I love Gerber and stand by them. I ended up going with the Leatherman do to its higher quality, proven performance, wider Range of tools and lighter weight. Gerber Center-Drive Multi-Tool with Berry-Compliant Sheath, Includes one 16 piece multi tool and a black U.S. made sheath, Gerber multitool offers 3.2 in. For those who only need a simple list of functions, this multi-tool is a beast when you need it. For a multi-tool it is practical to not always have to open it completely to reach the tools. The bit driver on the centre drive is better than on a leatherman. It is totally unacceptable how easy they are to break and how expensive they are to replace. My initial impression of the Leatherman is that it feels solid but surprisingly light for being made with stainless steel and Titanium. I had to e mail Leatherman to figure out they were spring loaded a certain way to work. Equipment Review: Multi-Tools Leatherman Wave vs Gerber Center-Drive. /Rttm%fH~ }iw:w To get that same range as the Center-Drive you need the individual Leatherman Bit Driver Extender. What I did not like There is not much. For example, I have had someone make fun of me when I grabbed my Leatherman to cut a branch down. Though it is more expensive I wanted one multitool I could use for everything and this one has proven it self over and over to me. I may give the Center Drive another try someday, but for now I'm completely content with the design and durability of my Wave. I agree that I like the blades on the inside when using pliers. hb{YjTM0h=@. What is a Spey Blade and What is it Used For. vm fm5l*SN7Nd&O! 3 |!M d00K Un, 3qWE VL2Ll`k)ug.gR#~J]!d>(I:YXAwudX,kM $C6XT&I+TyjGR$9730emab~#8f5i3!"Swj"9&lM)X-isS&\,YLg5J: s@jcSrh` *,$KEjYX{A\A5nMlGSD]]]\!24fCD9KaJd)$L& 7J&s3KM;IV It does have a nice blade on the outside though there are an awful lot of reports of it breaking off. Not sure how I feel about the sliding to access the plyers, but it is something that concerns me a bit. Personally, Gerber wins again here. This just what I expected. The plier head is an awkward shape, and the prybar is completely useless as designed--yet it takes up a significant amount of space that could have been occupied by tools that are actually useful. The one area where Gerber beats Leatherman is one-handed opening. The Leatherman Charge Plus Titanium barely pulled out a victory in this category due to its lighter weight.. There are also other models on the market with an additional bit set, or with other tools. The wire cutters on the Leatherman are made from steel, those on the Gerber are made from tungsten carbide. No productivity is sacrificed with the addition of a longer outboard blade and one-thumb opening sliding jaws. Granted, I don't have a very good opinion of Gerber, but the Centerdrive seems like a rather dumb gimmick - it takes up a lot of space, reducing the available tools, and if the screwdriver is that important to you, you'd probably be better served by carrying a dedicated screwdriver w/ bits. It still feels perfectly at home in your pocket while youre in the field. Lastly, the weight is excellent at 8.5 oz. By contrast, Leatherman is much more consistent with its quality. Still i dont feel right not having one on my side !! That is something that does occasionally occur with the Leatherman Wave Plus. During his career, he has worked at some of the most well-known adventure brands including Patagonia and The North Face in marketing, operations and product development. I have had the tool replaced 2 times in 20 years and have not had to send in the receipt. The customer service from Leatherman is excellent. No charge no questions and no proof of purchase required. They will either fix your multi-tool or replace it no questions asked! The no-questions-asked warranty is another reason to choose Leatherman. Zach currently lives in Wyoming with his wife and 2 kids. Its got a knife, pliers, cutters, bottle opener and more all jammed into that little package. What other tools are important to you? With roots in Portland, Oregon, Leatherman was established in 1983, putting quality and efficiency at the forefront. One straight edge and one serrated. LifeStraw Or PureWell? Maybe it was lack of imagination. I am sure it works well where it excels. However, in general, I prefer Leatherman multi-tools. The best part of the suspension is how light it is and how high quality the tools inside are. Remember, a multi-tool is only as good as it is useful to you. The plyers do not spring shut. Please try again. And this has gone on for years. They are as slim as the leatherman. And I have recently purchased the Gerber center drive just waiting for it to come in. It is easily accessible and is much easier to use that the Leathermans. Each brand has a few select tools which stand out both in terms of quality, build and user reviews. Gerber got its start in 1930 in Portland, Oregon. No compromises in no time. Sounds like you are a happy customer thanks for the heads up. Its your choice. My only Leatherman complaint is the tools are getting bigger, heavier, and more expensive. However, a lot of their cheaper models are made in China. If you dont use the knife much, then this isnt an issue. Common considerations when comparing Leatherman to Gerber come down to these three areas: A multi-tool can last a decade or more depending on use and without properly understanding how to compare them, youre likely to waste over $100 bucks without considering some of these factors. Sent it in and they sent me a new one. This is going to vary depending on the specific tool in question. Multi-tools must be used responsibly! Not by a lot, but enough that it is noticeable. He asked me because not only do I love research, I have also tried many link to What Is The Best Survival Straw? What do you think of it. The tool comes with two knives (one straight edge and one serrated). This section will look at the top-selling products from both companies, helping consumers narrow down their choices between Leatherman and Gerber. They both boast one handed opening of all tools, and I found that to be true, although the Leatherman did seem smoother. Many enthusiasts will swear allegiance to one brand or the other. They were very sorry that they didnt have the parts to repaur my knife as it was an old model, so they sent me a new one. As well as a significantly better serrated blade in my opinion. The bit driver is top notch, the pliers are nice, and I find the knife to be great for a multi tool. Its not always easy to figure out what to buy but hopefully, my experiences with the tools helped you make a better decision. However, it is no longer American-owned. Shipping costs depend on order amount and shipping destination. One-thumb opening sliding jaws deliver instant command of the spring-loaded pliers, so you can take control of whatevers at hand. The Suspension is a super reasonably priced tool with a lifetime warranty. Closed length: 2.5 inchesWeight: 2.56 ouncesWarranty: 25 YearsX-Factor: 10 ToolsRatings: 3,165, Closed length: 4.25 inchesWeight: 2.2 ouncesWarranty: LifetimeX-Factor: 12 ToolsRatings: 8,414. That is a big difference and you can feel it when you pick up the tool. Youll have to ship the tool along with proof of purchase to their shop in Oregon. The Gerber Diesel is a beast of a tool in its own right and feels rock solid in the hand. Leatherman seems to take the jack of all trades approach and doesnt necessarily excel at in any one part over the other, SpecificationsLength: 4 inchesWeight: 5 ouncesBlade length: 2.6 inchesWarranty: 25 YearsX-Factor: Hanging ClipRatings: 3,452, SpecificationsOverall length: 6.61 inchesClosed length: 4.92 inchesWeight: 8.6 ouncesWarranty: LifetimeX-Factor: NoneRatings: 1,730. Build Quality: 8/10Price: 7/10Warranty: 9/10User Reviews: 8.5/10. There are, however, also versions of the Center-Drive with scissors. Having a multi tool conveniently located on your keychain will never go out of style. I called Leatherman and they said send it in. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. Outside of the USA, the warranty is for 25 years. This hasnt even arrived but Im leaving a review as this is my 2nd one. With the Center-Drive, you can just slide a tool out and start chopping like a life long pro. But until now, no multi-tool has ever given you a full-size driver on the center axis with a standard bit. Not a good EDC IMO. As the name might already suggest the special Center-Drive screwdriver is the highlight of the Gerber multi-tool. For those who are stuck on the Leatherman vs Gerber here, the Center-Drive was my pick and it should be yours too! Practical about the Gerber Center Drive is the fact that it has pliers you can easily open with one hand. A unique screwdriver, Plyers, needle nose plyers, wire cutter, can opener, bottle opener, a holder for a spare bit (for the screwdriver, a set of screwdriver bits, and a nice case for the tool and the spare bits. This is a broad topic so I will keep it as brief as I can. The innovative center-axis driver opens to align like a real screw driver, yielding maximum torque and rotation. Having said that, I rarely (if ever) have needed more than the two-headed bit that comes with the Wave. The full size standard bit driver allows you to interchange your Center-Drive bits with all the bits you already own. The website might not work correctly. One of your strengths for a Leatherman is a weakness to me. They remain the largest, but Gerber does come really close to Leatherman's showpiece with the Center-Drive. Some of the pliers even have a bit of wobble in them. The knife-edge gets dull quickly. The Gerber is MUCH bigger, and doesn't have a pocket clip. Lets start off by comparing the flagship model for each brand, the Wave and the Center Drive, Closed length: 4 inchesWeight: 8.5 ouncesPrimary blade length: 2.9 inchesWarranty: 25 YearsX-Factor: NoneRatings: 2,612, Closed length: 4.7 inchesWeight: 9.5 ouncesPrimary blade length: 3.25 inchesWarranty: LifetimeX-Factor: Awesome ScrewdriverRatings: 449. As such tightening screws is a lot easier. Both are great tools to rely on in your pocket, and both have a super useful bottle opener. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. With the Center-Drive it feels just like a regular full-sized screwdriver. As the most popular Leatherman product, the Wave is one you will find in many packs, toolkits, and pockets around the world. You didnt cover the military Gerber mt I have the MP400 and the MP600 both are durable and strong. After 20 years with my Leatherman wave, I tweaked the hinge on the blade by hammering on it with a log to split another log. Where the Center-Drive really shines is in the screwdriver. If the wire cutters of the Leatherman are blunt you can easily take them out and replace them. All rights reserved. Zach Belmont has been working in the outdoor apparel industry in one form or another for over 20 years. Center Drive is pretty good. And yet there are differences between the two. Holds edge decent and is of a good size and easily deployed. Now 35% OFF! 15 full color in-depth survival, off grid and prepping guides. The bit holder is also long and narrow to make sure you can also reach hard-to-reach places. Some Gerber products are gimmicky (their Bear Grylls line, in particular, comes to mind). In everyday use, I have rarely, if ever been let down by the Leatherman, but I have already reached for the Gerber when trying to fix a minor issue with a kitchen tool and it could not help with the tools included. The one thing it does not come with is a selection of bits for the screwdriver. When we look at the Leatherman bit holder, we can see that it has room for Leatherman's flat head bits. You have an outdated webbrowser. The Leatherman Skeletool is a tiny multi-tool that packs a big punch. They are easier to hold in the hands, and the tools are more accessible. SpecificationsClosed length: 3.8 inchesWeight: 7 ouncesPrimary blade length: 2.6 inchesWarranty: 25 YearsX-Factor: NoneRatings: 5,696, SpecificationsOverall Length: 6 inchesWeight: 9 ouncesClosed length: 3.5 inchesWarranty: LifetimeX-Factor: Super LightweightRatings: 8,864. We will explain. I think be my Leatherman Skeletool CX, I've looked at it. Compared to Gerber, Leatherman has a slight edge in fit and finish over Gerber, but Gerber wins with its lifetime warranty. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2022, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, UMEINAC Multitool Pen, 7 in 1 Multitool Tech Tool Pen for Men, Construction Tools Gadget Stocking Stuffers Gifts for Dad Husband Father - Silver, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Gerber has origins in Oregon. I like the additional length. A flip of the wrist, or a flick of the thumb, delivers instant command of these spring-loaded pliers, so you can take control of whatever's at hand. It seems like a lot of moving parts that are unnecessary. I've read that the center drive just doesn't hold up. In this Leatherman versus Gerber showdown, I want to go beyond the brand name loyalty and get into the nitty-gritty details of which makes one better than the other. In 1987, the Finnish company Fiskars bought them. Is it worth the loss of other functions. If youve ever used a mutlitool screwdriver you know how cumbersome those can be to use. After trying both tools, I stuck with my Leatherman Wave. If I had to choose between the two I would go with the Wave. The hinges on My Gerber MP600 broke after 27 years sent it in and the replaced it no questions no P.O.P even sent it with a new sheath which I no longer had. Screwdriver on the center drive is awsome everything else sucks everything on the wave is good if you are using your screwdriver enough for it to matter then put a Klein 11in1 in your bag, New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Weightier, yes. Created in 1939, Gerber has long been a trusted name for innovative outdoor gear. What are the advantages of both tools? Both companies occupy huge spaces within the industry of multi-tools, offering a ton of top-quality products. Copyright 2021 EDC Ninja. The bottom line? I bought a new Wingman tool for my BOB. A multitool isn't supposed to replace "real" tools, it's supposed to work well enough for those times when you don't have convenient access to "real" tools. center axis driver that aligns like a screwdriver for maximum torque, Spring loaded pliers are easy everyday carry with one-thumb opening sliding jaws, Tool set has basic edc gear like 3.25 in. None of the tools are as easily accessible as the knives and plyers on the Leatherman. However, I would recommend a Gerber multi-tool (especially if one-handed opening is important for you) but only if it was a model made in the USA. All you need to do is turn the tool 180 degrees in your hand to get to the other knife, depending on how you grabbed the tool in the first place). Brand InsightsOne thing Ive noticed is that Gerber tends to build its tools around a singular specific function. I'm in market for a multitool with changeable bits. I have given both a full run down and I like the feel of the Leatherman in my hand much more. Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. Gerber tools are manufactured globally. It has a diamond file, mini screw driver, scissors, and saw. I had a leatherman for years but lost it. I simply like to have the option in case it is needed. As I said, the Leatherman weighs 8.5 oz. EDCNinja is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. In order to make the decision easier for YOU, I purchased a few common Leatherman tools and a few popular Gerbers and then spent a week with them all while backpacking with my brother in Jackson Hole. Having said that, Im not an expert and I am going only on my own experiences and the research I have done. Another design issue I have with Gerber is that, with many models, you have to open up the pliers to access the knife. Also, the Gerber when stowed is a much more comfortable size. Get right down to business. Once again, Id have to go with Leatherman for this. Gerber: Within the USA, Gerber offers a limited lifetime warranty. Dont blame the manufacturer for breakage caused by improper use. I have had a Gerber Legend for 20 years and finally broke the hinge on the pliers After 10 years using them every day. Leatherman: Offers a 25-year warranty on their products. The MP600 has replacement wire cutter blades. I am listing the weight of the tool here only because of it relative to the Leatherman. But more compact than the Leatherman equivalent. . This seems like a minor annoyance, but it is a bit cumbersome and frankly annoying to have to reset the plyers every time you try to grab something. Gerber came up with a solution: a long bit holder with a kink in it to make sure it will sit exactly on the axis of the multi-tool. In general, Leatherman is pricier than Gerber. Even the tools that seem like throw-ins to make the Wave seem more impressive have proven useful. I do not think you will be disappointed taking either on the trail, but now that I have both and have a choice, I still reach for the Leatherman. But you get what you pay for! Looking for pros and cons of both. Here we would like to emphasize that in this case we used the basic version of the Center-Drive. Heavy enough to know you have a well made tool in your hand, but not something that will make you regret taking it on a hike. The only Leatherman product which really lives up to one-handed opening is their OHT model. This is the BEST thing thats ever happened to multi-tools. What are the differences, Spyderco Delica 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Edge Pro Apex vs KME Precision Knife Sharpening System, Wicked Edge Generation 3 Pro vs TSPROF K03, Spyderco Endura 4 vs Spyderco Paramilitary 2, Spyderco Paramilitary 2 VS Benchmade 940 Osborne, Spyderco Para 3 vs Benchmade 945 Mini Osborne, Leatherman Wave Plus multi-tool, nylon sheath, Gerber Center-Drive multitool, 31-003173N, Leatherman Wave Plus mult-itool black, nylon sheath, Gerber Center-Drive Plus multi-tool, leather sheath and bit set 30-001599, Small bit holder (screwdriver for glasses). When I tried to get the scissors to work I thought they were broke. Weve definitely mentioned SOG products in other knife and tool posts. Make sure you dont overpay by using the links in this review to figure out the cheapest prices in your area. I love the concept of the Center Drive, but IMO it was very poorly designed. Good to hear Tony, most people seem pleased with Gerbers after sales service. And they have a tendency to slip unless you hold them just right. tj@E Because it is a limited warranty, they wont replace or fix damaged tools due to misuse or abuse. I consider the three to be the trinity. Versatile with the multi bit kit. It has a great pair of spring-loaded pliers but the plier handles are really far apart when open. There are features that one may have over the other that I find critical that you may feel are irrelevant and visa versa.