Gerber vs Leatherman

J

Josh Wilson

Joined
Aug 3, 2000
Messages
232
This topic was posted more than a year ago and I wanted to revisit it in order to get info about the newer models. What are the relative merits of the:
Leatherman PSII, Pulse, Wave
and the Gerber 600, 800

Now that these have been out for a while I also wanted to find out how well they have held up.
 
I have a LM Wave a Buck tool and a Gerber 600 and the Wave is by far the best. having the blade access on the outside and the handles are so comfortable it isn't even funny. Not to mention I like being able to open it one handed.
smile.gif


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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
And one other thing. The Gerbers have the option of using replaceable jig saw blades. Which is better, the jig saw blade or the standard serrated sheepsfoot blade?
 
I saw one of the Gerber 800's as well as a 600 yesterday. Overall I was not impressed. The handles on the 800 were to wide to get a good grip when using the pliers due to the spring loaded pliers. The replaceable jig saw blade is a good idea, but it had quite a bit of play in it.

One thing that concerns me about the 600 is the plastic lock. Has anyone had a problem with this?

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bigun2.gif
 
Gerber all the way!
Leatherman has fit and finish. Gerber has function.
Forget the one handed blade( leatherman). Its still crap compared to a good folder and is only useful as a backup if you ask me. I'd rather have the one handed pliars(gerber). If I'm crawling around underneath a baler trying to thread wire the last thing I want to do is drop everything lose the wire and fumble around opening the pliars. And once their open I want them solid, not folding on me, which I have seen leathermans do after a lot of use.
The gerber has ALL locking tools, not just mostly locking tools. And the bolt action lock resists dirt and grime really well. It locks up solid, disengages easily, and is not prone to accidental disengagement. As for the plastic slides on it, that is only for you to grip when your unlocking it the rest of the lock is steel, including a pin that comes through the plastic. So even if you broke the plastic ( which you won't I have driven nails with mine before and accidentally smacked the plastic several times) there is still something there to grab.
Get the saw rather than the blade. The blade isn't that bad, but it doesn't take the greatest edge and doesn't have the most aggressive teeth. A replaceable saw blade will do more and you can replace it when its dull.
Just my thoughts after a few years of carrying gerbers and being around people with leathermans.

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I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer... but I've got the sharpest knife in the room.

[This message has been edited by Matt Shade (edited 12-18-2000).]
 
Comparing Gerber vs. Leatherman is pretty difficult in my opinion unless you're doing a side by side on two specific models.The 800 could have been a nice tool if they had left the handles alone, although these may work for someone.Matt did a nice job of explaining why the Gerber worked for him and some of his likes/dislikes.I believe you really need to see what works best for you in your own situation because my "favorite tools" stay in my drawer since they can't do what I need of them at work.


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"Just me and my multi-tools."

[This message has been edited by jharden (edited 12-18-2000).]
 
I think Matt did a good gob explaining things.

I have been a die hard Gerber fan, carrying the original Multi Plier for 10 years. I recently replaced it with the Leatherman Wave, which I like very much. I agree with Matt about the pliers on the Gerber being more convenient, but I don't mind folding out the pliers on the Leatherman.
I like that all the outside blades lock on the Wave, as the old Gerber had no locks at all, and if I'm using the screwdrivers on the multi pliers for more than a couple easy screws, I go get the proper screwdriver.

I'm curious as to how the Leatherman holds up, and I suppose I'll know over time. My Gerber is still ok after 10 years, but the Pliers are worn & loose, and the wire cutters are shot, along with the can opener.

I like the Wave so far. If it fails to hold up well, I'll get a new Gerber 600 or 800.
 
I took a look at the Swisstool and it looks pretty cool. Do the pliers retract like the gerbers or fold up like the Leatherman?

Any comments on which has the best selection of tools. Right now I'm torn between the Wave, the Swisstool and the 600. I like the 600's pliers but the Wave and Swisstool have the better tool selection (IMO).

I tried the Gerber build your own website but it doesn't give you many options.



[This message has been edited by Josh Wilson (edited 12-19-2000).]
 
I have been very satisfied with my Leatherman wave. I really like being to open the blades one handed. (just my .02)
wink.gif


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Chris
 
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Josh Wilson:
I took a look at the Swisstool and it looks pretty cool. Do the pliers retract like the gerbers or fold up like the Leatherman?</font>
Click to expand...

They fold up. Also check out the Swisstool X, it has scissors instead of the serrated blade. And the Swisstool SR offers a seat belt cutting blade.

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James Segura
San Francisco, CA

[This message has been edited by stjames (edited 12-19-2000).]
 
My one LM Wave is a one handed opener.
wink.gif

Mykl

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
Kinda a double post but I thought of something a sec afterwards. As I said I own a 600 series (which wouldn't be bad since you can now design your own kinda) and I do like it. I've just seen too many of them completely destroyed by my other shipmates. We're talking the pliers are disengaged, all the screwdrivers are broken, and the tips to the knives broken to replace the destroyed screwdrivers(I only saw one guy do this on purpose). Just the opposite, all the LMs my shipmates carry seem in great condition. Both of these tools are regular issue so they must be decent and I own a LM and a Gerber. Oh yeah, no matter which model you get get one with a saw. I'd never use a serrated blade for saw purposes if I absolutly didn't have to.

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Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get me.
 
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