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Tool Talk => Gerber Tools => Topic started by: gil2979 on October 13, 2018, 07:10:48 PM

Title: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: gil2979 on October 13, 2018, 07:10:48 PM
The MP600 looks like a great tool and the one hand ability sounds awesome, but I'm a bit concerned about the carbide cutters.
I've seen posts that say they're weak and tend to get shattered, of course that everyone have their own standards so that's why I'm asking you.

I'm not Gonna try and abuse it with nails but I do want wire cutters that can cut through "normal stuff" like coat hangers, should I get the carbide wire version or the regular one?

Replaceable wire cutters is a great feature but not if they're weak and expensive to replace and cost 20$ more.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: AimlessWanderer on October 13, 2018, 07:15:27 PM
If you're going to cut coathanger, get the integral cutters, not the replaceable ones. In fact, I can't think of any reason why I'd choose the carbide cutters  :think:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: magentus on October 13, 2018, 10:47:46 PM
Yep. They're crap. They shatter really easily and turn an extremely good tool into a compromised one.

Have you thought about the MP400? Slightly smaller and no crappy carbide cutters! Brilliant tool.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: SteveC on October 13, 2018, 10:52:38 PM
You should be able to find an older one on E-Bay without the carbide cutters  :tu:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Top-Gear-24 on October 13, 2018, 11:42:21 PM
The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)

(https://i.imgur.com/Akis2Wm.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1aRVRBb.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/h1wKQ6U.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TB456TB.jpg)

Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

Show content
Yep...  ::)

(https://i.imgur.com/IxPQKWo.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ux7cNyp.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/VsRtwk6.jpg)
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: magentus on October 13, 2018, 11:47:21 PM
It's the MTO way. Nice one tg
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Top-Gear-24 on October 13, 2018, 11:58:15 PM
It's the MTO way. Nice one tg

Thanks mate  :salute:.

Last Gerber I bought was Mr. Pinchy, back in '98 or so ...

I just wanted something different, can't always buy SAK's and Leatherman tools right ?

I'm thinking about doing a search for a BO bluntnose plierhead to put into one of them ...
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: zoidberg on October 14, 2018, 12:17:10 AM
Lol, sooo gold.   :tu:   :like:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Sea Monster on December 20, 2018, 08:35:28 PM
The reputation is well earned - My cutters died quite early into the piece - I managed to find an older model without the carbide, and swapped the heads (the donor tool had a broken saw and screwdriver, so the price was right)

Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: zoidberg on December 20, 2018, 09:02:55 PM
Test from three years ago. High Tensile Wire Cutting Test, Warning: Minor Tool Abuse (https://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,63712.0.html)

Still haven't broken those cutters.   :shrug:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: cody6268 on December 20, 2018, 10:10:15 PM
The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)

(https://i.imgur.com/Akis2Wm.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1aRVRBb.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/h1wKQ6U.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TB456TB.jpg)

Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

Show content
Yep...  ::)

(https://i.imgur.com/IxPQKWo.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ux7cNyp.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/VsRtwk6.jpg)

Interesting. That's the latest frame, so modern production. Did Gerber finally get enough sense to drop them?   The main reason I hate Gerber cutters is that compared to Leatherman, they're expensive.  And of course, if you don't abuse the cutters, they shouldn't ding or break, but sometimes, you've just have to cut through high tensile wire or hardened screws/nails and the MT is the only thing on you (I try to do it with cheap linesman's pliers when I'm afraid of damaging good cutters).

And on another note, you're not the only one with the buy both mentality.. I typically only do it when the items are under USD $20. That way, I have one to use as I want, the other to stay pristine in the collection.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Top-Gear-24 on December 20, 2018, 10:29:54 PM
The same question had been on my mind for weeks, until I ordered this bad boy last week...

(sorry for the poor pics, used my smartphone indoor with bad light...)

(https://i.imgur.com/Akis2Wm.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/1aRVRBb.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/h1wKQ6U.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/TB456TB.jpg)

Found it local at a nice discount price, normally these will go for anything from 92 Euro up to 110 Euro around here, If found one for 48 Euro (NIB), which is a real steal over here.

And what do we do when we find something at -50% discount ...?

Show content
Yep...  ::)

(https://i.imgur.com/IxPQKWo.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/ux7cNyp.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/VsRtwk6.jpg)

Interesting. That's the latest frame, so modern production. Did Gerber finally get enough sense to drop them?   The main reason I hate Gerber cutters is that compared to Leatherman, they're expensive.  And of course, if you don't abuse the cutters, they shouldn't ding or break, but sometimes, you've just have to cut through high tensile wire or hardened screws/nails and the MT is the only thing on you (I try to do it with cheap linesman's pliers when I'm afraid of damaging good cutters).

And on another note, you're not the only one with the buy both mentality.. I typically only do it when the items are under USD $20. That way, I have one to use as I want, the other to stay pristine in the collection.

The exact same words I use to convince my wife that I need two of something ... (and when it's something at -50% discount or more I usually add that, if it wasn't for the discount, I would've spend the same amount of money on one ...).

By now, she's gotten so used to it that she suggests it herself when I'm about to buy something (like with the great deal on some BO Charge +'s  Steve found and posted here a while ago).

Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: mtoolman on December 22, 2018, 12:40:33 AM
I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Sam Lim on December 22, 2018, 02:55:46 AM
I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

 :iagree:

While they cannot take impact, they are really great for wiring work!
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: mtoolman on December 23, 2018, 01:49:10 AM
I just use my MP600 for cutting wires or stripping wires only, never for cutting metal stuff not even coat hanger wire.

 :iagree:

While they cannot take impact, they are really great for wiring work!

 :cheers: :cheers: :iagree:

Yes, this is true.
I exclusively now use MP600 for electronics and wiring works only.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: gerleatherberman on December 23, 2018, 03:38:38 AM
I have to parrot what others have said. The replaceable cutters are only good on electrical wire. I broke a tooth cutting thick bailing wire and haven't used them on anything harder than romex since.  :facepalm:
I hope Gerber is bringing back the regular plier head(particularlyin BN in my case), because those non-replaceable cutters are a beast. My old pinchy cutters have cut anything within reason I ever threw at them. I slightly dinged them on a hardened screw once(I didn't know it was hardened that much), but some quick filing fixed them right up.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Darrell85 on December 23, 2018, 05:45:10 AM
I have to parrot what others have said. The replaceable cutters are only good on electrical wire. I broke a tooth cutting thick bailing wire and haven't used them on anything harder than romex since.  :facepalm:
I hope Gerber is bringing back the regular plier head(particularlyin BN in my case), because those non-replaceable cutters are a beast. My old pinchy cutters have cut anything within reason I ever threw at them. I slightly dinged them on a hardened screw once(I didn't know it was hardened that much), but some quick filing fixed them right up.
I'm not sure where you are from, but here in Illinois,  Home depot has 600 basic without the replaceable cutters in black and stainless for $39. Just checked online, have them there too. Got another last week. Went in intending to buy $5 worth of stuff... Total purchase = $110. That store gets me on trouble!
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: gerleatherberman on December 23, 2018, 05:47:55 AM
Thanks, Darrell! :cheers:

I know that feeling. I never leave a store with just what I intended to buy. :rofl:

The stores are still selling off a lot of older stock. I've seen the Basics for sale around, but not with the 'new' branding like the one you found. I may have a 'few' MP600s. :whistle:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: clown on December 25, 2018, 10:57:46 PM
Im pretty sure the Pro Scouts still come with standard cutters.   :tu:
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: algernonramone on December 26, 2018, 05:50:45 AM
Im pretty sure the Pro Scouts still come with standard cutters.   :tu:

This. I just bought a new Pro-Scout and it came w/ standard cutters.
Title: Re: Thinking about purchasing the MP600 but concerned about the carbide cutters
Post by: Juan el Boricua on December 28, 2018, 04:14:12 AM
Gil, for your intended purpose I'd also recommend the integral cutters.  I know what my tools' limitations are so, don't abuse them. I do cut regularly "coathanger" wire, and occasionally thin (<1.5mm) spring wire. The latter "made" a "hard-wire-notch" a-la-leatherman!, but easilly fixed with a diamond file; no catasthrophic destruction! And yes, you can get a brand new, new-logo needle nosed Basic model pliers with integral cutters either SS or BO from the BigOrangeDepot store(that is if you live in NA or an APO/FPO); I know all of my three are from them(2BO's/1SS)!!!
Good luck!