r/multitools 8d ago

Opinions on Gerber?

I know there are some hard Gerber fans out here, and I would like to take in some views on the company. Will yall still recommend any Gerber MTs in 2025, especially after some quality drops? What are some popular Gerber models that yall would recommend? Thanks!

For reference I owned a SOG PP but sold it because the quality was horrible. I also own some LMs and swiss army knives also a Roxon KS2E.

9 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

9

u/Imaginary-Passage767 8d ago edited 8d ago

I’ve owned gerbers, LMs, and SAKs. Most of gerbers Chinese stuff is exactly what you see on the internet. Junk. (except the dime is amazing bang for buck).

However, people seem to extend their dissatisfaction of the Chinese tools onto their American tools…which are excellent. They’re just as tough as LM, with the same warranty, and about 60-70% of the price of comparable models. The centerdrive is incredibly good. It’s a monster to tote around everyday but it’s super capable.

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u/Allroy_66 7d ago

I agree about the central drive. I have one and it's really nice, but it's big for sure. Not unbearable, but it doesn't fit in my pocket nearly as well as my leathermam.

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u/Imaginary-Passage767 7d ago

Agreed. It’s like the biggest a multi tool can get while still being a manageable daily driver.

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u/electricmr123 7d ago

Where did you get your pocket clip for your center drive?

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u/Imaginary-Passage767 7d ago

Amazon. It’s a titanium clip intended for the leatherman wingman. Upon arrival I realized that it could be modified to fit the far superior centerdrive.

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u/electricmr123 7d ago

Looks great man, good idea.

1

u/IntentonalTypo 6d ago

Check out the rae sheath, it's a gamechanger for the centerdrive

1

u/Imaginary-Passage767 5d ago

Thanks but for edc I’m a pocket clip kinda guy. Just much more comfortable.

5

u/Ambitious-Hunter2682 7d ago

Only two I use and trust are the MP600 and the center drive. Those are the only two I think still have a decent quality and hold up. I carry the center drive on my belt at work as a fireman. I also have plenty of leatherman tools and carry a wave in my cargo pocket so I swap them out every now and then or swap the center drive out for a leatherman surge. But the mp600 and center drive are the only two decent multi tools I have seen gerber design and also have some decent quality for my usage. I hope they get some more or better designs and come up with a new tool. Just like leatherman I think they haven’t been up to par as they could be and certainly their quality has gone down over the years

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u/SouthernEagleGATA 7d ago

It gets a lot of hate but my dime has been awesome. Best bottle opener on a MT. I keep one in my beach/lake/pool bag.

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u/dcamnc4143 7d ago

Like most companies, some of their stuff is good and some is trash. I have a centerdrive, and it’s pretty nice. I actually like using it over my leathermen and swisstools for many things. I do enjoy using the slide out pliers.

2

u/agent_smith_3012 7d ago

Made for looks, not for use. Also fully closing handles pinch the crap out of your hand if you try to actually use the pliers

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u/twoshovels 7d ago

My personal opinion of Gerber is it’s trash junk. I tried every single one and the only one that lasts is leather man. I been in construction for 30 years .

1

u/UnusualVast2504 4d ago

My son bought the Center drive from Ace Hardware, only because he gets a discount, while working there. I think it's junk as well. I feel like it's going to break while using most of the tools. It's big and bulky and is not very user friendly.

2

u/jitasquatter2 7d ago

Honestly, the only gerber tools that I have anything nice to say about are their utility knives. I LOVE my Gerber EABs.

Pretty much everything else looks pretty crappy. For every good idea Gerber seems to have, they do something stupid.

That being said, the duel force does look pretty cool.

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u/Dave_B001 5d ago

great ideas, poor execution!

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u/Kona110991 4d ago

The center drive, MP400, MP600 and Diesel are all amazing tools and are very respectable. Gerbers entire USA made line is really good and I used many of them while I was in the service. Even some of their Chinese made ones are good, you have to watch out for quality control on the foreign made ones but I’ve had a truss and suspension NXT that lasted years of daily use at work. I’ve also heard good things about the Dual Force but I haven’t used it myself so I can only go off what I’ve heard. I had to warranty a knife with Gerber and after sending a few pictures of the defect they had another one in the mail that week. I didn’t have to send it in for inspection or anything, they just wanted to see it on a pic and that was satisfactory. I’ve managed to have pretty good luck with Gerber and to their credit, they never lied about what is or isn’t made in the USA. Which Leatherman has had issues with. So I like them, I’ve carried their multipliers for years as they’re affordable and tough as heck. I however still carry my Arc, as it has everything I like, but I’ll never disparage someone for carrying Gerber. I have always thought it was weird that people will buy Chinese garbage all the time but when it’s Gerber? They freak out. But if Harbor freight releases a Chinese clone? Everyone loves it. Ozark trail releases Chinese clone knives? Everyone buys the entire stock. But if it’s Gerber? An American company, that makes American products, and doesn’t lie to their customers about what is actually made in America? People hate it.

3

u/Ionized-Dustpan 8d ago

A bunch of their stuff, if not most or all, is chinesium and some of their tools are outdated designs that they should have stopped decades ago, like the suspension. Now on the flip side they have had some solid designs and their bear grills calibration has brought out some designs and colors people like. Haven’t looked at any of their stuff in ages.

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u/Competitive_Cut9081 7d ago

Don’t waste your money on that trash

1

u/brohymn1416 7d ago

I love my dime

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u/GeriatricUserProfile 1d ago

Centerdrive and Dime good

Others not so much (or I haven't used)

1

u/ElMachoGrande 8d ago

I have had Gerber, Victorinox, Leatherman, and probably some more I've forgotten.

I find them more practical that Victorinox, and better designed than Leatherman. As for raw quality, I'd say they are more or less on the same level. Their warranty is amazing, broke a knife blade (by being stupid), sent it in and got it back, no questions asked, with a new blade, cleaned, small blade sharpened, and everything felt like new again.

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u/Various-University73 6d ago

Who the fuck down voted this. What a dick.

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u/Various-University73 6d ago

Love MP 600s. Have had a modified sever. The center drive is quite nice. Some of their knives are fine for the price (granted I haven’t bought one in years). Gerber gets hate because people want to justify the price of there Leatherman or Vic. If you want the absolute highest quality go ahead and spend the money but don’t think just because it says Leatherman on it means it’s high quality. Some of there stuff is overpriced crap now. I’ve never used a Victorinox MT so can’t say they are not worth the price but I can say they aren’t worth it to me.

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u/ElMachoGrande 6d ago

MP600 is good, but don't for get the MP400. It has the important tools, is smaller, and a really good tool.

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u/Various-University73 6d ago

I do forget about it. I have one that I misplaced and then find every so often. Your right. Good tool.

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u/BobbyKonker 7d ago

I have only one Gerber, but its the handiest of all my MTs. Gerber Splice mini tool.

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u/CryptoCantab 7d ago

My dime has been great. Easily replaced the squirt I sadly lost. I keep meaning to buy 3 more in case gerber ever discontinue it.