MONS Gear Box Product Review
According to Gerber, the CENTER-DRIVE multi-tool is made for real challenges – and works like the real thing. MONS Gear Box took it through the works:
The Gerber CENTER-DRIVE has some innovative features, and along with an extra bit, there are, a sturdy plain edge blade (drop point style, blade length: 3.25in, made from 420HC steel), pliers, a wire stripper, a serrated blade, a file, a bottle opener, and a awl sharp enough to make an effective hole in several different materials. It is a real helpful handheld tool-box.
The pliers open not just with one hand, but with one finger. The one-thumb-opening pliers look to deploy and close quickly and easily. Plus, they’re spring-loaded, a feature we really appreciate in multi-tool pliers…after a few flicks it gets stuck more and more often, something that WD40 will be able to fix, no doubt.
The user-replaceable and potentially user-sharpenable rotatable carbide wire cutting blades are a very nice feature to have in heavy-use multi-tool pliers, meaning, damage these cutter blades, one should be able to inexpensively replace them.
The 4in centred screwdriver provides tonnes of torque on stubborn screws and can easily squeeze into tight nooks. While most screwdrivers on multi-tools are clumsy and weak, Gerber’s extendable bit-drive arm doubles the tool’s length and moves the power onto the centre axis for optimal torque and control. Deploys with the flick of a thumb!
The ruler comes in both inches and centimetres on the inside of the handle, which is the worst placement we can think of, so not all positive here. The fabric sheath features two pockets – one for the multi-tool and one for a spare bit holder, we guess. The back features a MOLLE attachment.
The bottle opener is one of the most effective designs we have seen on a multi-tool. Yes, one can use it to crack open a cold one at the end of the day, but there is an integrated nail puller and prybar, reinforced well enough to actually be able to put some force behind it. As backup tools go, that’s an incredibly handy one!
The Gerber CENTER-DRIVE has a very effective multi-tool design with a great combination and design of tools. Its screwdriver is definitely a win thanks to its longer size, ability to hold a standard 1/4in bit, and its central axis placement. A highlight is the one-handed opening and spring-loaded handle mechanisms alongside the design of the pliers with rotatable/replaceable carbide wire cutters/stripper, as well as the combination of knife blades.
