Suspension & Ripstop Tools Are The Same

[valvestem125]

I just noticed today, that my Gerber Suspension & Ripstop MT tools are the same.  With two exceptions, the molded in thumb assist node on the two knife blades are not on the Ripstop blades.  Instead, there is a seperate round molded button attached to the blades, with the bottom end acting as a rivet head.  This latter design actually works a little better than the molded design, as the round shaped button acts as sort of a pivot point as the blade is being opened.

The other difference is the tool handles, they are different in design and use different attachment fasteners.  And the Suspension is coated with a Ti appearing material which I believe is touted as a selling point, the Ripstop handles are the commonly seen Gerber satin finish stainless steel.  The handles are attached differently, the Ripstop uses cone-head shaped torx fasteners with a flat spot on top, and the Suspension uses flat torx style fasteners.

The tools are all adequate for a $30 tool (Target price), the only fault I can find is the lack of a file.  I would liked to see the saw blade replaced with a file.  But, I believe the two tools are aimed at "Camper" style use where a saw blade is obviously more practical than a file.

[Zack]

Another one that comes to mind is the Method...one reason Gerber gets such a bad rap on here...lack of ingenuity.

[valvestem125]

Yes, it looks as if the Method is the same tool(s), just different handles from the Suspension and Ripstop.

One has to be careful and have a "sharp" memory to remember not to buy the same tool with a different dress on.

Which is what I did.

Another one that comes to mind is the Method...one reason Gerber gets such a bad rap on here...lack of ingenuity.

[Grant Lamontagne]

There are quite a few versions, but the decision to make all the different versions of the same tool (EVO, Ripstop, Resolve, Suspension, Method etc) didn't come from Gerber, it came from their big box retail customers who all wanted their own tools.  In order to keep costs down, because these big box locations wouldn't pay more for the same tool, they simply changed the handles on them, leaving the internal components the same.

We had this discussion with Gerber at this year's SHOT and that's what they told us- something they were unable to tell us when these models were still in production.  Up until that point, I'd also thought it was simply that Gerber either didn't pay their design staff enough, or that the designers were overpaid and lazy! 

With the discontinuation of these tools (Gerber's staff refers to them as "bikini tools" in house) Gerber is trying to demonstrate their shift towards making more serious tools again, and after playing with the Strata, Octane, Microbrew, Shard, Artifact and Grappler, I can honestly say they are on the right track.  It may take a while to shake the rep from some of those tools, but hey, just like the rest of us, they had to pay the bills somehow!

Def

[hawkchucker]

Well Lets not hold our breath. I hope they are back, but remember they did it before.

[valvestem125]

I'd be interested in seeing a Grappler when they come out.

[cerbera147]

The Gerber Suspension is what led me here

After reading one of hawkchucker's rants I ended up going down this road 

Strong Leatherman bias here  Who would have thought, a Leatherman pic in a Gerber thread 

[Precise]

Hmm. That is interesting to know. My father picked up a suspension at a pawn shop around Christmas. It's not to bad considering it's a gerber. I have been trying to get him to use it and carry it. I would buy dad a proper multitool if he would use the thing! If there is any man in the world who could really benefit from carrying a MT it is my dad.

Currently, all that dad carries with him is: a Bear mini stockman in stag (I got it for him for Christmas to replace the Case mini muskrat he tried to use as a screwdriver), a tiny button flashlight, and a Vic Classic.

He actually bought the Classic all on his own, picked it up a fleamarket for a dollar. A nice blue one with silver "Camel" lettering on it. He decided having something that is supposed to be used a screwdriver would be a good idea. He actually uses it a ton!

So converting dad had been a really long process. I'm hoping he finds he likes the Gerber Suspension. That could open new opportunities.