ive just gotten one of these and im stunned it isnt more popular. Does need a pocket clip and im already planning other mods. Fits a second bit hidden under the scissors and a toothpick/ victorianox pen there as well. If you shave a pencil/pen down to fit the hex bit the driver arm opens up to be a comfortable pen. ive never been so happy with a multi tool before
Gerber always comes with fresh ideas, concepts, themes and cool designs, and lack of effort for manufactoring quality. If they solve that, they will be absolutely perfect.
I find two major problems with the Gerber armbar drive driver bit holder. 1. There is no locking mechanism, and it collapses if you apply pressure. You shouldn't have to concentrate on keeping the driver open while turning it. 2. You can use standard ¼-inch bits (good), but they go in too far, leaving only 9mm protruding, and it is very difficult to pull these out, because there is so little of the bit to grasp. Often need pliers to extract. The hammer function is not meant to hammer nails. It is great for tapping lids on to paint tins, for example. Otherwise, this is a potentially great multitool.
Have had mine since the release pretty much and I think it’s the perfect in pocket knife, no need for a pocket clip you forget it’s their anyway, only thing I would change is if it was built like a Victorianox or Leatherman. You can feel where they went cheap with this
After much thought i have just purchased one of these . Yes the lack of a pocket clip is a pain as is lack of a lanyard hole . (has not been delivered yet ) .
Seems decent but will keep my Victorinox tinker as my main EDC tool. If I wanted to also have scissors, the Victorinox evolution s16 is great, gave one to my cousin Caroline for Christmas...
I love it. I can't wear a clip knife at work...Nobody knows I have it. It is my ultimate fidget toy. I bought a second one just in case it fades away like the MP-1(best multi-tool ever). New Armbar versions are on Gerber's website. This think this going to be around a while. I hope you still carry it.
Been looking at these Gerber tools. However I have a knife blade on the tool so why the scissors? Rather have a metal file instead of the scissors! Personally I never had a use for the scissors but needed metal file multiple times. Thanks for the great review and taking the time to share with us.
Scissors come in crucially for angling needs. To me, that’s what this product (or more specifically, the newer one without the driver) is about. It goes in your coat pocket and is all you need to prepare your rod.
Bought it today. I to wouldve liked a key ring or pocket clip. And armbar needs more detente or able to lock it slip joint not. Otherwise like the other tools. Got it for $47 cdn
I like the Armbar, especially the knife blade. It is really a great knife. It is hard to believe, but, for such a compact tool, the Armbar's blade is about 5 mm longer than the blade on the Leatherman Free P4! It is almost the same length as that on the Charge, and is 5mm longer than the blade on the Skeletool. I laugh at complaints about the "poor steel" of the blade. 10 seconds once a week on a sheet of 1200-grit w/d emery paper is all I need to keep the blade razor sharp. If you want a multitool blade that will stay sharp for 12 months, keep dreaming! The scissors work well, and the screwdriver setup is very useful for the occasional need to deal with a screw. Note: "occasional use". If you are building furniture, use a dedicated screwdriver!! No workshop uses a multitool as the main set of tools. The awl is small, but good to scrape, poke a hole, or mark something. The hammer/pry bar/bottle opener is great for opening paint or varnish tins and for tapping the lids closed. Anyone whining about how you can't drive nails with it is just not living in the real world. It's not meant for that! The only other tool I need is a pair of pliers, and unfortunately, this is missing. The Armbar is a really great little compact multitool,with a first-class knife blade. Well done, Gerber!
Now they come with the pocket clip standard. Also there's the Armbar Trade model too now. Take the scissors away and replace with a wood saw. That's the difference. I got one and love it. I carry thirty bits on me EDC and a pair of pliers. All I need
The scissors are good it's just how they fold away balde sides up makes it sort of a sharp fiddle to deploy, you need to be mindful when unfolding the sharp side so you don't cut yourself, done this twice with this tool... but they work very well.
I personally think the victorinox tinker would be a better option than the Gerber. I've had my tinker for 12 years and it's still going strong aside from having to reglue the handle covers on. Every Gerber product that I've had aside from the older Gerber suspension multi-tool has failed me at some point, even more so with the newest products.
The primary tools I'm looking for are a quarter inch bit driver and scissors. Not casting any shade on the tinker but I think it's a slightly different use case
The locking blade sold it for me. Amazon linky no worky. Nice keyring mod. Good idea on the paint lid opener feature. Since Tinker has neither a bit driver nor scissors, I think its not really cost comparable. Maybe you were thinking of the Super Tinker at $32 with scissors. The closest Victorinox with bit driver is 2x to 3x that price. My only reticence is I have another Gerber locking multi tool that is miserable to operate when dirty, cold, or with gloves. No amount of cleaning, lubrication, or adjustment allows it the lock mechanism to function for more than a week. The liner lock on the Armbar likely won't suffer that same problem. Gerber sucks.
It's a Victorinox, not a "Swiss Army". And the Cybertool with it's bit driver would probably be a better comparison I guess. Bigger an more expensive, but in my opinion also better!
If you are not one to carry extra bits, I think it compares well with the Victorinox Explorer. Just a few bucks more, better detent on the inline phillips, and better scissors. I was hoping that the armbar could replace mine. I'll wait for the 2.0 version.
"Swiss Army" is pretty much how any American will identify a knife made in Switzerland by Wenger or Victorinox. Just as many Americans call tissues "Kleenex". I am curious about what you think a Victorinox actually is. If you go by their marketing and their website that is in English. Victorinox might surprise you by what they claim themselves to be.
Oof no, definitely not for me. Hard pass between being Chinese made an mystery steel even if I did like what's it's offering for tools, which I don't terribly.
Its listed as 420HC on Gerber's website. But to boycott it just for Made in China is not a good reason. 1000ss of every day products are made there. the keyboard and mouse I'm using, my phone case, PS@ controller, PC controller, phone case, most of my computer and so on
The Swiss Army knife does make a tinker/other variants with a locking main blade and a grippier handle called the EvoGrip. They are really nice. I got one for $37 that is basically the tinker + a saw blade and scissors. I really like it.
Ive had mine about 2 months and right away i thought the same thing it needs a pocket clip it brothers me when it lays sideways in the bottom of my pocket and the screwdriver detent sould be stronger or locking otherwise ive been enjoying it thanks for the review and you and your family be safe
Leatherman Skeletool to me is a better selection. You don’t have the scissors but you do get the pliers and wire cutters. Which I find to be more useful.
I still think the skeletool is the best edc multitool. Pliers, blade and screwdriver, sure it's shorter but I've never needed a long driver when using a multitool, those are for when you are in a pinch.
Locking blades on small pocket knives like this are unnecessary. Honestly, how many times has your slip joint SAK closed on you while you were using it? Unless you were trying to baton with it
Erm, a few times. Especially if it gets stuck in what you're cutting or if you're stabbing/piercing something. Also saw a guy nearly remove a finger with a SAK that didn't have a lock.
C Hda I’m sure that they could, but if I had to guess, I’d say before they even started this project, they had an idea of what they wanted and what they wanted the price point to be at. Their conclusion was probably they only way they could accomplish that that was to manufacture in China. I would gladly pay a little more $ if it were made in America though.
If it was 420hc then it wouldn’t take a razor edge nearly as easily as it does. I think it’s similar to 5cr steel like what’s in the paraframe with my testing and resharpening.
I recently picked up the leatherman free t4. It Is usa made and cost twice as much. My biggest complaints with it is the amount of plastic in it, how blocky it is, and the blade is too short. I like the ease of tool deployment and that everything locks.
My most used least carried multitool is a Victorinox Evo Grip s18. sharp locking blade, saw, scissors, toothpick, tweezers, nail file, Phillips and 2 flat screwdrivers, can opener, cap lifter, and sewing awl for $47.00. Since I rarely carry it I put a lanyard on it and put it in my pocket when I do carry it. Has all I need. Still not too crazy about Gerber.
Just found this little bugger on sale.. man I love it! -the scissors was not that great when i got it, probably should have returned it for another one, but i chose to file the edges a bit my self, now they're just fine.. I especially love the shape of the knife.. Its a no brainer, get it!
All multitools are a compromise for not having the full size dedicated tools available.Howvere, the Armbar has been my pocket friend for a few weeks now on my farm and has proven to be very useful. The full size bit/holder is great and it means that you can replace worn bits (unlike multitiools that have dedicated bits). For me, a locking knife is big safety feature - my old and trusted SOG does not have this and I have nearly come to grief a couple of times - it stays in the kitchen drawer as a great multitool for ad hoc light home use. For adding pliers, look at the Leatherman Skeletool for pocket size/weight.
Bought it and returned fairly quickly - non locking driver became a deal breaker for me - it folded on me so many times when applying any pressure, it became infuriating. I really wanted to love this tool, still waiting for version 2.0, with lockable driver..
I historically dislike gerber for many reasons but their armbar is perfect pocket EDC with no print sad thing is like the SOG power pint few realise it, more complain, so the echo chamber destroys good cost effective easy sharpening/maintenance minimalism for lesser poorly thought out revenue kickers lol Angling of tools physics meaning the tool shouldn't close and can't if held on the gerbers rounded comfortable thumb cut out driver shank (and certainly can't cut you). Hilarious most drivers on most multitools weren't locking and worked even uncentred and unrounded much like the vaunted yet sadly inferior LM skeletool that can't be used for 20 screws or to whittle of 20mins w/o killing bones in your hand nevermind costs you 2x 12hr work shifts after tax if you loose it/goes walkabout/gets confiscated. That said knife should open from the same direction as the other tools "Spydie Flick" style - a flat back to a knives handle is vital on a working blade and like Victorinox also KNOW a blade closer to the palm is best - on the outside it wants to rotate and gets amplified by a broomhandle design. Further (like all gerber cut out designs) one of the cutouts should have been an oxygen wrench.
I have the other tool which I just received and the cork screw does come in handy for opening wine bottles and I also love the knife blade on it. I may order this one also, but purchased a Gerber knife with the tool I have and may be using it for campouts in the future, but currently have it in my knife collection since I already have so many knives which is superb and in my collection.
Why are you sak lovers so in denial? Victorinox design is out dated and they are like cheap toys libtards own. Buy a Leatherman or any other pliers based multitool
Me personally would rather pay more for a better multitool like the leatherman surge or a victorinox swisschamp pocket knife. The armbar isn't bad it's just that there are so much better multitools out there
brother just a note the point of using scissors is to make cuts without stretching the material and here you are stretching the material which a knife can do easily.
I have one and ❤️ it. My favourite feature is the bit driver that can take any hex bit, this particularly important because we use mainly Robertson (square) screws.
The amazon link had the cork but not the drive. Liked the black tinker you had so ordered it. Will get the drive as I really like driver but not today.
gideonstactical Have you thought about knife center? I used to do BHQ but they got too weird for me. Personal taste but your style is closer to KnifeCenter than BHQ. Anyway I will order through your like again soon.
Thanks so much, Aaron. :) I pray that you and your family are doing well also. I'm curious how the Armbar compares to the Leatherman Free T4. Do you have one of those?
Great video. Have had my eye on this one and I appreciate your honest thoughts. Also appreciate your words of encouragement. This is truly an unprecedented time and it's so crucial to remain positive and keep our eyes focused on what really matters. God's blessings on you and yours.
Excellent video. As stated by others looks an excellent idea/design but will the Chinese build quality let it down? As an aside I have a work issued Gerber mp600 made in USA, excellent quality, no gripes, I bought another mp600 of amazon appears to be made in China and its awful, broke in first usage. Surely detrimental to Gerbers reputation? I'm a viewer from England, really enjoy your videos, there's no BS which is appreciated. Keep up the good work.
Thank you that was a good video and we will be praying for you and your family to you as well hope your business is going good I definitely will you’re very very nice thank you buddy
