Fondled my first Gerber Suspension

[rdub934]

One of the many perks of my job, a lot of people come through my facility carrying multitools. I have lost my shyness about asking strangers if I can play with their tool (I ususally ask just like that, too ) Yesterday, a fellow Facility Manger was here working on my tractor and he pulled out what looked to be a new or very lightly used Gerber Suspension. Based on what I have read about the tool here at MTO,  I usually chuckle when I see Suspensions hanging on the rack at the stored, but I had never handled one, so I anxiously grabbed it from him for a full inspection.

It felt more solid than I was expecting. It is also a lot heavier than I thought it would be. The spring loaded motion of the pliers was smooth. I dislike the tool locks, kind of difficult to operate, and especially so if wearing gloves, I would imagine. The screwdrivers had good length, but the knives and saw were so short, I had to comment. I asked him if the short knives were a hindrance and he said he didn't mind them. I just think I wouldn't be happy with such a heavy, bulky tool had what basically amounts to keychain sized blades. I also asked how he like the tool in general. He said that he liked it, but that the first time he used the thing to drive a screw, the driver snapped CLEAN OFF the tool!  He sent it in and Gerber sent him a replacement.

Any how, I just wanted to share one of the little gifts the MT gods bestow upon me from time to time with those that would appreciate it I won't be buying a Suspension, but I have to say it is better quality than I was expecting.

[detron]

One of the many perks of my job, a lot of people come through my facility carrying multitools. I have lost my shyness about asking strangers if I can play with their tool (I ususally ask just like that, too ) Yesterday, a fellow Facility Manger was here working on my tractor and he pulled out what looked to be a new or very lightly used Gerber Suspension. Based on what I have read about the tool here at MTO,  I usually chuckle when I see Suspensions hanging on the rack at the stored, but I had never handled one, so I anxiously grabbed it from him for a full inspection.

It felt more solid than I was expecting. It is also a lot heavier than I thought it would be. The spring loaded motion of the pliers was smooth. I dislike the tool locks, kind of difficult to operate, and especially so if wearing gloves, I would imagine. The screwdrivers had good length, but the knives and saw were so short, I had to comment. I asked him if the short knives were a hindrance and he said he didn't mind them. I just think I wouldn't be happy with such a heavy, bulky tool had what basically amounts to keychain sized blades. I also asked how he like the tool in general. He said that he liked it, but that the first time he used the thing to drive a screw, the driver snapped CLEAN OFF the tool!  He sent it in and Gerber sent him a replacement.

Any how, I just wanted to share one of the little gifts the MT gods bestow upon me from time to time with those that would appreciate it I won't be buying a Suspension, but I have to say it is better quality than I was expecting.

The materials are fine, it (to me) was not engineered well enough.

if I gave you all of the parts to a Lamborghini and said "make something cool"
.
.
.
.

and you created a football thrower, (instead of a Lamborghini)

well, that is what Gerber did.   

[Aloha]

@rdub
I sure would like to see the face on the people you ask to 'play with their tool" haha.  its great to see what others use and how they feel about their choice also to show'em what you have.

@ Detron

that's some funny arse stuff there

[detron]

@rdub
I sure would like to see the face on the people you ask to 'play with their tool" haha.  its great to see what others use and how they feel about their choice also to show'em what you have.

@ Detron

that's some funny arse stuff there

I try

[rdub934]

@rdub
I sure would like to see the face on the people you ask to 'play with their tool" haha.  its great to see what others use and how they feel about their choice also to show'em what you have.

@ Detron

that's some funny arse stuff there

Ummm. yea, sometimes it can be pretty funny. The guy yesterday is in my squadron, so he is familiar with the inappropriateness that comes with the job. However, I had a comm technician one time that gave me the crazy eyes  when I asked. Lol

[Gareth]

Yeah, that sums up the Suspension pretty well I'd say. 

[Landrew]

One of the many perks of my job, a lot of people come through my facility carrying multitools. I have lost my shyness about asking strangers if I can play with their tool (I ususally ask just like that, too ) Yesterday, a fellow Facility Manger was here working on my tractor and he pulled out what looked to be a new or very lightly used Gerber Suspension. Based on what I have read about the tool here at MTO,  I usually chuckle when I see Suspensions hanging on the rack at the stored, but I had never handled one, so I anxiously grabbed it from him for a full inspection.

It felt more solid than I was expecting. It is also a lot heavier than I thought it would be. The spring loaded motion of the pliers was smooth. I dislike the tool locks, kind of difficult to operate, and especially so if wearing gloves, I would imagine. The screwdrivers had good length, but the knives and saw were so short, I had to comment. I asked him if the short knives were a hindrance and he said he didn't mind them. I just think I wouldn't be happy with such a heavy, bulky tool had what basically amounts to keychain sized blades. I also asked how he like the tool in general. He said that he liked it, but that the first time he used the thing to drive a screw, the driver snapped CLEAN OFF the tool!  He sent it in and Gerber sent him a replacement.

Any how, I just wanted to share one of the little gifts the MT gods bestow upon me from time to time with those that would appreciate it I won't be buying a Suspension, but I have to say it is better quality than I was expecting.

I'd have to second your verdict, especially at the suggested retail price. And especially since I picked up a no-name multitool the other day for $5 (marked down from $10) which could have passed for the Suspension, except for the external spring in the plier head, instead of the internal spring that Gerber uses. It had to have come off the same assembly line.


The use of big fat steel washers between the tools makes for a good deal of the bulk, weight and thickness. The only good reason I can think for using them instead of thin brass washers is to make the parts fit together easier without clashing together.  Speaking of which, the tools seem wimpy and inadequate to most tasks. For the size of this thing, you'd expect larger and heftier tools, but again, I think they were chosen to make it easier to put this thing together.


No surprise that Bear Grylls is able to endorsed these things, I'm sure he could use the cash, because I'm not sure what else he has going on nowadays. I've never been impressed with some of his standards or judgement, or the way he smears mud on his own face for no apparent reason.