Gerber Multi-Plier 600 or other?

[larry4406]

I have carried a Gerber Multi-Plier 600 on my belt for well over 15 years. Handy as hell and lost the damn thing yesterday (fell out of the sheath somewhere).

Replace in kind or is there something better? The identical replacement is $65.
https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/sh...less-carbide-cutters-needlenose-sheath-07530g

 

[lardy1]

I have a Leatherman unit in the "Wingman" configuration that I used to carry when I worked on the lake freighters. Very similar in price. They don't have exactly the same features but I was always happy with the performance of mine. Now it sits lonely in the drawer by my recliner chair.

 

[American Locomotive]

While I cannot speak specifically for that particular Gerber model - I've always thought that the Leathermans were built better than the Gerbers.

 

[Radio Flyer]

I have a similar gerber tool. I think it's the diesel model. The thing I like most about the gerber tool is that it can be opened with one hand. Many times I find myself holding with one hand, and having only the remaining hand left to grab and open a tool.

Pliers and knife seem to be the most used.

 

[Gunfixr]

I had the original Leatherman, back when it came out, that I used for many years. Well over 10yrs ago, a friend gifted me a Gerber unit much like that one. It even had a rubber strip in the sheath that carried a few hex bits and an adapter to attach them to the tool.
Still using it.
I'm not sure which is really better, the Gerber is more comfortable to hold. The screwdrivers seem tougher than the Leatherman, but that was the original, and i'm sure they've improved it.
I was later gifted another Leatherman, don't know which model, have yet to use it.

 

[Flash and Flare]

Look into the Leatherman Super Tool 300

and a metal sheath from RAE Gear
https://www.raegearusa.com/product-page/supertool-300

Sent from my Pixel 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Oil leak]

I've been carrying a Gerber in one form or another for over 20 years. I like them better than the original Leatherman because I don't need two hands to use it. Over these years I'm only on my third one, and I use them everyday.

 

[bobg03]

I have three, the gerber the OP has, an original leatherman and a heritage.

The gerber lives with my saltwater fishing tackle it is at least 25 years old, never an issue

The original leatherman resides in my small toolbox in the truck

The heritage leatherman replaced the original leatherman when it was lost, and now sits on my bureau..

If I could only buy one it would be the Gerber..

 

[CS454]

Carried a Leatherman Surge everyday for 10+ years, it'd get replaced with the same or a Victorinox Swisstool Spirit X for something a bit slimmer.

 

[decableguy2000]

If you were happy with the Gerber, get another. If I lost my 600, I'd get another.

 

[nieuport17]

I have the black version. The metal is soft. Wire cutter is all messed up.
I stay with my Leatherman.
Like someone already mentioned, if you like Gerber, then buy another.

 

[Adk Mike]

I’ve carried a Leather-man every day for over 20 years. It’s an original PST11. About 10 years ago I spent more than it was worth for a hand made leather sheath . Has a stud instead of a snap. Money well spent.

 

[Professional Tool User]

It depends on your personal preferences at the end of the day. The following are multi tools I have personal experience with. In the same size category of multi tools, I've got a Gerber MP600, a Leatherman PST, and a Leatherman wave. Flicking the pliers out is fun, but the mechanism for deploying the pliers is flawed. There's no room in between the handles for your fingers if you are one hand operating the pliers and you need the close the pliers all the way. Other than that I don't have any real complaints. As for the PST, the only thing I don't like about it is that all the tools are on the inside. It would have been perfect if all the tools could be accessed on the outside. In regards to the Leatherman wave, paddle locks for the inside tools are way easier to use than the slide locks on the Gerber. The locking tabs for the 4 outside tools are a nice touch. The only thing I can really complain about is that the folded sheet metal around the outside tools makes accessing the inside tools more difficult than your average one layered wall handle. In addition, the wave is a lot heavier and bulkier than it has to be. Overall, I find that Leathermans tend to be better quality overall than Gerber. However, even with Leatherman, the older designs/production units tend to be better quality. Leatherman these days is not without their quality control issues.

 

[Bockscar]

I used to have a Schrade and now I use a SOG powerlock

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[Professional Tool User]

I have the black version. The metal is soft. Wire cutter is all messed up.
I stay with my Leatherman.
Like someone already mentioned, if you like Gerber, then buy another.

I highly doubt Leatherman and Gerber even use tool steel for the pliers given the prices they are charging for made in USA their multi tools.

 

[Meursault74]

I'd say that if the exact replacement is available get that one. You're already used to it and you know what it has.

I lost my Leatherman Juice when I didn't snap the sheath closed. I ordered the same as a replacement, although in a different color because of a better price.

 

[larry4406]

Waking this thread up.

Other day I was at Home Depot and they had the Gerber Multi-Plier 600 basic on sale for $53. Assembled in USA, cutter made in Taiwan, sheath made in China it says on the label.

Junk. Absolute junk.

• The rivet pin was so tight it took both hands to open the jaws each time after use. My old one was smooth to operate and with my pinky could open it with ease.
• The thickness of the metal for the U-frame is quite thin so no opportunity to radius the edge for comfort. Each use I felt like I was going to cut my hand. My old one had nice radius edge and the new one is notably lighter from the thinner metal.
• The pin mechanism to open/close the assembly was poor to operate. Nowhere near smooth like the old ones.

So it was returned to Home Depot for a full refund.

The search continues...

 

[mrjaw14]

I’m a die hard leatherman guy but I did have to stray once and get a Gerber centerdrive. I love that it takes regular insert bits rather than those expensive flat bits leatherman has. It’s not as refined as my leathermans, but it’s what I use in my work bag because of the screwdriver

 

[geartow]

Hate the gerbers . Always end up pinching my hand between the pliers handles when they slip . SOG and leatherman don't pinch.