Clutch- Shortcut observation

[Benner]

Whilst having a nose at my Clutch and Shortcut, I noticed that despite the obvious name and main tool difference, there were a couple of other differences as well.

The first one is with the liners that have the "NAIL FILE" and "BLADE" written on them.  The Clutch's is uniform and appears to be one piece, where as the Shortcut seems to be made up of 2 pieces and doesn't seem as well finished;


Clutch left, Shortcut right.

The other difference I noticed was that on the Clutch there are 2 knobbly bits that stick out of the end of each handle to stop the tool wobbling around when it's closed up.  The Shortcut does not have these and makes the tool feel less solid overall IMO;


Clutch front, Shortcut behind.

So my question is this, are these simply differences because they are different tools and have been made differently, or are the changes because of age (the Shortcut is newer)?  Anyone have any ideas?

[Mr. Whippy]

Mebbe it's called "Shortcut" for a reason...


 

[Benner]

LOL 

I'm thinking these are all cost saving measures on the newer ones. Will be a shame if they are reducing the quality, as although I really like them, their build isn't exactly their strong point as it is. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Good to see you using this time well, to bond with Ozzie

[Benner]

Well after being up all night with Sue, they have both been asleep all day and only just got up. 

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Well after being up all night with Sue, they have both been asleep all day and only just got up. 

How dare she

Anyone would think she'd just had a baby or something

[Mr. Whippy]

Well after being up all night with Sue, they have both been asleep all day and only just got up. 

It's nature's form of birth control. 

[Benner]

So no one out there with a Clutch or Shortcut is going to take a look for me then? 

[DaveK]

My Clutch is like your Shortcut in both aspects, so that suggests that something changed sometime!

I can't find my Shortcut anywhere 

[Benner]

Changed, and not for the better either. 

[DaveK]

Oh. My bad!

It's the same as your Clutch (you have the opposite colours to me and I mixed them up)!

So my Clutch has the raised bits so the handles "lock" when closed.

[Benner]

We need someone with another shortcut. 

[DaveK]

I know I've got one somewhere........

[John]

I have a short cut on the way I'll let you know when it arrives 

[Benner]

I can't believe that I am the only one that has a Shortcut and knows where it is.    You can tell Bob isn't around ATM. 

[DaveK]

I can believe it.

You know I'm usually the last to knock Gerber tools, but the Shortcut just didn't "cut it" (pardon the pun) for me, and was quickly filed away. The Clutch went the same way when I got my first Squirt P4 too.

I wish I could find the thing now, so I can tell you exactly what I don't like about it!

[John]

I can believe it.

You know I'm usually the last to knock Gerber tools, but the Shortcut just didn't "cut it" (pardon the pun) for me, and was quickly filed away. The Clutch went the same way when I got my first Squirt P4 too.

I wish I could find the thing now, so I can tell you exactly what I don't like about it!

Great Dave if I had known you hated it that much I could have got it from you and saved a few pence 

[DaveK]

Well, except that I don't know where it is!

I'm wondering if I traded it for something, I don't remember if I did......

[Benner]

I have just noticed on this pic that my old Shortcut did appear to have the bits that stopped it wobbling;



Seems they are doing cut backs.

[DaveK]

Or could it be that your "old" one is actually newer?

[Benner]

Could be I suppose, but I got it direct from Gerber after I sent in my broken one which wasn't new when I got it.

[DaveK]

Ah - I see what you mean - pretty unlikely then.

[John]

Ben do ya think the shortcut will handle parcel/ sellotape?  

[Benner]

That may be pushing it a bit John! 

In all seriousness, the scissors are pretty solid.  I think my last one may have just been faulty.

[John]

That may be pushing it a bit John! 

In all seriousness, the scissors are pretty solid.  I think my last one may have just been faulty.

I should get it tomorrow postie willing  I will certainly let you know what I think that said for the price paid I'm not setting the bar to high 

[Benner]

The only thing I'm not keen on is that some od the tools are difficult to get out when new.  They do loosen up though.

[John]

The only thing I'm not keen on is that some od the tools are difficult to get out when new.  They do loosen up though.

Yeah I read that a lot I'll just sit there for a hour or two opening and closing or I could just pass it as is to someone with freshly manicured nails 

[ringzero]

I can't believe that I am the only one that has a Shortcut and knows where it is.    You can tell Bob isn't around ATM. 

Didn't see this thread until now.

My Clutch and Shortcut do have little protrusions like yours.

Appear to be for the purpose of preventing lateral handle movement when closed.

.

[John]

The Gerber Cutbacks arrived today it seems they've even cutback on paint the word shortcut seems less white  




Ben it's seems the lugs have gone there are none on mine,just out of curiosity how heavy is your shortcut mines 72kg


But to your other question no! it's appears it's in one piece tho it does seem like two when viewed with the tools closed,here's some pics  

tools closed,


tools open,


compare it with the blade side  



Now here's my opinion on the cutback   err I mean shortcut  

I had to work two tools out the box the eyeglass screwdriver and the main blade,the mini screwdriver was too thick and I had to file it down a tad it works as it should do now  

Before and after rework you may not be able to see the difference but it's noticeable when trying on a screw.




And now the main blade it came sharp but not razor sharp so ten minutes spent sharpening was in order and now it will shave the hairs off a fly's leg  



TBH I expected all this but now it's ready for EDC,  

 the main blade, siccors and nail file are all better than the Micra IMHO and a joy to use  
the tools I have found fiddly at first but it's getting easier the more I play with it,the tweezers well   I will just say there're better than none but they're certainly not Uncle bills sliver grippers   the build may not be as good as the Micra but some of the tools are so it kinda evens it out for me and due the the slightly bigger blade and file I'll find it great for my use,for me I would just give the edge to the Gerber over the Micra but! both are great mini keychain tools  




 

[Benner]

Actually yours isn't in one piece either.  If you check out my Clutch pic you will see that the part labelled BLADE or NAIL FILE is actually one piece of solid sheet metal.  The one on yours and on my Shortcult has a seam along them where they aren't made the same.  I expect that way is cheaper.