Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier Review

August 24, 2014
Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier
Gerber-Suspension-Multi-Plier
Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier Gerber-Suspension-Multi-Plier
GEAR INSTITUTE RATINGS
91
Construction & Materials
7
Durability
8
Design / Ease of Use
8
Edge Retention
9
Value
9

The Good

  • Contoured handles for improved grip and usability
  • Internal tools can be accessed without opening pliers
  • Spring loaded needlenose pliers
  • Built to last
  • Compact size

The Bad

  • Knife and saw blades are a bit undersized
  • Spring loaded needlenose pliers stopped being springy after torsion testing
  • Internal tools flex a little when locked
  • Sheath is a bit flimsy
THE VERDICT

The Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier offers surprisingly high levels of quality and performance for a multitool at this price point. Though it has some quirks, it’s an excellent tool for a Boy Scout, Girl Scout, or weekend warrior. It is a great tool for the beginner, but also a nice back-up for the experienced purist.

FULL REVIEW
CONSTRUCTION & MATERIALS

THE BUILD
You could easily take this tool apart to service it as it is held together entirely with Torx screws. But when it’s all tightened down, the Suspension has a solid feel to it. However, there is a little flex in the internal tools when they are locked in place. They never popped out during testing, but I had to second guess a couple of my moves.

THE LOCK
Gerber is a fan of this open-air bolt-lock style of locking system. It hasn’t failed me yet, but it is a little bit finicky. The interface between the internal tools and the lock bar could be a little bit deeper, which might alleviate some of the flexing I experienced during testing.

THE STEEL
“Stainless steel” is a broad term for steels that have different elements designed to prohibit corrosion—for example, lower quantities of iron, carbon, etc. In this case, I am not sure on what part of the spectrum this stainless steel falls on, but it held up exceedingly well in all submersion tests.

UPKEEP

As previously stated, you could take the Suspension apart and put it back together with little effort. The one issue I had was with the spring in the pliers. It kept getting jammed up, requiring a little too much tinkering with the screws to get the tension just right.

DURABILITY

OVERALL
Besides the spring in the pliers, the Suspension is pretty bomber. Knocking it around on the ground or bouncing it off of a rock could chip the coating on the frame/arms, but besides that the tool held up beautifully.

On the knife blades Gerber has used a pressed-in, cast metal thumb stud to help you open and close the blades easier. I was certain these would pop off in testing or regular use but they did not.

PLIERS AND WIRE CUTTER
The pliers and the wire cutter are both built pretty well. I was able to chop a nail in half with the wire cutters and there wasn’t much deformation in the metal. The spring in the pliers is another story. I found myself battling it right from the start. It doesn’t hinder the function of the tool, but as an added feature of the Suspension, I was a little disappointed that I had to baby it.

COMPONENTS
Gerber has a penchant for putting the right internal tools in their multi-tools. They’re made well and they take a beating so don’t be afraid to put in some work on those buggers. The flip side of that is with the knife blades—they feel too short. There is room to add one-quarter to one-half inch of length onto them, but Gerber chose not to. They will do the job, in a pinch, but you’ll want a pocket knife to compliment the Suspension.

DESIGN / EASE OF USE

The Suspension is a great tool in both form and function. Because of the contoured handles, you can comfortably complete stubborn tasks that a tool without rounded handles would probably end up being pretty painful in your hands. Gerber just needs to work on the spring in the pliers.

EDGE RETENTION

The knives, scissors, and saw all held up fairly well, so I can only assume that this stainless steel falls into the high end of the stainless spectrum. Which is really, really surprising for a tool that only costs $38.

VALUE

I’m not sure how Gerber is selling the Suspension Multi-Plier for $38. It excels in form and function for a tool of this caliber.

WHATS INCLUDED:
  • Spring Loaded Needlenose Pliers
  • Wire Cutter
  • Plain Edge Knife
  • Serrated Edge Knife
  • Saw
  • Scissors
  • Phillips Head Screwdriver
  • Small Flathead Screwdriver
  • Medium Flathead Screwdriver
  • Can Opener
  • Bottle Opener
  • Lanyard Hole
  • Nylon Sheath
  • Lifetime Warranty

 


Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
USER REVIEWS

No reviews have been posted for this product.

Related posts
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x