I was issued mine over 10yrs ago. Served me well in the navy seabees while deployed to Afghanistan. It's a great make due tool. Civilian life it serves me well working in a mechanic shop and when I'm out camping. It's been a good companion.
I've carried a SAK since 87. I got a Gerber 600 after I saw the movie Blown Away. I carried them both while in the Army as a paratrooper. Now I farm and still carrie both every day. They compliment each other perfectly. I had a Leatherman before while in the Army but it felt clumsy to me. I think of my gerber as my light saber. Gerbers warranty is great. No problems at all.
I was military, waaaay before the started issuing anything like this, I had my own trusty original Leatherman that I took to Iraq with me, ended up breaking one of the plier arms, when I came back, sent it to Leatherman and received a brand new upgraded version with out a problem, I now own several multi tools, charge, oht, mut, wave, supertool, and the centerdrive, plus a sog powerplay and a no name brand that I leave out for the family (haha) Aaron, great channel, great reviews (your channel is the reason I bought the centerdrive) have a blessed day.
I know it's been a while since you wrote this comment but I'm in the market for a new multi-tool, trying to switch from the old school Leatherman. You've had experience with all the ones that you listed so I'm interested in your thoughts. Right now I'm a remodeling contractor but want to use my multi-tool for small quick screws and prying. The blade doesn't matter as much because I always have a quality pocket knife. What is your experience concerning the use of a multi-tool that has a decent Philips head screwdriver, quick deployment of screwdriver and a pry tool / large bladed flat head, and a plier head that works decently on nuts and bolts. The quality of cutters contained in the plier head are of concern to me also for quick wire stripping and cutting. The pliers will be used for quick things like toilet bolts and other things of that size. When I say quick deployment, one handed use would be nice but not mandatory. By the way, also ex-military before those were used. We all bought leathermans also.
@@gideonstactical It's a common issue in AMXS units also. No to shit on combatives, but any on the go trade use will destroy them before a combat MOS will thanks to constant use. Have two, one since 2013 (stainless) that was in my everyday pack and goes with my TDY, another in nitride I was issued in KAF last fall that I barely use. The Serrated blade, small knife and file wear quickly to where I would not depend on them as my primary cutting or filing tools. The needle nose version is weak at the tips and will eventually snap from twisting force and the plastic locks are prone to reaction with some oils (which will dry them out leaving them feel hollow like cheap Chinese plastic toys before breaking.) Also I found the can opener to be to short, with too long of a mounting lug) for good leverage in making a pouring spout on aluminum cans without piercing the side. Also the crosstip head screwdriver is a joke as two of the four prongs are to short to avoid skipping on partially stripped (or seized) screws. Oh and the pliers teeth are too shallow to grip a hex or square nut properly. My job is as a crew chief on heavies. Common use for the tool is Screws, Airlocks, Ripping zipties, as a make shift punch, Oil and Hydrualic Cans, pulling broken bulb parts etc. Good for quick easy "im already here" fixes, but doesn't not replace proper tools on jobs that would normally call for them.
I’ve had quite a few multi tools but ever since i was issued the MP600 I always find myself going back to it. It has done every task I could ever ask of it. Once I broke my first one I got a new one the next day. Great for Military and LE duties
Had a buddy call up Gerber asking if they could fix his Gerber and they sent him a brand new one for being military. Didn’t need to send his broken one in or anything. Unless your unit has a lot of these they can just give out, call Gerber before you request one from supply.
Leatherman does that for everyone. My dad was military 32 years. Wouldn't replace his Gerber this same model cause of a broken knife. Nor send a replacement blade. Wonder why your buddy got special treatment or is just a liar. Gerber sucks.
@@Mikey-ym6ok That's a load of horse shit! I sent my GERBER in with a broken file on it and they sent me two, that's right 2, brand new ones. Then a few weeks later I got my original one back with a new file and new blades all sharpened up, oiled up and ready to Rock-N-Roll. I wear one every day and wouldn't leave the house without one. This summer I sent a request, because my original belt pouch was finally tattered and frayed, they immediately sent me a knew one. You're wrong about GERBER. They rock. All my Grandsons will have a GERBER when they are old enough to appreciate it. I've had both GERBER and Leatherman and I can tell you, I prefer the GERBER. The Leatherman was clunky and the handle was turned the wrong way, so that when you tried to use the pliers, the metal would bite into your hand. Yeah, the Leatherman stayed behind, with the rest of the pogs, while my GERBER literally saved my bacon many of my deployments. Sometimes, it was the only tool I had with me and that's why the file got broken in the first place. We would show up on site and our equipment was still at the dock, on the ship, or some other lame @$$ excuse, and the mission had to get done. My original spends its days in a place of honor now, but occasionally I take it out and use it.
Awesome...my pliers broke in Afghanistan 2010 and I LOVE this multi tool. The military version has different wire cutters and different pliers with different ark on the teeth.
@@Mikey-ym6ok Gerber sent me the MP600 for free. I had never owned one before and my military time had been over for 20+ years. They did this to replace a suspension plier tool that had broke.
@zay hi I take it since he came back and used it in camping that he probably liked it. I've got one and I love it. Bought it at a pawn shop for 10 bucks. The blade is snapped off of it....but that's no big deal....I'm always packing three edged tools anyway. I like it so much if I lose it I'll go out and get another one ASAP. They're pretty dang good for the money. You can buy better....of course.....but you're gonna pay for it.
Firstly I want you to know I'm giving you a thumbs up for making this video and I appreciate your effort :-) I got my first one after basic training in Swedish navy and it's been on my hip every day for about 20 years now. I think I'm on my 5th now, the rest have either been stolen, traded or gifted away but never got a new one because it broke. One of them got a bit bent when I cut a thick nail but still worked and did what it was supposed to. Throwing it in the air or spreading some dirt over it is not really a test for this tool ... the best test is to always have it with you and see how it will always be there for you if you're fixing a vehicle, something at home or just opening a beer. If you flick it out the upper edge of the plier is great for opening beer bottles ;-) PS: I have carried some of the more commercial models also but never really felt comfortable with them so this is what I always carry.
Air Force issued mine in 1992, carried ever since. Stripped one of the Allen screws that hold the pliers and contacted Gerber about replacement screws. A few days later, got a whole new MP600 in the mail. Awesome!
I did electrical apprentice for 4 years. I quit tired of being out of town all of the time. I mean all of the time. Good to see you didn't discard the tool just because it didn't say Leatherman.
My dad bought me one of these on sale at Dick’s and it quickly became my most used tool. It’s been through a ton of projects and bolt gripping and has done an awesome job!
I was issued mine in February 2004 used it on everything from weapons maintenance working on the HUMMVE and working on my tank. Used it to punch holes in illegal gasoline tanks. Used it in hand to hand always going in a house or a group of people you open the knife blade first. I still have my original issue one here in March 2022 over 18 years. The hater’s are going to hate if you don’t like Gerber great love Leatherman great love SOG great. Getting this issued along with Applegate Fairborn 10” folding knife changed my mind. Both are great at they designed for. I used Leatherman products before and after being issued the MP 600. I gave my Leatherman’s away or broke them and got the famous you were doing something that it wasn’t designed for do you want to buy a new one. This tool and Applegate Fairborn folding knife turned me on to the USA built Gerber products. The Center Drive Plus, the Strongarm serrated and non-serrated the Prodigy both serrated and non-serrated, the LMF II (in green like my call sign Green Three), the smaller Applegate Fairborn’s with lock and fast deployment, the 06 and the big bad Boker Rex Applegate Fairborn fixed blade boot dagger and so much more USA made Knives 🔪.
Gerber is slacking!! Its 2018 almost and this thing still has no drone, smartphone, cooler, tv remote or wifi hotspot? But above all no pop-up tent ?? LoL good review tho
I have the bluntnose version and so far it's been a very very solid tool. Pretty much bombproof. I've taken it camping, for day hikes and to work many times. Where it really shines though, is at work. For a dedicated camp tool, I would go for something else with a knife that is more accessible and preferably something with a saw too.
I will also mention that I used to own the Leatherman Rebar, but eventually gave that away. I kept this one. I used this tool way more, mostly thanks to the one-handed opening of the pliers and whatnot. It only takes a couple of extra seconds to unfold the Rebar, but that was all it took to just not want to get it out of the pocket at work etc. Also, the pliers on the bluntnose version are just better, perhaps not for detail work, but for grabbing stuff they can't be beaten. The teeth are enormous on the bluntnose version and it opens very VERY wide. Also, the very wide nose makes it easier to get a solid grip on objects.
Literally every single NCO in my engineer unit carries one of these things, and they’ve all had them for years. The high praise these things get from the guys that have “been there” has prompted me to check it out!
Never been military, but I carried the mp600 from 1997-2019. Its a great multi tool. I have the stainless version of the one he did the review of. Only reason I stopped carrying it is I upgraded to the center drive.
I've been issued several. They were more often lost than broken. We got a new one for each deployment and I was never under the impression that they were indestructible. Everyone had one an ideally you were never alone so if one broke, you were never without a tool.
That was a thorough review. Thanks. As someone who almost always carries a SAK (with openers), I wound love to see more MT's replace their can/bottle openers and perhaps at least one knife blade with other options like a reamer, wood saw, hack saw, etc; as options. They could make a few that are SAK companions.
Great review, fren! I own both the Leatherman Wave+ and I just bought the Gerber MP600 with replaceable wire cutter blades. They are both great tools. The Leatherman is slick and shiny and works great. The Gerber is flat black and works great. If you are looking for a tactical multitool, I would choose the Gerber. By the way, I LOVE the one-handed opening of the Gerber!
I have this multitool and it's tough!! It's a great tool and I like it better than any Leatherman. Some people complain that the MP600 rattles but it's the design but that's what makes it tough. Leatherman tried to copy this tool with the OHT but failed miserably. The MP600 is an older Gerber tool but it still stands the test of time. I still carry mine even though I have the Center Drive and other multitools, I love the MP600's simplicity and I have a bit kit and it has become my super tool of choice that I carry as my EDC. I highly recommend the MP600. It's the toughest and very light, I keep mine in my pocket.
I was issued one, I used the shit out of it. It IS more of a light duty tool, I snapped the pliers, knowing I was pushing it's limits and using it for something it wasn't meant for.. but still I was glad I had it. I do like leatherman.. but the 1 handed open to the pliers won our division over to get some. No complaints for what it was made for, light duty knick-knack odd uses that happened on the fly. Wire cutters worked fine, just don't get stupid with it lol.
Love your reviews and I had one of these 20 plus years ago and it was awesome. Traded it away and bought another one which broke on the first use taking a small bolt off a bike tire. I sent it in to Gerber and was told that I had misused it and they would not replace it or repair it. Funny to watch it get tossed around like a tennis ball and still work when the plier head broke in half on mine with the apparent misuse of turning a half inch bolt head.
That's also why Leatherman asks $20-25 dollars more per tool over their competition. To help pay for warranty issues. Not saying they don't have great customer service. We collectively pay for it though.
I bought mine back in 2006 in deployment in MFO, Sinai. It still works however I used it for fixing MTB on field, disassembling weapon, opening Russian type ammo crates (those are two weld-closed metallic crates in a metallic sealed wooden crate) and so on. The knife blade’s material is a bit soft - easy to re-sharpen but doesn’t keep it’s sharpness too long. The smallest flat screwdriver was damaged but its end was easily re-shaped by a simple file. Literally this tool was everywhere with mi in the world and it’s still in good condition. Not as precise as a Leatherman but durable.
I had the pleasure of using one in Afghanistan in 2011. Had to give it back when I left the Army though. It was... okay. It wasn't there for heavy daily use for us, but occasionally came in handy.
I was issued mine in the army back in September 05 it lasted until today which is 12/29/20 so 16 yrs and I have carried it every day and fixed I can’t tell you how many weapons ranging from the m16/m4 to the m2 50 cal and many other things since then and I will be buying another one to replace it, I love my gerber
I have one of these and it works great as an EDC option. You nailed the pros and cons in my opinion. The Feature set indeed matches that of the Gerber I was issued when Active Duty. I had mine for a while now and find it to be a great choice in this price point of $40. Keep up the great vids!
For survival the only thing you really need is a decent knife and Flint and magnesium. I spent 2 weeks out in the woods with those two things, a steel pot to boil and fishing hook with 5 lbs test line. As well as sleeping bad. But yeah for tools only a knife
So my Buddy came back from OIF 3 (he was a Military Policeman ) and handed me two Gerber Suspensions Brand New in the Original Packages. I asked him why, and he said Supply was throwing them away because his Unit was getting the MP600. Then he showed me his. He LOVED it because if he needed to do "Kubaton Work" while trying to subdue a Prisoner, it was just a Flick of the Wrist, and a few seconds later, Problem Solved. He then proceeded to demonstrate on me. He still has his on his Reserve Police Belt. So add "Self Defense" to the list. Oh, I put the Suspensions into my Wife and mine's Bug Out bags. They work Okay. Nothing to write home about. Take Care.
Incase anyone wasn't in the military.... this bad boy has to have extensive maintenance. By extensive maintenance, I mean that when it starts acting up just drop it in a bucket of JP-8 and use it harder!
My MP600 lives in my range bag, rarely used but there if I need it. Surge for backpacking/camping. Wave+ for EDC. $10 Husky for anyone other than me to use and abuse!!!
The military version has different pliers that has 3 X changeable carbide wire cutters, and a different ark on the center "bolt teeth" of the pliers themselves. ......And the version I'm talking about is EXACTLY the same as the one in this vid, except the pliers themselves. Btw, I BEAT THE HELL out of mine (reg HARD use) for years and I still use it. Its actually right next to me now, ...still with the Afghan dirt it came home with ..lol.
The difference between this version and the actual issue Gerber multi tool is the wire cutter teeth were replaceable with a small Allen wrench, it was very hard to wear the wire cutter teeth out but when and if you were capable of that Gereber would send free replacements.
Ayyyyy, I have mine strapped to my belt right now. I remember a Drill SGT using his to hammer a stuck pin out of an M249 during an FTX, pulling a pin out of an M240B with mine, cutting C-Wire, adjusting my aimpoint (flathead), hammering nails and cutting open boxes at a Point of Distribution in Puerto Rico, etc. Swear I've used it as a hammer more than anything. Not a Leatherman Wave, but it's been rock solid for me after years.
I also thought that the tools on the inside was a negative, however after carrying one for 9 months in Afghanistan on my plate carrier/battle belt in a pistol mag pouch, I see why they did it that way. You dont have to worry about any tools snagging when you need to pull out the took. A couple guys with other multitool would put them in pouches and with all the running/climbing/etc the knife blades or tools would open up a bit and poke holes or snag on pouches when they tried to retrieve the tool. Back home I prefer a leatherman Skeletool as it has a better knife and is super light with only the bare necessities on the multitool. Excellent review
Years ago would carry my Leatherman original pst, but quit carrying it when I killed my hands just trying to loosen a battery terminal end (top post type). Being a mechanic, I just went back to carrying my simple metal handled 8" slip joint pliers, and a good pocketknife. Admired the gerber mp600 multitools that I saw my non-mechanic co-workers carrying. It looked to me like a guy could do more strenuous plier tasks with the mp600 because the outside of the handles were more rounded and had more surface area for pressure distribution. I never have used one, but will find out soon as I ordered a used one off ebay. There is no perfect multitool, they are all just tradeoffs...depends what you need. Going back I thought Gerbers design was a great solution to the issue of the killing your hands issue I raised earlier. Another military guy, here, said in the service that the guys that carried multitools with the blades on the outside would cut their sheaths or the tools would snag while the were trying to get them out of the sheaths...yeah, that could do a lot of damage to your leg if the sharp tools "deploy" while in your pocket. I think my 2nd gen wave has a mechanism to prevent this, but never say never.
Have a look at Gerber's MP 600 Pro Scout/MP 600 Pro Scout with Tool Kit. It has some of the options you are looking for for camping and survival. It is my use as an EDC Multi-Tool.
I have one of the early broad nose mp 600, which I got back in 2001. Main blade was a drop point. I dropped it once and a couple of washers broke, as did the small flathead screwdriver.
I enjoyed my issued one. I'm ordering another soon, mine grew legs somewhere in the middle east. It's not perfect, but it never failed me for what I needed it for. Pulled some nails, cut open medical supplies, and screwed back in random bolts and nuts on various objects (racks, beds, chairs)
A little late to the party, but I was really excited to get my hands on one of these and either Gerber's QC is slipping, or I just got a bad tool. Even after working with it for a bit to try and get the spring to loosen up for one handed deployment, this thing still wouldn't go - it would come about 3/4 of the way out and I'd have to push up on the buttons or give the nose of the pliers a little extra tug to get them out. Even stranger was that the tool was absolutely covered in grease right out of the package, so I don't know why any of the deployment actions would be stiff, other than the grease went everywhere but where it was meant to go. At this price point, I think I'll give it one more shot before going with a Leatherman or some other kind of option.
Thank you for this excellent review. The MP600 is available at Canadian Tire for only $44.93 and looks like a good deal. But you said that it’s not the best to use for camping/survival. At least I have to rethink my options.
i will never understand why a bottle opener is necessary on a multi-tool with pliers, i feel like its a waste of a spot that could be used for another tool.
Joseph Koo is there a place to get other tools for this tool? I’m not really happy with having 3 flat head screwdrivers but it was free... Picked It up to use while my leatherman wave + is being repaired.
Yup military loved these. I spent 20 years in maintenance units and the quick access pliers were the reason. There were Leathermans also but Gerber prevailed. I still have my issued MP before they tagged it as the 600... nothing locks and the file is actually a Simmons. It's from the early 90's and I wouldn't part with it for anything. They were definitely stockpiled and one of my units bought them from GSA by the hundreds.
Mine has the replaceable carbine teeth and I have had mine for about 10 years and it is part of my EDC. I had one of the flathead snap from dropping it from a tower. Gerb repaired it for free.
Another thing, I was wrong about the 2nd gen wave having a mechanism to keep the blade from deploying while folded up (carry mode). No problem, in most cases. However, crazy, I think if you attach the pocket clip and pocket carry the thing. I think that's an accident waiting to happen.
$40 dollars that multi-tools over $40 everywhere Home Depot everywhere just wanted to say that probably been said before great video as usual second time watching it
Went through two of these in under two years. First one the blade broke in half, just plain dropped out of the tool. The blade had seen absolutely no abuse and the tool was still very new. Gerber sent me a free of charge replacement, no questions asked, credits for that. The second tool was OK but the clips holding the sliding mechanism rusted out, quite a lot of rust actually on the tool in general having in mind it's been only in rain, no saltwater. I replaced the clip with one from my previous broker blade unit. Then I broke the pliers, doing nothing special. The tool is small enough that the pressure that you're able to apply with it should be impossible to snap the pliers, but it did, just with my bare hands. So overall the tool was nice but in my experience there is something wrong with Gerber's steel.
Bought one last year. I have always been a Leatherman guy , but in that time have learned to like it. It is a bit bulkier than some , but I like the tools and one-hand deployed pliers .It isn't anywhere near $40 in Canada ; more like $80-90 or at best $65 on sale.That said , it's a pretty good tool. Just different than butterfly multitools.
This year 2022 I get into the multi tools, when I watch the prices from 4 years ago compared to now, blows my mind the rise of the prices in this years.
@Don It's import duty because it's made in USA, the Leatherman too is way more expensive this side of the Atlantic. On the flipside, we pay less for Victorinox SAKs and Swisstools than they pay in US/Canada.
pulled this mutitool out of my battle belt once and it fell apart, turns out that the masterlink that slides along the grip had come undone and let the whole tool fall apart, found all the pieces and fixed it, but wasnt super stoked on that
I love my multiplier. I have a varirty of multi tools, but my mp600 is the only one that stays on my belt daily. Mp600, my XD-9mm, my knife and my watch. The mp600 suits me well. Edit- the heck was this thing ever $40?? Mine was $79.99 if im not mistaken
i got mine from a friend of mine gave him $20 for it im a union painter and use my leatherman tools a lot i got this to try out and i love it it is now my most carried tool
Another nice video. Thank you for the info. I have a Gerber 600 Pro Scout that I've carried and used daily for a little over 25 years and it works and looks like new. I use the pliers most on any multi-tool and the butterfly opening style are not that handy. The knife is my least used tool, because I also carry a SAK and a 3 1/2 to 4 inch folding knife. Mine has been used in repair/maintenance of wheel chairs, bicycles, motorcycles and general handi-man work. The least used tool on an multi-tool is the bottle opener. The 600 is a good tool if used like it should be. I do have a Leatherman Wave that is also a good tool and a bit better built than the 600, but seldom carried due to pliers deployment.
The tabs on either side are easily knocked off. A good to know trick is to pop them off and turn them around the other way. I've never understood why they don't just come that way.
Bought mine at the PX in the mid 90's...before they started issuing them. Use the hell out of it. It's a light duty tool, like ALL multi tools. If you use the pliers when you really need bolt cutters, they will break. The rapid one handed plier deployment is CRITICAL now that I live in the Sonoran desert with hunting dogs. When they get into Cholla, you only have a few seconds to hold a panicking dog while removing cactus spines. I would never consider going into the desert without it.
Great review. I just replaced my blunt nose one that lost a couple of years ago with a swap meet treasure for just$10. Needs a little cleaning up and surface rust removed but I've missed it.
I'm watching this in 2022 and of course there are multiple versions of this tool now but all of them (including the cheapest) $80. Wow 37 up to $80 in 4 years. Something tells me it cost to manufacturing it didn't change that much. I'm sure it went up but I'm sure it didn't double
I used one sometimes as a 45b in the army but a Leatherman was much smoother and comfortae to use but now I have both and they both are better than a cheap box store brand multi tool. I think I got my Gerber for 45 several years ago and got my blast or 15 at a pawn shop.
i got issued one of these. i dropped it in the sand. the pliers wouldnt deploy till i cleaned all the sand out of the channels where the pliers deploy from. i went back to my leatherman supertool.
I had to dig a bunch of barbed wire out of the drive sprocket of a 113 with one of those one night. It took forever but I was successful. I've also cut the bands on many an ammo can with one.
I’ve been issued two of them. I’ve also broken two of them. Also the wrist flickable pliers are tacticool and all but the rest of the tools including knife, which are used more often, are crappy quality and still take two hands to operate. The leatherman wave is a much better option imho. Way better quality and has a smaller footprint on the belt.