Gerber Crucial Multitool
Pocket Friendly Problem Solver
By Gear Patrol Reader Matt Alan
Admittedly, I’m one of those knife and pocket-tool junkies. Now, I don’t walk around with a fanny pack or a bunch of crap clipped to my belt, just a trusty knife or multitool (or two) in my pocket. Although I probably don’t really “need” one on my person at all times, lets just say it’s pretty rare to find me without a way to respond to an unexpected problem.
Why you ask? Perhaps it’s a leftover from Scouts days. Perhaps it’s because my father always carried one. Perhaps it’s because I just think they’re so damn cool. Whatever it is, not only do I always have at least a pocket knife on me, but also feel the need to buy a newer and cooler one several times a year. Over the years, I’ve amassed a small collection of knives and pocket-tools, but my eye has been keenly trained on the new Gerber Crucial multitool for a while now.
The Gerber Crucials are finally shipping this August and am eagerly awaiting mine from pre-order. This author opted for the Gray version. A preview video is below.
Gerber Crucial Multitool Tools
- Saf.T. Plus system locks components securely
- Spring-loaded needlenose pliers
- Stainless-steel, partially serrated blunt-tip blade
- Carabiner clip
- Bottle opener
- Phillips screwdriver
- Standard screwdriver
Gerber Crucial Multitool Gallery
Cost: $50
About Matt Alan: I’m a tinkerer extraordinaire, outdoorsman, motorcycle hooligan, horsepower junkie, gadget guru, and the go-to “computer guy” to family and friends. I consider myself a fairly well-rounded individual, being equally comfortable playing 360 at home as freezing my ass off in a tree stand waiting for a big buck. I’m the guy who actually get’s some kind of strange satisfaction out of changing the oil in his cars himself. I work in an office but I’m not afraid to get some dirt under my fingernails.
My philosophy: Life is short, so whatever you are doing, put your all into it. Work hard and play hard.
I, also, am a devotee of tools, multi-tools, and knives. I used to be a fan of gerber knives, but their design choice of late has turned me off. As homage to my past admiration of their knives, I’ve tried their multi-tools and have been very disappointed. Fit & finish has been poor and their design, fundamentally flawed. For their overall size and weight, the size of the pliers and blade is disproportionately small due to the sliding plier design. The closed size and footprint is bulky and unwieldy. I see from the Crucial model that Gerber has abandoned the sliding plier design, a good step, but I also see the handle in the open plier position is flared to a point and digs into the palm. This seems an unnecessary design flare (physical and aesthetic, pun intended) and results in a fatal flaw. I also have issues with the knife shape and past steel choice, but that’s another issue.
So am I just hyper-critical? No, I am please with other manufacturers of multi-tools, though typically at a higher (much higher?) cost.
Am I anti-Gerber, certainly not. One of my favorite folding knives is a old Gerber LST. The design philosophy clear in the final product and it still is a wonderful tool. Maybe I’ll write a separate comment extolling the virtues of the legendary (ok, in my mind) LST.
"The Gerber Crucials are finally shipping this August and am eagerly awaiting mine from pre-order. This author opted for the Gray version. A preview video is below."
With all possible due respect, how can you write an article on a product you don't even have? Perhaps this explains why, other than pasting a video from another website and a published list of features, that this article's only original content is the author explaining why he carries a multi-tool of some sort on his person daily.
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of product that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of product that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of product that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of product that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of product that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of products that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of products that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of products that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of products that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty
Jeff,
Apologies that this post didn't suit your fancy. I'm sure you've noticed that the vast majority of coverage on our site is of products that we've personally tested and reviewed. However, we do sometimes post on unreleased products that we are looking forward to. Those posts generally list details and specs about products, rather than giving personal experiences (as this post does). You'll usually see such posts denoted with a "First Look" icon in the byline (as this post has).
Additionally, this post was submitted by a reader and we chose it for inclusion on the site. Here's the link, should you want to submit your own write up on a product that you've used or are looking forward: http://gearpatrol.com/blog/submit-an-article/. We'd love to get your take on something.
Cheers,
Dusty