Gerber MP1 has arrived. Mixed thoughts.

[gerleatherberman]

Well. Been a fan of Gerber tools for a long time. I have liked Gerber since my first MT was the Mr. Pinchy.
I have a Center Drive, MP600, MP600 BO BN, Diesel, MP400, MP400 w/corkscrew, MP450, 2x Pinchy MPs, Strata, Suspension, Octane, MPT, MP800, MP700, Flik, BullRush, and Crucial. So I kind of knew what I was getting into with the generation of MTs the MP1 was in. Great ideas, cool toolsets, but poor QC and weak design.
With that said,  I have still been looking for an MP1 for a long time. Ordered an amazon warehouse deal and got something that was dragged by a car or something. Sent it back and ordered an unopened MP1 for a few more dollars.
It came in this morning! I am pleasantly surprised at the fit and finish on it. Quite good for that era of Chinese made Gerber MTs. I did notice some grittiness in the pliers and toola, but then realized it had been sitting in a blister pack for years. Oiled it up and it is smooth as silk. Love the bit holder that isn't as long as the CD's, but a really good length for most people. The prybar is cool and is usable. The plain and serrated blades are OK and typical for that era of Gerber tools. The flat heads are medium and small with a nice chisel grind for grip. The two sides chisel thing is interesting and reminds me of the chisel tool on the Vic plier based MTs. Not something you'll use a lot, but is cool when you need it. The pliers are advertised as drop forged. However, they are somewhat dainty considering the size of the MP1's handles. The tips are very fine and remind me of the sog powerlock/powerassist plier tips. Bug tool with delicate plier tips. The cutters are anvil type and not the replaceable carbide like the CD. This is a plus IMO. The carbides are quite delicated and best used on stuff softer than a coat hanger. The MP1 cutters appear to be well made, but the dainty size with internal spring load makes me question their longevity. The CD has huge pivots that give more surface for the force to be applied.
Anyway, going to try these babies out and report back on their performance!
Here are some close up photos and some group pictures for size reference.

[gerleatherberman]

More

[gerleatherberman]

More

[gerleatherberman]

A few shots showing drivers and pliers. Note: the mp800 has the adapter attached for pics.

[gerleatherberman]

Last one.

[MusicMen]

Nice picture comparison 
I have been thinking about an MP1. Let me know how it works out for you.

[Steinar]

Very interesting!

[ThePeacent]

very nice and interesting!     
This is one of my "dream Gerbers", one of those rare tools you try to find a nice deal on for years but the time never seems to come

[pa_strunk]

Nice collection 

[gerleatherberman]

Thanks guys!
The MP1 is definitely an MT bucket lister. Kind of an oddity in the MT world. The design is great and the idea is perfect. The execution just did not live up to it. The tool I have now is perfect, but a LOT of people have received MP-duds. The reviews and ratings seem to indicate serious lapses in QC among early MP1s, therefore tarnishing what could have been an epic tool.
I paid pretty big($84), but had been setting a few bucks aside each week towards one.
I originally bought an amazon warehouse deal last week($58), but it came trashed, broke, and rusted. When I returned it, I spent the extra for a tool new in package. Totally worth it for the Gerber collection.

[gerleatherberman]

Pulled out the scale and did some weight checks.
Gerber MP1 = 8.84oz
Gerber MP800 = 8.93oz
Gerber Center Drive = 9.83oz
Leatherman Surge = 12.18oz
Leatherman OHT = 9.64oz
Leatherman Wave = 8.54oz
SOG PowerAssist = 9.46oz
SOG PowerPlay = 7.96oz
Victorinox SwissTool = 9.78oz
Victorinox Spirit = 7.39oz

The MP1 is a heavy duty sized tool that is near the medium duty weight class. This is partly due to the G10 scales and minimal toolset. BUT, Gerber managed a great tool(if you get a good one) in the <9oz range.

[ThePeacent]

Pulled out the scale and did some weight checks.
Gerber MP1 = 8.84oz
Gerber MP800 = 8.93oz
Gerber Center Drive = 9.83oz
Leatherman Surge = 12.18oz
Leatherman OHT = 9.64oz
Leatherman Wave = 8.54oz
SOG PowerAssist = 9.46oz
SOG PowerPlay = 7.96oz
Victorinox SwissTool = 9.78oz
Victorinox Spirit = 7.39oz

The MP1 is a heavy duty sized tool that is near the medium duty weight class. This is partly due to the G10 scales and minimal toolset. BUT, Gerber managed a great tool(if you get a good one) in the <9oz range.

less than the MP800?!   
Would've never guessed that, I thought it would weigh as much as a Powerlock or a Swisstool

[gerleatherberman]

Pulled out the scale and did some weight checks.
Gerber MP1 = 8.84oz
Gerber MP800 = 8.93oz
Gerber Center Drive = 9.83oz
Leatherman Surge = 12.18oz
Leatherman OHT = 9.64oz
Leatherman Wave = 8.54oz
SOG PowerAssist = 9.46oz
SOG PowerPlay = 7.96oz
Victorinox SwissTool = 9.78oz
Victorinox Spirit = 7.39oz

The MP1 is a heavy duty sized tool that is near the medium duty weight class. This is partly due to the G10 scales and minimal toolset. BUT, Gerber managed a great tool(if you get a good one) in the <9oz range.

less than the MP800?!   
Would've never guessed that, I thought it would weigh as much as a Powerlock or a Swisstool

I was surprised as well. It feels heavier and more solid than the 800 in hand. They were both weighed sitting vertically on the scale, so the weight was distributed properly. But, it has G10 scales/steel liners instead of the 800's beefy aluminum handles. It also has less tools technically. Although the toolset on the MP1 is slightly better than the 800. The MP1 does lack scissors and a saw, while the 800 has both, with a blade changer.

[AimlessWanderer]

Although the toolset on the MP1 is slightly better than the 800. The MP1 does lack scissors and a saw, while the 800 has both, with a blade changer.

Why do you say this?

The MP800 has scissors, file and replaceable saw. The MP1 has a bit driver (but an adaptor can be put on the 800) and the rather odd pry tool, so why the flat blade drivers? Then the MP1 has two full length knives and yet still adds another random sharp thing. I do prefer the absence of cutters that have the structural integrity of bullion cubes, but the rest of the toolset seems very narrow in application compared to the MP800.

[gerleatherberman]

Although the toolset on the MP1 is slightly better than the 800. The MP1 does lack scissors and a saw, while the 800 has both, with a blade changer.

Why do you say this?

The MP800 has scissors, file and replaceable saw. The MP1 has a bit driver (but an adaptor can be put on the 800) and the rather odd pry tool, so why the flat blade drivers? Then the MP1 has two full length knives and yet still adds another random sharp thing. I do prefer the absence of cutters that have the structural integrity of bullion cubes, but the rest of the toolset seems very narrow in application compared to the MP800.

I guess it is just my opinion, but the MP800 scissors are kind of wonky for the tool size(I don't really use scissors anyway), the blade is small, and the adaptor adds more bulk to the pack. I do wood work and liked the chisel on the SwissTool, and the MP1 has a chisel blade. The pry-thing is something I will use as well. I like the 420hc dedicated blades as well on the MP1 and the plier cutters won't shatter on a coat hanger like the carbides of the 800.
In the end, it is subjective. I apologize for not specifying that in my previous post!

[Sam Lim]

Had one some time ago. Didn't like the pliers. Mine came perfect but after some days of use, the pliers became loose. Plier tip started to not align, having side to side play on the rivet. The pliers handle will flex even on mid amount of pressure, telling me that if I have to grip down tight on bolts, they will probably slip.

[gerleatherberman]

Had one some time ago. Didn't like the pliers. Mine came perfect but after some days of use, the pliers became loose. Plier tip started to not align, having side to side play on the rivet. The pliers handle will flex even on mid amount of pressure, telling me that if I have to grip down tight on bolts, they will probably slip.

Indeed. I mentioned in the first post I suspected this was the case regarding the dainty spring loaded pliers. I would not use the pliers for heavy duty tasks, but they'd be fine for minor stuff. IMO.

My SOG powerAssist does the same thing with mild pressure. Seems to me this wouldn't have been difficult for the engineers to figure out ahead of time. Some tightening of the plier bolts removed a good bit of flex, but not a lot. The other Gerbers of the time have the same issue. The Strata has the same exact problem. Part of it might be the plier head as well. The anvil cutters on the strata and MP1 only meet with heavy pressure. The plier tips flex a tiny amount to allow the cutters to meet on both. The LM wingman does it as well, but with less flexing.
I will keep using the MP1 for a couple of days and see how they perform. If the pliers develope play, I can press the pivot back with an arbor press at work.

[AimlessWanderer]

If the pliers develope play, I can press the pivot back with an arbor press at work.

Be careful with that. On standard unsprung pliers you can be reasonably sure the material displacement is happening where you want it, With the hollow section sprung pliers, there may be a risk of the rivet splaying internally instead of externally, or even of it buckling within the void. It might be safer going the "centre punch" route. Please note this is 100% pure speculation on my part, so if I'm talking out of the wrong orifice, and anyone can offer certainty against this, please shout up. 

[gerleatherberman]

If the pliers develope play, I can press the pivot back with an arbor press at work.

Be careful with that. On standard unsprung pliers you can be reasonably sure the material displacement is happening where you want it, With the hollow section sprung pliers, there may be a risk of the rivet splaying internally instead of externally, or even of it buckling within the void. It might be safer going the "centre punch" route. Please note this is 100% pure speculation on my part, so if I'm talking out of the wrong orifice, and anyone can offer certainty against this, please shout up. 

Actually, Thank you very much! I had not thought that through! I press my LM plier rivets sometimes, but they are not sprung. The hollow portion of the sprung pliers will pose a challenge now you mention it. I hate external sprung cheap MT pliers(coil spring on the back end), but maybe Gerber would have been better off going that route.
The drop forged pliers could have been golden if they had left them unsprung.

[clown]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I really wanted to try one of these.  Then after reading some questionable reviews I gave up on the idea.  BUT....I was watching an auction on the bay that wasn't going anywhere and threw in a bid.  Well now I have an MP1 on the way after all.  Looking forward to trying it out.   Even if it does disappoint at least I will have given it a shot!

[gerleatherberman]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I really wanted to try one of these.  Then after reading some questionable reviews I gave up on the idea.  BUT....I was watching an auction on the bay that wasn't going anywhere and threw in a bid.  Well now I have an MP1 on the way after all.  Looking forward to trying it out.   Even if it does disappoint at least I will have given it a shot!

Congrats on the MP1! Good job finding a deal on one. It is a really cool tool. Whether or not it will work for you is based on your needs. I have found it to be in the medium duty range, and that may be slightly generous if I am honest(only because of the dainty plier design. The tools in the handles are quite nice though). In the end, it is one of the best looking Gerber MTs ever made and a nice addition to any MT collection/accumulation. IMHO of course.

[Ravenroost]

I just won a beat to crap MP1 on EBay a week or so ago.

The center punch method to tighten the pliers works pretty well.

[gerleatherberman]

I just won a beat to crap MP1 on EBay a week or so ago.

The center punch method to tighten the pliers works pretty well.

Congrats Raven!

Good thing about beat to crap MTs is that they tend to have survived a lot of use and are less prone to failure than a brand new one that has not been put to the test!

[clown]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I really wanted to try one of these.  Then after reading some questionable reviews I gave up on the idea.  BUT....I was watching an auction on the bay that wasn't going anywhere and threw in a bid.  Well now I have an MP1 on the way after all.  Looking forward to trying it out.   Even if it does disappoint at least I will have given it a shot!

Congrats on the MP1! Good job finding a deal on one. It is a really cool tool. Whether or not it will work for you is based on your needs. I have found it to be in the medium duty range, and that may be slightly generous if I am honest(only because of the dainty plier design. The tools in the handles are quite nice though). In the end, it is one of the best looking Gerber MTs ever made and a nice addition to any MT collection/accumulation. IMHO of course.

Well I did get a pretty good deal on it so I'm not going to baby it.  It will be put to the test   I'll report my findings.

[Ravenroost]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.  I really wanted to try one of these.  Then after reading some questionable reviews I gave up on the idea.  BUT....I was watching an auction on the bay that wasn't going anywhere and threw in a bid.  Well now I have an MP1 on the way after all.  Looking forward to trying it out.   Even if it does disappoint at least I will have given it a shot!

Congrats on the MP1! Good job finding a deal on one. It is a really cool tool. Whether or not it will work for you is based on your needs. I have found it to be in the medium duty range, and that may be slightly generous if I am honest(only because of the dainty plier design. The tools in the handles are quite nice though). In the end, it is one of the best looking Gerber MTs ever made and a nice addition to any MT collection/accumulation. IMHO of course.

Well I did get a pretty good deal on it so I'm not going to baby it.  It will be put to the test   I'll report my findings.

Is that the auction that ended yesterday?

[clown]

So my new MP1 arrived today.  I also have mixed feelings based on my initial fiddling with it.  The tool was sold as out of box but unused and this seems to be the case. 

Everything looks unused.  It feels pretty good in the hand and I think the toolset will be pretty useful although I would have preferred a file in place of the serrated blade. Not too impressed with the locking mechanism.  The tabs are a bit stiff to disengage but suspect this will ease up with use.  My example has a fairly weak detent on the blades and I hope I don't have issues with the points sneaking out of the handles.

I'm a little iffy on the pliers.  I do like the fact that the cutting portion is on the side.  I've been wanting a side cutting MT for a while.  The pliers are indeed fairly small.  And mine, even unused, have very small amount of play in them.  Not enough to bother me as long as the cutters will still cut small wire but I have a feeling it will get worse.

Overall I'd say it seems like a pretty nice tool (especially for the $35 I paid for it  ).  I will start carrying to work on Monday and we'll see how it does.   I foresee a trip back to Gerber in this MP1's future but maybe it'll surprise me!

[gerleatherberman]

Congrats on the deal Clown.

I am glad you had the same thoughts about the MP1. Gerber could have had a real game changer,  but the MP1 fell short in many aspects. But, in the end, I am glad to have one, and am not mad about the money I blew on it.

[clown]

Congrats on the deal Clown.

I am glad you had the same thoughts about the MP1. Gerber could have had a real game changer,  but the MP1 fell short in many aspects. But, in the end, I am glad to have one, and am not mad about the money I blew on it.

It's definitely a cool and somewhat unique tool.  I'd say, design/conceptwise, it's worth the going price.   But durability means a lot to me.  Hopefully I got one of the good ones.  As for now I'm really enjoying sitting in the couch and fiddling with it while it's still clean and fresh.  Going to give my ST300 a vacation next week and see how the MP1 holds up at work.  The last tool I tried out on the job was an OHT.  And it did not survive...


 

[Wallace72]

Congrats on the deal Clown.

I am glad you had the same thoughts about the MP1. Gerber could have had a real game changer,  but the MP1 fell short in many aspects. But, in the end, I am glad to have one, and am not mad about the money I blew on it.

Agreed. It was worth it to me just because it was something new. A pleasant change in pace .

[gerleatherberman]

Congrats on the deal Clown.

I am glad you had the same thoughts about the MP1. Gerber could have had a real game changer,  but the MP1 fell short in many aspects. But, in the end, I am glad to have one, and am not mad about the money I blew on it.

It's definitely a cool and somewhat unique tool.  I'd say, design/conceptwise, it's worth the going price.   But durability means a lot to me.  Hopefully I got one of the good ones.  As for now I'm really enjoying sitting in the couch and fiddling with it while it's still clean and fresh.  Going to give my ST300 a vacation next week and see how the MP1 holds up at work.  The last tool I tried out on the job was an OHT.  And it did not survive...
(Image removed from quote.)

 

Oh my. My OHT is scheduled for pocket time in a few weeks. Now I'm concerned!

Lets hope the MP fares better! The MP1 sure is a good looking MT though!

Congrats on the deal Clown.

I am glad you had the same thoughts about the MP1. Gerber could have had a real game changer,  but the MP1 fell short in many aspects. But, in the end, I am glad to have one, and am not mad about the money I blew on it.

Agreed. It was worth it to me just because it was something new. A pleasant change in pace .

Indeed. It is a stand out MT!