I ordered an unknown Gerber multi-tool off of eBay. I knew I didn't have it, and I also knew the name was wrong. When it came to my door, I realized I bought myself a Gerber MP1.
The sheath is the usual newer Gerber design.
Much like the Gerber Bullrush, this one is covered with G10 that is nicely sculpted to fit your hand nicely. Also like the Bullrush, there are artful cutouts to reveal the model name which is found on the sub frame's surface.
The toolset is interesting, and differs from many Gerber multi-tool models. I won't rehash them here as a few others have written about this tool recently. What I must say though, I find it interesting that several of the tools are bent out of alignment. For example, the pry bar/bottle opener will give you some nice leverage due to the bend in the tool.
With that said, there are a few odd things about the MP1 that I noticed. For example...why bend the bit driver away from the center line?
Note that you can't just dig out one of the flat drivers as there is no place to pull with. The smaller driver is ok. To extract the larger driver, you need to pull up the removable bit driver. That is a bit odd, or a manufacturing defect?
The pliers fit nicely at the tips, and there is no wobble. However, note there is a section that seems to be gone on the upper jaw behind the cutters towards the handles. Not sure if that is another defect, or a feature that I haven't figured out yet.
All of the above seems cosmetic and I can live with those. However, I have noted that there is a little play in the pry bar. So much so that you can make it rattle nicely by shaking it. Click on the video bellow for a better view of what I am talking about.
I have found the fit and finish, barring the above already mentioned, is nice and tight. My copy did not have the usual "gritty" feeling that many Gerbers have these days when new.
So what do I think about the tool overall? I like the fit and finish of the handles and materials. Most tools are tight except for the pry bar. Seeing that I don't think anyone else has mentioned this, but have mentioned various other things...one could surmise that buying one of these is a hit and miss affair. The tools are indeed unique, and as mentioned in other postings on this tool, not sure why they added two flathead drivers in there. Something other would have been more useful...especially as they include a removable bit driver with a Phillips. Why not remove those useless flathead drivers, add a few extra driver bits, and add scissors or an awl. Heck anything else would have been a better fit to my thinking. So there you have it. I do like the MP1. I just wished it was a little more useful and a little better built in some areas.
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