Gerber MP800 vs. Diesel vs. Spirit S

K

keluangus

Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
50
Hey, let's get a fight started and see sparks fly!:D How would you guys compare the Gerber MP800, Gerber Diesel, and the Victorinox Spirit S? Any takers, hmm?:confused:
 
Before i got my Diesel, i had ordered the MP800 from walley world, and when i recived it, i was not impressed. The thing just seemed that it was cheaply made, and it looked like it was made out of cast metal. I took it back to walley world and got the Diesel. The Diesel is ok, but it seems to me, that Gerbers quality has gotten worse over the years...I hab a old gerber 600 and it was perfect, but mow im not too sure about Gerber..
I am waiting on my Swiss Tool RS, and Spirit. I have heard nothing but good things about the swiss tools, so when i recive them i will post my opions.
 
Spaceweasel: no wonder you were asking about the swisstools in the other post! Its just that every now and then somebody pops up being really happy about the diesel. But then, it was apparent they have not used the swisstool. The MP800 blurb mentioned replaceable carbides in the pliers for wirecutters - that's what got me interested. I get lazy handling 49 strand cable for trolling rigs and tend just to use those on the multitools. So a carbide cutter would be fantastic.

Just a word to the rest: there's a really cheap Gerber multitool out nowadays and its made in china. Cheap - in both price and quality. Buyer beware!
 
I did like the carbine cutter on the 800 but that was it..But the replaceable
saw,(not a hack saw, but a grit saw) seems to be of no real use, but thats my opion.
 
I agree, best to avoid the Gerber MP800. The cast aluminum handles make it too big and chunky.

The Gerber Diesel is "okay", but nothing to brag about. For years people complained about the way Gerber tools rattled and clunked, whether opened or closed. Gerber designed the Diesel to stay "tight", no rattling. But other than that, it's nothing new.

If you are really stuck on Gerbers and like the replacable carbide wire cutters, check out the newest MP600's. They've added the carbide to the plier jaws, and reshaped the knife blade.

Link: http://cgi.ebay.com/Gerber-Stainles...7QQihZ020QQcategoryZ66824QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

But unless you MUST have the carbide cutters, go with the Spirit. The quality and craftsmanship from Victorinox is far better than anything from Gerber.

(IMO)
~Bob
 
Righto - I have to agree about the workmanship, fit and finish of the swisstools. Until now I have not seen such a good balance of quality and price. Should I buy a spirit S, should I just keep my swisstool?

Sigh: life can be sooo hard sometimes...
 
keluangus said:
... Should I buy a spirit S, should I just keep my swisstool?
...
Click to expand...

I can't answer that question. While handling a Spirit and a Swisstool X in the store yesterday, I noticed the Spirit pliers contains both hard and soft wire cutter positions. The larger Swisstool X had only one wire cutter position, which I thought was designed to cut soft wire.

The Swisstool X's scissors were noticeably larger than the Spirit's scissors, but I don't know how well either cuts.
 
JOOLIESEWS said:
The Gerber Diesel is "okay", but nothing to brag about. For years people complained about the way Gerber tools rattled and clunked, whether opened or closed. Gerber designed the Diesel to stay "tight", no rattling. But other than that, it's nothing new.
Click to expand...

My Diesel was "tight" for about 2 days. It is already "loosy". I am just glad that I got it new for $33, and didn't pay retail price.

The Diesel is my second multi tool, and after getting used to Surge's outside opening blades, I am not too happy with the Diesel. I don't even mind that the blades are not outside opening, but the thing is, after the blade is open and the Diesel is closed, the blade of the knife is facing into the handle. I like the "flushness" of the handle to the cutting edge on the Surge.

My surge is another story. It's been weeks since I sent it in (only 4 days old). Blade was hitting the handle while closed, marring the cutting edge. The L-bracket was bent on the handle with the replaceable bit, so the top of the pliers were scraping on the bit. The pliers themsevles "stuck" while opening and closing, like some cheap chinese made $2 tool. And the leather sheath has a stiching that came out, so it unraveled and one edge of the belt strap came off. I am soooo disappointed with LM right now.

On another note, the smallest screwdriver on my Gerber MP600 is bent beyond recognition. Would they fix/replace the driver under warranty?
 
I just recived my surge, and my spirit+ ratchet today. I love the spirit, and it and the surge will be my EDC's, with the Diesel going into the glove box, or better yet to my nephew. The only down side to the spirit, for me is, that I did not get the spirit s.(i will have to get used to the blade).The spirit fit's nicely in its leather pouch with the ratchet and bit set. I was surprised on how small of a package it is. By far the spirit bets the Diesel, and 800 hands down..
 
I now use a Gerber MP800 for weekend use and use my Swisstool Spirit S for work. I like the grit saw and carbide blades. Swisstool is much higher quality than my Gerber tools or any of my Leatherman stuff for that matter. Looks like Gerber copied the Swisstool method of carrying the tools in the handle and the detent system for the pliers. Or, was it vise-versa? Never tried a Diesel.

You can never have too many types or brands of Multitools!

Fishnuts2
 
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