BIG Gerber

[Grant Lamontagne]

As I mentioned in a thread in the General forum, I have yet to personally test one of the BIG Gerber models and I'd like to change that.  Fortunately, with our new banner advertiser and Gerber sponsor, www.gerber-tools.com I am now in a better position to try the big guys out.  So, my question is, which one should I look at first?  Bear in mind, I want something that will hold it's own against the SwissTool, Surge, Core and PowerLock since that's what it'll be up against.

Def

[I'm Still Bison]

I say go with the Legend,and get the oppurtunity to try out it's biggest selling point;the replaceable tungsten carbide cutters.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Get the 800 so I can play with it when your finished

[Leatherman123]

Odd, I was just playing with my 800! I was saying how this tool never gets used, my father edc's the 800 bc of the spring loaded pliers. His tool rusted quite easily though like the pliers have a lot of surface rust. But I would suggest the freehand bc that is the only gerber that I personally like. But it doesnt even have a saw and that is what I like most about multis

[Benner]

Get the 800 so I can play with it when your finished

Then you could pass it on to me!

[Dunc]

The Freehand , what a beast . I quite liked it .

Dunc

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Get the 800 so I can play with it when your finished

Then you could pass it on to me!

I'll think about it

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

The Freehand , what a beast . I quite liked it .

Dunc

Even though I liked you review of it, it just seems to be a bit of a pointless model to me

[Leatherman123]

HA Micky- Warning - while you were reading a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post... I sware this happens everytime I go to post. The freehand is very nice but for such a large tool the screwdrivers are so small! TWICE this happened- Dunc!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

HA Micky- Warning - while you were reading a new reply has been posted. You may wish to review your post... I sware this happens everytime I go to post. The freehand is very nice but for such a large tool the screwdrivers are so small! TWICE this happened- Dunc!

Yep happen's quite a lot to me too , you can turn the feature off if it really annoys you though mate

[Leatherman123]

Oh, thank you!

[NeitherExtreme]

I'd vote Freehand. Though I've never handled the Freehand, it is a better example of what's unique to Gerber. Also, I never thought of as a "Big" heavy duty tool. It felt kinda lightweight when I last played with one (which was a few years ago...), and wouldn't ever have thought to match it up as a parallel to Surge/Swisstool/Powerlock/etc. Thats my opinion of course...

[Roadie]

Freehand, the 800 is a big tool but its not as heavy duty as the Freehand. Plus one handed pliers are the way forward!

[Dunc]

Leatherman123 is spot on about the Freehands small screwdrivers . For me the best thing about it was the one hand opening blade which were nice and long too .

Dunc

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

But the free hand hasn't got a saw

Stop giving def idea's about a tool I don't want

[Dunc]

But the free hand hasn't got a saw

Stop giving def idea's about a tool I don't want

You still here Micky ? Hadnt you better be going ? You dont want to be late do you     

Dunc

[damota]

Sod the Butterfly 800 and the Freehand try the Flik, better set of tools than the Freehand but I think the handle tools will be just as dinky.

Dave

[J-sews]

The Freehand is too big and heavy. The 800 is too big and fat.

Get a Diesel instead. (It won't match up against the Surge size-wise, but it will do better than those other two)

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

But the free hand hasn't got a saw

Stop giving def idea's about a tool I don't want

You still here Micky ? Hadnt you better be going ? You dont want to be late do you     

Dunc

I'm gone already

[Grant Lamontagne]

I thought about adding the Diesel to the list, but when I looked closer at it I didn't want folks complaining that it didn't perform as well because it was a smaller tool.  The others are the big tools from each manufacturer, meant for heavy duty work, and I'd hate to have a poor Gerber showing because it's not in the same class.

Def

[damota]

Def
Just had a look at that site you linked to and I see they do not have the Flik so I would suje3st the Freehand if you want heavy duty pliers (and the wire cutters are good). As it is almost twice the weight of the 800 it is the only7 heavy weight Gerber available to you. All the outside tools are good even the pry bar with ruler once you get the hang of using it. You definitely need the bit set if you require the use of screw driving.  Apart from coupleing to the bit adapter the handle tools are just too small except for using in a true emergency were you have no alternative.

Dave

[damota]

Oh I forgot to say the Diesel is only half an once smaller than the 800 but packs a bigger punch so I would say it was just as heavy if you are wanting something lighter than the Freeman

Dave

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

So what one are ya getting then boss?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I have the MP700 Urban Legend on the way.  It was available, and as a discontinued model I had to snag it when I could.

Def

[Roadie]

Hope you like it! I'd like to get a 700 and swap the plain edge with the combo one on my 800, not that the combo isn't sharp, its a very good blade but i would prefer a plain edge. You'll love the spring loaded pliers though!

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Hope you like it! I'd like to get a 700 and swap the plain edge with the combo one on my 800, not that the combo isn't sharp, its a very good blade but i would prefer a plain edge. You'll love the spring loaded pliers though!

The spring loaded pliers would be a great feature, good man for prefering the straight edge

[Roadie]

Hope you like it! I'd like to get a 700 and swap the plain edge with the combo one on my 800, not that the combo isn't sharp, its a very good blade but i would prefer a plain edge. You'll love the spring loaded pliers though!

The spring loaded pliers would be a great feature, good man for prefering the straight edge

I find it really strange that no other company (bar the ?sheffield? one) put spring loaded pliers in their tools. Its a really great feature and yet only a couple of tools have it, strange.

[CQC-7]

Spring loaded pliers are great.  That is one feature that I dont mind.  Usually, most extra stuff I dont like because it breaks.  If the spring breaks, it is just the same as the other multitools so there is definately no disadvantage to have them on the tool.

[Grant Lamontagne]

For many tools a spring system would be a bit awkward as the tool loosened up.  The Sheffield models that I have with springs either have weak springs or strong snaps to keep them closed, but I doubt either of those features will last terribly ling.  It's unfortunate, but springs tend to be easily broken pieces of the tools and I think most manufacturers want to remove the weak links, especially when lifetime warranties are offered.

Def

[Roadie]

The Gerber's spring as far as i can tell is an internal one inside the jaws pivot so i imagine it would be very hard to break, unlike the Sheffield one which is external.