Gerber Radius?

Morablades

Morablades

Joined
Dec 29, 2007
Messages
1,990
As a multitool collector I am curious, but as a user I dunno. All the Gerbers I own are the older ones. Made in China and assembled in America? What's the real deal with the new Gerber Butterfly opening tools? The Radius does look comfortable.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMzpQDSzIQo

This video turns me off from getting the Radius
 
Last edited:
Interesting video on the Suspension. A friend of mine bought a Suspension and is now desperate for a Leatherman. The blade on his Suspension got dull very quickly and I am having difficulty getting it to hold its edge using a sharpmaker.

The Radius is from the same stable as the Suspension. I personally wouldn't use one.
 
Yes they are. I got a Flik for work, hated it and gave it away. Now use a Swisstool Spirit.

Looking at the box, I think it said the multi tool was made in China, but the plier heads were from Taiwan. I was twisting a piece of metal with it, but stopped straight away when it started to creak. Just had no confidence in it. On a positive note, I really liked the design especially the one handed opening pliers and that it had outside opening tools. If only it was made in the US using higher quality materials.
 
Thanks for the info Millhouse. I carried a Diesel a couple times (not enough to make a decent review for myself). These new Gerbers are just tempting as hell. I don't ant to but one just to throw it in the junk box.
 
I know what you mean. All my tools are users. The shame of it is, I like some of Gerber's designs. I really liked the concept of the Flik, and for me it was the near perfect tool design. If Leatherman or Victorinox made it, I'd have it.
 
Morablades said:
Of the Flick and Freehand, are they in the same stock as the Butterfly openers?
Click to expand...

They're both kind of shrouded in mystery. As far as overall strength and fit/finish the Flik/Freehand/Diesel are heads/tails above the butterfly openers.

I have seen packaging for the Freehand that states either "Made in USA" or "Made in China" with no real differences between the two tools respective of their labeled place of manufacture. I think the Flik may be in the same boat, the plier jaws are Taiwanese manufacture but I am unsure of the rest of the tool.

Rule of thumb for the Gerber models(best to worst in my opinion):

10: MP600 Series
9: Diesel
8: Legend Series
7:
6: Freehand/Flik
5:
4:
3:
2:Suspension/Crux/Radius/etc
1:Cheap Chinese No-name tools
 
Spoony You will never guess whom this is but I will tell ya You are bgeing way to kind to the suspension line of tools.

Mora they are all the same. Suspension Crux, radius. I have had several of the Suspesions that have not held up to any standard of usefullness. Stick with the 6oo series, otherwise you will be just wasting your time.

The Suspension line is way under engineered. The tool cannot take any torque other than an anorexic 3 year old. It is a very uncomfortable tool to use if you have smaller hands, and forget about even using the saw on anything larger thatn 1/2 inch.

It is a shame that Gerber allowed themselves to market a more useless tool than the suspension line.

Just go to Multitool.org and search out threads on them.
 
My Dad has one of the old one had opening models, and he really likes it. My brother was issued a Made In USA Gerber with black oxide finish when he was in Iraq. I Think that all of the old Gerber's were great, but they went south as of late in every apect. I would not buy a Gerber multi-tool ever when Leathermans are made in the USA. I build machines for a living, and am often using components from overseas. I've noticed that USA made parts are always made of the materials they have stamped on them. The heat treat is always correct, and they are almost always in spec. The first 100 overseas made parts will be good until 101. I've seen stainless bolts rusting, incorrect heat treats, stress cracks, etc. Just my viewpoint, but I trust Leatherman, I don't trust Gerber.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top