Gerber Octane Review (pic heavy)

[Gareth]

Correct me if I'm wrong Bob but if they put notches in on the closed position, wouldn't they be unable to be flicked open?  Not saying that would be terrible, but it might be why Gerber don't have them there.

[jzmtl]

That's one of the reason I got rid of the flik, head comes out through the open bottom sheath. Looks like I'll stick with my skeletool when I want a clipped light weight tool.

Don't know about the price elsewhere but here it's same as skeletool, I mean if you are going to make it in China, at least pass some of the saving to consumers, right?

[J-sews]

I wondered that for a second Gareth, but that really shouldn't be a factor. Check out the video at about 1:30. Even if the plungers were engaged in notches, the pliers would still slide open the same:

A video clip about the Octane on YouTube mentions "USA quality."  Is the Gerber Octane made in USA?   If not, where.

Thanks.

[Gareth]

I wondered that for a second Gareth, but that really shouldn't be a factor. Check out the video at about 1:30. Even if the plungers were engaged in notches, the pliers would still slide open the same:

A video clip about the Octane on YouTube mentions "USA quality."  Is the Gerber Octane made in USA?   If not, where.

Thanks.

Ah yes, that would still work.

[Sean]

So, has anyone tried notching some slot's into the handles to prevent them from
opening when closed?  Flicking isn't important to me at least as you can still
open them with one hand by pressing the pins and giving it a shake downwards.
Anyhow, I was wondering about the mod on the Octane?  Thanks.

[J-sews]

So, has anyone tried notching some slot's into the handles to prevent them from
opening when closed?  Flicking isn't important to me at least as you can still
open them with one hand by pressing the pins and giving it a shake downwards.
Anyhow, I was wondering about the mod on the Octane?  Thanks.

I'm sure it would work, but I haven't tried it.

[jzmtl]

I recall someone here did it on another gerber, and it works fine.

The square corner might be difficult to make with average household tools though.

[Sean]

Thanks guys. I would imagine a file might work ok on it?
Anyhow, I'm back and forth with either the octane or the
Freestyle.  I only need pliers and a knife for this carry.

[jzmtl]

MEC carries both, check them out next time you are in Vancouver.

Personally I like the sliding head since I use pliers on a MT the most, and my EDC (in bag, not person though) is a MP400.

[Sean]

Thanks Jz, that was my plan.   

[scrappy]

It is a compact tool, which is nice but the liner lock on the knife is weak imo. Mine bent just a little as I played with it. I didn't push against it hard. I just lightly pushed against it to check the lockup.

[Sean]

Yeah I noticed that as well about the liner locks being thin from vid's and pic's.

[MusicMen]

After reading the Gerber Episodes post, I had to get one. I actually found one on Amazon, NIB.
Even after reading lots of reviews (about 50/50) I still ordeded it. My Octane will be here next week. I will let you know what I think.
This is for "light" days around the house. I have a Centre Line for work.

[Grant Lamontagne]

After reading the Gerber Episodes post, I had to get one. I actually found one on Amazon, NIB.
Even after reading lots of reviews (about 50/50) I still ordeded it. My Octane will be here next week. I will let you know what I think.
This is for "light" days around the house. I have a Centre Line for work.

That's really the bottom line on the Octane- it is a light duty tool, similar to the Skeletool or Reactor.  If you ask it to do heavy work then you are going to have a bad time.  It will handle some, but to pound on it every day like it was a heavy duty tool and expect it to keep up is asking too much.  It's like buying one of those new little hatchbacks and complaining that it has trouble hauling your horse trailer around. 

Def

[MusicMen]

After reading the Gerber Episodes post, I had to get one. I actually found one on Amazon, NIB.
Even after reading lots of reviews (about 50/50) I still ordeded it. My Octane will be here next week. I will let you know what I think.
This is for "light" days around the house. I have a Centre Line for work.

That's really the bottom line on the Octane- it is a light duty tool, similar to the Skeletool or Reactor.  If you ask it to do heavy work then you are going to have a bad time.  It will handle some, but to pound on it every day like it was a heavy duty tool and expect it to keep up is asking too much.  It's like buying one of those new little hatchbacks and complaining that it has trouble hauling your horse trailer around. 

Def

Speaking of Skeletool, I have this coming next week.

[Gareth]

Despite the issues I had with my Octane's screwdrivers (I've got a video on it somewhere) I still really like the Octane.  Grants car simile is very apt though, it's not a tank.  That said I used it in my Building Maintenance job quite often when I first got it and I don't remember it missing a beat.

[MusicMen]

Despite the issues I had with my Octane's screwdrivers (I've got a video on it somewhere) I still really like the Octane.  Grants car simile is very apt though, it's not a tank.  That said I used it in my Building Maintenance job quite often when I first got it and I don't remember it missing a beat.

First hand use, appreciate the info. I will post back when I get mine.

[Grant Lamontagne]

After reading the Gerber Episodes post, I had to get one. I actually found one on Amazon, NIB.
Even after reading lots of reviews (about 50/50) I still ordeded it. My Octane will be here next week. I will let you know what I think.
This is for "light" days around the house. I have a Centre Line for work.

That's really the bottom line on the Octane- it is a light duty tool, similar to the Skeletool or Reactor.  If you ask it to do heavy work then you are going to have a bad time.  It will handle some, but to pound on it every day like it was a heavy duty tool and expect it to keep up is asking too much.  It's like buying one of those new little hatchbacks and complaining that it has trouble hauling your horse trailer around. 

Def

Speaking of Skeletool, I have this coming next week.

Nice pretty red one!

I didn't go for any of the fancy colored versions myself, although I do have a coyote tan one.  I guess I'm a bit of a sucker for military colors.  After all, my Jeep is Commando Green and a good percentage of my wardrobe is olive drab or coyote tan.   

Def

[rdub934]

The Octane is still one of my favorites, and gets a lot of carry time still. It's the only tool I've bought two of, well, for myself I mean.

Word of advice: baby the pliers. Hard use will somehow warp them, and cause them to not open/close without binding

[MusicMen]

The Octane is still one of my favorites, and gets a lot of carry time still. It's the only tool I've bought two of, well, for myself I mean.

Word of advice: baby the pliers. Hard use will somehow warp them, and cause them to not open/close without binding

Thanks for the warning. I really like my Octane. It is my light day tool or a second carry on work day; or my Skeletool.

[ChopperCharles]

Man 9 years later I find out about the octane, want one, and there are none to be found

Charles.