Gerber has been really hit and miss for me lately. The Fit and Balance are both fairly nice, not perfect, but certainly usable and their main problems are finish and appearance things. Both Octanes I have have been bad. Well, one is still new in the box because I can see without even using it that it has the same problems that the first one I broke had. The 600 and 400, both bought used but in like new condition, have been fine. The Flik was terrible and, with the exception of the horrible tiny tools, the Freehand is fine. The Diesel I just bought used is fine with the exception of the plier joint being looser than I like. It's also been more noticeably used than the others but not enough to excuse a loose plier joint, I'm betting it came that way new.
Gerber has some really nice ideas and aren't afraid to throw stuff against the wall to see what sticks. I admire that, but they also seem to have QC problems, and that's something that makes me leery about buying them for full price. Yea, Amazon and Amex both have my back, but it's still something of a PITA to have to go through several new tools to get a good one...or never get one at all.
And Leatherman and SOG aren't exempt from this, their quality has suffered of late as well.
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