Gerber 22-01466 Shortcut Multi-Tool
by Gerber
|
List Price: Our Price: $9.00 You Save: $16.38 (65%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: Tools See more product details |
|---|
Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gerber 22-01466 Shortcut Multi-Tool
Customer Review: Mediocre multitool
Summary: 2 Stars
I own too many multitools. I've owned small and large sized. I've replaced some I've lost, and I like to leave them in places like my truck so I'll always have one. I bought this about a month ago hoping it would be a bit better than my Leatherman squirt S4, but it's not even close competition. However, it is a lot cheaper.
I like the scissors on my other Gerber multitool (MP400 w/ corkscrew) much better than anything Leatherman makes. The scissors on the Shortcut are mediocre in comparison. The scissors on the S4 just look nicer, but there is little to say about their functionality vs the Shortcut. This was my first disappointment.
The nail file is annoying to use. There is an arc stamped out of both the knife blade and nail file for purely cosmetic reasons that you can see on the picture. It probably weakens the knife blade, but it shouldn't be an issue on such a small blade. However it makes it hard to use that side of the nail file. I tend to use the edge often, and it's just not comfortable on my left fingers or right thumb due to this design. I'd much rather my multitool be functional than look cool. They were nice enough to label label "NAIL FILE" and "BLADE" on the sides, but it should be easy enough for me to remember since it's a blade-position for blade-position copy of the S4.
The cutting blade was the dullest I ever remember on any knife I've ever bought. Wouldn't cut for anything. It has held an edge satisfactorily since I've sharpened it, but there is no excuse for this.
The tweezers are almost as bad as the ones on the Leatherman Micra which were quite awful to the point of uselessness. These are very small, but still useable. Luckily the S4 has rectified that with a removable tweezer.
The remaining tools look weird, but they seem to do what they are supposed to.
As a result of all this (and the fact that it's a bit larger than the Squirt), the squirt stays with me on my keyring/pocket and this thing stays at home on my desk until I find some place to leave it where it won't be mocking me with it's questionable design all day long.
Customer Review: Multitool of choice
Summary: 5 Stars
I LOVE multitools, and have had many of them over the years. Three years ago, though, I realized I wasn't actually using any of them. They were all too big, or too bulky, or just didn't do things I needed to use them for on a regular basis.
When I found the Shortcut in a store, I knew I'd found the tool for me. It's small enough to put on a keychain (and I used it like that for a year) or slip into a pocket (which I also do regularly now). I also toss it into a fanny pack for day hikes or into my briefcase for GP. It's with me most of the time, and I find I use it two or three times a day, every day.
My brother-in-law and nephew were pretty impressed, too, and have since gotten them for themselves and for other guys in their extended family.
My favorite, most-used part of the tool is the scissors, which most tools don't have. It's amazing, though, how often I realize I need some: cutting open a box, trimming some paper, whatever. They cut well and hold up well.
The other thing I liked is that I didn't have to pull off a fingernail to get the darn tools out, but they stayed in place for use.
I used to use Leatherman tools, but the hype drove the price up very quickly. Gerbers are just as good, but a lot less expensive. I might have another Leatherman if someone gives it to me, but I can't see buying anything but Gerbers from here on out. Besides, Leatherman is convinced that everyone needs a pair of needlenose pliers with them all the time, and I just don't.
Customer Review: Two tools broken within a month
Summary: 1 Stars
I previously owned a Leatherman Micra, and after losing it I recently purchased the Gerber shortcut. I bought it, if for nothing else, because it simply looks cool. Also I liked the idea of having the blades on the outside, (as opposed to the Micra where all blades are inside and you must unfold it to use them.)
My only complaint, albeit a huge one, is the retention clips that hold the tools in place break or bend beyond repair way too easily. The straight blade's clip bent on its first hefty task while carving some hardwood. The result is a useless blade while it refuses to lock in place as it bends beyond its normal locked position. The scissors broke in a similar fashion about two weeks later while trying to clip the wiring of some flexible ducting. Because the retention clip for the scissors also holds the tool closed, the multitool was rendered useless when this happened.
All in all I'm quite disappointed with the tool. I had heard praises about Gerber knives, but I'm not sure the same quality has gone into the intricacies of a pocket multitool. I can personally attest that the Leatherman Micra takes much more of a beating than the Gerber shortcut. Unless you plan on only using the Gerber shortcut for lightweight tasks, I would not recommend getting it.
Customer Review: Great little scissors multitool
Summary: 4 Stars
The Gerber Shortcut is a wonderful little scissors multitool that has survived some punishing traveling and use. I have had this tool for about two years and have used it constantly in my job (which involves constant travel by motorcycle in some of the most remote areas of Guatemala). There are always things that need cut, parts that need tightened and various things that need pried. The Shortcut does it all. It's not the strongest of tools (it's wee so it would be hard to be very strong) but it certainly holds its own when asked. The blade holds its edge well and the other tools are functional, for the most part. The bottle opener isn't very well designed and takes a little bit of prying to get the cap off of a bottle (a must when swilling beer in places without twist-offs). Also, the scissors definitely dulled after time and were hard to re-sharpen. The tool has held together really well in some exceedingly adverse conditions and after being soaked in the jungle etc has never displayed a hint of rust. The only cosmetic complaint is that the gray finish will wear off fairly fast; that doesn't bother me in the slightest but it might turn some people off of buying the knife.
As a little keychain, pocket tool, this can't be beat for the price and functionality.
Customer Review: a solid value
Summary: 4 Stars
I have used this tool for a few weeks and so cannot vouch for its durability. But it is quite handy. It seems built well and has a nice heft for its small size. It is just small enough to slip on a keyring and not worry about too much in my pocket. It has a nice variety of tools, though a corkscrew would be nice. It does not have philipshead screwdriver either, though it does have a flat screwdriver tool that suffices. The scissors are more useful to me generally than pliers would have been. The scissors are a little punier than they looked like at first but they are still quite usable. I do wish that the tools would "lock" when I take them out as the wiggle around a bit when I use them. But with all of my complaining this is really handy. Considering the only reason I bought this instead of a leatherman was because they were out of the leatherman, I am happy that it is working out so well. It's so nice to have so many tools within immediate reach. I recommend this.