Gerber Game

[supratentorial]

  The Super Fantastic Gerber Game. 
The Gerber Game is for one or more players.  It's fun for all ages.    The object of the game is to arrange the multi-tools by their manufacture date, identify the new feature that was first implemented in each of the multi-tools, and match each of the multi-tools with the correct sheath.   

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

cool idea mate :grin: :grin:

i have,nt got a clue though

[Roadie]

Ok i'll give it a shot (blindfolded in the dark)

Date of maufacture : 2 1 3 4
Sheaths : 1B 2C 3D 4A

As to new bits: Theres the new SAF-T locking system and circlip on the sliding mechanism on 4. One of them will no longer pinch your hand when using the pliers.
And there ends my pathetic attempt!

Roadie

Edit to add - Crimpers on number 4 as well. Redisgned jaws on 3?

[Grant Lamontagne]

I agree with Roadie on the ages of the tools but that's about as far as I can go with it.  I am afraid I don;t have as much experience with Gerbers as I'd like.

I am just guessing on them though, and here's my reasoning.

#2 and #1 are the oldest because they are the ones with Gerber's patented "Pinchy" handles.  #2 is older because of the less extravagant markings.  New models or designs rarely have good markings as companies want to invest as little money as possible in getting the tool out the door.  After it becomes a success they are more confident about putting their name and money on it.

#3 comes next as it gets away from the Pinchy handles, followed by #4 which also does away with the "Foldy" implements.

But again, that's just an educated guess.

Def

[J-sews]

#1 is the oldest. It has a polished finish, instead of bead blast like all Gerbers since. And take a close look at the cutout in the handle of #1, where the nail nick is supposed to be.   

[Grant Lamontagne]

I stand corrected....

Def

[supratentorial]

Good answers! 

The multi-pliers were numbered in order by year and the corresponding sheaths were lettered in inverse order.

The first two multi-pliers are old patent-pending multi-pliers.  #1 is the older, shiny multi-plier with the scissors.  #2 has the newer bead-blast finish and the awl.



Roadie is correct...  #3 has the new needle nose jaws.



...and #4 has the patent pending Saf.T.Plus locking mechanism.

[Raukodur]

The awl on number #2 looks pretty damn heavy duty, and what exactly is meant by the 'locking jaws' on number #4?

[J-sews]

JoeBW and I were working on a Gerber variation spreadsheet a couple of months ago. There are a surprising number of evolutionary steps along the way. Supratentorial, the needlenose model you have labeled #3 is actually version number five on our list. It came in either the needlenose (like you have pictured) or a new beefier, blunt-nose jaw version. (shown below)

There were a number of other subtle changes as well.

[supratentorial]

JoeBW and I were working on a Gerber variation spreadsheet a couple of months ago. There are a surprising number of evolutionary steps along the way. Supratentorial, the needlenose model you have labeled #3 is actually version number five on our list. It came in either the needlenose (like you have pictured) or a new beefier, blunt-nose jaw version. (shown below)

There were a number of other subtle changes as well.

There were more steps in Gerber's evolution of the multi-plier (including the evolution of the "evolution"  ) but these are a few that I found particularly interesting.  Actually, I was going to just post #1, #3, and #4 but I already had a photo that included #2 and I was too lazy to make a new photo.    Am I wrong in thinking that example #3 was the first needlenose?  I did a forum search for your spreadsheet but couldn't find it.  Could you post a link?

[J-sews]

Your #3 picture was the first needlenose model that I am aware of. (The exact same tool was also produced with a Fiskars logo)

The Gerber spreadsheet hasn't made it onto the web yet. It was sort of a "work in progress" as we identified additional versions. I'm thinking its pretty well complete though, so I'll post it....if I can figure out how! 

[supratentorial]

I'll post it....if I can figure out how! 

maybe a PDF or a JPG would be easiest? 

[supratentorial]

The Gerber spreadsheet hasn't made it onto the web yet. It was sort of a "work in progress" as we identified additional versions. I'm thinking its pretty well complete though, so I'll post it....if I can figure out how! 

 

[J-sews]

Ouch! 

[supratentorial]

Ouch! 

I bet you weren't expecting this one:

[J-sews]

 Haha, good one!     


OT: where can I get a good (and cheap) GIF editor?

[supratentorial]

OT: where can I get a good (and cheap) GIF editor?

Microsoft Gif Animator is cheap ($0) but I'm not sure that I'd call it good. http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/win/13212

GIMP is also cheap ($0) and it can be used to generate animated GIFs.  http://www.gimp.org/tutorials/Simple_Animations/

Adobe Image Ready also has a GIF editor but it is expensive.