Gerber Clutch: false economy

billings · **on:** February 04, 2009, 01:18:36 PM

hi guys just got a gerber clutch in the post this morning.

can't recommend it, feels flimsy, play in the tools, poor fit and finish

pliers are ok not great and it's pretty big and heavy considering what you get

but it's at a whole different price point than the leatherman squirt p4, if you can get it super cheap and you're on a tight budget...

if you want something that will last a couple of years, this isn't it

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #1 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:20:02 PM

I agree it's not a super strong tool, but it's quite handy for tiny, repetative tasks though

billings · **Reply #2 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:22:00 PM

yeah it will be ok for super light use

i'm just spoilt from using lm squirts and vic sd's

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:23:34 PM

Yeah it's not hard to look down on Gerber stuff ones you've had Vics and lm in your system for a while

billings · **Reply #4 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:25:23 PM

for sure

i've only used a squirt a couple of times but it's much nicer. too expensive though

billings · **Reply #5 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:31:35 PM

shameful useless tweezers on the clutch

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #6 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:32:21 PM

Quote from: billings on February 04, 2009, 01:31:35 PM

shameful useless tweezers on the clutch

I'm detecting a slight vibe of negativity from you mate

billings · **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2009, 01:38:55 PM

just keeping it real, they're not that useful

can just about pluck a hair so could remove a splinter i suppose but they're not super handy

PyroJames · **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2009, 02:38:38 PM

I've never used the tweezers on my clutch. Instead, I use the clutch pliers for tweezer-situations.

Quote from: billings on February 04, 2009, 01:18:36 PM

can't recommend it, feels flimsy, play in the tools, poor fit and finish

Really? My clutch isn't like that. It's pretty solid with no play in the tools. I've had mine for about 3 years now and I use it almost daily as a light keychain tool and the finish is still pristine.

DaveK · **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2009, 03:08:09 PM

Quote from: PyroJames on February 04, 2009, 02:38:38 PM

I've never used the tweezers on my clutch. Instead, I use the clutch pliers for tweezer-situations.

Quote from: billings on February 04, 2009, 01:18:36 PM
can't recommend it, feels flimsy, play in the tools, poor fit and finish

Really? My clutch isn't like that. It's pretty solid with no play in the tools. I've had mine for about 3 years now and I use it almost daily as a light keychain tool and the finish is still pristine.

Have to agree - my Clutch is a decent tool.

EZ822 · **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 05:12:54 PM

It seems with Gerber products its either hit or miss.

WH867 · **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:14:51 PM

Quote from: Micky d on February 04, 2009, 01:23:34 PM

Yeah it's not hard to look down on Gerber stuff ones you've had Vics and lm in your system for a while

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #12 on:** February 04, 2009, 06:42:37 PM

Quote from: WH867 on February 04, 2009, 06:14:51 PM

Quote from: Micky d on February 04, 2009, 01:23:34 PM
Yeah it's not hard to look down on Gerber stuff ones you've had Vics and lm in your system for a while

I do own an original Multiplier, so I know they can make a decent tool if they want too

gafftapegreenia · **Reply #13 on:** February 04, 2009, 09:06:32 PM

If you want some Squirts Costco might still have the dual-pack S4 and P4 for $30.

billings · **Reply #14 on:** February 05, 2009, 10:36:34 AM

Quote from: gafftapegreenia on February 04, 2009, 09:06:32 PM

If you want some Squirts Costco might still have the dual-pack S4 and P4 for $30.

do they ship to the u.k?

rboate · **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2009, 02:27:00 PM

Both screwdrivers on mine broke long ago, but the pliers are extremely useful.

Rodion · **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2009, 05:52:45 PM

Quote from: rboate on February 16, 2009, 02:27:00 PM

Both screwdrivers on mine broke long ago, but the pliers are extremely useful.

Reminds me of this story (#6).

Seems Aron was big on mountain climbing, which by itself is pretty manly, but not enough to get him on this list. Except during this particular hike a boulder fell on him, pinning his arm. For five days he worked to push the rock off and finally realized he would die unless he took drastic action.

Because the prospect of cutting off your arm may not impress some of you hardcore readers, we need to point out that he first had to break his arm by snapping it against the same rock pinning him down. Then came the hard part, cutting through the flesh.

Lucky for Aron he had a multi-use tool. Unluckily for Aron it was a piece of crap knock-off that he probably got from an aunt at Christmas. Plus saying that he was lucky to have the tool to cut through his arm is kind of like saying you're lucky to have Chapstick on your lips while your head is on fire.

Death wasn't about to give up easily though, and after cutting through the flesh, Aron had to use the pliers to cut through the tendons that the knife couldn't cut.

So what I'm saying is, at least the pliers are useful.

Quote from: billings on February 05, 2009, 10:36:34 AM

Quote from: gafftapegreenia on February 04, 2009, 09:06:32 PM
If you want some Squirts Costco might still have the dual-pack S4 and P4 for $30.

do they ship to the u.k?

or Israel?

Black Rose · **Reply #17 on:** March 02, 2009, 12:15:51 AM

Quote from: DaveK on February 04, 2009, 03:08:09 PM

Quote from: PyroJames on February 04, 2009, 02:38:38 PM
I've never used the tweezers on my clutch. Instead, I use the clutch pliers for tweezer-situations.

Quote from: billings on February 04, 2009, 01:18:36 PM
can't recommend it, feels flimsy, play in the tools, poor fit and finish

Really? My clutch isn't like that. It's pretty solid with no play in the tools. I've had mine for about 3 years now and I use it almost daily as a light keychain tool and the finish is still pristine.

Have to agree - my Clutch is a decent tool.

Same here.

Picked up 4 of them on sale and the ones that I have opened are well made for their size.

No complaints other than the blood blisters from it snapping closed on my finger

rboate · **Reply #18 on:** March 04, 2009, 12:49:53 PM

If you are in Canada, Canadian Tire has them on this week for $7.99 regularly $24.99

Black Rose · **Reply #19 on:** March 05, 2009, 03:26:08 AM

Quote from: rboate on March 04, 2009, 12:49:53 PM

If you are in Canada, Canadian Tire has them on this week for $7.99 regularly $24.99

Yeah, that's where I got mine.

I think this is the lowest price they've ever had them.

I wonder if they are trying to dump their remaining stock to make way for the new Vise model that replaces the Clutch.

phil.gas · **Reply #20 on:** April 29, 2009, 07:58:55 PM

picked mine up this morning from the local out door store for £ 6.99 agree with others screwdrivers not brill
but nice tool for this price.......www.gooutdoors.co.uk

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #21 on:** April 29, 2009, 10:21:46 PM

Bit of a bargain that mate

Benner · **Reply #22 on:** April 30, 2009, 12:32:31 AM

Quote from: phil.gas on April 29, 2009, 07:58:55 PM

picked mine up this morning from the local out door store for £ 6.99 agree with others screwdrivers not brill
but nice tool for this price.......www.gooutdoors.co.uk

You did well there.

I have seen them go for double that over here.

nuphoria · **Reply #23 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:18:38 AM

Really good bargain... coolio

DaveK · **Reply #24 on:** April 30, 2009, 01:27:46 AM

Certainly is, and it's an underrated tool IMO - like Phil sas, the drivers could be better but the blade is better than the Micra or a comparable size SAK I reckon - it's quite "chunky", and I assume therefore - stronger.

Cracking deal you got too Phil.

ringzero · **Reply #25 on:** April 30, 2009, 05:43:11 AM

Quote from: DaveK on April 30, 2009, 01:27:46 AM

Certainly is, and it's an underrated tool IMO - like Phil sas, the drivers could be better but the blade is better than the Micra or a comparable size SAK I reckon - it's quite "chunky", and I assume therefore - stronger.

I've EDCed my Clutch for over a year now and used it quite a bit. Love its little pliers!

The drivers on my Clutch are pretty darned strong for their small size. I've used mine to loosen some tough screws, even to the point where I could feel the frame of the Clutch bending as I torqued hard to break the screw loose.

The Clutch blade is decent for pen knife type tasks, but don't expect much more - take it easy on that blade if you want it to last.

The few times I've pressed the Clutch into heavier duty cutting (one time thick cardboard and one time a 1/2" tree branch) it flexed backwards against the tension of backspring and felt like it was close to failing.

Strictly for light duty cutting, except maybe in an emergency.

.

JohnD · **Reply #26 on:** June 22, 2009, 08:30:03 AM

Yep,i use mine all the time for quick repairs to stuff at my desk etc.

Woz · **Reply #27 on:** June 22, 2009, 11:19:00 AM

Still not sure if I should go for a Clutch or the newer Vise - but have to replace my Squirt with a Gerber (not for the Squirt is so bad, but fpr I need pliers instead of sissors and LM is way too expensive here).

Hello Lurker! Remove this ad and much more by logging in.

Gerber Clutch: false economy

Donations

Community Links