Gerber Sportsman Multi-Plier for $5
- Thread starter UnknownVT
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banana_clip
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2005
- Messages
- 50
Damn, thats a killer price !!!!I've checked all my walmarts in my area and they are out.....at that price you should buy a bunch of them.
Lightbringer
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2004
- Messages
- 177
I can't wait to check my walmart...at that price I can buy a few and leave them in BOB's, the car, etc...
here's a "review" of sorts.....
First, I disqualify myself to make judgemental reviews of MultiTools, since I am definitely not a Pliers or MultiTool afficinado -
I mean this is the level of "sophistication" in the typical "pliers" I use....
Not only that I have not had any need to carry a pair of pliers - regular or multiTool - on a daily basis - so I do not have any real experience of any EDC of multiTools.
However I have owned MultiTools since the first Leatherman SuperTool.........
So here are some comparison pictures and a few admittedly non-expert and "biassed" comments -
Look at the Gerbers opened - there is no room between the handles - look at regular pliers and the handles are NEVER that close together. Whereas both the Victorinox and the Leatherman have got it kind of right with parted handles so that one can get a finger in there to part the head/release the grip.
Closed - the Gerber Sportsman Multi-Plier that I just got for $5 - is the largest of all the multiTools that I have. The Gerber 400 series Compact MultiTool is smaller when fully opened - but not really that much more compact when closed.
Pouches -
Getting at the Pliers -
The Gerbers are tops here since one can simply snap the pliers head out to deploy.
Both the SwissTool and the Leatherman can be snapped and swung open one handed (kind of like a butterfly knife) -
but make sure one has a really good grip on the handle - otherwise the multiTool might go flying across the room /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Extracting any other tool from the handles -
Boy, other than Victorinox have they got this WRONG -
One can open any in-handle tool on the SwissTool when closed - ie: the way the tool is carried without any fuss or extra operation......
Whereas both the Gerbers and the Leatherman SuperTool - need to be opened wide enough to get at the in-handle tools.
With the Gerbers one does need to deploy the pliers head before the handles will even part.
The Leatherman SuperTool - look at the way the tools clump on extraction. I do know the more recent models have tools that do not clump - but nevertheless this is really CRUDE.......
Closing the in-handle tools is just as convoluted with the Gerbers and Leatherman.
Even when a MultiTool is like the Victorinox and one can extract the in-handle tools without any extra operations - I still have a major objection that they just do NOT make good knives - even though the knife blades on the Victorinox are essentially the same as on SAKs -
so howcome?
Look at the way the knife blades sit in relation to the handle -
The Gerbers and Leatherman both have handles extended way below the edge, even though the SwissTool has got that bit right - it still has part of the handle way above the line of the spine of the blade.
Neither of these attributes make for a good knife -
compare it to the humble SAK and see the simple difference.
The SAK is a knife with useful tools -
MultiTools are Pliers with useful tools in the handle -
but they canNOT substitute for a knife for me.
Again I know people have solved this problem by carrying a separate knife along with the multiTool....
But I have need of a Knife on a daily basis -
but NO need for Pliers -
so why would I even contemplate carrying a multiTool on a daily basis?
First, I disqualify myself to make judgemental reviews of MultiTools, since I am definitely not a Pliers or MultiTool afficinado -
I mean this is the level of "sophistication" in the typical "pliers" I use....
Not only that I have not had any need to carry a pair of pliers - regular or multiTool - on a daily basis - so I do not have any real experience of any EDC of multiTools.
However I have owned MultiTools since the first Leatherman SuperTool.........
So here are some comparison pictures and a few admittedly non-expert and "biassed" comments -
Look at the Gerbers opened - there is no room between the handles - look at regular pliers and the handles are NEVER that close together. Whereas both the Victorinox and the Leatherman have got it kind of right with parted handles so that one can get a finger in there to part the head/release the grip.
Closed - the Gerber Sportsman Multi-Plier that I just got for $5 - is the largest of all the multiTools that I have. The Gerber 400 series Compact MultiTool is smaller when fully opened - but not really that much more compact when closed.
Pouches -
Getting at the Pliers -
The Gerbers are tops here since one can simply snap the pliers head out to deploy.
Both the SwissTool and the Leatherman can be snapped and swung open one handed (kind of like a butterfly knife) -
but make sure one has a really good grip on the handle - otherwise the multiTool might go flying across the room /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif
Extracting any other tool from the handles -
Boy, other than Victorinox have they got this WRONG -
One can open any in-handle tool on the SwissTool when closed - ie: the way the tool is carried without any fuss or extra operation......
Whereas both the Gerbers and the Leatherman SuperTool - need to be opened wide enough to get at the in-handle tools.
With the Gerbers one does need to deploy the pliers head before the handles will even part.
The Leatherman SuperTool - look at the way the tools clump on extraction. I do know the more recent models have tools that do not clump - but nevertheless this is really CRUDE.......
Closing the in-handle tools is just as convoluted with the Gerbers and Leatherman.
Even when a MultiTool is like the Victorinox and one can extract the in-handle tools without any extra operations - I still have a major objection that they just do NOT make good knives - even though the knife blades on the Victorinox are essentially the same as on SAKs -
so howcome?
Look at the way the knife blades sit in relation to the handle -
The Gerbers and Leatherman both have handles extended way below the edge, even though the SwissTool has got that bit right - it still has part of the handle way above the line of the spine of the blade.
Neither of these attributes make for a good knife -
compare it to the humble SAK and see the simple difference.
The SAK is a knife with useful tools -
MultiTools are Pliers with useful tools in the handle -
but they canNOT substitute for a knife for me.
Again I know people have solved this problem by carrying a separate knife along with the multiTool....
But I have need of a Knife on a daily basis -
but NO need for Pliers -
so why would I even contemplate carrying a multiTool on a daily basis?
Wingerr
Flashlight Enthusiast
If you have no regular need for pliers or screwdrivers, then multitools wouldn't serve you much purpose- I do need them often, however, and find them indispensible. I'm one of the carry a quick-draw knife set.
I don't have the Swiss Tool, but looking at the Phillips screwdriver, don't think I would like it as much as Leatherman's version. The Swiss Tool one looks just like the type on the SAK, which I find doesn't provide as good a grip on the screws.
Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
I often use the tools with the handles fully extended, so the way the handle being below the edge of the tool doesn't pose any problems.
I haven't looked at any Gerbers since a long while back, and the floppy feel to the one I had, along with that problem with the handles closing down without any clearance sorta turned me off to them ever since. The $5 would be great for a toss-somewhere-convenient duty, but not for the regular use I put them to.
I don't have the Swiss Tool, but looking at the Phillips screwdriver, don't think I would like it as much as Leatherman's version. The Swiss Tool one looks just like the type on the SAK, which I find doesn't provide as good a grip on the screws.
Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
I often use the tools with the handles fully extended, so the way the handle being below the edge of the tool doesn't pose any problems.
I haven't looked at any Gerbers since a long while back, and the floppy feel to the one I had, along with that problem with the handles closing down without any clearance sorta turned me off to them ever since. The $5 would be great for a toss-somewhere-convenient duty, but not for the regular use I put them to.
[ QUOTE ]
Wingerr said:Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
[/ QUOTE ]
The service from Victorinox and Swiss Army Brands in the USA (the wholly owned subsidiary of Victorinox) is legendary -
I've heard of many people sending their SAKs back freely admitting that they've had the knife for many years and/or abused the poor things - only to have a brand new one of the same model returned at NO charge.
I know of one SOSAK member who sends batches of SAKs back to Swiss Army Brands and have them all come back either refurbished or replaced with new ones at NO charge......
Leatherman has good service but -
now THAT is Service from Victorinox...
(misquote from Crocodile Dundee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
Wingerr said:Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
[/ QUOTE ]
The service from Victorinox and Swiss Army Brands in the USA (the wholly owned subsidiary of Victorinox) is legendary -
I've heard of many people sending their SAKs back freely admitting that they've had the knife for many years and/or abused the poor things - only to have a brand new one of the same model returned at NO charge.
I know of one SOSAK member who sends batches of SAKs back to Swiss Army Brands and have them all come back either refurbished or replaced with new ones at NO charge......
Leatherman has good service but -
now THAT is Service from Victorinox...
(misquote from Crocodile Dundee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
Wingerr
Flashlight Enthusiast
Sounds good- I'll keep that in mind if I run across a Swiss Tool. My experience with Leatherman has been essentially the same, no fuss no muss service, even with an improper use of the mini screwdriver as a pry bar...
pedalinbob
Flashlight Enthusiast
[ QUOTE ]
UnknownVT said:
[ QUOTE ]
Wingerr said:Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
[/ QUOTE ]
The service from Victorinox and Swiss Army Brands in the USA (the wholly owned subsidiary of Victorinox) is legendary -
I've heard of many people sending their SAKs back freely admitting that they've had the knife for many years and/or abused the poor things - only to have a brand new one of the same model returned at NO charge.
I know of one SOSAK member who sends batches of SAKs back to Swiss Army Brands and have them all come back either refurbished or replaced with new ones at NO charge......
Leatherman has good service but -
now THAT is Service from Victorinox...
(misquote from Crocodile Dundee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
[/ QUOTE ]
Where do I send it?
I have a little Recruit (only about $13) that was washed and dried...and the plastic scales buckled.
What to do? I guess I could just buy a new one...
Bob
UnknownVT said:
[ QUOTE ]
Wingerr said:Does Victorinox have the same level of customer service as Leatherman? Leatherman's warranty service is a big plus.
[/ QUOTE ]
The service from Victorinox and Swiss Army Brands in the USA (the wholly owned subsidiary of Victorinox) is legendary -
I've heard of many people sending their SAKs back freely admitting that they've had the knife for many years and/or abused the poor things - only to have a brand new one of the same model returned at NO charge.
I know of one SOSAK member who sends batches of SAKs back to Swiss Army Brands and have them all come back either refurbished or replaced with new ones at NO charge......
Leatherman has good service but -
now THAT is Service from Victorinox...
(misquote from Crocodile Dundee /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif )
[/ QUOTE ]
Where do I send it?
I have a little Recruit (only about $13) that was washed and dried...and the plastic scales buckled.
What to do? I guess I could just buy a new one...
Bob
[ QUOTE ]
pedalinbob said:Where do I send it?
I have a little Recruit (only about $13) that was washed and dried...and the plastic scales buckled.
What to do? I guess I could just buy a new one...
[/ QUOTE ]
Send it in to Victorinox/Swiss Army Brands -
Knife Repair and Product Questions
Most Frequently Asked Questions about Knives >>
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 800-442-2706 / Fx: 203-926-1505
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST
Service Center
65 Trap Falls Road
Shelton,CT 06484
Ship knives for repair via US Mail Certified, Registered Mail Insured, or by UPS
ref: http://swissarmy.com/service/contact.cfm
EDIT to add - if it's just the scales - they can easily be replaced - please see their FAQ:
QUOTE:
Q. Must I send my knife in to have the scales, toothpick, tweezer, and scissor spring replaced?
A. No, you can purchase all of these right here. To learn how to replace scales and scissor springs, contact our consumer service department at 1.800.442.2706. -SA
UNQUOTE
pedalinbob said:Where do I send it?
I have a little Recruit (only about $13) that was washed and dried...and the plastic scales buckled.
What to do? I guess I could just buy a new one...
[/ QUOTE ]
Send it in to Victorinox/Swiss Army Brands -
Knife Repair and Product Questions
Most Frequently Asked Questions about Knives >>
Email: [email protected]
Ph: 800-442-2706 / Fx: 203-926-1505
Monday thru Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. EST
Service Center
65 Trap Falls Road
Shelton,CT 06484
Ship knives for repair via US Mail Certified, Registered Mail Insured, or by UPS
ref: http://swissarmy.com/service/contact.cfm
EDIT to add - if it's just the scales - they can easily be replaced - please see their FAQ:
QUOTE:
Q. Must I send my knife in to have the scales, toothpick, tweezer, and scissor spring replaced?
A. No, you can purchase all of these right here. To learn how to replace scales and scissor springs, contact our consumer service department at 1.800.442.2706. -SA
UNQUOTE
dtrego
Newly Enlightened
For any central Ohio residents, the Walmart in Grove City has them for $11.00 - they had 40-50 or so last night. I picked up one, but am trying to keep from opening the package in case they mark them down again... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
- Dwayne
- Dwayne
mossyoak
Flashlight Enthusiast
gerber customer service is quite good also about like victorinox
