Customer Reviews

Gerber 22-01470 Diesel Needlenose Multi-plier

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I purchased mine as a kit from W*Mart. It included the extra bit set for less than most were selling just the tool for.

I use mine in my work EVERYDAY! It was tight at first but a very tiny bit of graphite powder made that work-in go faster and it's a breeze to deploy the pliers with just a flick of the wrist (everybody I work with grins when they hear that snap-open sound.) The great bit set (standard 1/4" screwdriver bits) comes with a piece that fits over the otherwise disappointing standard phillips head that comes built in. But this bit set lets me have what I need for any situation in the field.

The wire cutters cut clean and smoothly (important for the wiring we do) and the knive will cut through just about anything I need it to. There's a great saw blade (saw/knife) that cuts through thick plastics and wood. The scissors in this are bigger than the other models and I use them all the time.

I've had this tool about a year now and all my colleagues with their Leathermans have gone to W*Mart and purchased one of these! We look like the Gerber brigade :) but that tool is one of those things I don't leave the house without, anymore!

I agree with others that it would be nice for them to have taken the 1/4 second to stamp the side with a ruler/scale like the other units. I, too, used that frequently. I've actually taken a nail/scribe and marked the thing off myself but it is silly they didn't add that feature.

I've worked on the water (salt) for 15 years, so my tools see more rough environment treatment than the average. Over the years I've owned a Leatherman (original), SOG 'Paratool', the original Gerber 'slide out' needlenose plier, and most recently the Gerber Diesel.

The Diesel comes with a natty nylon sheath that goes right on your belt. The downside with the velcro closure is that over time, of course, it gets gummed up with schmutz and the like. I prefer a brass snap, but your mileage might vary.

Within a month and a half, my Diesel showed signs of oxidation, especially around the tips of the plier and the plier pivot. That was disappointing, to say the least. Although the tools did seem stronger than the original slide out design, the pivots that allow the tools to swing out became loose within a month. Halfway through the season they had developed so much play that getting the plier head retracted became impossible without manually jiggling all the loose tools.

I finally had the set sent in to Gerber for servicing. After six weeks of no response, I contacted Gerber and was informed that they had never received it.

Needless to say, I will not be purchasing any Gerber products any time soon. The Diesel was a terrible disappointment, and I bought it when it was new.

Best of luck if you purchase this device. I hope your mileage is better than mine.

I love the Gerber 400 series multi-tool and decided to try this Diesel set. I bought 4 of these units and two have broken within 2 weeks of using them. The first unit the hinge button popped off and the second the safety lock fell off the knife side. The rivets came lose and bits fell off.

Don't let this review discourage you from the other Gerber 400 series. The 400 series is fantastic... this Diesel series sucks.

Not only is the Gerber Diesel the finest multi-tool I've used (25+ years of military, personal and construction use) ... and I've owned and stress-tested every major brand ... but their after-the-sale product support is phenomenal. Actually, it's what customer service used to be like back when most of what we bought was made by American companies who cared about making repeat sales.

I found a Gerber Diesel that someone else had dropped in the road near my home. Unable to identify the previous owner, I started using it in my daily work as a home-improvement contractor. Razor-sharp blade, great needlenose pliers, etc., etc. Then one day I was trying to free a corroded fastener and overstressed the pliers hinge. SNAP! The stainless steel fractured and I had an "extra part" on my tool.

I packed it up and sent it to Gerber's customer service center with a brief note. Within 7 days, I received a brand new Diesel plus a beautiful Cordura belt sheath, at no charge. Wow! If I ever need another multitool -- and with quality and service like this, I doubt that will happen -- you can be sure I'll be buying Gerber!

Count me impressed. Consider the very reasonable price of the Diesel vs. the competition like SOG and Buck, and you can count me "awed."

I am about tired of the one handed gerber claim to fame, this is my 3 or 4th one, I am send this one back, it's just not worth the money. I am really starting to like my old leatherman folder better. It is just easier to use, all the locking stuff and flipping and squeezing is getting old, and it's heavy.

Another great Gerber product that I have purchased. Works well in all applications that I have used it in so far. Fast delivery. No issues. thanks

Great replacement for the one I lost. The knife is sharp and cuts paracord with ease. The sissors made it though a piece of paracord on the 3rd snip. Great mulitool overall.

I bought the diesel to replace my previous gerber model, which I lost.

The diesel sports noticeably stronger, thicker tools then my previous model. I broke the flathead on the previous model trying to unscrew a rusty screwhead; I doubt that I could do the same on the diesel; each tool is that much more beefy.

The cutters on this model are substantially longer. While I couldn't quite cut through an entire piece of coax with the previous model, I can easily do so with one squeeze of the diesel.

The slide buttons are a bit nicer; easier to press, not as much force is required.

My favorite thing in general about gerber's multi-tools is the one handed-opening. It can make all the difference on a ladder or in a tight spot. The locking mechanism is also worthwhile.

My only complaint with this model (and why I took a star off) is that the smaller tools in the middle of the frame can be harder to open then they should be. Each has a small rounded "hook" for pulling on, and these are in succession so that the tool furthest back is the hardest to get at. Not a deal breaker, just a minor annoyance. The outer tools are easy to open, as always.

I have 2 Suspension Multi-tools from Gerber and decided to get this model for the tougher jobs I have. It is stronger then my other 2 and more comfortable when squeezing hard. I don't really like how the inner tools have to come out. I was so used to opening the knife part with one finger from the smaller models. I know that an opening mechanism like the Suspension would make it less comfortable however. I guess I'll take the comfort in this case. The case seams pretty good. It is a little heavy and big but again I needed something stronger and so I have it. It's a breeze to open and close the pliers and I got a good deal on the price. The only thing I would like to see is the pliers to retract flush with the handle and maybe a better way to get a hold on the smaller tools. It's functional and will now be my sidekick in the woods while hunting.

I was disappointed with this purchase so I returned it for the New Leatherman Wave. It was very "loose" feeling, some corrosion and I just opened the box.
I like my leatherman Wave and I am glad was able to exchange this with no problems at all.