I can't believe I just bought a Suspension !

[Dunc]

I didn't have quite as much money to spend on multitools this month as I have to pay for our holiday and a new washing machine .So with the grand total of £35 in my pocket I set off to see what the city of Norwich could offer me in the shape of something sharp and shiny . After visiting my usual haunts I realised I didn't have too many options . One shop had the suspension for £39.99 but the next shop I tried had them for £34.99 . now let's get one thing straight before anyone thinks my multitool knowledge is somewhat lacking , I know the Suspensions reputation but I was keen to try one out for myself . I had a sinking feeling in my heart as I handed over my hard earned at the till .But I had to try one for myself . I opened the clam pack and almost expected the tool to fall out in pieces .I really looked closely at it but after five minutes all I could fault was the nail nick in the saw was a little difficult to reach .the first thing I tried was the can opener as I've read it's useless . Hand on heart I can say it's very effective .I then took a close look at the blades , the factory edge was even on both sides but was quite ruff and course butthe fine stones on my sharpmaker put a wicked edge on them . The blade are quite short but are one hand opening so time will tell how I get on with them . My daughters pet rabbit gave me the next excuse to use the saw after he had chewed a hole through his hutch . The saw wasn't great but it did work and I was able to complete the job . Time for a beer and the bottle opener was perfect .I tested out the pliers on some domestic two core wire and also some very thin wire and it cut both types cleanly first time .the suspension isn't out of the woods yet and I'll be keeping a very close eye on it .But so far it seems very good value for money . Watch this space for further news ......


Dunc

[jerseydevil]

I just got my second Gerber. After reading threads here, I was apprehensive about both. I've gotta say, both the MP450 and the Octane are good tools for what I need, and I'm pleasantly surprised with both. Still a bit iffy on the Suspension, though.....Maybe I'll give it a shot if I find one cheap enough.

[powernoodle]

You know what is worse than buying a Suspension?  Buying one with Bear Grylls' name on it and paying twice as much.  Lets not tell anyone I did this, ok?   

Seriously, though, the Suspension is not a bad tool.  Compared to a hand full of nothing, its awesome.

[Chako]

The Suspension and its ilk are good serviceable multi-tools. After all, I do believe the Suspension was Gerber's top selling multi-tool because it was everywhere and the price was right.

Lots of better MTs designs out there though...but one could live with the Suspension quite well if need be.

[Freudian Frog]

You know what is worse than buying a Suspension?  Buying one with Bear Grylls' name on it and paying twice as much.  Lets not tell anyone I did this, ok?   

Seriously, though, the Suspension is not a bad tool.  Compared to a hand full of nothing, its awesome.

But but but... it's the ultimate survival tool.

[AHB]

I'm sorry to hear man... 

[Magic Bus]

I give you 3 days mate ;-)

[Sean]

I'd really be interested to see how you get on with it.  I like my 600 and my pinchy handled
gerber and those Suspensions are cheap at MEC so...

[Grant Lamontagne]

There's a reason the Suspensions are cheap- they don't have much of a track record.  They are at best a light duty tool, but some guys have had the pliers break just playing with them.  Those were all replaced under warranty if I recall correctly, and Gerber's Customer Service is excellent, but I still wouldn't consider the Suspension series if you are looking for a SHTF type tool where it's your last line of defense.

Def

[Chako]

Yes, which is why I get a kick out of the Ultimate Survival Tool. 

[Dunc]

There's a reason the Suspensions are cheap- they don't have much of a track record.  They are at best a light duty tool, but some guys have had the pliers break just playing with them.  Those were all replaced under warranty if I recall correctly, and Gerber's Customer Service is excellent, but I still wouldn't consider the Suspension series if you are looking for a SHTF type tool where it's your last line of defense.

Def

I totally agree , while I find it an interesting tool I wouldn't depend on it like you could their 600/400 series .
 Just an update on it , I find it quite uncomfortable to hold when using the drivers .

[scrappy]

walmart had them for around 20 for a while and I have one and for the price it is a good tool. The tool that was even worse is that big rubber tool that cost even more. Mine fell a part cutting plastic banding like a zip tie.

[Gareth]

walmart had them for around 20 for a while and I have one and for the price it is a good tool. The tool that was even worse is that big rubber tool that cost even more. Mine fell a part cutting plastic banding like a zip tie.

was that the Radius?
http://www.multitool.org/Gerber/Medium-Tools/2007/06/27/radius.html

DaveK had one I got to look at and, much as I do like a lot of Gerber's stuff, that one was a total piece of smurf.

[Chako]

Yes, the Radius is the smurfiest smurfity smurf ever.

[Heinz Doofenshmirtz]

You know what is worse than buying a Suspension?  Buying one with Bear Grylls' name on it and paying twice as much.  Lets not tell anyone I did this, ok?   

Seriously, though, the Suspension is not a bad tool.  Compared to a hand full of nothing, its awesome.

(Image removed from quote.)

P-noodle, you're hilarious! 

I agree though, I got a Suspension at Mall-Wart for my wife's new Sienna a couple months ago, just so she could have something handy in a pinch.  They're not great tools, no... (frankly I'd rather have my Octane even), but for a cheap beater tool, they're not bad at all. 

[AimlessWanderer]

I agree though, I got a Suspension at Mall-Wart for my wife's new Sienna a couple months ago, just so she could have something handy in a pinch.  They're not great tools, no... (frankly I'd rather have my Octane even), but for a cheap beater tool, they're not bad at all.

Yes they are   
Seriously though, I've got a cheapo Bahco branded thing which cost a third of the price and is ten times as good IMO
I do agree it's better than nothing though

[Mercury]

I have handled a suspension while repairing one for a friend.  I have to say it was the sorriest excuse for a full sized Multi that I have ever seen.  I would buy a kobalt first.  As much trash as I talk about gerber, I do like a lot of their stuff, in fact my first multi was a Gerber back in the early 90's.  I just can't stand the suspension at all. 


Any updates Dunc?

[Dunc]

I have handled a suspension while repairing one for a friend.  I have to say it was the sorriest excuse for a full sized Multi that I have ever seen.  I would buy a kobalt first.  As much trash as I talk about gerber, I do like a lot of their stuff, in fact my first multi was a Gerber back in the early 90's.  I just can't stand the suspension at all. 


Any updates Dunc?

Yep    Its not as bad as I thought it was going to be but its also no Wave either .Worth the money but I wouldn't rely on it for anything other then light duties .

p.s its also up for sale 

[Mercury]

I have handled a suspension while repairing one for a friend.  I have to say it was the sorriest excuse for a full sized Multi that I have ever seen.  I would buy a kobalt first.  As much trash as I talk about gerber, I do like a lot of their stuff, in fact my first multi was a Gerber back in the early 90's.  I just can't stand the suspension at all. 


Any updates Dunc?

Yep    Its not as bad as I thought it was going to be but its also no Wave either .Worth the money but I wouldn't rely on it for anything other then light duties .

p.s its also up for sale 

 

[Beerplumber]

How do I get in line for this?

[Bensasupertool]

WOW! Sad to see Bear Grills name on a wally mart shelf staple. Sad to see gerber remodel the suspension. Its not a bad tool in my mind. I bought mine in '05,'06 and it has come in handy over the years. It was under 30 bucks then and was my first MT. I needed something to slice open burlap on root balls for trees. If i knew better i would have bought a Wave or a ST. Did wally world carry Leatherman then?  The suspension was a EDC for like six months on the job,then faded away to small around the house tasks.

Its still in great shape,the sissors never really worked well,strait blade is still sharp,the serrated blade was abused pretty bad,and the pliers are still cherry with no play in them. Every tool locks like it was new,still making a small snap noise.In the end its no Leatherman.

[Neil]

My main gripe with the suspension is actually the width the handles spring out to.  I have medium sized hands for a bloke and when they're widest its just a bit too much of a stretch to use them for any length of time.

I also don't think its as bad a tool as the rep it gets

[powerring]

Compared to a hand full of nothing, its awesome.

Powernoodle:  I was re-reading this thread and realized this is probably my favorite line ever on MTO.   

I bought a Suspension on Target clearance for around $15 once.  I'd do it again at that price.

[AimlessWanderer]

I just found my Suspension after a few years of being in the "naughty corner" (stashed away and forgotten about in a box), and I certainly don't feel it's any better now than I did then. There are some tasks it will do and if it's all you've got then at least you have something. It's not the worst tool ever, but it's far from being the best. I'm not sure I feel much different about it but other tools I've discovered since just kind of fall in around it

To put it in perspective, I'm not a fan of the Juice (you might have noticed  ), but ...

I'd rather have a Juice than a Pulse
I'd rather have a Pulse than a Suspension
I'd rather have a Suspension than a Sideclip
I'd rather have a Sideclip than a Skeletool
I'd rather have a Skeletool than a Flik

I know that'll rattle a few cages, but that's my take on it 

[Mercury]

I just found my Suspension after a few years of being in the "naughty corner" (stashed away and forgotten about in a box), and I certainly don't feel it's any better now than I did then. There are some tasks it will do and if it's all you've got then at least you have something. It's not the worst tool ever, but it's far from being the best. I'm not sure I feel much different about it but other tools I've discovered since just kind of fall in around it

To put it in perspective, I'm not a fan of the Juice (you might have noticed  ), but ...

I'd rather have a Juice than a Pulse
I'd rather have a Pulse than a Suspension
I'd rather have a Suspension than a Sideclip
I'd rather have a Sideclip than a Skeletool
I'd rather have a Skeletool than a Flik

I know that'll rattle a few cages, but that's my take on it 

I officially disown you Al.   

[AimlessWanderer]

Sorry Sean,
I'd hoped me rather having a Pulse than a Suspension may have redeemed me  Good job I never mentioned the Blast 

I hope our Danish moderator isn't reading this thread though. There's nothing in my prior statement to appease him.

Forgive me Two L's, for I have sinned 

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I'm surprised to see the Flik ranked so low in your mind.  In my mind it's the one I would prefer to carry out of all the ones you said.

Def

[AimlessWanderer]

The Flik has an excellent pair of scissors .... shame about the rest (IMO) 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I like the Flik- it's one of my most used tools.  I hate how the head flops out when it's in the sheath, and that the sheath is open to allow the head to flop out more, but that's just a Gerber thing, and really not worth getting upset about.  And, even if it was, five minutes with a Dremel tool and problem solved.

I like the OH blades, I like the pliers, I like the scossors, and it's comfortable to use.  All in all I like the Flik a lot.

Def

[derekmac]

The Flik is near the top of my want list.  I bought one for my father in law for Christmas, and played with it for a bit before wrapping it, and I really liked it. 

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