Thoughts on the Strata, Octane and Grappler

[Grant Lamontagne]

I got the three new tools from Gerber in today, the Strata, Octane and Grappler, courtesy of the fine folks at www.RockyNational.com and, since I'm renovating one of the units in my building at the moment, I decided to put them to work.  Since I was actually doing some electrical work I thought I's start off with the Strata so I could test out the cutters, but I accidentally grabbed the wrong sheath and the Grappler was first up to bat.  No problem- I had some paint work to do too! 

The Grappler got put through it's paces this afternoon when I cut some wires with it, then had to lock it's head on a screw that had been painted over so many times the notch in the head was unusable (I hope there's a special place in Hell waiting for people who paint over screws and fixtures!) and I used the pry bar to open cans of paint.  The Grappler managed all these tasks with no problems whatsoever.  I was impressed at how well the pry bar worked- it struck me as a very weak design, being too long and probably too soft, and pins/folding joints never struck me as good things to have in a pry bar, but it actually popped the tops off the cans easier than the big flathead on a SAK, which is what I'd been using up until now.  You've all read the earlier comparisons between the Grappler and the Crunch, and the Grappler doesn't look all that impressive by comparison, but I'll tell you that the Grappler performed quite well today, despite a few times when I thought "Good thing this is a current issue tool, because it may be going in for warranty work tomorrow!"  Despite a bit of punishment (nothing too excessive ) the Grappler still looks new.

I then got washed up and the wife and I went out for supper before going back up to do more work.  This time I swapped out the Grappler for the Strata, a tool which many of you might remember failed to wow me at SHOT when we played with it.  At the time, all I thought was that it was a slightly better quality version of the Suspension as the handles are basically on the same frame.  Well, once again, I was wrong.  It also pried open paint cans nicely, the pliers provided a good amount of grip on some other painted over screws, and the large and small flatheads got a good workout removing a few fixtures so I could paint.  The small screwdriver was actually perfect for getting a small recessed screw in the base of a hand towel rack, that I never thought I'd get without a trip to the tool box to get a small precision screwdriver.  Chalk one up for the Strata.  The big flathead also helped me get at the cover for an air exchanger that had been painted over a few thousand times, although no multitool would have allowed me to get in behind the fan cover to remove the improperly mounted duct because of the enclosed space.  Sure the Strata failed me there, but no multi would have managed it, so I can't fault it for that.

I found one drawback to the Strata, which could be damaging, both to the user and the tool, although this may not be typical of the Strata- I haven't handled enough of them to find out, so maybe some other Strata owners could add their thoughts here.  I've never been a fan of scissors that store in the open position, and the Strata proves why.  Unless the scissors are opened up all the way before folding, one of the blades sticks out about 1/8" and they are sharp little mofos.  Fortunately I didn't cut myself, but I did scrape my hand, and had I not been paying attention, I could have given myself a nasty gash across the palm.  I'll post pics later of exactly what I mean, but if you have or are thinking about getting a Strata, please be aware of this as dried blood can really gum up the pivot points of your tools!

The Octane hasn't seen any use yet, but as I mentioned before, I am looking forward to testing the bottle opener- something I plan to do as soon as I finish this post!  My wife did see the red blade cover and instantly decided she liked this one, so I'm glad I opted for it over the black version!  I have had an opportunity in the past to play with the Octane, so I know I'm going to like it, but I will be sure to report more in depth on it when I've had more time to rough it up as well!

Def

[Chako]

Sounds good. I do not have a Strata yet. I might go for it once I get a few more Gerber models through the door.

[Grant Lamontagne]

The Strata is a handy doodad.  I'm somewhat impressed at what it's stood up to so far, and how well it's handled pretty well everything I've thrown at it.  I also like the lock mechanism, although I can see problems with it if your hands are wet, or if you have arthritis or other stiffness problems, as you do have to get a good grip on it.  I'd like to see some serious grooves cut into the lock releases so they can be gripped when wet or wearing gloves.

While some longer term testing may show some other problems, I have to say that so far, I'm really digging the Strata.  Yeah, there are a few drawbacks and a few improvements could be made, but really, show me a tool that couldn't be improved upon.  I'd actually rate this tool pretty high at the moment, and strongly suggest folks don't dismiss this one as quickly as I did.

Def

[andre0407]

Good first- take(or second, for that matter ), Grant. It's time to go down to the store to play with the Strata. 

[scrappy]

I am glad you brought these up. I got mine today also. the octane liner lock is too weak. it flexs as I push on the blade.
the grappler is nice.
the strata, I am undecided. the locks are stiff. the file is bent worse than the usual bend I have seen from other makers. I thought the quality would be more like the deisel but I have doubts right now. I will use the strata more and find out. what is the tool with two screwdrivers on it? is it a wire stripper or a pry tool?

I was disapointed that there are no instructions, maintinace, or guarantee paper work in any of these knives.

[scrappy]

the downfall on the strata is the plier. the base of the plier connected to the handle is thinner than those of multis the same size. as the plier attaches to the handle it is thinner there than at the pivot. the reason it is thinner is because they cutout room for some washers. it seems to me that it would make a weak point where the plier will break.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I am glad you brought these up. I got mine today also. the octane liner lock is too weak. it flexs as I push on the blade.
the grappler is nice.
the strata, I am undecided. the locks are stiff. the file is bent worse than the usual bend I have seen from other makers. I thought the quality would be more like the deisel but I have doubts right now. I will use the strata more and find out. what is the tool with two screwdrivers on it? is it a wire stripper or a pry tool?

I was disapointed that there are no instructions, maintinace, or guarantee paper work in any of these knives.

If you are referring to the U shaped tool next to the phillips head, it's actually designed for opening clam packs.  Pierce the clam pack, slide in the smaller tine and push and you'll see it cuts through the plastic like it wasn't there.  The odd shaped blade on the Octane is also a clam pack opener.

Finally a company is producing a tool to open other tools! 

As for the weak pivots, well I just put all the strength I have into squeezing the handle, and it didn't break.  I'll try it again later when the feeling returns to my fingers....

Def

[scrappy]

grant
thank you. I will try the tool on the strata. I am concerned that is I twist the pliers, they may break. I will try it out. I will give it a good try before I retire any tool.
the octane on the other hand has already been retired. I was using the tool yesterday as a trial run. as mentioned the liner lock on my tool flexes or bends when I apply pressure to the knife. the other issue is the clam pack cutter. when I use a plier tool I place a finger between the handles to help open them as I am grabbing items. I did that yesterday and the clam pack tool bit me. the sharp end points out of the tool rather than into the tool. with the strata I will not need to open the tool in this manner since it is spring loaded. that is a plus.
thanks for the info. I look forward to the rest of your review.

[scrappy]

I used the strata along side the tread today. the philips and the small screwdriver on the clam package cutter both work nicthe knife is longer on the strata than the tread. so far I would say the design on the strata is much more functional.  I used the pliers a little but nothing stood out. both tools did well on light work.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have been punishing my Grappler today, in ways I don't think I have ever punished any tool, and it's still working without a problem.  I've been caulking in the bathroom, and using an adhesive that has put up such a fight that I've already broken one caulking gun, and the Grappler has not only helped me tear open packages of adhesive, it's cut sheet styrene for a tub surround, clamped onto the plunger from my old caulking gun while I drilled the hole out to work on the new caulking guns, undid nasty old bolts and pried more paint cans than you can shake a stick at.

I've found one more slight problem with the Grappler- when the jaws are really locked on something, sometimes you can accidentally push the blade out when trying to release the jaws.  You have to get your hands on the inside of the handles to pull it open, or you push on the side of the blade and start to fold it out.  This would happen with any one handed opening tool though, so if the Crunch had an OH blade, it would do the same thing.  It's a sufferance for convenience rather than an actual design flaw IMHO.

If the Grappler is still intact after tomorrow I will consider it to be one of the toughest tools I've used, and after the crap I've been putting it through in the last 24 hours, I think anyone would be hard pressed to prove me wrong.

Def

[scrappy]

thank you for the thoughts. it sounds like a great tool.

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have to say, I'm really impressed by the Grappler.

Def

[Chako]

The Grappler is certainly heavy duty Def. I am glad to hear you are enjoiying it.

I just pulled the trigger on a Strata. My idea is to get more of the Gerber variants I am currently missing to wrap up the picture guide thread. If that is possible. 

Not sure if I will ever be finished. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Neither will the Multitool Encyclopedia but that's where info like that really belongs! 

Well the Grappler looks like it's been in use for a good ten years now.  There's silicone sealant, paint of several colors on it, drywall and saw dust in the pivots and the blade is likely going to need a good sharpening, but it's still going.  I'm actually surprised I haven't broken the tip- scoring .060" styrene is hard business on a knife, as I'm forcing the tip into a sheet of plastic with enough force to push the tip about halfway through, then drag it for several feet until I get the size I want.  It may not sound like much, but it's a lot of pressure right on a tip.

I can't say that the Grappler is the heaviest duty tool out there, but I will say that in my experience, it can stand with the best of them.

Def

[Chako]

I have no idea on how to add things to the Multiool Encyclopedia Def...if that is even possible. 

[Benner]

The whole point of a wiki IS for people to add info.  It is very simple, just register and follow the instructions.

[Chako]

Ah so it is a Wiki. I didn't know that.

[Benner]

It would have only taken a click of one of the many links 

[Chako]

Well true enough.

I have never worked on a Wiki. So I am clueless...that is my story and I am sticking to it.

[scrappy]

what links?

[Grant Lamontagne]

There are numerous links to the Multitool Encyclopedia on this forum, including the one in my signature line.

Def

[Benner]

...and of course the numerous threads there are on it.

[Chako]

I was taking some photos for that pictorial pet project of mine, and found something that I found positively dangerous. Def is this what you were talking about?  



Due to the handle shape, you can literally push the handle downwards past the main handle and  you get that above. That is a first in MT design issues I can tell you, and I have handled quite a few different models, I nearly punched a hole in my palm when I went to close it. I had to take a photograph of it.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

You ought to email Gerber that

[Chako]

I just sent an email. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Sort of- that looks like it should be pretty obvious, but if you do the same thing, only with the pliers closed, the blade of the scissors sticks up just a little bit, maybe 1/8" or so, and that strikes me as a lot more dangerous as you are not likely to notice it until it's too late.

Def

[Chako]

Should have been pretty obvious to the designers I would think. Worst scissors implementation I have seen on an MT. Seriously, I almost impaled my hand when I decided to close it absentmindedly. I was forced to quickly drop the tool when I closed it. Otherwise, I do like the Strata very much.

[J-sews]

Personally, I'm not having any issues with the Strata scissors. Instead, its those cursed lock releases that are giving me fits! The wedge-lock works great for minimizing play in the blades, but it "wedges" too tightly into place! I can't unlock the knife blade without sticking a screwdriver in behind the lock release lever to pry it loose.  


Seriously, I can't use this tool as is. They should have made those lock releases protrude out more so a person can get a better grip on them.

[ryan1835]

Personally, I'm not having any issues with the Strata scissors. Instead, its those cursed lock releases that are giving me fits! The wedge-lock works great for minimizing play in the blades, but it "wedges" too tightly into place! I can't unlock the knife blade without sticking a screwdriver in behind the lock release lever to pry it loose.  


Seriously, I can't use this tool as is. They should have made those lock releases protrude out more so a person can get a better grip on them.

a good engineer should always have a screwdriver on him though....

[Chako]

I agree with you Bob. I also have the same issue, but mostly with my fingers sliding off of the lock mechanism as they really didn't give you anything to grab onto. The scissors could have potential damaging effects on a careless user. It happened to me once already. If you are looking and paying attention to what you’re doing when you put away the scissors, probably not much. However, if you’re not and you close them on your leg while you’re looking at something else...beware.