okay, I'll write a review on two tools: the Gerber Suspension and the Gerber Multiplier (old version)
First: the suspension
I am suprised at the bad things people are saying bout the suspension. I have had it for a while and it works like a dream, except for one little bug. Overview:
Pliers
The spring loaded part is very handy. I don't have to pinch my thumb by opening it, thanks to just a simple spring. The wire cutters do not work well, as a matter of fact scissors work better than they do. also, partly due to the spring and partly due to the design of the pliers, you cannot get very much force no matter how hard you squeeze.
handles
this tool is very heavy, but that doesn't bother me much. I think that the cutouts in the handles are a plus, not because they reduce the weight but because they let you see what tool you are opening from the side. also, there is a pic of the tool on both sides of both handles, so there is no mistaking a saw for the scissors.
tools
The best features of the tools are probably the one-hand opening blades, very handy, and the lock system. With this lock system, all tools lock and there's no chance of the blades folding in on accident.
tools featured:
sheepsfoot serrated blade, very sharp and one-hand opening.
can-opener/bottle-opener combi-tool, ingenious.
small flathead screwdriver, i hate dedicated screwdrivers, but works fine.
lanyard ring, too heavy, really to put on a lanyard, so it serves no purpose.
scissors, stubby, but standard. The spring on mine keeps popping out.
plain knife, one-hand opening, very sharp.
large flathead screwdriver, same as small, i hate screwdrivers, but works fine.
phillips head screwdriver, quite an interesting flattened design.
saw, nothing special. just a little stubby.
The suspension should not be overlooked as a piece of crap, rather, it is a good choice for those with a limited budget. It can be found for under $30, making it an inexpensive piece of hardware. It can preform well even after months of exposure to corrosives and abuse, and contains a multitude of tools that all lock in place.
Pros:
spring-loaded pliers
all locking tools
one-hand opening blades
outside-accesible tools
large and diverse assortment of functions
low price
cons:
stubby tools
too many dedicated screwdrivers
heavy
can't generate much force with pliers
all in all, a worthwile investment.
Gerber Multiplier:
I inherited this from my father, and it is an old tool. It has survived years of abuse and still in working order.
pliers:
okay, i am suprised that they could make something like this in the 90's. The pliers are blunt, not needlenose like most nowadays. this model uses the gerber one-hand opening system, and it works very well. The wire cutters are so finely machined that I can use them to cut things that even scissors won't. The only problem with the pliers is that if they slip, they'll pinch the s#!% out of your hand. There's always a drawback to everything.
handles:
as I said, they'll pinch the crap out of you if you're not careful using the pliers. nothing special here.
tools:
pretty small tool selection here, and the ones that are present are pretty stubby. none truly lock, more of a swiss army type lock mechanism but much less force required to unlock. The only real lock mechanism here is the rust accumulated at the joints.
tools included:
serrated knife edge, VERY sharp. cut myself with little effort.
bottle opener/flathead
phillips
file
can opener/flathead
flathead, i mean, three? who needs three flatheads?
lanyard ring, again, too heavy for a lanyard, so no point.
plain knife, gerber makes some of the sharpest blades around.
Pros:
very finely machined plier head
can put up with some serious abuse for a long time.
cons:
pliers pinch if you're not careful
limited tool selection
no locking blades
where the heck are you planning on buying one of these antiques???
in short, you needn't even read this review because you would never be able to buy one of these things.
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