Gerber Versus Leatherman?

[Cutlerynovice1]

Thought it might be fun to see some pictures and hear some opinions, so how about we show our favorite Gerbers versus our favorite Leathermans and explain why we like them, I'll post pics of mine once I get my Gerber back from my friend, let's see how this goes!

[Top-Gear-24]

Here's a pic from my Gerber Multiplier vs my Leatherman Supertool.

The Leatherman Supertool was the first multitool I bought (back in '94) and I still love it, I bought the Gerber Multiplier about 4 years after I bought the Supertool, and I also like it, but not half as much as I like the Supertool. 

Needless to say the Gerber bit my hand a few times, which is one of the reasons why it's not my favorite, but it does make a cool sound when you slide the pliers open  .

[Cutlerynovice1]

Here's a pic from my Gerber Multiplier vs my Leatherman Supertool.

The Leatherman Supertool was the first multitool I bought (back in '94) and I still love it, I bought the Gerber Multiplier about 4 years after I bought the Supertool, and I also like it, but not half as much as I like the Supertool. 

Needless to say the Gerber bit my hand a few times, which is one of the reasons why it's not my favorite, but it does make a cool sound when you slide the pliers open  .


(Image removed from quote.)

Great tools man! I love the MP600 but my old one bit as well, I'm looking into the Diesel, the Supertool is an outstanding tool, my papaw has been carrying one for approximately 20 years (give or take)

[AimlessWanderer]

Sideclip vs Octane
I tried a Sideclip as a light pocket clipped tool, but didn't get on with it at all. After briefly trying a couple of other tools I settled on the Octane and have been very happy with it. It's more comfortable when using the liers, rides deeper in the pocket, has an excellent bottle opener, and the package opener is very useful too.

(Modded) Fuse vs MP400
One of the tools I tried in the Sideclip vs Octane timeline was a Kick which I converted to knifeless



... but it still rode high like the Sideclip, and after a whil I had the itch to try other things. The demise of the Knifeless Fuse didn't bother me too much, as the tool loadout didn't inspire me to buy one - but they did inspire me to build something better (for me). The two I ended up with was my MP426 ...



... and the rather splendid Fuse-ilier ...






... but it's the MP426 that gets all the glory/pocket time

OK, I'm talking about modifications I did - but as off the shelf tools I still prefer the MP400 to the Fuse

Juice vs MP700/Balance
Hate the Juice - love the MP700 and Balance ... simple as that

Wave/Charge vs .......
Quite frankly I don't think anything Gerber has made has come close. The MP600 is a great tool, but that's more of a Supertool type competitor ... and neither the MP600s or Supertools have appealed to me that much. I'd rather carry my Swisstool. Flick? Nowhere near. Strata? Not a prayer. As far as I'm concerned the Wave/Charge is still stong enough and unique enough to be unchallenged, much like the Vic Spirit is.

Squirt PS4 vs Dime
I would say the pliers are stronger on the PS4 predominantly due to the way the way the backsprings are supported, but on everything else the Dime wins for me. Brilliant bottle opener, great little package opener, better styling. Here's what might have tipped the balance the other way for me ... if the PS4 bottle opener was any good, and if they ditched the file when they "upgraded" from the P4, and kept the mini driver and awl instead. It is nice to see Gerber score one in this small tool category though. The Mini and Micra are great little tools in my opinion, whilst the Vice, Splice, Shortcut, Solstice (dead fly), Clutch, Mini-Suspension ... and so on, and so on ... just didn't quite get there

[Grail Knight]

I gave up on Gerber multi-tools.
Have had 3 pliers break so far and well Gerber has replaced
the wrenches I am tired of sending them back. The last replacement has been
relegated to my tool box for small chores.

Have not had any issues with my Leatherman Wave and use it daily for any number
of chores large or small. I do however carry a Victorinox SpiritX because it is much
lighter then they Leatherman Wave and IMO exceeds the Wave in craftsmanship and
durability. I carry a lot of stuff on my belt and weight matters.

[Gareth]

I gave up on Gerber multi-tools.
Have had 3 pliers break so far and well Gerber has replaced
the wrenches I am tired of sending them back. The last replacement has been
relegated to my tool box for small chores.

Have not had any issues with my Leatherman Wave and use it daily for any number
of chores large or small. I do however carry a Victorinox SpiritX because it is much
lighter then they Leatherman Wave and IMO exceeds the Wave in craftsmanship and
durability. I carry a lot of stuff on my belt and weight matters.

Mind if I ask which Gerber pliers you managed to break? 

Oddly the only ones I have ever managed to break were on my old Leatherman Supertool.   I've also managed to chip the small screwdriver on both my Fuse and MP400.  Both reworkable and still in service though.

[Mercury]

I have never broken the pliers on any of my tools, leatherman or gerber.  I find that I can feel the stress I'm putting on them and if it feels like I might break it I go grab a dedicated plier that I won't mind snapping. 

I prefer leatherman over gerber but that doesn't mean gerber doesn't put out a great product.  I would buy an octane or balance over a wingman or sidekick any day of the week.  I love the mp600 series too.  But my edc remains leatherman all the way.  I'm stuck on my pulse right now, with my wave and bit kit riding in my bag everywhere I go. 

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using crapatalk two point oh.

[Gareth]

OK, here is a Gerber with a Leatherman;



the outside change that this comparison might annoy 50ft is just a bonus IMO.  

Seriously, do I think the Flik is as good as the Wave?  No, not really, but I do think the Wave has a lot of issues that annoy me far to much for me to ever really love it and the Flik is.....quirky enough that I've gotten a soft spot for it.   In all honesty though if someone asked my which to buy the Wave is a much better bet.

On the other hand we have the Skeletool and the Octane;


Never could get along with the Skele, first and foremost due to the fact I find the pliers uncomfortable to use.


Much, much prefer the feel of the Octane in hand. 

The reason I cannot show these tools in the same pic?  I still own the Octane but moved the Skeletool on a while ago.

[Zed]

OK I've only owned 2 gerber as generally prefer lm's but the mp800 was a pleasant surprise,ok it doesn't have flick out pliers but it's still got fiddle factor  certain features like the blade exchanger and replaceable carbide cutter are a bonus and the oho blade is silky smooth as is the very good fiskars scissors, yes it's still little chunky but so is the surge and I love that too,for me it's the user friendly mt I keep in the kitchen draw  ok next is my lm charge ti,as a long time wave user this upgrade is where I hoped I would end up,for me this mt does it all and does it all well,plus I love making mods for the bit driver,of course the outside tools are very handy and I was so glad they added locks too the inside tools as the old waves did fold on me a few times,ok a pic 

[AimlessWanderer]

the outside change that this comparison might annoy 50ft is just a bonus IMO.  

 

I did briefly wonder what farcical reason you were going to conjure up to elevate the Flik to the lofty echelons of the Wave, but you came through good in the end 

On the other hand we have the Skeletool and the Octane;

Ah, yes - thank you 

The Skele was one of the tools I hoped might make up for the dissatisfaction with the Sideclip, but that too left me cold - predominantly due to the ergonomics of the thing. Using pliers and drivers were very uncomfortable for me

[Mercury]

The sideclip is one of my all time favorite tools.  I have nearly worn mine out.   

Sent from my Galaxy S3 using crapatalk two point oh.

[jerseydevil]

Another Gerber fan here.  My regular carry tools at work are either an MP450 or an MP600 pro scout.  Both have seen a ton of use, and I've never had an issue with them.  As far as Octane vs. Skeletool, I traded the Skele within a week.  The Octane is still here and sees plenty of pocket time.  The only tool that's challenged it is another Gerber, the Balance, which I much prefer to the Juice.  My most carried Leatherman is the PSTII, and though I have others (original ST, ST200, Wave), they just don't work for me as well as my Gerbers do.  Not to say that they're bad tools in any way, just my preference.

[scrappy]

Good question, the octane and skele are the most likely comparison I can think of. The liner on my octane is flimsy and flexes too much for me to use with confidence so I prefer the skele but I hardly use either anymore. I prefer the wave or rebar, or surge or even the wingman. I am fond of the gerber 600, diesel, and 800 models and have no objection to carrying them.

I have broken a few tools by pushing too far but the only name brand tool i broke too easily was the gerber radius, cutting a plastic band similar to a zip tie. No real stress involved.

[DIYMultiTool]

I have many Gerber MP600 as they are US made, inexpensive, but a quality MT. The Gerber MP600's are also Army issue and come with many USGI color nylon Sheaths (cool factor).

I also like my Leatherman Super Tool 300 with CM154 blades as my "heavy weight" MT.

[rdub934]

Fun thread. I also have comparable tools to fill similar niches from both brands. I have a PS4 and a Dime and I prefer the Dime ever so slightly. I think the LM is better made, I just prefer the package opener over a dedicated file, I like the bottle opener better on the Dime, I like the blade better on the Dime.  Nothing against the PS4, it is solid, but the Dime gets it closer to the mark - for me.

I have a Skeletool and an Octane for pocket carry. I prefer the Octane. The Skeletool feels more solid, but it is bigger than it needs to be for such a minimalist tool. If it were an ounce lighter and a half inch shorter - winner. As it is, the Octane has better pliers, easier deployement, and a package opener.

I have a Wave and MP400. The Wave is the best overall multitool out there in my opinion. No contest really, as they aren't really in the same class.

Having said all that - I carry the LM Wingman almost daily, at home and at work. I love this thing. It fills the role of fullsize MT while still being comfy for pocket carry. Plus, it's cheaper than anything else from either manufacturer.

[Gareth]

I might have to give my Dime some carry time again, it's been ages since I last used it.

[3rdpig]

I'm rather biased since my first Leatherman was the original PST, which I loved, and my first Gerber was the original Mr Pinchy that tore my hands up so bad that I wound up giving it to this guy at work I didn't like.  I'd laugh out loud every time he'd scream in pain when the evil Mr Pinchy bit him again. 

Splice vs Squirt S4.  The Squirt has good scissors with decent tools and blades for a keychain tool.  There's nothing that great about the Squirt, but nothing bad about it either.  The Splice on the other hand sucks out loud.  Every single edge on the Splice is sharp...the edges of the tool might be sharper than the edge on the poorly designed main blade.  It's impossible to use this little POS without first smoothing all the outside edges with a file or having leather gloves on.  Also, every blade on it is hard to get out.  Thank God it's got a fingernail file, because you're going to need it. It also gives the original multiplier a run for it's money in the pinching department.  It's also too big and fat for a keychain tool and no tweezers either.  Squirt wins, and wins by a huge margin in every conceivable way.  A rusted, bent, 20 year old Revlon nail clipper beats the Splice in usability.

Skeletool vs. Octane.  Not a contest for me, the Octane has the worst full size phillips driver on any tool I've ever used, the main blade is poorly designed, the tool opens in your pocket and it just feels cheap. The package cutter is nice, but how often do you use that in comparison to a phillips driver?  The Skeletool, despite not being my favorite tool at least has good build quality, usable drivers and a half decent blade.  I sent the Octane back to Gerber with some rather impolite suggestions of what they could do with it.  Unfortunately they sent it back, along with a new one which is still in the box.  Winner, Skeletool even though I don't carry it much except for lazy weekends.  Kudos to Gerbers CS department, but I fart in the general direction of whoever tested and approved of the phillips driver on the Octane.

Flik and MP600 vs. Charge TTi and Rebar.  I didn't care for the Flik, it had good pliers, decent blades and the good scissors, but the small tools are horrible, I gave it away.  The MP600 is well made, the tools are nice and if it wasn't for the Rebar or Vic Spirit it would probably be my EDC tool, as it is it's in the rotation. Mine is a USA model, Black Oxide and has the ACU sheath.  It's hard to find fault with the MP600, a good solid tool that you won't regret buying.  The pliers with the crimper near the end on the Charge ruins the entire tool for me, I use pliers a lot and the crimper there cripples them.  I'll probably sell or trade it someday, but other than that it's got great blades and very usable tools.  The small driver on a tool this size is nice.  I've only had the Rebar for a couple of days, but so far it's the winner for me in this group, good tool selection, good quality and great pliers.  Also, it's small, flat and it fits in the same sheath I made for my PST years ago that also holds a flashlight.  Old school fun for me.  Yes, there's some bias here as well as some nostalgia.  The Rebar is absolutely in my EDC rotation.

MP800 and Freehand vs Supertool 200 and 300.   The build/material quality on the Supertools is excellent while the Gerber tools is, at best, good enough.  All of these tools have great pliers, but the sprung pliers on the 800 stand out from the crowd, I can't even describe how much easier pliers are to use when they're sprung.  I've heard this make the plier head weaker, but I'm not shy about leaning on my tools and I've leaned on those pliers hard with no problems (I broke the tip off one side of the pliers on my Sog Powerlock the first day I had them).  The Freehand has those abysmal tiny tools like the Flik, honestly they're the worst thing I've seen since the Hindenburg disaster.  Gerber engineers should stop the drugs or whatever it is that made them think that those tools were anything other than a blight on the world.  Otherwise the Freehand is great and I love the prybar, scissors and blades.  The ST's really need heavy duty scissors IMO, but other than that it's hard to find fault with them, the're big, strong and well made.  The MP800 is the best all around tool of this group IMO and it's becoming the tool I stuff in my pocket on those weekends where I have projects around the house.  I wish I had a Surge to compare, but for some reason the Surge has never appealed to me.  Eyeglasses screwdriver on a huge MT? But no HD scissors?  Get out of town with that.  And my Chinese made Powerlock has tools made of such soft materials I thought they must be faulty, but the replacements were just as bad.  Not sure what to do with that thing except to give it as a gift to someone who won't use it.

Honorable mention to the Gerber Fit.  There's not really a Leatherman to compare it to, and quality wise it falls short of it's closest competitors, the Vic Cybertool 34 and Cybertool Lite.  But it's very usable and has a handy toolset with a great flashlight.

[SolomonKane79]

I wish I had a Surge to compare, but for some reason the Surge has never appealed to me.  Eyeglasses screwdriver on a huge MT? But no HD scissors?

The Surge DOES have HD scissors.

[kkokkolis]

Gerbers don't appeal to me at all. They look ugly compared to LMs and many of them unnecessarily fat. I find their design silly with form over factor mentality. And most reviews didn't change my mind (exactly the opposite). Bear Grylls products are obscene even related to other Gerbers.
I don't say they aren't good. They just don't appeal to me.
SOGs look serious on the other hand. But still I prefer Leathermans. Until Victorinox will make a dual OHO blade with integrated bit kit Swisstool.

[Max Archer]

I love the solid block of steel feel that Leatherman tools have, but it's gonna take a lot to get my Balance out of my pocket. Screwdrivers are by far the tool I use the most, and I've never seen a plier-based MT that could come anywhere close without extra accessories.

[Grail Knight]

Mind if I ask which Gerber pliers you managed to break? 

Sorry I forgot all about replying to you so better late then never.

I have had a Suspension model break twice both time using the plier to hold onto something.
The break was in the exact same spot near the rivet hole.

The other one was one of the old Gerber Blunt Nose plier.
The teeth on the plier were gone after the first use then the plier snapped in half also near the rivet hole.
Poor heat treating was to blame both times and Gerber verified the issue with a supplier.

[3rdpig]

I wish I had a Surge to compare, but for some reason the Surge has never appealed to me.  Eyeglasses screwdriver on a huge MT? But no HD scissors?

The Surge DOES have HD scissors.

You're right, I was thinking of something else.  Does that mean I have to buy a Surge? 

[jerseydevil]

I wish I had a Surge to compare, but for some reason the Surge has never appealed to me.  Eyeglasses screwdriver on a huge MT? But no HD scissors?

The Surge DOES have HD scissors.

You're right, I was thinking of something else.  Does that mean I have to buy a Surge?

Yep!  It's the rule around here - once you mention a tool in a thread, you are obligated to pick one up. 

[Bensasupertool]

I wish I had a Surge to compare, but for some reason the Surge has never appealed to me.  Eyeglasses screwdriver on a huge MT? But no HD scissors?

The Surge DOES have HD scissors.

You're right, I was thinking of something else.  Does that mean I have to buy a Surge?

Yep!  It's the rule around here - once you mention a tool in a thread, you are obligated to pick one up. 

I can second that motion.

 Now im gonna bash on Leatherman a bit. Why oh why dosent LM have a bluntnose plier head as an option? The ST300 plier at the base is just over a quater inch and is tapered down to about 1/16 at the tip. That mp600 bluntnose i just bought HAS a quarter inch the whole length of the plier and is an option on Gerber tools.  Sure LM has plier options with CC and the EOD pliers, but no fat blunt nose. I bought the MP(with the help of Gareth) for a duty specific application and it fits the bill.  Ive used the ST300 countless times at work  for a ton of applications and can do what I apply to it. It always fell short at making wire joints. Due to the needle nose.LM lost me there.

I sort of hit the wall with LM tools at the moment. For the most part I have the LM tools i sought after and am extremly happy with them. That new gerber sort of opened up my view on MT's alot on what to expect out of your multi. Having an array of options on MT's makes and breaks buyers. I wish i bought that mp sooner and saved a few private bank notes.

[SolomonKane79]

Strata vs Wingman
I don't know if you ever noticed but this two mts are very similar in size and tool selection. Both have sprung pliers which i find very comfortable, the Strata has the bonus of replaceable cutters and they actually cut stuff unlike Wingman's. Both sport combo edge blades accesible from outside and more or less one hand opening. I find the Wingman's one more pleasant to the eye if that matters. They both have a sort of package/clamshell opener and they both work but the LMs is definitely better. They both have this short file, maybe the Starta is a bit better. In my opinion the scissors ont the Gerber are better even if shorter, on my Wingman the scissors tend to jam in certain circumstances.  I also prefer the cap-lifter on the Strata, the one on the LM tends to pinch caps (i don't know how it works as a can opener). Comparing these two mts we have a rare case where the Gerber has a 3d phillips and the LM a flat one! The Strata sports a saw too, not to be found on the LM which on its side has a very nice pocket clip. The locking/unlocking tabs on the Strata are freaking stiff and quite a pain to use! Even if i like the Strata and i think it's a decent multi i would go for the Wingman if you consider the price!   

[jerseydevil]

I think the Strata is a great and underrated tool.  I got mine brand new for less than $20, and it was a great steal IMO.  The locks aren't too stiff to me, the pliers are great, and it just might be the best Phillips driver Gerber's ever made.  No contest between it and the Wingman.  In fact, I don't even own a Wingman anymore, but the Strata remains in the rotation. 

[SolomonKane79]

I think the Strata is a great and underrated tool.  I got mine brand new for less than $20, and it was a great steal IMO.  The locks aren't too stiff to me, the pliers are great, and it just might be the best Phillips driver Gerber's ever made.  No contest between it and the Wingman.  In fact, I don't even own a Wingman anymore, but the Strata remains in the rotation. 

At that price yes, i would probably go for the Strata! Usually i see the Strata at about 50dollars or more!

[jerseydevil]

I think the Strata is a great and underrated tool.  I got mine brand new for less than $20, and it was a great steal IMO.  The locks aren't too stiff to me, the pliers are great, and it just might be the best Phillips driver Gerber's ever made.  No contest between it and the Wingman.  In fact, I don't even own a Wingman anymore, but the Strata remains in the rotation. 

At that price yes, i would probably go for the Strata! Usually i see the Strata at about 50dollars or more!

This one was the display model at a local sporting goods store, and the last one they had.  It still had oil on it!  I've used the heck out of that tool, and it's still going strong.  I think tomorrow it'll take a trip to work with me.....

[nervium]

multitools-leatherman, sog (i like paratool)
folding knives-gerber (esp. bear grylls series), opinel
small sak-victorinox (manager etc. 58mm series)
fixed blade-cold steel, aitor (cold steel chinese war sword, search in youtube)

coz of my second job, medical rescue; i tried many on the field.this is my humble opinion.

[Goatlord666]

Strata vs Wingman
I don't know if you ever noticed but this two mts are very similar in size and tool selection. Both have sprung pliers which i find very comfortable, the Strata has the bonus of replaceable cutters and they actually cut stuff unlike Wingman's. Both sport combo edge blades accesible from outside and more or less one hand opening. I find the Wingman's one more pleasant to the eye if that matters. They both have a sort of package/clamshell opener and they both work but the LMs is definitely better. They both have this short file, maybe the Starta is a bit better. In my opinion the scissors ont the Gerber are better even if shorter, on my Wingman the scissors tend to jam in certain circumstances.  I also prefer the cap-lifter on the Strata, the one on the LM tends to pinch caps (i don't know how it works as a can opener). Comparing these two mts we have a rare case where the Gerber has a 3d phillips and the LM a flat one! The Strata sports a saw too, not to be found on the LM which on its side has a very nice pocket clip. The locking/unlocking tabs on the Strata are freaking stiff and quite a pain to use! Even if i like the Strata and i think it's a decent multi i would go for the Wingman if you consider the price!   

well, that strata has been on my sights for quite a bit of time but the gerber det was way up on my list. i was planning on getting wingman but i'll put that off and get that strata instead :-D


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