Gerber Tools?

Leatherman123 · **on:** January 18, 2008, 03:03:35 AM

I own quite a few of Gerber tools.. I am really only fond of the 800 Legend and thats about it! But seriously, how many of you EDC a Multi-Plier? All I can think of from here is Roadie.. They are not bad tools but they just need to have longer reaching drivers.. I actually really like the one handed pliers but they need to work on the screwdrivers... BTW, IMO Gerbers rust easier than LM's.. I have never ever had a rusting issue with a LM but my 800 rusted ALL over and I only took it out once and I oiled it.. All over the plier head especially. So, what do you guys think about Gerber tools? I like their knives!

Anthony · **Reply #1 on:** January 18, 2008, 03:12:52 AM

The Gerbers I've owned (600 series) are really well made, but the drivers are too short for me to EDC; I need SOME reach! If Gerber really put their heads on together (a few years ago

) and found SOME way to extend their reach but keep the great one handed plier design, then they would be really competing IMO.

Mine all had little dots of surface rust, nothing life threatening though.

Spoonrobot · **Reply #2 on:** January 18, 2008, 04:12:51 AM

I found the Legend 800 too large for EDC. Overall the tool was pretty good, I liked the implements and the pliers worked well for me but I dropped it from my carry choices after a few weeks.

The Diesel is pretty much my favorite Gerber tool, I like all the implements and it works well for me. Never had a problem with the short drivers, I don't encounter deep-set fasteners too much in my day-to-day travels. I'm focusing on bumping up my Gerber collection, I'd really like to get some of the older Multi-pliers but I keep getting outbid.

I, on the other hand, do not like their knives.

J-sews · **Reply #3 on:** January 18, 2008, 04:53:02 AM

The Diesel is my favorite also, as well the 600 Multi-Plier. But the one-handed pliers advantage (yay!) is pretty much offset by the five-step knife blade access (boo!)

I don't care for any of the Gerber butterfly-style tools. The 800, the 700, the Suspension, and the new-for-2007 Suspension lookalikes are all to fat for my tastes.

I'm Still Bison · **Reply #4 on:** January 18, 2008, 05:34:36 AM

I keep a 600 as my TV room tool,and I'm satisfied with it 97% of the time the other 3% are those times when the Phillips is too stubby for a deep-set screw.
I suppose the butterfly opening Gerbers are aright,but the cheap knock-off clones have put me off them..I should really try to overcome that,and try a Gerber butterfly opener.

Benner · **Reply #5 on:** January 18, 2008, 12:27:19 PM

I EDC a Gerber Multi-plier (when I am not carrying a Swisstool or Supertool). I find it a great tool to carry, the pliers are superb and the tool selection suits me very well (although tool selection is quite slow). It also doesn't lock, which is great for me as I can carry it anywhere.

Roadie · **Reply #6 on:** January 18, 2008, 12:55:21 PM

Yup i carry an old multiplier in my rucksack as a compliment to any other tool i have on my belt, its one of two legal EDC multi's i have so its usually paired with my PT510. If i have a good reason to be carrying a locking blade i'll jsut about always pick my MP600 up, i'm just so familiar with it i know exactly where everything is on it and the one handed pliers are just so handy. The Urban series is probably the only butterfly tools from Gerber i will own, i'm just not very keen on the new styles they have brought out.

Roadie

WhichDawg · **Reply #7 on:** January 18, 2008, 05:17:12 PM

I have handled GerberMTs and like them okay but cannot take them too seriously, especially for long term use (worst wear reviews, rattles, plastic, short bits) .
I will get a Black Diesel this year and that'll be about it.

Biru · **Reply #8 on:** January 18, 2008, 08:06:42 PM

I have an 800 which I tried to carry a while. I didn't like the short Phillips and some of the odd flats. The arcing plier handles are a bit too bulky for my hands. The file is not aggressive enough. The plier heads prevent reaches into recesses. On the other hand, I love the locking mechanism (a rival to the Swisstool, almost), the knife blade, the carbide wire cutters (only for the ability to replace them), and the saw coupler (my favorite)-I carried spare jigsaw blades for different applications. My sister bought the 800 for me at the recommendation of the knife salesman because it "looked more expensive" than the Supertool.

ducktapehero · **Reply #9 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:24:17 AM

Gerber multi-tools? I bought one to replace a LM that was stolen from me and within a week the daggum thing had a bunch of surface rust on it. That was over 10 years ago. Last December I figured things may be different now. It's been a long time. I bought a couple of Gerber Solstice's and once again I had that "ripped off" feeling. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I doubt I'll ever by one again.

Benner · **Reply #10 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:11:22 PM

Quote from: ducktapehero on January 19, 2008, 05:24:17 AM

Gerber multi-tools? I bought one to replace a LM that was stolen from me and within a week the daggum thing had a bunch of surface rust on it. That was over 10 years ago. Last December I figured things may be different now. It's been a long time. I bought a couple of Gerber Solstice's and once again I had that "ripped off" feeling. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. I doubt I'll ever by one again.

That's a real shame. Gerber make some great tools and I feel that judging them on the Solstice and a 10 year old rusty tool is not really fair. The Solstice is a discontinued model now which has been replaced by the shortcut which has a much better feel to it. I am sure that if you had purchased that instead then you may have thought differently. Also, I currently EDC ao old Gerber and have used it A LOT without any signs of rust. It may be worth just giving a Diesel a try to see what you think then.

Sea Monster · **Reply #11 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

I have trouble differentiating between Gerber tools on their site.

I don't know if this is due to their tool design, their naming system, or poor website layout.

Has the Diesel replaced the MP600?

They call a Butterfly opening one a MP800, while both the MP600 and MP400 series are the slide kind.

I'm reluctant to get one due to poor reviews, by have been curious for some time.

They seem keen to sell them as "industrial" level tools, but their liberal use of various adjectives.

It also seems (as has been mentioned in reviews) that their Plier design leaves room only for the stubbiest of drivers. (I use the drivers on a multi so infrequently compared to Files or Awls, that this is of little consequence to me)

The bullnose plier head also appeals.

It seems Gerber make their tools intentionally ugly, as if that somehow reinforces the raw, manly power of them.

I suspect the Mall Ninja is a fond user of Gerber tools.

For some reason this post reads like a list of Dot points.

I'm okay with that.

Roadie · **Reply #12 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:45:36 PM

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

I have trouble differentiating between Gerber tools on their site.

They do have quite a few variations on a single theme don't they!

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

Has the Diesel replaced the MP600?

Not that i'm aware of, its another step in the evolutionary tale it though.

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

They call a Butterfly opening one a MP800, while both the MP600 and MP400 series are the slide kind.

Yep the Mp800 (and 700) are both similar to the Swisstool, outside opening and big!

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

I'm reluctant to get one due to poor reviews, by have been curious for some time.

They seem keen to sell them as "industrial" level tools, but their liberal use of various adjectives.

You do hear about a few failures of gerber's but then again you do about leatherman's aswell. I have not experienced any rusting of my Gerber's but my Leatherman Wave (new style) has had a few spots of surface rust. My Crunch has not shown any signs of rust though.

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

It also seems (as has been mentioned in reviews) that their Plier design leaves room only for the stubbiest of drivers. (I use the drivers on a multi so infrequently compared to Files or Awls, that this is of little consequence to me)

Yes the drivers are stubby but they work just as well as other companies. I do wish they would put a metal saw on the edge of the file though.

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

The bullnose plier head also appeals.

Not handled a blunt nosed one but Benner seems happy with his!

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

It seems Gerber make their tools intentionally ugly, as if that somehow reinforces the raw, manly power of them.

I don't find them ugly, industrial yes but i like that sort of thing. Each to their own i suppose!

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

I suspect the Mall Ninja is a fond user of Gerber tools.

As long as its Black i don't think they really care what it is!

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

For some reason this post reads like a list of Dot points.
I'm okay with that.

Its now even better with my interjections!

Roadie

Sea Monster · **Reply #13 on:** January 19, 2008, 01:51:29 PM

Rust is a popular topic today-
It's always important to remember that an unused tool in a box will disintegrate faster than a used tool.

Since I can't make head nor tails of the website - what do you recommend as a mid-weight Gerber with the usual basics (can opener, cap lifter, reamer, knife, and a handful of drivers)

I guess there is only four options.

MP 400, MP 600, Diesel, and Freehand?

Leatherman123 · **Reply #14 on:** January 19, 2008, 02:46:33 PM

I would say a Diesel.

ducktapehero · **Reply #15 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:11:21 PM

Quote

It may be worth just giving a Diesel a try to see what you think then.

I own a Swisstool, no need to mess around with Gerber's(or LM's) anymore.

cryptrick · **Reply #16 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:17:30 PM

Gerbers can and do rust sometimes, but you usually only see the odd little rust spots, nothing to worry about really. The same happens on some LM's as well. If you're really paranoid about it get a Black Oxide tool or a Swisstool.

cryptrick · **Reply #17 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:25:25 PM

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM

It seems Gerber make their tools intentionally ugly, as if that somehow reinforces the raw, manly power of them.

I dont think they're ugly. The black MP400/MP600's look beautiful. Think Roadie has one if I remember correctly, he'll back me up on this one

Roadie · **Reply #18 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:30:44 PM

Quote from: cryptrick on January 19, 2008, 05:25:25 PM

Quote from: Nomad on January 19, 2008, 01:34:50 PM
It seems Gerber make their tools intentionally ugly, as if that somehow reinforces the raw, manly power of them.

I dont think they're ugly. The black MP400/MP600's look beautiful. Think Roadie has one if I remember correctly, he'll back me up on this one

I have both in black! Beautiful little things they are...

cryptrick · **Reply #19 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:39:02 PM

Didn't know you had both Roadie!

Great pic of them both together there

Roadie · **Reply #20 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:41:19 PM

Had the 400 a couple of months now, good little workhorse for the smaller jobs. The tiny pliers really come in handy with electrical work which i find myself doing more and more these days! Really want to get a Squirt E4 but thats a different topic.

Roadie

Benner · **Reply #21 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:12:16 PM

I think they look pretty sweet. The BO one's look awesome!

WhichDawg · **Reply #22 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:28:25 PM

I agree, nice shots and it makes me want the blk diesel more!

J-sews · **Reply #23 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:29:41 PM

Take note of the two different blade sets that 600's are equipped with. I prefer the "Pro Scout" version, which has the scissors and the saw coupler (for jig saw blades)

(photo from Gerber site)

Roadie · **Reply #24 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:31:21 PM

Quote from: J-sews on January 19, 2008, 10:29:41 PM

Take note of the two different blade sets that 600's are equipped with. I prefer the "Pro Scout" version, which has the scissors and the saw coupler (for jig saw blades)

I really need to get a pro scout version, one with the carbide cutters would be good!

Benner · **Reply #25 on:** January 19, 2008, 10:42:15 PM

Have just taken some Gerber pics so thought I would post them on here. I know my pictures aren't very exciting, but I am working on getting a decent quality picture first, then on to an exciting one.