Guys, I like multi tools when I travel or go camping. I have torn up a boat load of cheap imported ones and a Stanley just by trying to use the pliers to grab on to something really tight. I have never had a problem with a Gerber or Leatherman tool – let me say that up front.
At any rate, I wanted to find something compact and with locking blades. I have a Gerber multi tool that I have used a ton since 1998 and my only issue is the lack of a lock on the blade. You don’t really think about the lock until the first time you are really yanking on something to cut it and that blade starts to close! It’s been my goto tool for years and is showing its age.
At any rate, I did some digging around and decided on the Gerber Suspension. All the tools I worried about have a positive locking system and the handles fit your hand pretty well. It has 4.6/5 stars with 1,493 reviews on Amazon. That is a pretty darned good score! I get the warm fuzzies when I see scores like that and the unit was only $23.49 shipped with Amazon Prime.
Here are features and my thoughts
- Needle-nose Pliers – Important
- Wire Cutter/Stripper – Important
- Straight Blade – Important
- Serrated Blade – Maybe – they work great on rope
- Phillips Screwdriver – Important
- Large and Medium Flathead Screwdrivers – Important
- Scissors – I have no idea if I will ever really use this but it is an interesting design and seems solid
- Bottle Opener – Important – this is an Emergency Beer Access Tool
- Can Opener – Important – I can’t tell you how many cans I have opened over the years thanks to the can opener in my old Gerber]
- Saw – not that important
- Awl – not that important
- Lanyard Ring – not that important
Open, it is 6.5″ long and closed it is 4″ long plus it has a little belt / storage pouch.
Here are photos of mine:
So far, everything seems solid. I tested the locking mechanisms and they work. I took a steel rod and grabbed on with the pliers as hard as I could and nothing bent. I’ve had tools in the past where if I did that the handles would crumple. Literally, I put a bar in a vise, grab hold with the pliers and then try and turn the bar which is pretty much impossible. The Suspension held up just fine.
I’m going to be using this more over the summer and we’ll see how it holds up.
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