Did I just waste $14?

[Thisjk38]

Recently I have been on a Gerber binge. I've picked up dime, Octane, Mp 400, and Pro Scout. I got the pro scout on eBay under the idea it was in good working however it was broken. So The seller geve me refund and allowed to keep it. So I used the money to buy a flik. Last night before going to bed I saw a suspension on eBay. I know they have a bad rep here, however for some strange reason I put in a bid fot 10.50 before I went to bid. I woke up and found out I won. So for $14.50 ($4 shipping) I just bought a like new "unused" suspension. So I just throw money away?

[Grant Lamontagne]

Not really. As an "only" tool, maybe, but as a curiosity it's not bad.  Some folks have carried and used them for a while without issue. 

It's not a great tool but it is worth fourteen bucks.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Nhoj]

It was my second pliers based tool ever. It has its flaws but it is possible to learn to love it. (But owning any other mts can make it hard!)

[AimlessWanderer]

It was my second pliers based tool ever. It has its flaws but it is possible to learn to love it. (But owning any other mts can make it hard!)

I'd probably agree with that ... but ...
The Suspension was my first pliers based tool
My second was a Swisstool CS Plus 
The Suspension never got much love 

[Gareth]

For $14 I'd have one.   I just wouldn't spend the normal asking price here in the UK.

[kirk13]

I've had a major downer on then til recently...TaxiDad sent me one for a test drive.Its not got a bad tool load,oho blade,and can be bought new for about £20.

In my biased opinion ,it beats the hell out of a Wingman!

[Grant Lamontagne]

I've had a major downer on then til recently...TaxiDad sent me one for a test drive.Its not got a bad tool load,oho blade,and can be bought new for about £20.

In my biased opinion ,it beats the hell out of a Wingman!

On behalf of Leatherman and all their fans....


Ouch.



Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Gareth]

I've had a major downer on then til recently...TaxiDad sent me one for a test drive.Its not got a bad tool load,oho blade,and can be bought new for about £20.

In my biased opinion ,it beats the hell out of a Wingman!

On behalf of Leatherman and all their fans....


Ouch.



Def

Sent from a digital multitool

I actually quite like my Sidekick, though I admit I've not tried a Wingman.

[AimlessWanderer]

I've had a major downer on then til recently...TaxiDad sent me one for a test drive.Its not got a bad tool load,oho blade,and can be bought new for about £20.

In my biased opinion ,it beats the hell out of a Wingman!

On behalf of Leatherman and all their fans....


Ouch.



Def

Sent from a digital multitool

I actually quite like my Sidekick, though I admit I've not tried a Wingman.

 

I've not made the comparison before ....  .... I think it's a close call. There's more tools, but less pocket friendly and no clip. The screwdrivers also lock on the Suspension. Build quality is probably similar. I'm certainly struggling to say the Wingman is better

Congratulations Leatherman, it's taken you thirty years but you've finally managed to sink to the level of a Suspension  just when Gerber have decided to up their game and build better stuff 

[MultiMat]

Not really. As an "only" tool, maybe, but as a curiosity it's not bad.  Some folks have carried and used them for a while without issue. 

It's not a great tool but it is worth fourteen bucks.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

Says the fella who got given his Suspension 

I could never get along with mine hence it got moved on 

Better than a Wingman 

 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yes well I did purchase a Resolve which is the same thing.  I actually have carried the Suspension a time or two using it gives me a warm feeling Down under for some reason!

Seriously I think the biggest problem with the Suspension was poor castings.  Many of them break right out of the box or with light use which is how they got such a bad rep.  If you get one, use it right away and if it fails take it back and get another one.  If it doesn't break right away, its probably a good one.

Of course I use the term "good" loosely- it's still an OK tool at best.

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Dunc]

I think its a bargain for $14

[Zed]

I think its a bargain for $14

Me too  i would get one just to compare with my mp800 

[lowtech]

While i can´t really comment on the Suspension, i read that you have gotten a broken MP 600 Pro Scout. I have some broken MP 600s myself, so maybe i hev the implement that is broken on yours - What tool is defective? Maybe i can hook you up eith a replacement.

And on topic: For 14,- $ you did not make a mistake from what i have read and how it felt when i handled a Suspension in a shop - I´v spent more on worse tools... 

[Thisjk38]

While i can´t really comment on the Suspension, i read that you have gotten a broken MP 600 Pro Scout. I have some broken MP 600s myself, so maybe i hev the implement that is broken on yours - What tool is defective? Maybe i can hook you up eith a replacement.

And on topic: For 14,- $ you did not make a mistake from what i have read and how it felt when i handled a Suspension in a shop - I´v spent more on worse tools...

The Phillips was completely broken in half and the flat head drivers were cracked or chipped. The main blade was chipped rather bad. I spent a good hour trying to repair but with little improvement. Thanks for the offer but I sent it in for warranty repair.

I really bought the suspension out of curiosity. At worse it will live its life out in my tackle box, and at best it wil become a beater. I am curious now how it compares to a wingman. I had one but wasn't too big of a fan. With this I guy I'm expecting an at best "ok/decent" tool.

[Lynn LeFey]

$14 puts it in the price range of the Kobalt, and while I don't have a Suspension, I suspect it's a better tool than the Kobalt.

I'd buy one for $14. It can't be as bad as the Husky, at $10.

Worth it? I'd say certainly. Maybe worth as much as $20. At $14, I'd call it a pretty good deal. The issues I've seen of breakage make me thing it's not a heavy duty tool, but you can't expect it at that price point. Give it a run, see what you think, and report back. I love tales of cheap tools.

[scrappy]

Not a waiste at all. I prefer the wingman but I do own both. I don't edc the suspension any more but it saw some light use when I first got it. I do still edc my wingman. Just had to share that for the wingman haters 

[lowtech]

Ok then - Let´s hear what Gerber had to say about it.
I could have helped with the drivers, but not with the blade.

[Thisjk38]

Thanks again lowtech.....

So I received the suspension today. Here are my first thoughts on it. I most certainly did not waste my money (well most people would say yes since I have several other mts.) It feels like a really solid mt.  I had no real problem cutting a hanger, and all tools feel very useable and strong. It is heavy for its size, and non driver tools seem really short for the bulk and weight of it. I really don't see how this short saw can be of any use.  On the other hand, I like the length of the drivers. All blades right now are tough to open, and the knife studs really dig in when trying to open one handed.  When open, the handles open pretty wide. I have average size hands and it felt a little uncomfortable when open. All in all I'm happy with it so far. It won't be my first mt of choice, but one I wouldn't mind using now and then on light/medium/dirty task.

[Gareth]

Thanks for the feedback mate.   While I am not going to rush out and buy one right now I do think I would got one if I came across a deal as good as the one you found.

[Dunc]

Thanks for the feedback mate.   While I am not going to rush out and buy one right now I do think I would got one if I came across a deal as good as the one you found.

Amazon UK has them for £18 incl post

[Gareth]

Thanks for the feedback mate.   While I am not going to rush out and buy one right now I do think I would got one if I came across a deal as good as the one you found.

Amazon UK has them for £18 incl post

Get thee behind me Satan!     Happily (?) I have no spare cash right now so it's not an option.

[Outback in Idaho]

  Owned one Gerber. Was glad the palm pinching SOB fell down an all metal wheel well.    Don't think you could give me another.

 As for the Wingman, held one on a store display after waiting months for it to arrive. It looked rather cheesy and flimsy. If that was my first Leatherman would probably feel the same way as I do about Gerbers.

  OHT, thought wouldn't m,ind one as a gift, WTH was Leatherman thinking? I surely hope they don't become another Gerber.

[AimlessWanderer]

  Owned one Gerber. Was glad the palm pinching SOB fell down an all metal wheel well.    Don't think you could give me another.

 As for the Wingman, held one on a store display after waiting months for it to arrive. It looked rather cheesy and flimsy. If that was my first Leatherman would probably feel the same way as I do about Gerbers.

  OHT, thought wouldn't m,ind one as a gift, WTH was Leatherman thinking? I surely hope they don't become another Gerber.

I've gradually warmed up to Gerber over the last year or so, and now you're more likely to find one in my pocket than a Leatherman. I think Gerber are generally better at the smaller tools (MP400, MP700, Balance, Octane, Dime), but Leatherman are still generally better at the larger tools IMHO - although the MP600 still has it's fanbase. Gerber will struggle to dethrone the Wave/Charge though