Multi tool deals on Amazon

The following multi tools are currently selling for well below list price on Amazon:

- Nite Ize Doohickey, $3.98

This key-sized multi tool clips onto your keychain for several everyday uses.  It includes a flathead driver, different sized wrenches, bottle opener, box cutter, and -- of course -- bottle opener.  List price: $4.99.

- Gerber Dime, $15.99

Gerber makes several different multi tools in the same size and price range as the Dime.  One factor that makes the Dime stick out is its protruding bottle opener.  The Dime comes in multiple colors, and Amazon sells different-colored Dimes for different prices.  If you're not picky about color, you can get a Dime on Amazon for as low as $10.49.  List price: $21.00.

- SOG PowerLock EOD, $57.99

This Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) tool has many military and civilian uses.  The multi tool has flathead and Phillips drivers, a partially-serrated knife, scissors, wire cutter and crimper, double tooth wood saw, and more.  It comes with a nylon sheath.  List price: $124.25.


All of these tools qualify for Amazon's free shipping (if you spend at least $25).

Tool Review: Gerber Vise

Key Features:
 +   Textured, open frame
 +   Good cross driver
 -   Bad bottle opener


Gerber makes many different multi tools, including a wide range of small, pocket multi tools.  The Gerber Vise (model #31-000021) falls into this category, and is one of the better multi tools I've used -- though it's not without its faults.

The Vise is not very heavy for a multi tool (only 2 ounces) and sits much more comfortably in your pocket than Gerber's Mini Suspension-P.  It has a good range of tools built in: spring-loaded pliers, cross and slotted drivers, straight-edge and serrated knives, bottle opener, and files.

The pliers are decent for occasional or light-weight work, but the handles start to give under a lot of pressure, and the right-angle corners dig into your palm and fingers.  The pliers have good spring tension but are clunky to open and close.

The cross driver on the Vise works very well -- better than any other multi tool cross driver I've seen, and better than some multi tools with full Phillips drivers.  The slotted drivers are average to above-average.

The straight-edge knife and serrated knife are both good.  They compare well to knives on other multi tools.  Neither locks in place but that's typical for the price range that the Vise falls in.

All of the external tools are easy to access.  The Vise has a very open frame that allows you to see which tools sit where, and they all flip out fairly smoothly from the nail nicks.  The Vise's textured frame makes it easy to hold and use.

The biggest drawback of this tool is the bottle opener.  It is dual-pronged, which is a smart idea and should give a better grip on the bottle cap, but on this tool there is hardly any lip on either prong, so the bottle opener slides right off the cap.  The bottle opener looks impressive but fails to function.

Overall, the Vise is above average as a pocket multi tool, and better than many tools in the low-end price range.  It's on a comparable level as the Leatherman Squirt -- a tool that often costs more than twice as much.  The Vise is a better everyday tool than the Mini Suspension-P, mainly because the cross driver comes out much easier and is machined more precisely.

Gerber lists the Vise at $20.00 online.  Amazon previously sold it for $14.95, but has it right now for $9.90.  Under $10 is a fair price for this pocket tool.

Stocking Stuffer Tool Deals

With the holidays just about upon us, you may be looking for small stocking stuffer gifts for someone you love (or just like).  If that person likes tools, here are some great stocking stuffer gifts that are on sale right now.

- Gerber Shard

The Gerber Shard is a handy little keychain tool.  Made of just one piece of sturdy metal (no moving parts) it includes cross and slotted screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a pry bar, and a box cutter.  It typically sells for about $6 or $7, but right now both Amazon and Walmart list it for $4.33.  Some Walmart stores are selling a combo pack of the Shard plus a Gerber Mini Paraframe pocket knife for about $10, but this deal doesn't seem to be available online (at least not yet).

- Stanley Stubby Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver

This small Stanley screwdriver fits in the palm of our hand but is full of functionality.  It's a good ratcheting screwdriver, and it's magnetic, which is a rare combination for under $20.  It also comes with six common bits, which can be stored in the driver's handle.  Amazon and Target both have it for $4.79 -- a good deal.

- Stanley 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver

Another Stanley driver, this one is designed to be carried in your pocket.  There are several similar models of pocket screwdrivers, but none of them compare to this one in terms of quality.  This pocket driver is well-made with magnetic metal bits, and anyone who reaches for a screwdriver in a pinch will appreciate having this pen-sized driver in their pocket.  Often sold for $6 or $7, it's listed at just $2.99 right now on Amazon and $3.00 at Walmart.

- Pittsburgh Pro 3-Piece Thumbwheel Ratchet Set

If you still haven't found a good stocking stuffer, how about a set of three thumbwheel ratchets?  Thumbwheel ratchets are great for working in tight spaces, and this Pittsburgh Pro set can't be beat price-wise.  Each ratchet fits a different size socket: 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2".  Harbor Freight sells this set for $6.99 -- cheaper than most thumbwheel ratchets cost by themselves.

For more details on any of the tools listed above, click on the link below to read a full review:

- Gerber Shard
- Stanley Stubby Ratcheting Multibit Screwdriver
- Stanley 4-in-1 Pocket Screwdriver
- Pittsburgh Pro 3-Piece Thumbwheel Ratchet Set

Gerber Shard on sale on Amazon

The Gerber Shard is a multifunctional pocket tool (full review here) that usually sells for about $5 or $6 on Amazon.  Right now it's listed for $4.33, one of the better prices Amazon has sold it for.  If you are purchasing other items as well, the Shard can count toward your total to qualify for free shipping.

Head to Head: Leatherman Brewzer vs. Gerber Shard

The Leatherman Brewzer and Gerber Shard are cool little keychain tools.  They both pack a good amount of functionality into a small, very portable frame.  But which one is better?

Price
The Shard is the clear winner in this category.  Currently on Amazon the Shard sells for $5.95, while the Brewzer is listed at $9.72.

Bottle Opener
Both the Brewzer and the Shard can function as bottle openers, though neither of them is as effective as a standard keychain bottle opener.  I've had times using both tools where it took multiple attempts to pop a bottle cap off.

Pocket Carry
Both tools are small enough to carry in your pocket or on your keychain.  The Brewzer gets the edge here, however, due to the Shard's cross driver point.  That point, which can also function as a box cutter or package opener, is sharp.  Sticking your hand in your pocket can often result in a poke and a few drops of blood when you're carrying the Shard on a keychain or loop.

Screwdrivers
The Brewzer has a wide, straight front edge that can very easily be used as a slotted screwdriver.  The Shard, on the other hand, has a forked front edge for its pry bar, that can also double as small- and medium-sized slotted drivers.  The different-sized drivers of the Shard are nice, but they have limited use because of their proximity to each other.  You won't be able to use them on many recessed screws, or screws very close to a wall or other protrusion, because the driver you're not using will get in the way.

However, the Shard does also include a rudimentary cross driver on its other end.  This driver can turn Phillips screws, and does a fairly good job of it.  The Shard wins by a little bit in this category.

Box Cutter
As a box cutter, cardboard cutter, or package opener, both of these tools are about equal, with the Brewzer being just the tiniest bit better.  The Shard's pointed cross driver makes the initial cut into cardboard much easier, but the Brewzer's slightly-hooked tip gives it better follow-through.

Pry Bar
The Brewzer's pry bar is much less pronounced than the Shard's.  The Brewzer's shape and design give it a decent grip when using the pry bar, which would be useful for small things.  However, the Shard's pry bar is much larger, is angled to allow for more leverage, and is also forked, so it can be used to remove nails (like the claw end of a hammer).  The Shard's pry bar easily beats out the Brewzer's pry bar.

Size
The two tools are very similar in size.  Amazon lists the Shard at 0.3 ounces, with dimensions of 3.1" x 1.3" x 0.6".  It lists the Brewzer as 0.5 ounces, with dimensions of 2" x 1.2" x 3".  However, when you hold the two tools, the Shard feels heavier.  The Shard has a larger footprint than the Brewzer, being both longer and wider, as well as more three-dimensional (because of the pry bar).  If you're looking for a more compact, lightweight pocket tool, the Brewzer wins that fight.

Usefulness
Both tools can be used as a bottle opener, slotted screwdriver, and pry bar.  The Brewzer has a couple of cut-outs that can be used as box or open wrenches to turn small nuts or bolts.  The Shard has a cross driver.  Both tools offer about the same amount of functionality, with the main differences being determined by what you need them to do.

Overall
Which tool is better than the other is very subjective, and depends heavily on what your main uses will be.  Overall, the edge goes to the Shard.  It's significantly cheaper than the Brewzer and offers more everyday usefulness, because of the presence of a cross/Phillips driver as well as the increased leverage you can get out of its pry bar.

Gerber Shard multi tool for under $3!

If you've been thinking about picking up a Gerber Shard keychain multi tool, now is definitely the time to do it.  This pry bar/cross driver/bottle opener/slotted driver/box cutter all in one usually sells on Amazon for about $6 or so... right now it's listed at $0.33 plus $1.99 shipping, for a total of $2.32 (plus any applicable tax).  There is no way this price will be good long-term, so if you're considering purchasing a Shard -- either for yourself or as a gift -- you'll probably never find a better price on it.  (Full review of the Shard can be found here.)

Gerber Shard price drop on Amazon

The Gerber Shard is a handy little multi tool (full review here).  It typically sells for almost $6.00, but right now on Amazon you can get it for $3.85.  That's a good price for the tool you get -- bottle opener, two slotted drivers, cross driver, pry bar, wire stripper.  If you're at all considering buying this multi tool, this is probably the lowest price you'll see for a new one any time soon.

First Impressions: Gerber Vise and Stanley STHT71699 Multi Tool

Home Depot recently had some tools on sale, so I picked up two tools I'd had my eye on for a while: the Gerber Vise and the Stanley STHT71699 Multi Tool.

I bought the Vise because I wanted a small multi tool I could carry for work -- something lightweight with a good pair of pliers, a knife, and a Phillips driver.  I currently carry the Gerber Mini Suspension-P, but the cross driver is not easily accessible, and I wanted something a little lighter.  The Vise seems like it will do the trick, at least so far.  The pliers feel flimsy, but I'll see how they hold up.  The Phillips driver swings out a lot easier.

The Stanley multi tool looks kind of neat online, but is not very awe-inspiring once you hold it.  The tool feels cheaply-made, the slide mechanism is jerky, and the sharp jab saw is very close to being exposed even when it's all the way closed up.  Not a good first impression, but I'll use it and see how functional it is.  It only cost $6.45 so I'm not expecting big things from it.

Tool Reviews: Gerber Shard

Key Features:
 +   Many useful functions
 +   Compact

 -    Can poke you from your pocket


The number of rigid, single-piece multi tools on the market (like the Leatherman Brewzer and the Screwpop Pocket Wrench) seems to be growing, with many variations.  One such multi tool is the Gerber Shard (model #22-01769) which offers about as much functionality as the others, for a much lower price.

The Gerber Shard is a very small multi tool, smaller than I thought it would be.  It measures 2.75" long and 1" wide at its widest point -- about the size of a standard key.  It barely weighs anything, and it has a large hole so you can carry it on your key ring for easy access.

This multi tool packs a lot of functionality into a tiny frame.  Some of its many uses include pry bar, bottle opener, box cutter, cross-tip screwdriver, and slotted screwdriver (two different sizes).  Gerber claims it can also be used as a wire stripper, but I haven't tried that yet.

As a slotted/flathead driver, it works pretty well.  The large and small drivers are right next to each other, however, so it isn't much use for a recessed screw.  For a screw that's flush, the Shard loosens and tightens fairly well.

The cross driver, on the other hand, is not very functional.  It barely turns some screws, and won't do much except strip out the heads on other ones.  If turning Phillips screws is a deal breaker for you, then look for another multi tool instead of this one -- such as the CRKT Get-A-Way Driver.

The cross tip may not be very good for turning screws, but it works great for cutting tape on boxes and packages.  The tip is sharp, so if you keep the Shard in your pocket, be careful when reaching for it.

As a bottle opener, the Shard works, but if you're buying it mainly to use as a bottle opener, I would look for something else.  (The CRKT Get-A-Way Driver has a much better bottle opener.)  The Shard's small size makes it hard to grip and get leverage, and you have to be very careful how you hold it, otherwise you'll end up poking a hole in your hand with the sharp cross tip.

The pry bar is a handy feature, and is surprisingly strong for such a small tool.  If using it for large nails on a long flat surface, it probably won't be much help, but for smaller nails (or other objects) when you have room to get leverage, it works great.

The Gerber Shard is a handy pocket multi tool.  It would make a great gift for a DIYer, professional repairman, or technician.  It takes up hardly any pocket space, doesn't weigh anything, and puts several useful tools at your fingertips.  Amazon.com currently sells the Shard for $5.99, which is a good price for what you get -- far cheaper than other comparable tools.

First impressions: Gerber Shard and CRKT Get-A-Way Driver

Today in the mail I got a Gerber Shard and CRKT Get-A-Way Driver.  The Gerber Shard I'd been wanting for a while, but the Get-A-Way Driver I hadn't even heard of until recently.  Both tools are smaller than I thought they'd be -- a good thing, since they are both pocket tools.

The Gerber Shard is impressive so far, especially for its size.  I don't like the cross driver on its tip, but I didn't expect that to be a great screwdriver.  The CRKT Get-A-Way Driver is a neat multifunction screwdriver, but a little lower quality than I would have expected from Columbia River Knife & Tool.  I'm looking forward to using, testing, and reviewing both multi tools.

Tool Review: Gerber Mini Suspension-P Multi Tool

Before I bought the Gerber Mini Suspension-P, I'd never owned a Gerber multi tool, so I wasn't sure quite what to expect.  I've owned a couple of Gerber knives over the years and I was very impressed with them, and I'd had my eye on the Gerber Suspension multi tool for a while now.   (The Mini Paraframe is still, for my money, one of the best pocket knives around.)

Then recently I saw the Mini Suspension-P at Home Depot for about $10.  The price was right, so I took a chance and bought it.  After carrying it and using it for a couple of weeks now, I have to say I'm a little let down.

The Mini Suspension-P is not a bad multi tool.  It's about average compared to other $5 or $10 multi tools.  It's better than some Sheffield multi tools, and not as good as some others.  I wouldn't get rid of the Mini Suspension-P, but it won't make the cut as my "everyday-carry" multi tool.  I guess what I'm saying is, $10 is probably a fair price for it (perhaps a little high) but it's not worth any more than that.

The tool looks nice -- it has a neat straight-line finish with different shades of gray, and it looks like a lot of care went into its appearance.  Two of the implements (the knife and the nail file) are even labeled, which I've never seen before on a multi tool.

The Mini Suspension-P is sturdy.  Mine got dropped on concrete a few times (okay, thrown) and it has no scratches or scuff marks.  The pliers are strong and well-made, with good spring action.  The handles don't have any textured grip, but it's still easy to hold the pliers because of the strong spring action.

This multi tool is very heavy for its size, perhaps due to the strength built into the pliers.  The Mini Suspension-P is noticeably heavier than other multi tools of a similar size, and even heavier than some larger multi tools.  It comes with a loop that can be used with a key chain, but unless you like your key chains weighed down, you probably won't want the Mini Suspension-P hooked onto it.

The opening and closing action of the tool's handles is a lot jerkier than I've seen with other multi tools.  The handles don't swing open smoothly -- they sort of pop open in stages.  It makes for a neat snapping sound when you fold the tool up, but for quick access it's a little awkward.

It isn't a 15-in-1 multi tool, but the Mini Suspension-P does have some useful implements.  Aside from the pliers/wire cutters, there's a very serviceable knife, a nail file, a small pair of tweezers, a cross screwdriver (the flat blade kind) and large and small slotted screwdrivers.  The tools open from the outside, so you can get to any of them (other than the pliers) without having to open the handles.

The knife pivots out easily.  The tip isn't very sharp, but the blade is.  The nail file works, and it has a pick on the end.  The two slotted drivers are about what one would expect -- functional, but a little more rounded than they could be.  The tweezers work well but are very short, so they won't be able to reach into narrow spaces.

The Phillips driver is next to useless.  The tension on that driver (at least on my tool) and the design of the nail nick make it almost impossible to extract with your hand.  You need something to pry it out with just to be able to use it.  You can adjust the tension on the screwdriver with a Torx driver, but in order to do so you'll need two Torx drivers, because turning the one screw just makes the screw on the other side turn as well, which doesn't do anything for the tension.  You'd have to hold one Torx driver in place, as well as hold the multi tool, while you turn the other driver.

Once you get the Phillips driver out, it works okay for some screws.  For others, it won't grip the head enough to turn the screw.

The Gerber Mini Suspension-P is not a multi tool I would buy again, given the choice, nor recommend.  For the same price you can get a lighter multi tool that functions just as well.  I'll still look forward to testing its big brother, the Suspension, but I would recommend passing on this one.  If you want to check it out, Amazon.com lists it for $18.00 (eligible for free shipping) and HomeDepot.com sells it for $9.97.

Pros:
- strong pliers
- sturdy, well-made construction
- tools open from the outside
- two of the tools are labeled

Cons:
- Phillips screwdriver is difficult to extract
- too heavy for its size
- tweezers would be much more useful if they were longer
- pliers don't open or close smoothly

(originally published in the Multitool.org forum, July 2014)

Gerber tool reviews

Multi Tools:
- Gerber Mini Suspension-P Multi Tool
- Gerber Shard
- Gerber Vise