Customer Reviews

Gerber 22-01545 Black Diesel Multi-Plier with Sheath

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I had been searching for a replacement for my Schrade Tough Tool, which while giving me many years of reliable service before being stolen from a jobsite I was on, was a little heavy and clunky for my purposes.

Gerber multi-pliers always seemed very 'handy', but seemed a little lightweight for my purposes. But I asked around among my trusted friends and associates and I decided the Gerber Diesel had the strength and the features I was after. And after testing this bad boy in the field, I can truly say it performed without flaw.

My main concern was the strength of the pliers themselves (the Schrade was extremely strong and stable). I put this to the test immediately upon getting to work. I'm not sure what the reviewer who claimed the pliers had a design flaw was cranking on, but I cranked hex bolts/nuts, wing-nuts and all kinds of other fasteners with NO PROBLEMS! The needle-nose pliers were perfect for tight spots and sensitive moves with electronics, and I snipped everything from fishing-line to heavy-gauge wire and metal banding like butter with the snips.

The other issue I was concerned with was the 'one-handed' plier operation. This is really the key feature with any Gerber multi-tool, and I had NO problems at all getting the pliers to engage by flicking my wrist while holding one side of the two handles as instructed. It was a little stiff at first, but after a dozen or so flicks, the action was perfect.

Lastly, I was worried about all the reviews of the black coating coming off on the user's hands. And right out of the box there was a small amount of black residue left on my hands after handling the tool for the first time. But I've had this problem with ANY black coated tool I've ever owned (try handling impact-driver sockets). I simply pulled out all the tools and wiped them off with a cloth and I haven't had any of the residue on my hands at all since. My thoughts on this are if you are afraid of getting a little dirty, then maybe you better take up another hobby and let someone else handle the tools.

If you actually USE your tools, and don't just buy them because they look cool, you will love having this on your hip. It is a fine looking unit, but it ain't just a pretty face, it'll tear up any job you use a multi-tool for.

My father gave me my first Gerber multipliers when I was a teen. Now as I soldier I have upgraded to its larger, more durable cousin, the Gerber Diesel. There are three things I never want to be without: my weapon, my wits, and my multiplier.

This device has countless applications that will save time looking for another tool and wear/tear on your hands. Disassembling your rifle and you do not have a cleaning rod within reach? Pliers head. MRE heater belching hot gases and you want to retrieve your meal? Pliers head. Find a little annoying string on your ACUs or your need to cut 550 cord? Scissors. Need to smooth a piece of metal on your gear so it does not rip clothing or skin? File. Cardboard needs to be cut into a sign? Knife blade. Need to get into an electronic or mechanical device riddled with phillips head/flat head screws? Phillips head/flat head screwdrivers. Alcohol beverage crimp top needs to be taken off? Bottle opener. A thick branch you want to use as shade or camouflage? Saw.

Other soldiers routinely come to me to borrow this indispensable device. Opens with the flick of a wrist. I would not always carry a knife, but I will never go anywhere on mission without a Gerber.


As the review title states, you will never own anything more useful.

I bought the silver/metal colored version of this, not the black. It's a great multi tool and a few things that impressed me were 1) wire cutters are pretty sharp, 2) blade is very sharp, 3) pliers pretty solid, 4)locking mechanis easy to operate. I have a few complaints: 1) pliers do not fully retract into the casing when collapsed, 2) having the blades open from the inside means you have to deploy the pliers every time you want to access another feature, but this doesn't take too long. On the whole, a good buy for the price.

I recently lost my leatherman and was looking for a new multi-tool. The one I had was great and I never had any issues, but I left it on a job site. I went on to buy the same one and I noticed this one was the same price but had better reviews. I have never used the gerber multi-tool before and so far I am very disappointed. The slide out pliers, seem very cumbersome compared to the fold out. Also I don't like that I can't open the handle fully to use the screwdriver at angles or with extended reach. I'm not sure why this product got such great reviews, in all likely hood I will give it away and buy a leatherman again. I should have listened to the age old rule of "stick with what you know".

By far this is the best multi-tool I have owned. I have had leatherman after leatherman the pliers are storng with them but the tools are junk screw drivers would break or the knife would break something always broke. With this Gerber everything has held up so far. I am a firefighter/search and rescue so I put things to the test and I need reliable tools I can count on and I can Count on the Gerber.I highly recommend this to any emergency personnel or first responder it will be there when you need it.

I did a lot of research on getting a utility knife, and I've been very pleased with the Gerber Diesel so far.

I fly as a pilot and wanted something that had the basics for a survival knife (a good serrated knife, a saw - especially good for thick nylon if needed, phillips & flat head, pair of pliers, wire cutters, scissors, and even a bottle opener which is nice afterwards), but I also wanted something light, which this definitely is for having so much.

The biggest advantage I saw over the MP600 was that Diesel has a saw blade, which the MP600 does not.

I really like the safety features on it with all locking blades that open towards the center, so you never have to worry about it inadvertently opening.

The black oxide is a must with this model. The stainless did not appear to be solid stainless steel, and the black oxide just feels sturdier. The black oxide definitely looks better too.

I use this as a standby pocket tool. I cannot say anything negative about it and love the locking devices, the tool is robust and of high quality. I just wish the lanyard tie was a bit more "streamlined".

Highly recommended and I would love to have another!

Corey

hello,

I have just purchased the Gerber 22-41545 multiplier and am reporting to you that this product has serious design problem.

The main pivot pins in the handles are not secure enough to allow hand pressure to be applied to the handles. These pins have a large shoulder on the outside but are not peened over enough on the inside of the hinge to stay when pressure is applied. My first use of this product resulted in both of these main pins popping out of the handles.

I have the original gerber pliers made in this fashion and it has been a workhorse for me after 23 years in the coal mining industry and has gotten me out of several jams over time .....that is why I ordered a new one for myself but this new equivalent product doesn't even stay together out of the package much less in use.

This is not the product shown in the consumer photo review being used on helicopter maintenance. That is is original multiplier that I had as well......look at the main pivot pins.......the newer black powder coated is junk.

The multi-plier arrived with a defective set of scissors so I had to immediately send it back at my cost for shipping to Gerber. However, they did promptly fix it and send a replacement. I have used it several times at work and so far its holding up just great - the knife is superbly sharp and the pliers seem very strong. The "black film" on the hands that some people are experiencing is just the excessive lubrication they put on the tool before shipping to ensure ease of one-handed opening. It's easily wiped off with a rag and can be re-lubricated as necessary. The one-hand opening action varies from easy to stiff from tool to tool and you may have to adjust the sliding screws and add or remove lubricant as necessary, but once tuned it works great.

This is my fourth Gerber muli-tool product. I have always purchased the sport model. This one is a bit larger, and I'm not so sure it is stainless. As all multi-tools from Gerber, it needs to be broken in a bit, so the tools move smoothly. Great product as always.