers. Not quite as satisfying as flicking open an MP, but the play factor is definitely there. :tu: It's not driving my boss completely nuts either, unlike my other OHO Gerbers. Not sure if this is a positive or negative though.... ::) ;) Over the past several days though, it's becoming clear that we have a winner here.
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My Balance arrived this morning...well,Saturday,but it was recorded delivery.Damn quick service given the time of year.
I'm liking the pliers and the scissors.The springs on the tools are softer than I expected,even given the reviews here.Visually it's an odd one,it looks much bigger than it is,but it is wide!It won't fit my Skinth :cry:
I'll report back again tomorrow,after its had a day at work.
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Soooo... Why isn't this review up on the main site, yet? There's no Balance review on there, I just noticed... :whistle:
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It isn't because it's not good enough....honest. ;) Seriously; we have a good few things to go up and I believe this is one of them.
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It isn't because it's not good enough....honest. ;) Seriously; we have a good few things to go up and I believe this is one of them.
While i have not yet gotten one, i had the chance to visit my brother and he bought a balance as his very first MT. I am very impressed with it's build and profile. In fact, if you just gave it a good flik, the plier heads can be deployed in the said fashion. Definitely one MT worth the price and the effort!. And those scissors, man are they good.
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It isn't because it's not good enough....honest. ;) Seriously; we have a good few things to go up and I believe this is one of them.
While i have not yet gotten one, i had the chance to visit my brother and he bought a balance as his very first MT. I am very impressed with it's build and profile. In fact, if you just gave it a good flik, the plier heads can be deployed in the said fashion. Definitely one MT worth the price and the effort!. And those scissors, man are they good.
You know where this post is going, right Gabriel? >:D I think the Balance is a great pocket tool. It sees a lot of carry and use by me. My brother also recently got his first real MT, and it was a Balance. Wonder where he got that idea from? :think:
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It isn't because it's not good enough....honest. ;) Seriously; we have a good few things to go up and I believe this is one of them.
While i have not yet gotten one, i had the chance to visit my brother and he bought a balance as his very first MT. I am very impressed with it's build and profile. In fact, if you just gave it a good flik, the plier heads can be deployed in the said fashion. Definitely one MT worth the price and the effort!. And those scissors, man are they good.
You know where this post is going, right Gabriel? >:D I think the Balance is a great pocket tool. It sees a lot of carry and use by me. My brother also recently got his first real MT, and it was a Balance. Wonder where he got that idea from? :think:
And who put the idea of a Balance in your head .... :pok: :think: :angel: :D :D :D
Talking of which .... you've not made comment on my review of the Grappler yet, Tom :pok: I expected at least a "thanks mate, you talked me out of it" or "crap, you've done it again" :facepalm:
:P
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:D The answer, Al, is :twak: you did it to me again! Sazabi has one off to the side for me as soon as I get the cash. :)
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It isn't because it's not good enough....honest. ;) Seriously; we have a good few things to go up and I believe this is one of them.
While i have not yet gotten one, i had the chance to visit my brother and he bought a balance as his very first MT. I am very impressed with it's build and profile. In fact, if you just gave it a good flik, the plier heads can be deployed in the said fashion. Definitely one MT worth the price and the effort!. And those scissors, man are they good.
You know where this post is going, right Gabriel? >:D I think the Balance is a great pocket tool. It sees a lot of carry and use by me. My brother also recently got his first real MT, and it was a Balance. Wonder where he got that idea from? :think:
hahaha its amazing how all of these circumstances fall into place. well that is true this multitool will soon be on my hands hehehe
Sent from my Cruize W280 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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:D The answer, Al, is :twak: you did it to me again! Sazabi has one off to the side for me as soon as I get the cash. :)
>:D
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A QUICK UPDATE:
Almost 12 months later, and the Gerber Balance is still going strong. This tool has been more of a hit with me than I originally thought, and not only have other tools been struggling to compete with it for pocket time, but so have Swiss Army Knives too. This is indeed a very "balanced" tool for urban carry. It's very pocketable, very capable, and very affordable.
The tool is now adourned with the wear and scratches of a faithful pocket tool, and is looking well for it in my opinion. There's a few minor nibbles and scratches on the Phillips driver from use, but everything is still in working order. I wouldn't say the tool has been used hard, but it has been used often.
Remember, there's no saw nor file nor awl, and this tool is not a heavy duty item. This is not a tool I would carry if I was setting out on a DIY project, or if going to work as a tradesman I wouldn't use this as a supporting tool necessarily to reduce the countless trips back to the van. In fact this tool is the one to pocket when you're not doing those things. This is the tool for about the house, about town, visiting friends and family. This is that tool for opening that stubborn snack in the park, or trimming that hangnail while waiting for the bus, and not causing a stampede with the sharpophobes. This is the tool my neighbour said he would rather carry over a Spirit or a Charge because the others are "too much" and the Balance does what he needs as well or better. (Cheap sod still hasn't bought one though)
I would say of all the items I've bought tool and knife wise over the last year or so, this is the one that's had the most "me" time. It's comfortable to carry and use, and does what is asked of it. I even bought another one recently as a spare, and I haven't done that since ... oh that's right, the MP700 ... the Urban Legend that has been denied pocket time for most of the year by it's successor which matches it tool for tool.
This one ...
(http://i748.photobucket.com/albums/xx122/50ft-trad/IMG_5811_zps2afb9357.jpg)
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You really should be in sales. :D
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One of the many functions I've done over the years ;)
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Mine doesn't see an awful lot of use,but when I traded it( to get the million dollar Wenger), I soon traded again to get it back :whistle:
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It did take me a little while to fully gel with it. There was something niggling me about it that I couldn't quite put my finger on, but whatever it was has long since gone. I'm still not completely sold on the blade shape, nor on the softness of the backspring, even though neither have given me any problems in use. It could however be an issue for someone less experienced with non-locking blades
I'm also slightly concerned about the scissors spring. It's a cheap design which seems to be cropping up quite a bit lately, and has been known to crap out on both the Dime and LM Styles/Squirts. Again, I've not had any problems with it whatsoever, but I can see this being a potential weakness down the line. I hope I'm wrong :whistle:
The final thing I'd say is the drivers have been off-putting for some, due to the fact they don't take standard bits. I'm kind of torn on this issue. Being able to swap in other bits (torx, hex etc) for different jobs would be great, as would being able to replace the existing bits after heavy usage/wear. On the flip side, you've got 4 long reach drivers and a cap lifter in a relatively small space, and the chances/consequences of rendering the tool kaput by knackering a driver and not being able to replace it, is no worse than multitools with fitted drivers instead of bits :shrug:
Overall it works brilliantly for me as an "off-duty" tool, but I would (and do) swap for another tool if I'm expecting to have to do any serious work, when I'd be carrying for my Spirit or Charge AL or whatever else grabs my mood instead. This is more of a middle ground between carrying something like a Deluxe Tinker and a full sized pliers tool. I prefer Victorinox's blades and scissors, but much prefer the Balance's pliers and drivers :)
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The Balance has seen a lot of pocket time here too. The long reach of the drivers has been a plus on numerous occasions, the scissors suit me just fine, and the pliers are great for lighter work. Gerber certainly has a winner here in my book. :tu:
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If the balance held a 1/4 inch bit I'd try one.
looks like a cool tool 50ft-trad
thanks for all the information on it. :tu:
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Thanks JA :tu:
This morning I received a second Balance which I saw cheap on Amazon and decided to grab as a spare. Unfortunately there are a couple of issues on this one. One of the driver arms is slightly bent and doesn't sit where it should when stowed. No real problem as regards function, but there is another problem. The scissor spring (which I has my reservations about before) is duff on this one, and keeps popping out of position. It's kind of over sprung, sitting too high towards the moving arm and actually drops in behind the fixed arm (I'll try to get some piccies up to explain better). This means every time you get the scissors out, you have to pop the spring back to where it should be to use them.
This one was "last in stock" and will be going to Gerber's UK agent for replacement :-\
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Pics ...
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That Balance looks like it has been through the wringer! I know that pocket carry really wears on a tool, though (my Dime). It really speaks to the durability of the tool that it can ride along with you for a year but still function and be really useful. I'm digging it. I had almost written off the notion of getting my Wife a Balance for her purse carry in favor of a Juice CS4, but I am going to reconsider.
Good review and follow-up.
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That's a shame Al. :-\ The fact it was 'last in stock' does make me wonder if they knew it was a duffer and had held it on the shelf.
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Yeah, me too :D I'm not too concerned though, as even factoring in postage to Livingstone to get it sorted I still got a cracking deal on it ;)