Gerber Center Drive
By Cory McLaughlin
Just the facts:
Gerber’s new multi-tool offers uncompromising performance through revolutionary design. The innovative center-axis driver opens to align like a real screw driver, yielding maximum torque and rotation. No productivity is sacrificed with the addition of a 30% longer outboard blade and one-thumb opening sliding jaws. Full size, real tools – the multi-tool just got a reality check.
DETAILS:
-
-
- Closed Length: 4.7″
- Open Length: 6.6”
- Weight: 9.5 oz
- One-thumb opening system
- Spring-loaded needlenose pliers w/ X-Channel rail system
- Rotatable carbide wire cutters & strippers
- Full-size 3.25″ 420HC fine edge blade
- Magnetic 3.2″ Center-Axis bit driver
- Pry bar w/ nail puller & bottle opener
- Serrated blade
- Awl, file
- Magnetic flathead and phillips bits
- Lanyard hole
- Fabric sheath included
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Made in USA – sheath made in China
-
- Spring-loaded needle nose pliers w/ x-channel rail system
- Standard pliers
- Rotatable carbide wire cutters
- One-thumb opening system
- 3.25″ 420HC Fine edge blade
- Magnetic 3.25″ Center-axis bit driver
- Bit driver
- Extra bit holder (flathead bit included)
- Ruler in/cm
- Bottle opener
- Pry bar & nail puller
- Awl
- Fine & coarse sided file
- Serrated blade
- Lanyard hole
- Tool lock
My Story:
If you are an outdoorsman and you have not used a multi-tool I would argue that you are not an outdoorsman at all. Since these little babies came around they found themselves tucking into tackle boxes, blind bags, shooting bags, and even hitched a ride on many belts. There are several different types made by several different companies and if you are in the know there are two that come slamming to the forefront of your mind. Gerber is the one we are talking about here.
When I was in the Army we were issued a Gerber multi-tool and though it is called a “Multi-Tool” we all just seem to call them by their company name. You are usually either a Gerber man or a Leatherman man, similar to the old Ford and Chevy debate. I myself, well, I was a Leatherman man. It was not that I didn’t like my Gerber it was just that my first Multi-Tool was a Leatherman and I am resistant to change. Boy, am I glad I learned how to fix that!
The new Center Drive Multi-Tool by Gerber is a thing of beauty for sure. The finally did what many of us outdoor types have been begging them to do. They put the important stuff on the outside and made some pliers that actually work! What a fantastic idea this has turned out to be indeed. First lets talk about the driver. If you have used any of the older multi-tools you will remember the frustration of having a driver that was either left or right of center and while functional it was not ideal or even comfortable for that matter. Well my friends those days are over! The Center Drive has solved that problem by simply performing as its name implies and offsetting the driver to align with the center of the tool. This means that when the trailer lights go out or the screws on your bar stool are lose you can get them tightened up in a jif.
The Center Drive also comes with a variety of different bit choices so that you are always prepared for nearly all “screwy” situations. Sorry, I had to do it. The Center drive also has an extra bit holder inside the handle so you can keep the two most common bits with the tool at all times.
The knife on the outside of this tool is simply fantastic and right on par with the type of quality cutlery that you would expect from one of the world’s leading knife manufactures. It is easy to get out and put back with only one hand and that is something we can all agree as an important feature.
The pliers are freaking awesome! Spring loaded and build like they are ready to tear apart a battleship. The carbide cutting blade can be loosened and turned offering 3 uses before needing to be replaced. This is an absolutely amazing idea that really makes this tool a stand out in my opinion. The pliers feel strong and are designed to function. I used them for everything from tightening a washing machine hose to pulling hooks out of a fish’s mouth. Whatever it is you find a need for they are up for the task.
I see that some people have said that they done love the file and that they would like to have some of the other features outside as well. I myself love that the most common items are easy to get to. If I need the other tools it’s not like they are really all that difficult to get to. This tool is really just great.
Find it Here:
What can be done better?
I love this tool and would not change a thing. The price is fair and the quality is top notch. Gerber makes a great product here that is absolutely something that should be on your list.
5 Starts
-
Functionality
(5)
-
Value
(5)
-
Ergonomics
(5)
-
Durability
(5)
