Gerber 1027824 Center-Drive Multi-Tool Silver

Product Information

Here we would like to emphasize that in this case we used the basic version of the Center-Drive. There are also other models on the market with an additional bit set, or with other tools. One-handed opening pliers

You’re provided with two bits standard and it also has a neat little holder that attaches between the two handles. This lets you carry two standard ¼ inch screwdriver bits wherever you go. We love that Gerber went with the industry standard sizing instead of a proprietary bit size. It makes the Center Drive much more usable as a replacement screwdriver since you can use all the bits you already have on hand. Out of all of the multitools on this list, none of them come close to this one in terms of getting the feel of having actual tools in your hands. The fact that the knife blade and bit driver are so long and sturdy makes this feel amazing when you go to use it. The build quality of the rest of the product is no slouch either.After trying out the driver we found it to work just about as well as a regular bit driver. You really notice the extra length when getting into those hard to reach places and the central bit orientation is a very nice feature. The only real downside we noticed was that holding the multi tool handles was still less comfortable than a round screwdriver handle. Bottle Opener, Pry Bar, Nail Puller, Awl, File, Lanyard Ring and Ruler

The Leatherman Surge is another heavy duty multi tool that was designed to be the most rugged and dependable tool on the market. The Surge includes a full 21 different tools, all built to withstand any kind of abuse you can throw at them. It’s actually heavier than the Center Drive if you can believe it, coming in at a hefty 12.5 oz. Gerber built the Center Drive for construction workers and contractors. It was made to be beefier and more building oriented than most other multi tools on the market. Overall, we think they did a really good job with this one. The big feature, the centerline extended bit driver, works well. It’s a definite improvement on the smaller bit drivers found on most other multi tools.The tools it has though are well designed, sturdily built, and do exactly what they’re supposed to. The centerline screwdriver in particular is an excellent innovation on Gerber’s part. The sole exception to this is the carbide wire cutters. Gerber doesn’t seem to have figured out exactly how to get these to work without being overly brittle. The Center Drive has space for one more bit and comes standard with a flathead screwdriver bit. So that’s a Phillips head and a flathead screwdriver bit carried on the Center Drive. Given the bit driver is one of the main tools and a feature, it would have been good for Gerber to have designed the capability to carry more than 2-bit types onboard. Spare Hex Bit Holder

The awl on the Center Drive has a more triangular shape than many you’ll see on most multi tools. It’s better for puncturing and scoring building materials than leather or other materials. The ruler only runs along one side of the handle so it’s a bit too small to be really useful.

Performance Comparison

But, it’s kind of heavy so that may not be the ideal tool for everyone – so let’s dive into the specific reasons you’d buy one multitool over the other and figure out which is the best multitool for EDC. Let’s dig in a little deeper to see how the Center Drive lives up to the hype. Gerber Center Drive Tools After 6 years of real-world experience (and a bunch of used test wood for screwing in screws) I put together a list ofwhat I feel are the 7best multitools for everyday carry. These products take into account build quality, price, form factor, reliability but most importantly, my personal opinions and experience with each of them.

Replacement Parts– Gerber offers a 25 year warranty on all their multi tools. This covers any defects in materials or manufacturing but doesn’t cover damage from use. It’s a good warranty overall and Gerber stands by it. This tool is definitely a bit beefier than the other tools on the list, and also focuses heavily on the military functions of the tools. We know that a lot of you guys are shooters and this is the perfect multitool to ensure that you never have issues when you’re shooting.

The pry bar is alright for its size but for a tool marketed at the construction trades you’d think they would have upped the strength a bit. The nail puller actually worked better than we expected. Most multi tool nail pullers are good enough for staples but don’t pull nails very well. Not so with the Center Drive. It was able to get underneath a standard nail and lever it up no problem. A comparison between two multi-tools is not complete without an overview of the different tools. That is why we made a list of all tools. Multi-tool As far as decoration goes, this is a nice looking tool. Gerber does a good job making their MT’s look a little more exciting than some competitor’s. I love a Leatherman SuperTool 300 but even I’ll admit it’s a drastically bland looking thing, and the fractal triangle pattern on the handle here is very neat, along with “GERBER- made is USA” etched on both sides of the handles. Sheath / Holster / Pouch– Like many of their other top level tools Gerber offers a number of sheath options with the Center Drive. You can get it with no sheath, a standard nylon sheath, or a Berry compliant sheath for members of the U.S. armed forces.