|
Product Description I had been searching for a replacement for my Schrade Tough Tool, which while giving me many years of reliable service before being stolen from a jobsite I was on, was a little heavy and clunky for my purposes.
Gerber multi-pliers always seemed very 'handy', but seemed a little lightweight for my purposes. But I asked around among my trusted friends and associates and I decided the Gerber Diesel had the strength and the features I was after. And after testing this bad boy in the field, I can truly say it performed without flaw.
My main concern was the strength of the pliers themselves (the Schrade was extremely strong and stable). I put this to the test immediately upon getting to work. I'm not sure what the reviewer who claimed the pliers had a design flaw was cranking on, but I cranked hex bolts/nuts, wing-nuts and all kinds of other fasteners with NO PROBLEMS! The needle-nose pliers were perfect for tight spots and sensitive moves with electronics, and I snipped everything from fishing-line to heavy-gauge wire and metal banding like butter with the snips.
The other issue I was concerned with was the 'one-handed' plier operation. This is really the key feature with any Gerber multi-tool, and I had NO problems at all getting the pliers to engage by flicking my wrist while holding one side of the two handles as instructed. It was a little stiff at first, but after a dozen or so flicks, the action was perfect.
Lastly, I was worried about all the reviews of the black coating coming off on the user's hands. And right out of the box there was a small amount of black residue left on my hands after handling the tool for the first time. But I've had this problem with ANY black coated tool I've ever owned (try handling impact-driver sockets). I simply pulled out all the tools and wiped them off with a cloth and I haven't had any of the residue on my hands at all since. My thoughts on this are if you are afraid of getting a little dirty, then maybe you better take up another hobby and let someone else handle the tools.
If you actually USE your tools, and don't just buy them because they look cool, you will love having this on your hip. It is a fine looking unit, but it ain't just a pretty face, it'll tear up any job you use a multi-tool for.
|