Gerber Mini Suspension-P review

[freginold]

Before I bought the Gerber Mini Suspension-P, I'd never owned a Gerber multi tool, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect.  I've owned a couple of Gerber knives over the years and I was very impressed with them, and I'd had my eye on the Gerber Suspension multi tool for a while now.   (The Paraframe is still, for my money, one of the best pocket knives there is.)

Then recently I saw the Mini Suspension-P at Home Depot for about $10.  The price was right, so I took a chance and bought it.  After carrying it and using it for a couple of weeks now, I have to say I'm a little let down.



The Mini Suspension-P is not a bad multi tool.  It's about average compared to other $5 or $10 multi tools.  It's better than some Sheffield multi tools, and not as good as some others.  I wouldn't get rid of the Mini Suspension-P, but it won't make the cut as my "everyday-carry" multi tool.  I guess what I'm saying is, $10 is probably a fair price for it (perhaps a little high) but it's not worth any more than that.

The tool looks nice -- it has a neat straight-line finish with different shades of gray, and it looks like a lot of care went into its appearance.  Two of the implements (the knife and the nail file) are even labeled, which I've never seen before on a multi tool.

The Mini Suspension-P is sturdy.  Mine got dropped on concrete a few times (okay, thrown) and it has no scratches or scuff marks.  The pliers are strong and well-made, with good spring action.  The handles don't have any textured grip, but it's still easy to hold the pliers because of the strong spring action.

This multi tool is very heavy for its size, perhaps due to the strength built into the pliers.  The Mini Suspension-P is noticeably heavier than other multi tools of a similar size, and even heavier than some larger multi tools.  It comes with a loop that can be used with a key chain, but unless you like your key chains weighed down, you probably won't want the Mini Suspension-P hooked onto it.



The opening and closing action of the tool's handles is a lot jerkier than I've seen with other multi tools.  The handles don't swing open smoothly -- they sort of pop open in stages.  It makes for a neat snapping sound when you fold the tool up, but for quick access it's a little awkward.

It isn't a 15-in-1 multi tool, but the Mini Suspension-P does have some useful implements.  Aside from the pliers/wire cutters, there's a very serviceable knife, a nail file, a small pair of tweezers, a Phillips screwdriver (the flat blade kind) and large and small slotted screwdrivers.  The tools open from the outside, so you can get to any of them (other than the pliers) without having to open the handles.

The knife pivots out easily.  The tip isn't very sharp, but the blade is.  The nail file works, and it has a pick on the end.  The two slotted drivers are about what one would expect -- functional, but a little more rounded than they could be.  The tweezers work well but are very short, so they won't be able to reach into narrow spaces.

The Phillips driver is next to useless.  The tension on that driver (at least on my tool) and the design of the nail nick make it almost impossible to extract with your hand.  You need something to pry it out with just to be able to use it.  You can adjust the tension on the screwdriver with a Torx driver, but in order to do so you'll need two Torx drivers, because turning the one screw just makes the screw on the other side turn as well, which doesn't do anything for the tension.  You'd have to hold one Torx driver in place, as well as hold the multi tool, while you turn the other driver.



Once you get the Phillips driver out, it works okay for some screws.  For others, it won't grip the head enough to turn the screw.

The Gerber Mini Suspension-P is not a multi tool I would buy again, given the choice, nor recommend.  For the same price you can get a lighter multi tool that functions just as well.  I'll still look forward to testing its big brother, the Suspension, but I would recommend passing on this one.

Pros:
- strong pliers
- sturdy, well-made construction
- two of the tools are labeled

Cons:
- Phillips screwdriver is difficult to extract
- too heavy for its size
- tweezers would be much more useful if they were longer

[Etherealicer]

Nice Review, thanks a lot
If you find the time could you take a picture of the tweezers? Just curious.

[freginold]

Thanks!  Sure, I should be able to do that today.  They function well, they just don't stick out much past where your fingers hold them.

[freginold]

Here's a picture of the tweezers.

[jzmtl]

I have the grand daddy version, clutch, at the time they were going for more than $10. Yeah everything barely works on it, the tweezer is a joke.

What I ended up using it for and it actually excels at is using the pliers as a power tweezer. Ground the pliers to have a tip, the two flats on tip mate well that anything you can clamp on will either come out, or break.

[freginold]

I thought it was the same as the Clutch at first, till I took a closer look at it.  That's a good idea about grinding down the tips.  The pliers are surprisingly strong, so they should work well like that.

[Etherealicer]

Thanks, for the closeup of the tweezers. They look short but more useful than the one on the micra.

[freginold]

Thanks, for the closeup of the tweezers. They look short but more useful than the one on the micra.

No problem.  Haven't used a Micra, but these tweezers on the Gerber are strong, just too short.

[Lynn LeFey]

Great review! 

I prefer these tweezers to the Micra's.

I actually rather like the Mini-Suspension P, and think it's priced well at the $10 mark.

It's too heavy to be a great pocket carry, IMO, but a good tool to throw into small kits or glove boxes. There aren't a lot of MTs of ANY size at $1o that come with a sharp blade.

On the downside, it can be a total smurf getting the drivers out. The nail nics are 'not friendly'.

[freginold]

Great review! 

I prefer these tweezers to the Micra's.

I actually rather like the Mini-Suspension P, and think it's priced well at the $10 mark.

It's too heavy to be a great pocket carry, IMO, but a good tool to throw into small kits or glove boxes. There aren't a lot of MTs of ANY size at $1o that come with a sharp blade.

On the downside, it can be a total smurf getting the drivers out. The nail nics are 'not friendly'.

thanks!  I agree with you about it being too heavy and the drivers are a pain to get out.  I won't be carrying this one around with me, but it will find a place in a tool bag or drawer somewhere.