My son is currently deployed on the ground in Afghanistan with a Navy team and this is the MT they were issued. Can't believe with all the other good options out there by SOG and Leatherman that our guys were issued this piece of crap. Thanks for not candy-coating the review, love the honesty!
My brother in law has one and he loves it, and has it on him at all times. I don't dig it as much but when something needs fixing you can always count on him and his Gerber.
I like my gerber, i like to think of it as a AK of multitools. All the extra space in there makes it really convenient to shake out dust and little rocks from training or from accidently dropping it, and ive never cleaned or lubed mine since i bought it and its still rocking, i think my tools are easier to take out now because of that, and the fact that its not that expensive makes it so that i can use it to it's full potential without the heart ache of ruining an expensive toy.
I'm in the market for a new multi tool and anytime I need a new piece of gear the nutnfancy channel is always the first place I start. I just wish my checking account could support my gear head fanaticism. long live cool gear reviews
I owned two of the very near original Leathermans. All the tools were only accessible from the inside. I bought a Gerber after I ran through the second Leatherman and I'm on my second or third now. Mine is about 6-7 years old but it looks a lot nicer than this one you reviewed. I love my Gerber far more than any Leatherman I've ever handled but I haven't handled one in years either. Your review has inspired me to take another look.
I've used this tool in the field numerous times and it is the only multi I've used since an old SOG I had 10yrs ago. Look man, the reach factor aint shit. You can get at every tool without problem and you can use the pliers without trouble. As soon as you tighten the grip, the head of the pliers stops moving. The deployment is stellar and the knife is more than efficient. I think if you actually used this tool before reviewing you would have a different opinion. Usually agree with you bro...
Around the 9 minute mark you were talking about the saw blades. The Rebar has the same problem as the diesel with the scales closed, you were holding the tool with the pliers deployed. Of course, with a Leatherman you can half-open the scales and use two hands.
I've carried this at work for 2 years now. I am a cable tv technician and when I go into customers house and want to carry light as far as tools go, I grab my small Stanley pouch with this gerber diesel and a Mag (110lumen) flashlight. I'm not a fan of the philips head driver or the play in the head of the pliers but I gotta say, this is one tough multi-tool. I've used it to cut holes in drywall, cut heads off screws, cut coax and messenger wire, skin .75" coax etc. All I can say is TOUGH!
A fair review imho, good things and bad things. I bought one of these and a Leatherman Surge and love both, the Gerber is the one I always seem to have on my belt though, big plus with the quick opening pliers and the good quality scissors but like you say there's a compromise with the effectiveness of using the main blade. For a day where I know I want to use the blade a lot or do a lot of heavy duty wire or nail cutting I'd go for the Leatherman, for everything else this Gerber does the job admirably.
When I deploy the pliers I shake the bottom outward instead of shaking the pliers outward... Makes it easier more mass is moving if you shake the bottom rather than just the plier tip.
All of the Gerber multi-tools, and Knives I have bought have broken in a short amount of time. I've been done with Gerber for a while now. The only item I have left is their Artifact, which has been ok. I hope it lasts.
I wish I had your energy level Mr. Nutn. Saw your Victorinox Cadet video last night as was bumbed that the colors are out of production. But I did find a classic in blue alox at a sporting goods store a mile from my house. Your passion is contagous.
The Gerber really isn't so bad. I would agree that this design isn't as user friendly as the leatherman but it works. I have one from 1995 and it still works great. There is movement with the plier head as you demonstrated but once you grip your target this isn't a concern. Good job once again.
Gerber doesnt make very much that excites me at the moment........But they are using some S30V in a couple knives......hope they keep on the right path!
@Allofthemonkeys Ha! I got mine old one free too. It was a Dectomax cattle pour on freebie. And I still carry it every day, almost a decade later. I guess I'm too cheap to investigate a new one, and this one still works great.
what's your mileage on the leatherman sidekick, i have found that the cutting blades on mine don't touch, would that be something I could send to them to get fixed?
I guess it all comes down to perception, I have a Gerber and I see nothing really wrong about it, it works for what I need it to do. However this would be one of the very very few videos I don't completely, if not totally agree with you on. keep doing what you're doing.
I agree with most everything in this review. One point of contention, though, and you did briefly retouch on it near the end, but I'll just reconfirm here. Concerning the blades and how the handle would bump when you are cutting, that was the same issue on both the diesel and the rebar. When the rebar blades are deployed, I'm pretty sure it's more comfortable to use them with the handle closed up, and when the handle is closed up, you run into that bump problem. Nit-pickin, I know, but I had to.
I have been a Gerber person for a long time. I don't think you are s big fan of Gerber, and very cool with that.. I have this multi tool and also one of the mini multi tools too. Use them every day. I know earlier today, I said I may have to change from Gerber. I'm still giving that some thought. Thanks for the openess in the video..
Sorry nutnfancy I'm a great fan but just had a talk with a buddy about multi tool last night, and we found the gerber single hand deployment design design rocks
I always thought those were like $35, for $70 they can **** them selves I will never buy this tool. I love how impartial you are nutn, you can really tell when you hate something, I wouldn't have even been able to give this MDMT as good a review as you though, so you must of really been trying to be an impartial reviewer. Thanks nutn.
I have an old one of these with the blunt nose pliers, I got it for free so I won't complain. Knife won't say sharp to save your life, the can opener works great though
The design of the Gerber Flik improves on some of the issues with the diesel while retaining the rapid deploy feature. Still has a few flaws, but at least the tools deploy outward from the handle, meaning the handle won't get in the way of cutting or sawing. Good wood saw for light tasks, btw.
I bent the cutters on my multi plier 600 same as yours and i sent a message to gerber and they sent me a whole new head assembly for free with upgraded carbide cutters. Im sure they would do the same for yours. I just got a leatherman juice due to one of your reviews and the tools are so dang tight in the handle the flatheads have cut my knuckle a few times trying to pull them out with my pointer finger nail.
I have no problem 1 hand opening a leatherman charge, as well as opening any of the tools and then closing the tool completely one handed... Just pretend it's a butterfly knife, sort of... A good flick gets it started to roll it off your leg to completely open it. Some moly lube on the various operating parts tends to help a lot.
Hi Nutnfancy, I purchased a leatherman surge not too long ago and have been using the main clip-point blade as an electricians knife as I have not gotten around to picking one up. I have noticed that the blade have very small chips along it. I would like to know the angle of the grind and the quickest possible fix. thank you. also if Nutn could answer this not, Veri (his sister) that would be superb. thank you again.
Never been a fan of the Gerber. I have one that was issued to my wife that she gave to me because she liked the Leatherman that I gave her better. I just cant get over the fact that you have to pull the pliers out every time you want to get a tool out.
Great points. I've loved mine but I've had a lot of the same quirky issues as you pointed out. Can't wait for that new leatherman! Thanks for the review.
Hey Nut'n, totally digging the reviews, but I've got a question. Earlier on you said that you wouldn't review things you didn't like because you were so busy. Why the exception? Or are you giving us a heads up for a particularly nasty product if we're in the market? In any case, keep up the excellent work!
I have a Leatherman Wave which I love. I almost got a S.O.G. Powerlock but I ended up with the Wave because I found it on clearance. I love it. I'm looking forward to Leatherman's new products and getting a Victorinox and that Powerlock eventually.
My employer gave me this MT to disassemble a machine. I agree with the "goofy-ness" of the deployment and tools. However, I ended up deploying the pliers by squeezing the locking buttons and allow gravity to drop the handles down, rather than trying to flick the pliers up. Good video, Nutn. Keep them coming. :)
Nutn- That "open architecture uses a TORX driver not an allen wrench...I agree, I've always found the Gerber a little light duty. I use a Leatherman Super tool and I don't have to go to the toolbox for most things. It's ALMOST bulletproof! ...Good review, It frustrates me too.
Just a thought. If I were using the saw on the leatherman, I would most likely close the pliers which would result in the same issue of the handle in the way like the Diesel. I like the rebar more but just an observation. I prefer my Charge TTI over both of them though.
By my experience, I don't think actual sawing is affected much by the orientation of the tools.. You can't saw with the handle of the MT anyways.. But, having the tools accessible from the outside like the Leathermans do does make for easier deployment.
Raise your hand if you have been cutting wire with one of these and pinched the living crap out of your hand or fingers between the handles........ It hurts really really really bad. I like how cheap these are, and the quick deployment pliers, but much prefer my Leatherman Charge TTi for versatility and metallurgy, they are just worlds apart in quality.
I don't know why, but as soon as you brought it out, I just wasn't diggin' the look at all. It could have all the capability in the world, but if it doesn't have any actual visual appeal to me, it's not gonna get picked up. Thanks bro!
gerber have serations on most of thier nice blades its a real shame, i agree with you that if you are going to have serations, it needs to be a full blade of them
I've had my Gerber Diesel like 6 years and it's been ok. I did manage to break off one of the tips of pliers a few years back. My next multi-tool will defiantly been a Leatherman.
It's absolutely true that the main blade on that multi tool sucks. It just doesn't look like a good cutting blade. And yes that multi tool has a host of problems.
Not a fan of that Diesel, but I do have a Gerber Freehand that seems to be MUCH better in terms of tool accessibility and primary blade. It is a bit more expensive but if you are set on getting a Gerber multitool (not sure why you would be) but the Freehand is a similar but more user-friendly version of the Diesel in my experience.
The Diesel is pretty bad. Not thought through well and too expensive. You can get a Gerber Suspension for 30 bucks that blows this thing away. Tight, fast, lightweight, internal spring, no abrupt grinds whatsoever, and the tools are accessible from the outside easily without chipping your fingernail. The flat and serrated blades are separated too, both with thumb studs. And the sheath has both vertical and horizontal orientation. I wish it had a file, though. 70 bucks for an inferior tool. Why?
Everybody knows that Gerber is second to every other major multitool manufacturer. Unless price is holding you back, there is no real reason you should by any gerber multitool in lieu of a leatherman, SOG, or Victorinox.
I find it puzzling that Gerber does not use the replaceable cutter blades since it was Gerber who was the first company to bring this feature to market in the late 90's with the Gerber Legend 800 multitool.... I know because i have one... Now discontinued ...Dont know why since imo it was gerbers best MT to date... I carried several Juice series after that and eventually picked up a Victorinox SwisstoolX and a Victorinox Spirit X a few years ago and found my perfect Multitool System....
Great review. I own a Gerber Compact Sport Multi-Plier 400 that I got as a gift and I agree with pretty much everything you said. It's a very similar design, but with fewer tools because it's a smaller multi-tool. I do have to say the scissors are awesome though!
I have a diesel and yes it sucks. The model 600 blunt nose version with the carbide cutter however rocks. I use mine every day and it does work very well. My POU for mine is straight up work tool.
It feels like you have a slightly one-sided preference to to leatherman. I have had my gerber multi-tool for about 10 years, and I love it. If I were to make reviews I would be the opposite of you on the multi-tool front. Good reviews though.
Would love to see an OHT review. I have a Gerber carry case similar to that on my duty belt. It is wearing and getting torn apart. It is getting looser and I worry the tool will fall out if the velcro gives at all. I would love to see an OHT with the molle case. thanks for sharing!
I carried a Diesel for a long time when I was younger. I really liked the number of tools on it, but the floppy pliers were kind of a downside. They never broke or anything but I just felt like it was kinda goofy to use. Switched to a SOG Powerlock, happy until I was thrashing on it pretty hardcore trying to do something, now the tool lockup on one arm is a bit unreliable, looking into the Leathermen, just so I can have one of each brand LOL.
I currently have the Gerber Crucial, was looking for a light weight MT for daily use. Honestly its a good tool. On that note though I bought one of the older version on clearance at Target it had a cork screw, and bottle opener instead of the caribiner which are pointless for me in my job. So I took it apart and removed those tools and replaced them with machine washers. Anyway I love some Gerber products, and Ive owned many and still own some. However for MT Leatherman all the way.
I think you are unfair against the blade. To me, the multi-tool blade is one that I am going to be using for completely different tasks than my knife, doesn't really make sense to have the same blade shape twice in your system ya know?
@ethr95awd They have a couple of things like the folding gator that are the best thing you'd find at a box store, and for $25-$30 they aren't bad, but there multi tool and about 70% of there knives leave a lot to be desired. The only thing wrong with there wilderness tools is that you can go buy a fiskars sor 1/4 the price and it is the same tool but it doesn't sat gerber on it.
I have an older version of the diesel (don't remember the name) but basically the same tool, mine opens very easy and the pliers have a little play but nothing compared to the diesel, the cutters are easily damaged, but the blade design on the main cutter is a flat grind and has the emergency cutter but no saw,and mine came with a set of screw driver bits and adapter. All in all I like mine and after this review think the next mt I get will be a leather man ,don't really like the diesel configu
Good look at the tool. I personally appreciate the rapid deployment, especially when fishing. For me, the Gerber beats the Leatherman but you make some good points against it. I will be buy the Diesel. Keep up the good videos.
have a gerber 600det multi tool its the diesel's big brother and more suited to militay and exposives det work , I found the 600det great , diesel is a cheap end multitool. in my opion for what its worth may be good as a backup
The sling open feature on gerbers is a mechanical waste of space in my opinion. I can flip out my Wave pliers just as easily one handed butterfly knife style.
letherman and victorinox are making so good multi tools that I just can't understand why I should search for something else! anyway great job with the table top.
I agree with almost everything you said but you mentioned the rescue cutter being a problem with the handle and all. However wouldn't that be ok considering the action that blade would see would be cutting up not down into a flat surface. You'd be cutting up away from a persons body either on jeans or a shoe or a seatbelt
The 600 is certainly the better of Gerber's MT offerings and has feature the wire cutter inserts for at least a year now (mine has them). I think part of the reason Gerber hasn't messed with updating their 10 year old MT sheaths is because the majority of the MTs that are military used are just fine being thrown on the larger 2" belt on BDUs and now ACUs and for anyone that wants it on their kit will throw it in a pistol/light/etc pouch. Thats my perception from the Army side of things, YMMV :P
Crap. Years ago, a buddy & I went through no less than three similar Gerber MTs that failed in the same way. Normal use the jaw snaped off. That weird mystery steel.we didn't bother with warranty after that.
I stopped buying Gerber and went to Leatherman when Gerber started putting plastic in their multitools. The metal, spring loaded buttons were absolutely fine. Had a pair I used for five years that I LOVED. Steel blade was fantastic. Then, I lost mine camping with my son one year and went to replace it and was disappointed to see plastic. Loving my Leatherman MUT!
Ive owned the gerber multi tool for a few years now and its held up pretty good. I actually got it for free only reason I use it.. Now im goin to have to go buy a leatherman charge . Thanks! LoL
Ive handled alot of gerbers (for some reason my family thinks that gerber is the end all be all best....) and never really warmed up to them, just seem cheap and not well thought out.
My son is currently deployed on the ground in Afghanistan with a Navy team and this is the MT they were issued. Can't believe with all the other good options out there by SOG and Leatherman that our guys were issued this piece of crap. Thanks for not candy-coating the review, love the honesty!
My brother in law has one and he loves it, and has it on him at all times. I don't dig it as much but when something needs fixing you can always count on him and his Gerber.
I like my gerber, i like to think of it as a AK of multitools. All the extra space in there makes it really convenient to shake out dust and little rocks from training or from accidently dropping it, and ive never cleaned or lubed mine since i bought it and its still rocking, i think my tools are easier to take out now because of that, and the fact that its not that expensive makes it so that i can use it to it's full potential without the heart ache of ruining an expensive toy.
I'm in the market for a new multi tool and anytime I need a new piece of gear the nutnfancy channel is always the first place I start. I just wish my checking account could support my gear head fanaticism. long live cool gear reviews
I owned two of the very near original Leathermans. All the tools were only accessible from the inside. I bought a Gerber after I ran through the second Leatherman and I'm on my second or third now. Mine is about 6-7 years old but it looks a lot nicer than this one you reviewed. I love my Gerber far more than any Leatherman I've ever handled but I haven't handled one in years either. Your review has inspired me to take another look.
I've used this tool in the field numerous times and it is the only multi I've used since an old SOG I had 10yrs ago. Look man, the reach factor aint shit. You can get at every tool without problem and you can use the pliers without trouble. As soon as you tighten the grip, the head of the pliers stops moving. The deployment is stellar and the knife is more than efficient. I think if you actually used this tool before reviewing you would have a different opinion. Usually agree with you bro...
Around the 9 minute mark you were talking about the saw blades. The Rebar has the same problem as the diesel with the scales closed, you were holding the tool with the pliers deployed. Of course, with a Leatherman you can half-open the scales and use two hands.
I've carried this at work for 2 years now. I am a cable tv technician and when I go into customers house and want to carry light as far as tools go, I grab my small Stanley pouch with this gerber diesel and a Mag (110lumen) flashlight. I'm not a fan of the philips head driver or the play in the head of the pliers but I gotta say, this is one tough multi-tool. I've used it to cut holes in drywall, cut heads off screws, cut coax and messenger wire, skin .75" coax etc. All I can say is TOUGH!
How do you feel about the bear grylls survival knifes?
FYI, Gerber introduced replaceable hard wire cutters for MTs on the MP600 Multiplier and MP700 Urban Legend tools.
A fair review imho, good things and bad things.
I bought one of these and a Leatherman Surge and love both, the Gerber is the one I always seem to have on my belt though, big plus with the quick opening pliers and the good quality scissors but like you say there's a compromise with the effectiveness of using the main blade.
For a day where I know I want to use the blade a lot or do a lot of heavy duty wire or nail cutting I'd go for the Leatherman, for everything else this Gerber does the job admirably.
When I deploy the pliers I shake the bottom outward instead of shaking the pliers outward... Makes it easier more mass is moving if you shake the bottom rather than just the plier tip.
Am I wrong but are all multitools not already one hand opening? I can open and close my leatherman wave one handed without trouble
All of the Gerber multi-tools, and Knives I have bought have broken in a short amount of time. I've been done with Gerber for a while now. The only item I have left is their Artifact, which has been ok. I hope it lasts.
I wish I had your energy level Mr. Nutn. Saw your Victorinox Cadet video last night as was bumbed that the colors are out of production. But I did find a classic in blue alox at a sporting goods store a mile from my house. Your passion is contagous.
The Gerber really isn't so bad. I would agree that this design isn't as user friendly as the leatherman but it works. I have one from 1995 and it still works great. There is movement with the plier head as you demonstrated but once you grip your target this isn't a concern. Good job once again.
Did you try unscrewing the torx screw a quarter turn to access the tools better?
Gerber doesnt make very much that excites me at the moment........But they are using some S30V in a couple knives......hope they keep on the right path!
@Allofthemonkeys Ha! I got mine old one free too. It was a Dectomax cattle pour on freebie. And I still carry it every day, almost a decade later. I guess I'm too cheap to investigate a new one, and this one still works great.
what's your mileage on the leatherman sidekick, i have found that the cutting blades on mine don't touch, would that be something I could send to them to get fixed?
I guess it all comes down to perception, I have a Gerber and I see nothing really wrong about it, it works for what I need it to do. However this would be one of the very very few videos I don't completely, if not totally agree with you on. keep doing what you're doing.
I agree with most everything in this review. One point of contention, though, and you did briefly retouch on it near the end, but I'll just reconfirm here. Concerning the blades and how the handle would bump when you are cutting, that was the same issue on both the diesel and the rebar. When the rebar blades are deployed, I'm pretty sure it's more comfortable to use them with the handle closed up, and when the handle is closed up, you run into that bump problem. Nit-pickin, I know, but I had to.
I have been a Gerber person for a long time. I don't think you are s big fan of Gerber, and very cool with that.. I have this multi tool and also one of the mini multi tools too. Use them every day. I know earlier today, I said I may have to change from Gerber. I'm still giving that some thought. Thanks for the openess in the video..
nutn did you buy it? jus curious if you did buy it, why did you buy it if you did not like it that much? thanks.
Sorry nutnfancy I'm a great fan but just had a talk with a buddy about multi tool last night, and we found the gerber single hand deployment design design rocks
Why does gerber have to put serrations on every knife they make? It goes against them most of the time.....
I always thought those were like $35, for $70 they can **** them selves I will never buy this tool.
I love how impartial you are nutn, you can really tell when you hate something, I wouldn't have even been able to give this MDMT as good a review as you though, so you must of really been trying to be an impartial reviewer.
Thanks nutn.
I have an old one of these with the blunt nose pliers, I got it for free so I won't complain. Knife won't say sharp to save your life, the can opener works great though
The design of the Gerber Flik improves on some of the issues with the diesel while retaining the rapid deploy feature. Still has a few flaws, but at least the tools deploy outward from the handle, meaning the handle won't get in the way of cutting or sawing. Good wood saw for light tasks, btw.
I bent the cutters on my multi plier 600 same as yours and i sent a message to gerber and they sent me a whole new head assembly for free with upgraded carbide cutters. Im sure they would do the same for yours. I just got a leatherman juice due to one of your reviews and the tools are so dang tight in the handle the flatheads have cut my knuckle a few times trying to pull them out with my pointer finger nail.
I have no problem 1 hand opening a leatherman charge, as well as opening any of the tools and then closing the tool completely one handed...
Just pretend it's a butterfly knife, sort of... A good flick gets it started to roll it off your leg to completely open it. Some moly lube on the various operating parts tends to help a lot.
Im wonder why there is no review on the leatherman Surge? That one compares to the Victorinox swisstool RS.
Im sick from school today and when i saw you had a new video up my day automatically brightened :)
Hi Nutnfancy,
I purchased a leatherman surge not too long ago and have been using the main clip-point blade as an electricians knife as I have not gotten around to picking one up. I have noticed that the blade have very small chips along it. I would like to know the angle of the grind and the quickest possible fix. thank you.
also if Nutn could answer this not, Veri (his sister) that would be superb.
thank you again.
Never been a fan of the Gerber. I have one that was issued to my wife that she gave to me because she liked the Leatherman that I gave her better. I just cant get over the fact that you have to pull the pliers out every time you want to get a tool out.
Great points. I've loved mine but I've had a lot of the same quirky issues as you pointed out. Can't wait for that new leatherman! Thanks for the review.
I guess we all have different experiences, I broke 2 leathermans and have yet to break this gerber I've had for 4 years.
Hey Nut'n, totally digging the reviews, but I've got a question. Earlier on you said that you wouldn't review things you didn't like because you were so busy. Why the exception? Or are you giving us a heads up for a particularly nasty product if we're in the market?
In any case, keep up the excellent work!
I have a Leatherman Wave which I love. I almost got a S.O.G. Powerlock but I ended up with the Wave because I found it on clearance. I love it. I'm looking forward to Leatherman's new products and getting a Victorinox and that Powerlock eventually.
If you use the saw on the leatherman in the pliers fold position you have a more comfortable grip but you have the same problem like the diesel.
my only argument against what you did was the nail cutting. My leatherman wingman probably wouldn't go through nails either.
My employer gave me this MT to disassemble a machine. I agree with the "goofy-ness" of the deployment and tools. However, I ended up deploying the pliers by squeezing the locking buttons and allow gravity to drop the handles down, rather than trying to flick the pliers up. Good video, Nutn. Keep them coming. :)
Funny.. You gave the Gerber Diesel more air time the the Letherman Rebar.. Great job as always!
The Gerber Flik's tools are on the outside and are quick deploy able.
Nutn- That "open architecture uses a TORX driver not an allen wrench...I agree, I've always found the Gerber a little light duty. I use a Leatherman Super tool and I don't have to go to the toolbox for most things. It's ALMOST bulletproof! ...Good review, It frustrates me too.
Just a thought. If I were using the saw on the leatherman, I would most likely close the pliers which would result in the same issue of the handle in the way like the Diesel. I like the rebar more but just an observation. I prefer my Charge TTI over both of them though.
2 tabletop reviews in a row!?!?! haha loving it. great reviews as always
Also that tip on the main blade for the Diesel will easily snap off if used extensively.
are those blade serrations oddly similar to kershaw's, or is that just me?
By my experience, I don't think actual sawing is affected much by the orientation of the tools.. You can't saw with the handle of the MT anyways.. But, having the tools accessible from the outside like the Leathermans do does make for easier deployment.
Raise your hand if you have been cutting wire with one of these and pinched the living crap out of your hand or fingers between the handles........ It hurts really really really bad. I like how cheap these are, and the quick deployment pliers, but much prefer my Leatherman Charge TTi for versatility and metallurgy, they are just worlds apart in quality.
I don't know why, but as soon as you brought it out, I just wasn't diggin' the look at all. It could have all the capability in the world, but if it doesn't have any actual visual appeal to me, it's not gonna get picked up.
Thanks bro!
gerber have serations on most of thier nice blades its a real shame, i agree with you that if you are going to have serations, it needs to be a full blade of them
I wish you'd given this a better review, but everyone has their own tastes and biases. Thanks for the vid in any case. Keep up the good work!
I am very curious about the Gerber MP1. Heard many mixed reports. Any chance of a review?
I've had my Gerber Diesel like 6 years and it's been ok. I did manage to break off one of the tips of pliers a few years back. My next multi-tool will defiantly been a Leatherman.
It's absolutely true that the main blade on that multi tool sucks. It just doesn't look like a good cutting blade. And yes that multi tool has a host of problems.
I usually mess my multitool cutters up by trying to cut springs or high tinsel wire. You should use that as a test for the cutters on them.
Not a fan of that Diesel, but I do have a Gerber Freehand that seems to be MUCH better in terms of tool accessibility and primary blade. It is a bit more expensive but if you are set on getting a Gerber multitool (not sure why you would be) but the Freehand is a similar but more user-friendly version of the Diesel in my experience.
Nutn' where do you store/organize all your knives and multi-tools?
The Diesel is pretty bad. Not thought through well and too expensive. You can get a Gerber Suspension for 30 bucks that blows this thing away. Tight, fast, lightweight, internal spring, no abrupt grinds whatsoever, and the tools are accessible from the outside easily without chipping your fingernail. The flat and serrated blades are separated too, both with thumb studs. And the sheath has both vertical and horizontal orientation. I wish it had a file, though.
70 bucks for an inferior tool. Why?
Everybody knows that Gerber is second to every other major multitool manufacturer. Unless price is holding you back, there is no real reason you should by any gerber multitool in lieu of a leatherman, SOG, or Victorinox.
I find it puzzling that Gerber does not use the replaceable cutter blades since it was Gerber who was the first company to bring this feature to market in the late 90's with the Gerber Legend 800 multitool.... I know because i have one... Now discontinued ...Dont know why since imo it was gerbers best MT to date... I carried several Juice series after that and eventually picked up a Victorinox SwisstoolX and a Victorinox Spirit X a few years ago and found my perfect Multitool System....
You have to pull the plastic piece down when you you pull the tools out in order to avoid breaking your nails...
Great review. I own a Gerber Compact Sport Multi-Plier 400 that I got as a gift and I agree with pretty much everything you said. It's a very similar design, but with fewer tools because it's a smaller multi-tool.
I do have to say the scissors are awesome though!
I have a diesel and yes it sucks. The model 600 blunt nose version with the carbide cutter however rocks. I use mine every day and it does work very well. My POU for mine is straight up work tool.
Dang Nutn, you either woke up early or stayed up late to post this vid! I love the dedication!
It feels like you have a slightly one-sided preference to to leatherman. I have had my gerber multi-tool for about 10 years, and I love it. If I were to make reviews I would be the opposite of you on the multi-tool front. Good reviews though.
Would love to see an OHT review. I have a Gerber carry case similar to that on my duty belt. It is wearing and getting torn apart. It is getting looser and I worry the tool will fall out if the velcro gives at all. I would love to see an OHT with the molle case. thanks for sharing!
I carried a Diesel for a long time when I was younger. I really liked the number of tools on it, but the floppy pliers were kind of a downside. They never broke or anything but I just felt like it was kinda goofy to use. Switched to a SOG Powerlock, happy until I was thrashing on it pretty hardcore trying to do something, now the tool lockup on one arm is a bit unreliable, looking into the Leathermen, just so I can have one of each brand LOL.
I currently have the Gerber Crucial, was looking for a light weight MT for daily use. Honestly its a good tool. On that note though I bought one of the older version on clearance at Target it had a cork screw, and bottle opener instead of the caribiner which are pointless for me in my job. So I took it apart and removed those tools and replaced them with machine washers. Anyway I love some Gerber products, and Ive owned many and still own some. However for MT Leatherman all the way.
I think you are unfair against the blade. To me, the multi-tool blade is one that I am going to be using for completely different tasks than my knife, doesn't really make sense to have the same blade shape twice in your system ya know?
@ethr95awd
They have a couple of things like the folding gator that are the best thing you'd find at a box store, and for $25-$30 they aren't bad, but there multi tool and about 70% of there knives leave a lot to be desired. The only thing wrong with there wilderness tools is that you can go buy a fiskars sor 1/4 the price and it is the same tool but it doesn't sat gerber on it.
I have an older version of the diesel (don't remember the name) but basically the same tool, mine opens very easy and the pliers have a little play but nothing compared to the diesel, the cutters are easily damaged, but the blade design on the main cutter is a flat grind and has the emergency cutter but no saw,and mine came with a set of screw driver bits and adapter. All in all I like mine and after this review think the next mt I get will be a leather man ,don't really like the diesel configu
I love it when nutn keeps it real.
only things id get from gerber is a covert ii auto and a lmf ii infantry!
Gerber's accessory pouch is perfect for carrying a Leatherman.
Good look at the tool. I personally appreciate the rapid deployment, especially when fishing. For me, the Gerber beats the Leatherman but you make some good points against it. I will be buy the Diesel. Keep up the good videos.
have a gerber 600det multi tool its the diesel's big brother and more suited to militay and exposives det work , I found the 600det great , diesel is a cheap end multitool. in my opion for what its worth may be good as a backup
I have this and have had it for a while and wish I could find my leatherman wave because it's leagues above the Gerber
With exception of the scissors the Gerbers MT are only a small step above 1 dollar shop MT's in my opinion (love the exchangeable saw/file though)
Still with my Victorinox Swisstool Spirit. Amazing stainless steel, performing really well. If you intend heavy work, get the full size tool.
first time ive seen a nutnfancy video with no comments. but of course by the time mines posted there will be several
The sling open feature on gerbers is a mechanical waste of space in my opinion.
I can flip out my Wave pliers just as easily one handed butterfly knife style.
letherman and victorinox are making so good multi tools that I just can't understand why I should search for something else!
anyway great job with the table top.
That's a pretty nice medium leatherman. I agree about the scissors. Half of the time I'm using my WAVE, I'm using the scissors.
@74Hobbes Yeah me too Hobbes...I took a year and half trying to like it and just couldn't. I hope life is good with you my friend ;-)
I agree with almost everything you said but you mentioned the rescue cutter being a problem with the handle and all. However wouldn't that be ok considering the action that blade would see would be cutting up not down into a flat surface. You'd be cutting up away from a persons body either on jeans or a shoe or a seatbelt
With a little practice you can deploy my leather man wave almost like a Bali song
This very set of pilers is up for sale on Arizona Custom Knives right now. Signed and everything.
The 600 is certainly the better of Gerber's MT offerings and has feature the wire cutter inserts for at least a year now (mine has them).
I think part of the reason Gerber hasn't messed with updating their 10 year old MT sheaths is because the majority of the MTs that are military used are just fine being thrown on the larger 2" belt on BDUs and now ACUs and for anyone that wants it on their kit will throw it in a pistol/light/etc pouch. Thats my perception from the Army side of things, YMMV :P
Mine no longer locks the tools in place.. Very disappointing.
Crap. Years ago, a buddy & I went through no less than three similar Gerber MTs that failed in the same way. Normal use the jaw snaped off. That weird mystery steel.we didn't bother with warranty after that.
Picked up one several years ago for a real cheap price. Not a bad tool, but not even close to my Leatherman Super tool 300.
for me that pliers head sticking just doesn't work
My question is, how much did it cost you?
I stopped buying Gerber and went to Leatherman when Gerber started putting plastic in their multitools. The metal, spring loaded buttons were absolutely fine. Had a pair I used for five years that I LOVED. Steel blade was fantastic. Then, I lost mine camping with my son one year and went to replace it and was disappointed to see plastic.
Loving my Leatherman MUT!
Their smaller multitools such as the Dime/Splice/Clutch ect are really good
Ive owned the gerber multi tool for a few years now and its held up pretty good. I actually got it for free only reason I use it.. Now im goin to have to go buy a leatherman charge . Thanks! LoL
Ive handled alot of gerbers (for some reason my family thinks that gerber is the end all be all best....) and never really warmed up to them, just seem cheap and not well thought out.