SHOT 2010- Gerber Booth

[David Bowen]

The Grappler and the Octane looks really good to me and I especially want to try the Octane for minimalistic EDC duty. Bravo Gerber, well done indeed! 

[ratslash7]

I think the "clam shell packaging opener" will come in real handy for some folks.

I have a Vic, Mate that has the orange peeler. A similar tool that I find works well on clam shell packaging and other things where penetrating too deep can be a problem.

I wonder how the Gerber too peels an orange?

[jzmtl]

I think the "clam shell packaging opener" will come in real handy for some folks.

Unfortunately I think it's a complete waste of a perfectly good tool slot. How many clam pack does one open per day, plus knife blade works just fine.

[Whoey]

I think the "clam shell packaging opener" will come in real handy for some folks.

Unfortunately I think it's a complete waste of a perfectly good tool slot. How many clam pack does one open per day, plus knife blade works just fine.

while in general I agree, I find that a specialized tool can prevent accidents that can happen with an open blade and clam packs... they are crafty creatures and have a way of attacking you when you least expect it. I'm assuming it also doubles to open boxes... something a shipper/receiver would find mighty useful!

[Mr. Whippy]

I think the "clam shell packaging opener" will come in real handy for some folks.

Unfortunately I think it's a complete waste of a perfectly good tool slot. How many clam pack does one open per day, plus knife blade works just fine.

while in general I agree, I find that a specialized tool can prevent accidents that can happen with an open blade and clam packs... they are crafty creatures and have a way of attacking you when you least expect it. I'm assuming it also doubles to open boxes... something a shipper/receiver would find mighty useful!

...ala the Raker Ring Tool.

Cuts cord, baling twine, packing tape, plastic packaging (bags) like potato chips etc.

Yes, you can use a knife, but this is cleaner and neater with the cut.  Plus, who wants to cut into a hay bale with a good knife?  It's like cutting into a bunch of raw paper (cellulose).

[jzmtl]

while in general I agree, I find that a specialized tool can prevent accidents that can happen with an open blade and clam packs... they are crafty creatures and have a way of attacking you when you least expect it. I'm assuming it also doubles to open boxes... something a shipper/receiver would find mighty useful!

It's all in the way of how to open clam pack with a knife. You don't cut them open like cutting cardboard box, the correct way is perfectly safe.

[Mr. Whippy]

I think the "clam shell packaging opener" will come in real handy for some folks.

Unfortunately I think it's a complete waste of a perfectly good tool slot. How many clam pack does one open per day, plus knife blade works just fine.

while in general I agree, I find that a specialized tool can prevent accidents that can happen with an open blade and clam packs... they are crafty creatures and have a way of attacking you when you least expect it. I'm assuming it also doubles to open boxes... something a shipper/receiver would find mighty useful!

...ala the Raker Ring Tool.

Cuts cord, baling twine, packing tape, plastic packaging (bags) like potato chips etc.

Yes, you can use a knife, but this is cleaner and neater with the cut.  Plus, who wants to cut into a hay bale with a good knife?  It's like cutting into a bunch of raw paper (cellulose).

Let me add, after unloading a half dozen pallets of mortar and porcelain tiles, an open blade would have made removing the stretch plastic wrap around the bags of mortar a real hassle. Thank god for the Raker Ring tool.  Less of an issue with the tiles, although I guess I could have scratched them if I went at them hamfisted with a knife.

[trickknife]

Sorry yeah, the Octane.  How does the plier head compare to the Skeletool, or the MP400 Compact Sport for that matter?  And do those grip cut outs help with the traditional Gerber palm pinch when using the pliers?

My main gripe with the Skeletool/Freestyle is that both the knife and plier head were too puny (IMHO) for a tool dedicated to having a knife and plier head   I'm kind of hoping the Octane manages to get a better balance.

I went to the booth and tried out the Grappler.  I agree on the wimpiness of the look of the jaw, but i think it does look way cooler.  I forgot to check how far it opens.  Normally being a LM guy, it took me a minute to figure out how to stow the jaw.  So if the jaws can handle big crap like the Crunch, my only concern then would be the tiny parts up inside of cavity between the jaw and the frame.  There are several very tiny pieces/springs that look like if you loose even one of them, it will poop out on you.  The other concern was getting it adjusted.  Even though the Crunch takes a second longer to get ready, the Crunch is way easier to adjust.  that tiny knurled nut in between the handles is just too small.

I do however like the looks of the whole tool much better than the older stuff.  The style has some obvious LM hints to it.  Notice the way the  frames are folded down at the tip of the pocket where the blades fold in.  That a direct copy of the fold on the LM handle where the skeletool knife blade folds in.

[J-sews]

Sorry yeah, the Octane.  How does the plier head compare to the Skeletool, or the MP400 Compact Sport for that matter?  And do those grip cut outs help with the traditional Gerber palm pinch when using the pliers?

My main gripe with the Skeletool/Freestyle is that both the knife and plier head were too puny (IMHO) for a tool dedicated to having a knife and plier head   I'm kind of hoping the Octane manages to get a better balance.

I went to the booth and tried out the Grappler.  I agree on the wimpiness of the look of the jaw, but i think it does look way cooler.  I forgot to check how far it opens.  Normally being a LM guy, it took me a minute to figure out how to stow the jaw.  So if the jaws can handle big crap like the Crunch, my only concern then would be the tiny parts up inside of cavity between the jaw and the frame.  There are several very tiny pieces/springs that look like if you loose even one of them, it will poop out on you.  The other concern was getting it adjusted.  Even though the Crunch takes a second longer to get ready, the Crunch is way easier to adjust.  that tiny knurled nut in between the handles is just too small.

I do however like the looks of the whole tool much better than the older stuff.  The style has some obvious LM hints to it.  Notice the way the  frames are folded down at the tip of the pocket where the blades fold in.  That a direct copy of the fold on the LM handle where the skeletool knife blade folds in.

Some good observations there TK. I mostly agree.


But as regards the folded metal out near the tip thing, according to my notes, the Gerber Freehand came out a year before the Leatherman Skeletool.....


Grappler pic, courtesy of Grant



Freehand pic, courtesy of Dunc


So just who was copying who?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Plus Leatherman copied the replaceable cutter inserts from Gerber! 

Def

[trickknife]

Plus Leatherman copied the replaceable cutter inserts from Gerber! 

Def

Aye Aye Bob You guys really need to make a smiley that actually says "neener neener".  It would save a lot of typing.

Once again I must bow to the Bob and Grant alter and beg forgiveness for my ignorance of multi-tools.     Maybe I should study a little more before I open my big mouth. 

[J-sews]

Plus Leatherman copied the replaceable cutter inserts from Gerber! 

Def

Aye Aye Bob You guys really need to make a smiley that actually says "neener neener".  It would save a lot of typing.

Once again I must bow to the Bob and Grant alter and beg forgiveness for my ignorance of multi-tools.     Maybe I should study a little more before I open my big mouth. 

Well I do hope that doesn't discourage you from opening your big mouth TK. I enjoy saying neener neener.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Plus Leatherman copied the replaceable cutter inserts from Gerber! 

Def

Aye Aye Bob You guys really need to make a smiley that actually says "neener neener".  It would save a lot of typing.

Once again I must bow to the Bob and Grant alter and beg forgiveness for my ignorance of multi-tools.     Maybe I should study a little more before I open my big mouth. 

We appreciate your efforts to make us appear more intelligent! 

Def

[WhichDawg]

I'm always speaking with my foot in my mouth here!

but it's such a good forum they correct me with polite, friendly sarcasm!

[trickknife]

I'm always speaking with my foot in my mouth here! (Image removed from quote.)

but it's such a good forum they correct me with polite, friendly sarcasm!

You mean you don't get phone calls from them in the middle of the night with heavy breathing.  You're gettin' off lucky.  Nothin's more creepy than hearing that darth vader panting with "Eh!" at the end.

[J-sews]

I'm always speaking with my foot in my mouth here! (Image removed from quote.)

but it's such a good forum they correct me with polite, friendly sarcasm!

You mean you don't get phone calls from them in the middle of the night with heavy breathing.  You're gettin' off lucky.  Nothin's more creepy than hearing that darth vader panting with "Eh!" at the end.

 

[J-sews]

Excellent news and great (initial) report!.  I like that Grappler in concept.  I'll probably have to put my hands on one...

Being from Oregon, I'm proud to see Gerber back on the path to the Light.

I agree. I've been a Gerber fan for the longest time now and it's good to see their new lineup.  They look great!

Agreed!! And just as exciting as all the new tools from Gerber is the new philosophy of the Gerber engineers. We spoke extensively with several guys from the design department and were impressed with their attitude. Every single one of them stressed the importance of innovation and quality, something that is certainly embodied in this year's Grappler, Strata, and Octane. Notice that there are no new "bikini tools" (Gerber's in-house term for the Suspension clones) in this year's line-up? That is no accident. Simply slapping on new handles to an existing tool and giving it a new name doesn't fall in with how these guys want to operate.

Personally, I applaude the return to the old values that gave us the MP600 and other legendary products from Gerber, and I can't wait to put their latest multitools through some more thorough testing out in the field.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'd also like to point out that the whole reason we had so many different variants of the same tool was not because Gerber wanted to do it, there were a number of retail establishments that all wanted their "own" tool, and so the different handles were a way of doing that.

Def

[MultiMat]

I wish all Bikini's  worked like Gerber Supension's.
Entertaing & enjoyable too watch wardrobe malfunctions  .

[hawkchucker]

Excellent news and great (initial) report!.  I like that Grappler in concept.  I'll probably have to put my hands on one...

Being from Oregon, I'm proud to see Gerber back on the path to the Light.

I agree. I've been a Gerber fan for the longest time now and it's good to see their new lineup.  They look great!

Agreed!! And just as exciting as all the new tools from Gerber is the new philosophy of the Gerber engineers. We spoke extensively with several guys from the design department and were impressed with their attitude. Every single one of them stressed the importance of innovation and quality, something that is certainly embodied in this year's Grappler, Strata, and Octane. Notice that there are no new "bikini tools" (Gerber's in-house term for the Suspension clones) in this year's line-up? That is no accident. Simply slapping on new handles to an existing tool and giving it a new name doesn't fall in with how these guys want to operate.

Personally, I applaude the return to the old values that gave us the MP600 and other legendary products from Gerber, and I can't wait to put their latest multitools through some more thorough testing out in the field.

Please tell me that we here had something to do with that. I know we really are such a small market nich , but they had to see how some of thier tools were recieved here.

[J-sews]

Excellent news and great (initial) report!.  I like that Grappler in concept.  I'll probably have to put my hands on one...

Being from Oregon, I'm proud to see Gerber back on the path to the Light.

I agree. I've been a Gerber fan for the longest time now and it's good to see their new lineup.  They look great!

Agreed!! And just as exciting as all the new tools from Gerber is the new philosophy of the Gerber engineers. We spoke extensively with several guys from the design department and were impressed with their attitude. Every single one of them stressed the importance of innovation and quality, something that is certainly embodied in this year's Grappler, Strata, and Octane. Notice that there are no new "bikini tools" (Gerber's in-house term for the Suspension clones) in this year's line-up? That is no accident. Simply slapping on new handles to an existing tool and giving it a new name doesn't fall in with how these guys want to operate.

Personally, I applaude the return to the old values that gave us the MP600 and other legendary products from Gerber, and I can't wait to put their latest multitools through some more thorough testing out in the field.

Please tell me that we here had something to do with that. I know we really are such a small market nich , but they had to see how some of thier tools were recieved here.

All I can say is we spoke to at least three Gerber engineers who were familiar with the name Hawkchucker

[MultiMat]

I bet they dream of making HC their 'Bitch' by just using a Suspension MT

[hawkchucker]

My work here is done.