Gerber Diesel Multi-tool by Nutnfancy
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- Lots of downsides in this MDMT for me. The Gerber Diesel just doesn't connect with me for lots of reasons, shown in this short review. Maybe it's the funky, thin half-serrated Wharncliffe main blade situated in the wrong orientation on the handle. But then there's the harder to deploy pliers (any torsion on handles will prevent deployment), short shank drivers, a file with no milling on the bottom, a small cap lifter and can opener, and all are hard to get out. Upsides include a good saw and scissors. The wiggly plier head does not inspire confidence and the cutters were damaged with my nail cut test. It seems a fair amount compromise is invoked in the Diesel with the snap-out pliers. The nylon sheath is good but is not MOLLE compatible and it can't hold the multi-pliers in extended position. Value is fair with this MDMT at around $70. But given the downsides and this pricing level, I'd much rather spring for the new for 2012 Leatherman OHT (superior design), a Charge, Wave, or Victorinox Spirit than the Diesel./////////////////////Nutnfancy Likability Scale: 5 out of 10
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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...
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.
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.
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!
With a little practice you can deploy my leather man wave almost like a Bali song
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 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.
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.
@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 ;-)
Too much talking and what is this review for? Leather-man or Gerber. Son you talk way toooooo much which is a turn off to most people. as is to me.
I guess we all have different experiences, I broke 2 leathermans and have yet to break this gerber I've had for 4 years.
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 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.
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!
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.
canadian forces issued hahah hate that thing just got myself a leatherman mut
FYI, Gerber introduced replaceable hard wire cutters for MTs on the MP600 Multiplier and MP700 Urban Legend tools.
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.
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.
Would i buy one? No
Will i be super happy with one for free? HECK YEA
I love it when nutn keeps it real.
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.
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.
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.
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!
The easiest way to get the fiddlely bits opened up on a gerber with that crappy locking system, is to disengage the safety lock as you are pulling the bit in question out.
Too bad gerber won't make the old school first generation model again, you couldn't break them, only lose, or have someone walk off with them.
Love your videos nutn but its a tool. It's not made for elegance it's made for work. At least it doesn't pinch the fire of you when using the pliers.
Mine no longer locks the tools in place.. Very disappointing.
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've been daily carrying the diesel for years (still carrying). i dig it.
@GARUDAZERO123
Totally agree. I have an assisted-opening Gerber knife that's just awesome, but I flat-out stopped carrying my Gerber MT after I got a Leatherman Kick as a gift.
I am very curious about the Gerber MP1. Heard many mixed reports. Any chance of a review?
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.
I have to disagree and say that the value rates at "poor," in my opinion. 70 bucks for that thing is INSANE. Given the downsides that you mentioned, I'd say about $30 at the most. As you said, for 70, a Leatherman would be a much better buy.
I have had my Gerber multi-tool since 2001, bought it when i completed Basic. I have used it a lot. Do not have any problems with it. I like the Gerber MT. The one being reviewed does not seem to impressive.
I have used Gerber's and Leatherman's for year.. Im a crew chief and I prefer the Gerber cause I can open it with one hand.. which lots of times I only have one hand free.. your attempts to open the tools on the inside reminds me of oj and his glove..they have never been that hard to open..
"OJ and his glove" Hah. Great. There's a lot of OJ gloving on TH-cam.
Their smaller multitools such as the Dime/Splice/Clutch ect are really good
may my hip never be naked of a Leatherman Wave!
Still with my Victorinox Swisstool Spirit. Amazing stainless steel, performing really well. If you intend heavy work, get the full size tool.
never liked gerber much. Too many other great options for the same price...sometimes less.
can you make a MT continuum but the folding knife continuum.
tell you what, I'll review it tonight...
Leatherman OHT, problem solved. One handed opening, you can use tool from the outside.
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
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!
@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 don't see why you guys are saying he's being bias he is making valid points and I've had these same problems with the Gerber diesel, but yes he is being a little to hard about what he doesn't like and what he does, like the serration yeah it isn't that nice but but it can help depending the job at hand, just because its not useful to nutnfancy doesn't have a use for it doesn't mean it wont have a use for someone else, me i think his review makes a lot of great points and criticisms just take it with a grain of salt
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. :)
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 received my Gerber when I was Deployed 2 years ago were "great." Why? Because it was free and a great paper weight! Gerbers are cheap in many ways, and that's why the Army issues them.
Great review Nutn!
Being a high HP diesel freak I really wanted to like this MT....NOPE!
Leatherman Charge (I like the looks and the S-30V blade of the TTI) STill the best all around MMT
Peace
How do you feel about the bear grylls survival knifes?
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....
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 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 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.
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?
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 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'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.
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..
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 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!
@badjujuR6 I agree. I like their non-serrated blades, though. One thing I like about Gerber fixed and folders is that you can get a decent design for cheap, and there is often a non-serrated option. However, I am talking about their simple designs. Personally, though, I tend to like simple designs, they tend to be cheaper, and there is usually less to go wrong 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.
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!
Gerber...meh...At least they're stocked at wal-mart, serving people more efficiently.than $5 chinese crap knives.
But hey, most people that realize "whoa, this gerber knife works well as compared to my chinese POS. I wonder what else is good out there?" end up with Kershaws (at first) and upwards. Well, that's what happened to me.
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.
Sorry... not really digging the Diesel. =\
Thanks for the great review though, and all your hard work.
@sasquatch4liffee Yeah me too.. it was a little strange. I decided to watch and comment afterwards.
@turningandknives Everyone is a brand buyer. If something fits your purpose and it's done right, you would go back and buy more.
Tell me you wouldn't buy a Nissan again if it drove 50,000 miles and all it needed were Oil changes and then a new set of tires at the end.
@KiloSierraAlpha where it's made is pointless, what matters is the company that pays for manufacturing keeps a level of quality control, because if gerber said since it has to be very high quality and meet this and that they would have much higher quality products i'm sure.
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.
if they're on ebay for 15 bucks used I say there worth it.
a buck is a head head hit in the back so say dollars
+Reilly Millar it's just a way we say money man.
+Schroeder_2000 fine fine fine I know I live in new Zealand ha ha ha ✌✌✌
ya man i got the leatherman wave in the truck and i love. I have used the Gerber Diesel my buddy has one and I did not like it all that much I prefer the wave. But I do really want to get the leatherman wingman. For 70$ bucks no thanks
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
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.
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.
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.
@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.
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?
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.
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.
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 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.
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
Good review. Not impressed with this model at all. I own a SOG and I am relatively happy with it all around. I will probably try the Gerber MT next. Again thanks for saving us all the money.
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.
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.
Looks like it SUCKS!!!! I had a Gerber over ten years ago and it looks the same. The biggest problem I had was when using the pliers you can pinch the CRAP out of your fingers!!!!!!
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 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
gerber diesel SUUUUUCKSSS i had it through a deployment ...way to hard to deploy the tools ..pliers are way to bulky and weak
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
@143yamaha kershaw, SOG, spyderco. get one of each and they will shit all over the gerbers. i was making the same argument as you once, but i have seen the light.
to be fair to gerber, I tore apart the wire cutters on my wave in no time. With that said leatherman multitools are something me and nutnfancy see eye to eye on
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.
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.
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