The first run of Center Drives had major QC issues (I had to warranty my first one twice after it broke doing light work) but they finally got QC under control. I love my Center Drive now that they got the QC right. If they come out with a version that has a wood saw I’m gonna be on it like crooked on a politician
I was issued Leatherman and Gerber multitools when I was active duty Air Force. I like them both. But the one handed opening with the Gerber models is pretty handy to have.
My right thumb is sore from opening and closing the pliers on my Centerdrive I just got last Saturday. My first of this style...been a Leatherman user for years...I am obsessed with this Gerber, so cool!
Sir, its refreshing to see you review multitools respectfully. I love my Gerber Suspension NXT. I know its not the Center Drive but for the money I like the tool set and the number of functions. I really like your video on the Schrade Tough Tool, I recently acquired one of those too. I really find it useful and at a great price. Both tools are very budget friendly. I love quality and don't mind paying for it, especially for a friend or loved one. For myself, I'm all about the bargain and both tools are decent quality as well.
i am only going to say one thing that people have been missing with the centerdrive and why i think it is the best diy multitool barring those that are camping afficienados and that is being able to use bit sockets on the centerdrive .this in my opinion gives it an advantage to all the rest not to mention if used correctly the other tools work great as well. you can also use the bit drive at a 90 degree angle to loosen tight screws or nuts then straighten it out to complete the extraction as normal and reverse to give a little extra tightening force as well. i have done all these and it works well and you can fit a couple bit sockets on the bit holder as well and carry in the sheath with no problem.i have a 8mm 10mm and 12mm socket in my bit holder.
I've been on the fence about the Gerber "plus" since I recently saw it. Your great review is changing my mind. Ty. When using Gerber, I holster the Suspension. (My EDC is a Rebar, however.)
As a person that has the Gerber center drive plus it is absolutely horrible. I have a P4 Leatherman surge and Leatherman wave and several other Gerber's I don't understand how the center drive is so highly regarded. It's very clunky and the design is asymmetrical a lot of unevenness in the gripping area making it a screw-driving nightmare. Believe me as soon as I got it out of the package felt it in my hands I instantly regretted it.
The Gerber multi tools are better than most others on the market, but they still can't hold a candle to Leatherman. When you think about the tough spots that a tool like this can get you out of, saving a few bucks just isn't worth it in the end. Leatherman FTW all day.
Good review, but I'll stick with the Surge. Other than the sliding pliers, I feel that the Surge beats out every function on the Center Drive. The carbide cutters are terrible and break far to easily too
I agree with you in the surge I love my leatherman surge but I also carry the gerber center drive for when I’m fishing because how easy it is to access the pliers when a bass decides it’s gonna swallow the whole hook
I've had mine for a couple of years and like it a lot. I have the original version and don't like the nylon sheath that came with it so I purchased a USA made bench craft leather sheath. It doesn't hold the bits however I really don't use more than 2 of them. Like the full size blade for sure,it did require edge work. Had many multi tools and this one is a hard to beat one!! Great video!
My biggest issue with gerber is plier squeezing power. I did a test where I squeezed a piece of plastic with one hand as hard as I could and the gerber barely left a mark where the leatherman wave completely flattened the material. Also the pliers rattle where the wave are fixed. It only takes a few seconds more to open a wave which you can do with one hand anyway and you get way more tools, a smaller footprint and less bulk and weight. Yes the center drive bit holder is awesome but the leatherman still does the job very well and has a huge advantage because you can use it in tight spaces as well. Gerber should have made the small bit holder usable as a driver.
Had mine (the 1st version) for a few years now and really love it. The one handed opening is just too handy. That is what I have always liked about Gerber MTs. There are two things I would change if I could. 1) I would like to see more heavy duty Wire Cutters. Think Leatherman Supertool. I have broken the Carbide Cutters before cutting things I am sure I should NOT have. 2) Replace that "serrated" blade, or whatever it is, with a proper saw. The scissors are a nice touch but I prefer a saw. Again just being nit picky because I love my Center Drive.
Great review as usual Brian. I love the tool and the addition of the scissors, but would make this a great all around tool would be the addition of a good saw. I would probably sub the file for a saw. Still looks like a great one handed tool.
I've had an original Gerber multi tool since they first came out as an answer to the Leatherman back in the early 90s. Used to carry it at work and used the crap out of it. I don't carry it anymore because I've had an office job for the last 20 years and just don't need it very often but it does reside in the cup holder on my desk and gets used to pull staples or tighten the occasional screw. That new one looks nice, wish I needed it.
I've had my original for a few years now and I still love it. I do want this version though, because the scissors are way more functional than the sheepsfoot blade on the original
Centered screw driver/ bit holder, that takes 1/4” bits,easy access pliers, plus…spring assist pliers just demolished my Leatherman Surge.! I hate to say it, but it did.! Just needs a saw.
spring assisted is nice, but I find the pliers are weak on the Center Drive. They defect way to easy and the cutters are garbage. Me and a work buddy were testing the cutters, I had my Surge and he the Center Drive. Surge made a clean cut through 18 and 14 gauge stranded, while the Center drive mashed the ends. Cutters broke on the Centerdrive at 12 gauge solid, while the Surge made it down to 10 gauge solid
I have one of these. I really like it. Gerber tries too hard and some of the innovations are unnecessary but there are no drawbacks to them. As always great practical review.
Except they are made to fail ,I went to leatherman and have never looked back. They don't guarantee them for life for nothing. Kind of like Ruger pistols ,you can buy it once , or ? Multitools are something that grows on you after awhile , you feel naked without it. I went off brand too I've got like 3 or 4 brands and they all failed one way or the other. Where as I could of just bought #1 leatherman and been done with it. Peace.
I have been using Gerber multi tools for many years, the one handed opening is a great feature. This one looks interesting but it lost me at partially serrated.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose I was not interested in it for camping/bushcraft, it is to heavy for that and the tool set is not ideal. I do not like partially serrated as the seem to me to be neither fish nor foul and are less useful than a fully serrated or fully non serrated blade.
How about those gloves you're wearing Brian, I'm impressed with the dexterity while you're handling the bits, nice work 👏🏼👍🏼🙏🏼 back to the multi tool... In the UK we have a saying, "jack of all trades, master of none" I always love the idea of multitools but in reality, I always find I grow frustrated with them and end up reaching for a proper tool. 🤷♂️ Maybe just me. Great presentation as ever. 👏🏼👍🏼🙏🏼
Still have my first gerber from the early 90s before they designated it the MP. It seems rudimentary today but it still works as designed including the fast deploy pliers. It has a real Simmons file on it which is cool. Had to be a manly man to use the tools though as nothing locked lol. Completely US made including leather sheath. Weird how fanboys of gerber or leatherman fight it out. to me both are good depending on preference. I have several of both.
I like that they added scissors. However my first center drive showed up rusted right where it said stainless steel. I get that stainless can rust but shouldn't be that way out of the package.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose i picked it up a couple months after it came out. Its very uneven too. The handle that says made in USA and stainless on it is the one thats rusty. The other handle is spotless. I still love the function of the tool but kinda turned off to getting another one.
Our son is a cell tower technician, we gave him one for his birthday. One reason we chose the Centerdrive was it uses the standard 1/4 bits so he can customize his kit to the bits he uses most when is 250 feet up in the air. The Leatherman uses a preparatory bit that are very expensive compared to the common bits. He loves it.
I got one of these. It is too bulky for regular use on my belt, or pocket. And the knife is too big. If the safety maneger at work saw me using it, he might get upset... (...sad...). BUT... THE BEST SCREW DRIVER EVER!!!! The form factor gives you A LOT of leverage. So I keep it in my pack for special use, but the Leatherman Wave is better for EDC... IMHO
I bought the leatherman plus for about $160 a month & a half ago, I bought it to take on a long road trip. Within the first 4 weeks of owning it I realized it was a very fradgile piece of equipment. If all you need to do is tighten your glasses and remove pistol grips it’s fine. But don’t expect to open any cans, dig out any mushrooms, unscrew the unscrewable, or even dig out a weed bowl. Most expensive fradgile piece of equipment I’ve ever come across. Save yourself the money and get the gerber. Hell even customize it for the same price as a leatherman
Bryan, thanks for the great video and your efforts. I love multitools, but, in reality, how many multitools does a guy really need....I have the Victorinox Spirit , Swisstool and a Leatherman Super 300. This one looks tempting...lol..keep up the great work and stay warm.
Like Multi-tool, EDC; especially in woods, hunting when you won't have a short walk to the tool chest. Have used when had to make surprise fixes to deer stand to be able to hunt and could not have done without a plyers.
Go with the leatherman surge way better tool and steel you get way better Options and more. I have been using the leatherman tools for years, Gerber Multi tools seem very cheaply made. Never like their Multi tools but I do like there prodigy Fix blade knives and there strong. Arm knives. Do you know why the military issues the Gerber multitool is because it’s cheap they don’t issue you the Leatherman because they cost a little bit more and better made. Most of the guys I was in the army with has the Gerber end up going to the leatherman, that is the fact. Also the leatherman is the number 1 tool choose they also are the ones who came out with this tool first years ago.
I think both are good tools. As I said in the video, I think the one-handed opening and the offset center drive are advantageous features on the Gerber.
Also leatherman make a leatherman Multi tool call the mut EOD for EOD and a Mut multi tool for AR rifle for the military. I think leatherman is the over all the best multi tool out there hands down.
I love your reviews I watch you all the time and I thank you give great reviews I understand what you said about the Gerber multitool but what they have on that tool doesn’t compare to what leatherman offers and leatherman is way better made tool. I am a Ex Army Infantry and cav soldier leatherman is my first choose. I do agree with you on a lot of thing you have to say in your reviews. I think you are very smart and very knowledgeable about the stuff you review. That why I like to hear what you have to say.
I have the original Center Drive multi-tool and love it and wish I had gotten a second one also as the ones I got after that wasn't that great. You just gave me an idea as I watched you use the file on the tool to start a fire with it. The one I have have a file like that and I will be trying to do the same thing with the file on the tool. I still like the tool I have and believe that model is better than the new one with the scissors. That is the only thing mine don't have, but I don't use that feature much anyway.
I missed the price of this little tool. Seems like one of the best I've seen for overall functionality. The pliers, knife and screwdriver are the tools that I always seem to use on these things. This one, with the centered bit driver makes it head and shoulders better than most. Thanks for sharing this one.
Price is how much money you have to pay to buy something ;-) Sorry, I couldn't resist that. You throw me a slow hanging pitch and I'm swinging for the fences. Seriously, around $125
Good review. I am great fan of the Leatherman Crunch because it features locking pliers. You might want to consider having a review of that particular multi too
Hey Brian, great review as always, man you've got to take a look or get your hands on the new gerber double down folding machete bellasong,great looking tool with 4 finger pinch lock mechanism to keep from open in your pocket or sheath with the traditional bottom lock on the handle,I saw it a blade show an couldn't go,but did get to see Aaron on Gideon tactical review it,awesome tool.
Funny you should say that. I just shot a video on that the other day. It should be on RU-vid in the next couple of weeks or so. Can you say balance test?
I carry a gerber multi-tool and I'm thinking do away with the scissors or the file and put in a saw blade, there have been times when I when I could have used one.
I have a leatherman, cause I found it, the other 2 multi tools I have are gerbers, but both times I purchased them I held the gerbaer in one hand and the leatherman equivalent in the other, I dunno, just like the gerber better, seems more ergonomic too for my hands
@@trooper2221 yeah I have a gerber and a couple off brands, but for me the leather is best. Really it all just comes down to your own preference. As long as the get the job done they are good.
I wanted a centerdrive but due to stupid U.K laws I wouldn't really be able to carry it, so went for the mp600 bladeless and even removed the remgrit blade as its almost useless, super happy with the mp600 though its alot better than my leatherman wingman.
Brian love Your videos I wish I'd known about this Gerber before I brought a Leatherman Skeletool cs 1 thing though I wear suspenders so the leather sheath would be a problem any ideas
I think the Surge is king still. I had the center drive and couldn't believe how terribly underwhelming the thing is. I absolutely hated it. It's so asymmetrical and clunky to work with.
File on these multitool is great! I have a lot of leatherman and victorinox multitool and the file on center drive is anpar with victorinox file. Obviously is not for hard metal.... Your screw seems to be hard metal for the sound. These multitool files are for non templated iron, copper, aluminum, bronze etc... Not for any tipe of steel.
My Gerber file, blade and locking mechanism broke. Never bought another Gerber and never will. It's the worst $50 I ever spent on my b.o.b. tools. Leatherman is what I use now.
Hello Bryan, Do you still have that Silver Buck F.B. w/screw in pegs (crossguard) and want to sell it, or any of the Kyslar's??? I tried to sign up, but your email handlers won't let me at yahoo get in! Would be helpful if you'd tell 'em to not censor and do it right for all major emails in the US!!! Good vid, your right on the Gerber Center Drive, btw how much??? Thanks, be safe and take care, "God Bless", sincerely, Randy. 👍👍🙏🏻😇👊🇺🇸
Hey Randy, Yes I still have it and I am willing to sell it at the right price. I don't know why you can't sign up for my newsletter. I have a lot of subscribers with yahoo.com emails. Send me an email at SurvivalOnPurpose (at) gmail (dot) com _ Hopefully that will confuse the spambots. We can talk and I'll try to get with my email provided and see what the issue is.
@@SurvivalOnPurpose Thanks Bryan, I'll try. Please remember that I have "short-term memory loss issues" (meds side effects). I'l keep plugging away at it, oh btw, I don't have any access to a regular computer, I only have a "not-so-"smartphone! Be safe and take care, "God Bless", sincerely, Randy. 👍👍🙏🏻😇👊
