Anyone else come across a problem with Gerber's plier strength??

doinitall89 · **on:** January 12, 2009, 03:01:14 AM

First of all, I'm new here and want to say hello to everybody!

So I'm a bus mechanic when I'm not going to school. A few guys in the shop have Gerbers and I've noticed some things about them that is a cause for concern for me. One guy has an MP 400 compact sport and uses the crap outta' it everyday. The tips of the pliers have become more and more deformed over time and its only a matter of time before they break. The other Gerber in the shop is an MP 600 I believe. He got it when he was in the Army and it has served him very well and been with him to something like 6 different countries. I'm just not sure how much he's actually used it.

Originally I was going to purchase a pair of MP 400 CS for myself but after seeing the damage done to the tips of the pliers from actual professional use, I'm seriously rethinking Gerber. Any help?

Anthony · **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2009, 05:58:58 AM

I think every major manufactuer out there have had the odd plier head that breaks (even the invincible Swisstool

)...I've seen pics of Leatherman, Gerber, and Victorinox,...and I think SOG's with snapped jaws.

Another great thing about those companies is you can get your tools repaired, and in lots of cases replaced altogether if they break or are just beat to hell like your friends MP400.

Roadie · **Reply #2 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:34:03 AM

I would not recommend the 400 for a mechanic, it's jaws are a lot smaller than most and so weaker. The 600 blunt nose would be a good choice though

Mike, Lord of the Spammers! · **Reply #3 on:** January 12, 2009, 06:07:44 PM

Welcome to the forum mate

If your determined to go down the Gerber route, I'd get a blunt nose MP600 as well

hawkchucker · **Reply #4 on:** January 12, 2009, 07:16:43 PM

Yup 600 series, but also look into the SOG. You can get a powerlock cheap at Lowes and return it there also if it breaks. No mailing and instant return.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #5 on:** January 12, 2009, 09:29:32 PM

The 400 is a light duty tool, and last time I checked, buses were not light or dainty pieces of equipment! I would suggest that if you are planning to use your tool for heavy duty work, that you invest in a heavier duty tool- even the 600 is a moderate duty tool and probably wouldn`t work so well on a regular basis for diesel mechanic type jobs.

Look into tools like SOG`s PowerLock, Leatherman`s Core or Surge, Victorinox`s SwissTool or Gerber`s Freehand, all of which are meant for very taxing jobs and should have less concerns about breakage.

That having been said, all tools will break eventually- not just multis, but any tool, so make sure you also find a manufacturer with a warranty that suits your needs.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

Def

doinitall89 · **Reply #6 on:** January 13, 2009, 12:32:04 AM

Thanks for the great advice! I'll def look into it all more before i make my purchase. And you're def right about buses not being light or dainty. Those things beat the crap outta' me! There were a BUNCH of times today even where I was stuck under a bus wishing I had a multitool by my side. I had to keep rollin the creeper out and gettin another tool.

Pacu · **Reply #7 on:** January 13, 2009, 12:53:22 AM

I've never actually held a Leatherman Crunch but maybe that for heavy duty work?

It's like a vice grip BTW.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #8 on:** January 13, 2009, 04:03:31 AM

The Crunch is another good choice... I hadn't thought of that one!

Def

hawkchucker · **Reply #9 on:** January 13, 2009, 11:01:25 AM

Crunch works out well for me doing Maint. on the Mixers here at work. they act as a third hand and really dow well in every aspect. I have even used them to do a break job on my Oshkosh.

EZ822 · **Reply #10 on:** January 14, 2009, 10:19:33 PM

For your line of work I highly recommend the LM Core. Its a workhorse. Welcome to MTO.

hawkchucker · **Reply #11 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:28:25 PM

Tore apart a transfer case with a core. It does work.

Grant Lamontagne · **Reply #12 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:34:43 PM

Did you let the owner of the transfer case know you did it?

And more importantly, did you put it back together afterwards?

Def

hawkchucker · **Reply #13 on:** January 14, 2009, 11:39:53 PM

Nope, but it does work. Plus I got the story put on the LM site!

doinitall89 · **Reply #14 on:** January 16, 2009, 02:15:58 AM

Thats pretty b.a. about tearin apart the transfer case with the core man! Likin' that for sure.

I bought a Shrade 2nd gen Tough Tool offline for pretty cheap and just got it today. I'm planning on beating the hell outta' it.
I'm looking into the LM Crunch and Core. Another question though, how good would a Victorinox Spirit be?

american lockpicker · **Reply #15 on:** January 31, 2009, 07:28:53 PM

I have one of those(used to have 2) is yours the regular one or the slipjoint plier one? Also to unlock the tools all you need to do is push down on the closed ones and it will unlock.

specgrade · **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2009, 06:28:07 PM

Don't try to bend a nail with a Core. Mine broke that way.

My Gerber is holding up well, but, I haven't had to bend any nails yet

rockyman500 · **Reply #17 on:** February 28, 2009, 06:10:54 AM

SUPER BEAR JAWS!

nelly1974 · **Reply #18 on:** March 01, 2009, 08:48:24 PM

a friend of mine broke a gerber suspension plier trying to remove a decorative panel from the wall.

i can do that job with a kick for goodness sakes.

DaveK · **Reply #19 on:** March 02, 2009, 01:44:52 AM

Quote from: nelly1974 on March 01, 2009, 08:48:24 PM

a friend of mine broke a gerber suspension plier trying to remove a decorative panel from the wall.
i can do that job with a kick for goodness sakes.

The Kick is a solid tool. It's the cheapy in the Leatherman range, but it's definitely a "proper" tool. The Suspension doesn't seem to have many friends at all does it?

rockyman500 · **Reply #20 on:** March 02, 2009, 05:40:52 AM

well the suspension sucks

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Anyone else come across a problem with Gerber's plier strength??

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