Gerber 01471 Suspension Butterfly Opening Multi-Plier with Sheath
by Gerber
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List Price: Our Price: $23.65 You Save: $25.67 (52%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gerber 01471 Suspension Butterfly Opening Multi-Plier with Sheath
Customer Review: Hard to beat bang for the buck.
Summary: 4 Stars
Ive been carrying one for a little over a year now. For the money Ive never had something as handy to have around. My first day carrying it was the day I had just purchased a new (to me) car and had to remove a rusted to gone and back plate screw. In sheer headache avoided factor alone it paid for itself that day.
Mine came with the bit set that has more times than I would have thought helped save the day. I have only two negatives for it and they really are minor compared to how much value you get out of having it with you.
1. Getting some of the extra tools out can be a serious pain in the hind end. You find creative ways to use things laying at hand to pry out the ones that do not have the handy thumb tab the knives do.
2. The needle nose pliers do not stand up to torquing very well. I tried to use them to twist some chain link and they just twisted and tweaked themselves out of true. Did not seem to hurt the tool at all and lesson learned I don't try to use them for twisting anymore.
What it comes down to, for me, is that Ive never had any tool on me as much as this one. Every time I think its come in handy in an unexpected way, I find a new use for it. The only thing Ive done is wrap a couple yards of high test spider wire around the bit set for random use.
Customer Review: Useful, rugged
Summary: 4 Stars
I have two of these multi-tools, purchased mainly to do very boring work around the house and yard. The tool selection is good and eliminates carrying around several other screwdrivers, knives, and pliers. Actually, I use the pliers more than anything else to do everything from yank rusted staples in my fence to holding nails to bending aluminum flashing. The screwdrivers work as advertised and don't deform as some others do, even with a good twist. The saw works, but honestly I don't have a lot of reason to use a 2" saw around my yard. At least it kept its edge. Bottle opener and can opener work, though the can opener takes a little practice to not destroy to top of the can. As for the knife, I've sharpened some pencils and attacked the inside of a coconut with it. All said, a rugged tool.
As mentioned, I have two of these. The reason I don't give it five stars is that the feel of each is slightly different. One is looser and freer and quite easy to use. The other arrived with (it appears) a coating of WD40 over everything. Even with that, the tool felt stiff and it took a good hour of repeatedly opening and closing it before it loosened up enough. Still a good value though compared to similar tools.
Customer Review: Gerber Suspension Multi-tool -- Sweet!
Summary: 5 Stars
For those worried about this tool being a bit too bulky, don't be. My hands are not that large, and the tool fits into my palm just right. The spring action for the pliers is a neat touch, makes operation smooth. I have not found the additional pieces to be hard to 'pry open'- they slide into position just fine. The item comes fairly well oiled. I have not had much chance to use it yet though, and I will update this review after I have put this multi-tool through its paces. Some have said the knife is too short- I would say it is adequate for small jobs and on the spot cutting, and if you want to carry a larger knife then just carry a larger knife in addition to the Gerber. The lock system is also excellent--keeps everything tight and in place, no worries about the blades folding in on you. For the people who question the Philips head tool-- Gerber also sells a solution for this, the 10-piece bit kit which is seen on this item page.
For price, it's a good deal here on Amazon (I got mine from a big box chain for a little bit less), but don't go to other sites for this--the sellers are overcharging you for the tool as well as on shipping. A good sturdy multi, I hope to put it through years of service!
Customer Review: Solidly built, less expensive alternative to the Leatherman - I use it often
Summary: 4 Stars
First, of course, this is no substitute for a good Leatherman. Still, it's very useful, with only a few weaknesses.
It's solidly built. The knife, the saw, the can opener, are all tools I've used many times camping and outdoors. I use the pliers nearly every week for household projects, or when working on bicycles, or various other handyman activities - which is not to say that I am a very handy man. I like these pliers better than my other stand alone pliers in fact. This one has more heft and solidity.
Of course most of the tools are no substitute for the real things - the scissors, for example, are pitiful and almost useless. The screwdriver and hexwrench attachments are pretty wobbly, and are the weakest aspect of the whole design. Still, I like the fact that with this in my pocket I've got a number of tools at hand, and while some may not be the best tool for some jobs it is much better than nothing - especially when I'm on the road and really have nothing else. For a one-piece multi-tool at a very fair price, I strongly recommend going with Gerber.
Customer Review: Better than Leatherman? No, but a good price.
Summary: 3 Stars
"Made in China" was an automatic loss of 1 star. Gerber used to sell high-quality, US-made products.
The other star was lost for stiff blades/tools. I had to move them out the first time with a separate tool. Trying to do so with a fingernail (the design-intended method) resulted in a ripped nail. (I keep mine well-trimmed and short.) I then had to cycle them repeatedly to make them rotate freely.
Other than the two items noted above, it's a decent tool and the suspension frame will make it easy to clean.
The locking mechanism works great and the plier spring was a nice design touch.
I haven't tried them yet, but I suspect the wire cutters on the pliers won't survive much beyond soft copper. (unlike the carbide inserts on my US-made Gerber Urban Legend multi-plier) A multi-tool should be a trusty companion for the odd jobs encountered on a day around the farm. Fixing electric fence wire is one of those frequent jobs.
One big improvement I'd make to the sheath is a way to release the belt loop. I wear no belt, so being able to put a sheath's belt loop around my pant's belt loop is always a desirable feature.