Gerber Suspension NXT & Truss by The Meaurements

[gerleatherberman]

Gerber Suspension NXT & Truss By The Measurements.


I have read a lot of differing opinions and assertions related to the new Gerber Truss and Suspension NXT. Some of which I could not verify just by looking at the tools and fiddling with them. I do have mid-large hands, so even the Truss doesn't feel all that big. I can, however, see how it would be too big for normal sized hands.
I brought out the Original Suspension and Bear Grylls Survival Multi Tool(Suspension with thicker handles). All tools have the same plier head. This thread shows the measurements, to the most exact level I can possibly take with my tools, within reason. Please see the Gerber website links for full tool descriptions and prices.
The Suspension NXT and Truss are not as comfortable as the original Suspension and Bear Grylls Tools, because of the thinner handle steel. IMO, not a huge deal, because these are medium duty tools. The payoff on the handle steel being thinner is a dramatically reduced weight for the new tools from Gerber.

The Specimens

The Suspension NXT has 7 handle implements(15 tools).
https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Suspension-NXT_30-001364

The Truss has 9 handle implements(17 tools).
https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Truss_30-001343

The Original Suspension has 9 handle implements(15 tools).
https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Suspension-Multi-plier_22-41471

The Bear Grylls Survival Tool has 9 handle implements(15 tools).
https://www.gerbergear.com/Multi-Tools/Butterfly-Opening/Survival-Series-Ultimate-Multi-Tool_31-000749

The accurate measurements:

Closed Length:
Suspension NXT(new) – 104.9mm(4.13”)
Truss(new model) – 106.4mm(4.19”)
Suspension(original) – 98.7mm(3.88”)
BG Survival Tool – 98.7mm(3.88”)

Closed Width(at widest point):
Suspension NXT(new) – 42.4mm(1.67”)
Truss(new model) – 48.2mm(1.89”)
Suspension(original) – 47.6mm(1.87”)
BG Survival Tool – 47.4mm(1.86”)

Handle Thickness(not including screw heads or unlocking slides):
Suspension NXT(new) – 14.4mm(0.56”)
Truss(new model) – 17.1mm(0.67”)
Suspension(original) – 18.5mm(0.73”)
BG Survival Tool – 19.3mm(0.76”)

Handle Steel Thickness:
Suspension NXT(new) – 1.2mm(0.05”)
Truss(new model) – 1.1mm(0.04”)
Suspension(original) – 1.8mm(0.07”)
BG Survival Tool – 2.2mm(0.08”)

Handle Splay When Opened(at widest point):
Suspension NXT(new) – 73.7mm(2.90”)
Truss(new model) – 65.9mm(2.59”)
Suspension(original) – 65.5mm(2.58”)
BG Survival Tool – 67.1mm(2.64”)

Weight(tool only):
Suspension NXT(new) – 6.920oz(196.0g)
Truss(new model) – 8.345oz(236.6g)
Suspension(original) – 9.008oz(255.4g)
BG Survival Tool – 9.460oz(268.2g)

I hope this thread can help anyone who was curious about the sizes of all of these tools.

Here are a few side-by-side-by-side-by-side pictures.
1) Tools laid flat on table.


2)Tools on their sides - Phillips driver sides.


3)Tools on their sides - Alternate side.

[NetsNJ]

Suspension NXT(new) – 1.2mm(0.05”)
Truss(new model) – 1.1mm(0.04”)

Wow.  It feels like a much bigger difference.

Nice thread GLBM!   

[gerleatherberman]

Suspension NXT(new) – 1.2mm(0.05”)
Truss(new model) – 1.1mm(0.04”)

Wow.  It feels like a much bigger difference.

Nice thread GLBM!   

Thank you, NetsNJ!

To be honest(I thought the same thing you did), I thought the difference was going to be at least .2-.3mm, judging by eye. I measured every corner to make sure the measurements were consistent. I think the NXT is better finished on the edges, and that gives the impression that it has thicker steel. 

Oh, and I do like the NXT! You and Sam were right. The tool load-out and smaller size are pretty awesome. And that pocket clip. Wow. Finally a reasonably long clip on a multi-tool!

[NetsNJ]

Is the measurement in inches or mm the more accurate one?  One implies a 20% difference, the other an 8% difference.  I assume this is from rounding?

[gerleatherberman]

Indeed, it is from automatic rounding of the inch setting to just 1/100th of an inch. The caliper I used isn't great, but it does work. The millimeter measurements are the best for that particular caliper.
I'll get out my fancy pants caliper and post more accurate(1/1000th) measurements in a minute. 

[gerleatherberman]

Further accurate handle steel thickness results:

NXT - 1.24mm (0.0495")
Truss - 1.14mm (0.0450")
Suspension - 1.84mm (0.0725")
BG Survival - 2.23mm (0.0875")
The 10,000th is rounded to either 0 or 5 by the caliper.

I can't do any better than that, NetsNJ.

Edit: typo.

[NetsNJ]

Hahahaha.  Thanks

[Sam Lim]

Further accurate handle steel thickness results:

NXT - 1.24mm (0.0495")
Truss - 1.14mm (0.0450")
Suspension - 1.84mm (0.0725")
BG Survival - 2.23mm (0.0875")
The 10,000th is rounded to either 0 or 5 by the caliper.

I can't do any better than that, NetsNJ.

Edit: typo.

  anything better than the eyeball gauge is better.. 

Glade u like the NXT!

[gerleatherberman]

Thank you, Sam!

The only thing about it I don't like about it, is what MetsNJ noted(I think it was him. May be you?). The blade rubs on the pliers head. But, I can't see that being  a deal breaker. There is a lot to like about it