Gerber

DH1

DH1

Joined
Nov 8, 2006
Messages
1,481
Why no talk of Gerber tools? I've got three diffrent versions; they are how I found this forum..looking up multi tools. Maybe I'm a noob, but they are great tools IMO...

Maybe it's because I haven't used anything else...
 
Sorry, broke mine in about 6 months mild use. I don't think it was worth the $30 I paid for it at the time. IMHO.
 
Welcome DH1.
Like all multi tools, those made by Gerber have their good points, and their bad points. Gerbers don't get much discussion time on this forum, because the members are generally into more refined and sophisticated tools, like the better Leatherman's or any of those from Victorinox.

But in terms of sheer popularity amongst the world's multi-plier-tool buyers, I believe Leatherman sells by far the most, Gerber is second, and everyone else is tied for third.

So there are a lot of Gerber tools being bought, but apperently not by BladeForums members. Regarding the most common 600-series:

Gerber goods (IMO)
  • sliding jaws mechanism is still fun to play with, even after 15 years
  • blade lock mechanism seems tight and strong
  • plastic blade lock releases slide very easily, even with slippery hands
  • blades and screwdrivers absolutely never ever clump
Gerber not-so-goods (IMO)
  • they rattle and clunk, which I find irratating
  • wanna get out JUST a knife blade? It's a 5-step process: slide out plier jaws, open handles, fold out knife blade, close handles, slide plier jaws back in. Reverse sequence to put knife away.
  • outer blades (knives, files, scissors, saws) are long enough, but inner tools (screwdrivers, bottle opener, etc) are annoyingly short
  • and maybe it's just my bad luck, but my Gerber multi tools always seem to rust easier than my other multis
~Bob
 
The short impliments and rusting I can agree with...I have a bit set that extends the screwdriver about and inch which is nice. The corrosion is annoying...holding the tool at arms length you can't tell at all, but up close you can see little spots...

The blades are razor sharp and everything stays tight; open or closed. Another feature I haven't seen anywhere else is the replaceable carbide cutters on one model I own...

I plan on getting a Leatherman or Swiss tool, and maybe selling one of the Gerbers on ebay. What are the basic Leatherman/Swiss models sold at Target? I usually get a $25 gift certificate for Christmas for that place:thumbup:
 
Though I prefer Leathermen, I carry a Gerber at work, mainly for the ease of opening. Sometimes I am hanging on with one hand and don't want to have to convince my multi-plier to open. I will say that a couple of years ago I sent a Gerber in to see if they could resharpen the wire cutters and they sent me a new locking tool to replace it. The customer service at the time was great.
 
What?! Me, not carry a Gerber multitool and miss out the unlikely chance of playing it cool just like Keanu Reeves in "Speed" the action movie? Luv the Gerber's MTool for it's flip motion action. Commands immediate attention everytime I have to yank out a tooth after an especially hard fall.
Have a couple of Gerber's but I must say that my favorite MT is still a Leatherman Supertool 200. However Gerbers are tops when it comes to playing it cool at boardroom meetings... dead silence when everyone knows you mean serious business fixing faulty wiring.
 
I don't care for Gerber's designs asd much, especially the bit based driver systems. I know guys that use them, but their not my style.
 
I use a Gerber MP400 in work. Only receives light work so is ok. The one and only time I took it out hiking, it developed rust spots before I even got home.
 
DH1 said:
I plan on getting a Leatherman or Swiss tool, and maybe selling one of the Gerbers on ebay. What are the basic Leatherman/Swiss models sold at Target? I usually get a $25 gift certificate for Christmas for that place:thumbup:
Click to expand...


It might vary from store to store, and they always seem to be in some sort of flux as to what they want to carry. It's really going to depend on what exactly you need from your multi-tool. The leatherman tools that I have seen there in the past have been the Kick, Fuse, Blast, Wave, Core, Surge, and Juice lines. I think they have gotten rid of the Kick, Fuse, and maybe Blast (not sure on that last one). I have a Wave, Surge, Super Tool 200, Juice, Crunch, and Fuse. To be quite honest, the most often used is my Fuse. Light, packs what I need, and folds up fairly small. Nice tool for EDC.:) Not as broken in as my ol' Super Tool 200, but it doesn't weigh down my jeans like the ST or my Surge.

Jake
 
DH1 said:
Another feature I haven't seen anywhere else is the replaceable carbide cutters on one model I own.
Click to expand...

I like the carbide wire cutters too. IMO, they are better than any other wire cutters on any other multitool. I see Gerber is now putting them on all of there 600-series tools.
 
I have two Gerber Multi-tools . Great tool . There are other tools around but Gerber seems the tool of choice in this part of the state . I find the ability to shake out the pliers one-handed to be a major plus.
 
Like my Gerber But the tiny rust specks piss me off and I always seem to end up with a SAK in my pocket so the Gerber sits in a drawer at home mostly.
 
they rust easy, the blades break easy, the jaws break easy, and they will pinch the hell out of you if your not carefull. Gerber's for babies Im a Leatherman.
 
I've actually seen more gerber tools on soldiers, marines, etc. than leathermans so I don't know why no one likes them on this forum. I've solved the rust problem... BUY THE COATED VERSION. The blades are weaker than leatherman's because they have that cut out but, honestly, who buys a multitool for the blade? The only tool quicker in opening may be the SOG series but I've never handled one so I can't speak for them. They have my approval.
 
Hammer27 said:
The blades are weaker than leatherman's because they have that cut out but,
Click to expand...

One of the three Gerbers I own doesn't have the cutout on the file or blade...it's the basic fingernail notch. I don't know what year this variation was made..but it's a MP600 needlenose with the scissors and RemGrit saw.

Another thing I haven't seen on anything else is a carbide coated replaceable saw blade...I haven't used it for anything yet, but it's supposed to be pretty good.
 
DH1 said:
Another thing I haven't seen on anything else is a carbide coated replaceable saw blade...I haven't used it for anything yet, but it's supposed to be pretty good.
Click to expand...

The RemGrit saw blade didn't work very well for me. Without real teeth, the grit loads up too quickly. I replaced it with a fine tooth jigsaw blade. (So yes, I like the fact that Gerber has the replaceable saw blade feature.)
 
DH1 said:
One of the three Gerbers I own doesn't have the cutout on the file or blade...it's the basic fingernail notch. I don't know what year this variation was made..but it's a MP600 needlenose with the scissors and RemGrit saw.

Another thing I haven't seen on anything else is a carbide coated replaceable saw blade...I haven't used it for anything yet, but it's supposed to be pretty good.
Click to expand...

I don't know when they started with it but its not a good idea. A friend of mine broke the blade while pulling out the staples on a target at the range! He sent the tool back to gerber and they sent him a new on so customer service is ok at least. His son got issued the same model in the Air Force and it doesn't have the cut out but its obviously been around more than once (a lot of wear and scuffs).
 
Hammer27 said:
I've actually seen more gerber tools on soldiers, marines, etc. than leathermans so I don't know why no one likes them on this forum.....
Click to expand...

I can't speak for anyone else, but I haven't bought a Gerber multitool since the one I had pinched my palm between the handles. That was painful. Almost zero clearance between the handles when the plier jaws are closed.

Also, accessing the screwdriver and knife blades required too much time and effort. The screwdriver blades were too short.

I bought a Gerber Gator lockback knife back in 1994 and still like it.
 
I haven't pinched myself wiht any multitool. I might be lucky but I also tend to pin one handle between my pinky and ringfinger when I usea multitool
 
i have a gerber which i got for 40 bucks at ace. i think the leatherman is a much better quality tool, but i like the gerber. i have one of the original leatherman tools. i'm not willing to spring for one of the newer ones because at the price they're asking i don't want to risk losing it. i use my gerber every day. i chose it over the leatherman because the model i own is uncomfortable (the tools are on the outside when the pliers are opened. i like the fact that the gerber pliers slide out. the screwdrivers are good enough for me. on the boat i work on, if i need a longer driver, i just use the tools from the engine room. the gerber did rust the instant they were wet with the seawater, but have yet to seize up on me. (i rewired a bilge pump, where the pliers were submerged in 8 inches of oily seawater). my biggest complaint with the gerber model i have is that it appears a bit flimsy. i used the pliers to pry out a rivet, and it feels like I bent the pivot of the jaws. when i close them they jam with about 1/16 of an inch left to go. the same when i open them. a strong squeeze closes them all the way. its annoying more than anything. otherwise, for 40 bucks, i'm pleased. just my $.02
 
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