Ok here's my intial imprestions of the Gerber Diesel
Well to start off with let say how impressed with the service I got from Dennis at...
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Diesel-Multi-Plier-1470.htm , fast service and VERY good prices, especially compared to the UK
First of all I was a little suprised at how big the Diesel is, it's not heavy or particularly bulky, but for some reason I'd assumed it would be a little smaller
, but thats no problem to me as I don't much like piddly little tools, this things big, chunky and robust, just how I like em (tools that is
) As for the quality if pretty damn good
, might not be in Victorinox's league (who is!) but it is also a lot cheaper, I can easily see this tool still being a hard working friend for years to come
So what about the tools I hear you ask, well lets start with the screwdrivers, there's the usual complement of flat and philips screwdrives, there all good usable tools, if lacking a bit of reach, but for those of you requiring more reach , or needing a greater number of drivers there is an aditional bit kit which will also increase the tools reach...
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Multi-plier-tool-kit-22-49445.htm The pliers take a bit of getting used too, it took me a couple of goes till I got the correct technique to flicking the pliers out, but with a bit of practice, it's VERY fast
, there are a couple of rattles (but not to an annoying degree) but thats the trade off for having the fastest deploying pliers in town
, once the pliers are out and in use, it feels reasuringly solid, and I'm certain it can hold it's own with any comparable multitool
All the tools lock and the lock engages smoothly, the buttons on the plier head release are a bit on the small side, but thats me knick picking
some of the smaller tools were, at least at first quite tight, but I expect that to improve with milage
As for the other tools, well the saw was effective on the 2inch tree limbs I tried them on, and didn't bind at all, I'll be testing it in a more bushcrafty enviroment during the main review later
The scissors are as you'd expect pretty bloody good!, I'd even go as far as to say as there the best multitool type scissors I've used to date (other models used, new lm wave, wenger type scissors, various sogs, swisstool x, spirit s and 91mm Vics) , very very sharp and a wonderfully clean cut too
The file is a nice compromise, not as aggresive as the spirit or charge, or as soft as some of the sogs I've tested
Now the best to last, the blade, now as some of you may know I hate serrations and especialy half serrated blades, but the ones on the Diesel aren't too bad, there quite shallow, so they still cut rather than rip and shred
, but on the big plus side, it has a Warnie blade
, surely this is the ultimate blade style on a multi where tip strength isn't the driving concern, and utter precision is
, it does have an oddly albeit very slight hawksbill to it, the purpose of which is lost on me, but it sure can cut, beautiful clean cut's evertime, Gerber lose the silly serrations and you've got a winner of a blade here!
So overall, if you've got a requirement for a hard working workman like tool with a lot innovative features, get yourself a Diesel
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