Gerber Armbar Drive: My BRUTALLY HONEST thoughts.

[@roddyoccultis4266]

I agree that a lack of a slip joint will be a problem when I want to change antennas on the international space station in space.

[@ChrispyThings]

Yeah I can see that being a problem…

[@negolfman]

The reasons you mentioned is why I went with the Rocktol ST02 12-in-1 for $19.98. It doesn't have the length of the screwdriver, sheath, pommel hammering ability or lifetime factory guarantee, though has a five year coverage, responsive customer service, all it's tools lock, it has a pocket clip, it has a titanium plated handle, etched marking rules and to me the value is, it's half the dollar amount.

[@amym6693]

I just bought one of these and I think the reason the drive doesn’t lock in the straight position is to prevent users putting too much pressure on it I’ve seen lots or reviews of multi tools where the user tries to use pocket tools as if they’re full size tools, and then complain when they break It’s a pocket tool not a full size heavy duty item

[@gopherstate777]

Well said, Amy. Some guys are hung up on macho stuff and complain either they don't have any fingernails or that Gerber is a baby food company as well.

[@Skippy-id9yt]

@@gopherstate777 nothing to do with "macho" rubbish you speak of ,If something is a pain to open then that's just what it is , and if its shit its just ...well....shit....have a good day ...and get stuffed 👍

[@christosswc]

Thanks for the honest review. My experience with Gerber is "form over function". In other words they make cool-looking things, affordable too, but for doing so they either make them cheap or unpractical. When it comes to knives I like that,their Quadrant, their Jukebox, they look too cool to an old timer like myself, but multi tools are tools above everything else and there's no room for compromising functionality trying to catch a customer based on how it looks.

[@Joshadamwyo]

Really wanted to like this too but every review says the same thing: doesn’t lock into place. I’m sure Gerber will either scrap the project or redesign it to include some tension in the slip or a dedicated lock but we have to give them time to engineer it. I’ll be looking forward to a V2 (hopefully they can keep the size and weight down)

[@ChrispyThings]

I believe they will make a v2 with most if not all of the issues fixed. I wouldn’t mind a slightly larger tool if they’d add a saw too.

[@trav-c137]

@@ChrispyThings you're missing the point if youre asking for larger. it's designed to be pocket sized...

[@rendog896]

I agree that that some of the design has flaws. But for the price it’s a pretty good tool.

[@Soupcan13]

Man what a bummer I was really looking forward to this tool. It's crazy that the tools don't all lock, especially the bit driver. Great review man

[@ChrispyThings]

I really hope they update this. I’d love to see them fix these issues.

[@Soupcan13]

@@ChrispyThings yeah a v2.0 would be cool. That nail puller/bottle opener/hammer is a great idea. I'd love to see it implemented on a regular folder

[@gopherstate777]

Buy it anyway. Try it for yourself. This tool is better than this dude say's it is.

[@debajyotinath5021]

Well, as far as fit and finish go, nothing compares to a Victorinox. This aspect of Victroniox tools has always been phenomenal.

[@ChrispyThings]

Definitely. It makes you appreciate it that much more after using the Armbar

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

It's difficult to tell from the video, but is there anything stopping the edge of the blade from bottoming out on the frame when closed? It looks as though it has a kick, but it doesn't look like it actually does anything. Again, hard to tell from a video, so I may be talking out my ass.

[@seanprintz2971]

Thanks for the honest review. Hopefully there'll be an updated version!

[@ChrispyThings]

I’m guessing there will be.

[@naturemacro]

That little hammer everyones excited about and find so useful,is a great way to nick your hand on the nail while hammering it😄

[@stephenwright2184]

I carry the arm bar every day since the day I got it and it was around the time it was released. I love it I don’t mind it not having a pocket clip because I work with cars and pocket clips are scary around cars that aren’t mine. I like the idea of it more than any SAK I’ve owned but also, I would really like much better quality To make it more pocketable for edc

[@garykray]

$18.99 at Smoky Mountain Knife Works as on 2/15/22.

[@ChrisDelChris]

Yeah I just got one as an impulse purchase to get me to free shipping but there are too many little issues to prevent me from wanting to carry it around. Back it goes.

[@ChrispyThings]

Smart. I kept mine but only to refer back to it for future videos. I wanted to return it

[@ChrisDelChris]

@@ChrispyThings write it off as a business expense! But yeah I’m already not an EDC guy and I’ve been searching for something practical that I like and after trying and returning a bunch of models and brands at different price points I have a strong feeling I’m just going to end up with a Wave+ or Free P2 like everyone else. I just can NOT vibe with internal tools and all these budget brands that have gotten so much KZbin coverage have ended up being garbage.

[@keithtremethick8504]

Thx. Going w leathernan perhaps.

[@saldomino1639]

I have one I do not like it along with the knife not being sharp out of the box great review !

[@foniki_mpekatsa_4m]

Nice comments for the tool!!

[@ericm1839]

The bummer is that this is the toolset i need in a very carriable size and the knife actually looks halfway decent. The other downside is gerber can make locking tools. I have a gerber multitool that has a little collar on the back side that you have to slide down to unlock any open tools. Why not just reuse that mechanism?

[@PapaBearzzz]

Thx for the review, really like the looks ( and the price ), but no lock for most of the tools is really a let down...

[@Ell-HR]

I swear the engineers expected people to hold the bit driver where it tapers down, it perfectly fits your finger and thumb and stops it collapsing onto you.

[@muxmurki1497]

interesting idea. I just ordered one and will try it out

[@chaser1254]

Great review! Nicely shot and very informative :)

[@fredperry9235]

Great realistic review. I was going to get one but no point as I have a skeletool on the way and a pioneer x now

[@j.cut_]

I am wanting to do a full themed edc with black titanium/matte black everything. I was wondering if you had any opinions on the benchmade griptillian/mini grip and the bugout. I figured I’d get custom scales for either but I wasn’t too sold on either. Paramilitary 2 and Para 3 don’t look to bad either. Any recommendations?

[@itstime5390]

You have good choices there. Many choices out there. Hard to recomme d wo knowing what exactly you are looking to get out of it. Of your choises i would go Spyderco Para.

[@ChrispyThings]

I own all the knives you mentioned there and itstime is right, that it depends on your intended uses for each knife. I carry the bugout everyday. The Para 3 or PM2 at work and sometimes alternate the griptillian. It’s difficult to choose

[@j.cut_]

Thanks for the replies, I guess I should’ve specified a bit more for my expected use, but it’s...kinda embarrassing I guess. I don’t NEED a knife that expensive for my needs, but I view it as an investment into something I COULD need in the future. Either way it’ll last me a very long time. I kind of wanted to try benchmade for the axis lock, but I have a tenacious and thought the compression lock on the paramilitary might solve the issue I have with using its lock instead of jumping straight into a benchmade that I will need to change the scales on etc.

[@terryblack5381]

If a case is ok for the Victorinox, why shouldn't it be ok for the Gerber?

[@ChrispyThings]

Huh?

[@pauldavid1323]

Which hitch and timber are you using that your i5t cu fits in so nicely? Looking for an organizer

[@ChrispyThings]

Mini Engineer Caddy. I did a video on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6mYpnd8a8mqias

[@Billhumphreys3370]

I like the Armbar, especially the knife blade. It is really a great knife. It is hard to believe, but, for such a compact tool, the Armbar's blade is about 5 mm longer than the blade on the Leatherman Free P4! It is almost the same length as that on the Charge, and is 5mm longer than the blade on the Skeletool. I laugh at complaints about the "poor steel" of the blade. 10 seconds once a week on a sheet of 1200-grit w/d emery paper is all I need to keep the blade razor sharp. If you want a multitool blade that will stay sharp for 12 months, keep dreaming! The scissors work well, and the screwdriver setup is very useful for the occasional need to deal with a screw. Note: "occasional use". If you are building furniture, use a dedicated screwdriver!! No workshop uses a multitool as the main set of tools. The awl is small, but good to scrape, poke a hole, or mark something. The hammer/pry bar/bottle opener is great for opening paint or varnish tins and for tapping the lids closed. Anyone whining about how you can't drive nails with it is just not living in the real world. It's not meant for that! The only other tool I need is a pair of pliers, and unfortunately, this is missing. The Armbar is a really great little compact multitool,with a first-class knife blade. Well done, Gerber!

[@Blastsniper]

I got it for my backpack, so I can screw some basic stuff on my bike if necessary, derailleur and such. While also carrying a quite nice blade. Leatherman wave is my standard multitool for carrying, but its 3 times heavier I think compared to this little rectangle that fits in the "pen" pocket of my backpack. Also I got it for 20$ so can't complain.

[@lawsoncage9717]

I got this same tool for my birthday and I'm a young gun. So there are some downside but it's because they probably weren't made for full-on adult s for like people like me getting your first pocket knife well it's not my first but one of my best

[@maplehedgehog789]

I always wonder about these things when i get that 'impulse buy' itch whenever I'm in Bass Pro walking around. I don't think i've ever owned a Gerber product. Ya, if i would have saw and bought this, i'd be upset the first time i used it.

[@connorlandon5992]

If your looking for a pocket clip for a Swiss army knife, take a look at the swissQlip by clip and carry.

[@ChrispyThings]

Thanks!

[@ShawnBrennan]

Man you ain't lying... and besides the obvious no pocket clip and non locking tools which I could live without the scissors are some of the worst things I've ever come across... I mean it's a shame how bad they are

[@ChrispyThings]

It’s unfortunate

[@Scotty2Hotty2969]

What would you suggest for an EDC multi tool? Thanks

[@ChrispyThings]

For work, I carry the Leatherman Free P4 or Wave. I like them both. But here’s the thing. For me I haven’t found a multi tool that I like as an EDC yet. I know some like to carry certain Victorinox models with them but I haven’t found 1 with the configuration that I like. This Gerber would’ve been it. But sadly the execution needs much work.

[@Scotty2Hotty2969]

Chrispy Things yeah I’m in the same boat for an EDC multi tool...... Thanks Again for info!

[@gopherstate777]

To be brutally honest, I don't use pliers at all. The blade is one of the sharpest full-size blades in any multitool. And you can add a pocket clip in three different methods. The tool literally disappears in my pocket now that I added the clip and the scissors are great too (the power is at the tip and you place pressure inward on the handle, it will cut paracord! what more could you ask for?) Also, you don't pull out the scissors in the machined slot, you pull them out at the top. Other than that you can grow a thumbnail? You can store a longer magnetized bit inside the tool, about 1 1/2 in length. Overall, I have no complaints and it is the tool and I carry it on my person all the time. Unbelievable you criticized a non-locking screwdriver on the Gerber, but put over a non-locking blade on the Victorinox??? And the tiny dinky little scissors over scissors that are twice as big? PS- there is no "indent" on my tool? the blade closes free with no obstruction and is a liner lock, not a switchblade! not a Spyderco!

[@ChrispyThings]

The slip joint on the victorinox are very strong. In fact if this tool had the same stiff slip joint on their driver as the victorinox does on their blade, there would be not criticism from me. It would be a half way descent tool. But Gerber decided to go with one of the weakest drivers I have ever used. Which makes the Armbar very undesirable. Cool you like it though.

[@RandyRandersonthefamous]

If a knife can't be operated one handed it goes into the trash. Haven't found anything that beats an axis lock with a bearing.

[@landscapingspecialist]

Id gladly pay more for a tool with actual high quality scissors (other than vnox), even side cutters or pruners. But have yet to see anything like that. In general however, i have had positive experiences with Gerber products. But nothing compares to victorinox consistency in putting out quality controlled up for the task multitool/pocket knives.

[@itstime5390]

You had me in the beginning. Im even more anti made in China. No go. Ill stick with Leatherman or such.

[@ChrispyThings]

With an inevitable recession approaching, companies really need to pull out of China and reopen our factories here. It’s time.

[@itstime5390]

@@ChrispyThings im with you on this. If you researcg what industries we handed out to other countries, cChina being the biggest, itll make you sick.

[@Steve-yu6pq]

itstime I hear you, its the negative side of capitalism. People blame China but at the bottom of it, its Americans that decide to make the move.

[@cranstonsnord4334]

If you want a tool like this that is US made, try the Leatherman K or T series. I just got a K2 and it is a solid tool!

[@countryheathen1834]

I also saw the made in china and i have always been proud of any thing I could find that was American made, how ever when it comes to things made here u pay top dollar but hopefully not shipping every thing over seas might make the economy better more jobs and better quality. now come the made in america moment and down with china lot of companies will either have to make the move to manufacture in the USA or some other then china.

[@FIREWALKER-kr5tz]

Every thing your pointing out I agree. But still give it 3.out of 5 starts ⭐⭐⭐ it's OK

[@ChrispyThings]

It has potential, just not in its current form. There are a few things I still like about it and wish I could’ve rated it higher.

[@FIREWALKER-kr5tz]

@@ChrispyThings I like the item a lot I just think it coud be better design but I wood definitely YOUS this it a good item

[@ting280]

Don't do a leather sheath for the Victorinox. Get a Keysmart Nano Clip for that little keyring part. Trust me it's better.

[@ChrispyThings]

Nice I’ll check it out

[@kevinthomson6324]

This could be a great tool if they just made a few improvements. Locking tools are very important for safety much rather have a lock for the secondary than a crappy hammer

[@artie2668]

It's called a detent homie

[@ChrispyThings]

Yes thank you!

[@tidge879]

I read somewhere that the blade is 5cr15........ That doesn't surprise me. Gerber can't help themselves but offer two steps lesser quality than you would expect. They're still making 7cr pocket knives. Even the Chinese fakes have grown out of 7cr.

[@Valdamel1983]

This is how review should like like, many thanks brother... Thumbs up, subscribed

[@ChrispyThings]

Thanks man 🤜🏻

[@gopherstate777]

In your world dude. But in mine there is always room for a dissenting point of view. Read my Honest rebuttal.

[@jfsovey]

Great job covering all the details.

[@soloman01uk]

Exactly why I haven't bought one, because the bit driver doesn't lock! Why Gerber? The blade locks? Wouldn't be that bad if it had a strong slip joint, but it doesn't, so disappointing. Great review as always by the way.

[@landscapingspecialist]

I was gonna buy this. But can the scissors cut their way out of a wet paper bag?? 🤣

[@KungFuTweety1]

Prefer my victorinox SAK cybertool...great review!

[@gopherstate777]

Which are $80?

[@nightowledc3111]

Cool video

[@Makerspace987]

Good review .. Victorinox and letherman are the best knife Hi from Italy Bravo ciaoooo

[@Myexoticexperience]

you cant really do anything serious with that size. its built for light work only.

[@ChrispyThings]

True

[@Myexoticexperience]

@@ChrispyThings good review though

[@chrishyde7798]

Really well thought out review. Thank you.

[@THUF007]

Good review sir, thanks. I think it’s called a Detent.

[@insanogeddon]

I historically dislike gerber for many reasons but their armbar is perfect pocket EDC with no print and SILENT - sad thing is like the so the echo chamber trained to like clicking/snapping/popping noises destroys good cost effective easy sharpening/maintenance minimalism for lesser poorly thought out revenue kickers lol Funny drivers on multis and saks have not been locking for DECADES and never been an issue and they weren't inline and the centre axis of the pivot causes the force is on the opposite side of the pivot.

[@RichfilmsRL]

Soild review, thanks...

[@trav-c137]

for the 35 bucks you're kinda being unreasonable with the harsh criticism or "honesty" as you like to call it . but at the end of the day these things aren't easy to design and at that 35 dollar price point this pocket knife size tool is a no-brainer compared to the t4's price and bulkyness.

[@ChrispyThings]

This is a silly comment. If a company is putting out a product, it should be easily usable. By not putting a locking driver on this, to me it’s unusable. Unusable. So I paid the 35 dollars for a tool I don’t use. I could’ve wiped my a** with the money I spent and got more use out of it. 15 bucks more you can get a Leatherman Bond!

[@trav-c137]

@@ChrispyThings the drive is definitely usable. I guess you're just so used to having everything perfect you can't fathom a tool that requires compromise without shitting on it.

[@ChrispyThings]

Yeah that’s obviously it. 🙄

[@ChrispyThings]

I’ll tell you what. I’ll wait for your video review on this beloved multitool of yours. I can’t wait to comment on how wrong I think your opinion is. I’ll be waiting

[@hafizibrahim4408]

made in Malaysia 😍😍

[@bigdavidcannon4]

I'd give it a decimal and.give it a 2.5 or 50%. Thank you for the awesome reviews.

[@ChrispyThings]

Thanks for watching!

[@gopherstate777]

The review was pretty weak.

[@scottbee22]

Why would anyone ever want scissors on a multitool, just use the knife?

[@ChrispyThings]

I use the scissors to cut colored gels for work. Works much better than a blade

[@jamesyoung9763]

If you don’t have a cutting surface, scissors are often irreplaceable. Try opening ramen/noodle sauce packets when hiking - there are often no sanitary surfaces around to cut on, and if you did, you’d make a mess. That’s when I decided I needed scissors on my multi tool!

[@jf_c137]

5cr steel FYI

[@JohnDudley-l7x]

Eyes welded mines implements in all's open position so day don'ts folds ons yews

[@hanktizzy8819]

A lot of the issues you point out are obvious, how they didnt think it would be an issue for ANY user is beyond me. Great on paper but poor execution.

[@ChrispyThings]

They’ve got their work cut out for them if they plan on releasing a v.2

[@soundknight]

Such a shame, could have been a good tool.

[@davidsiegel9847]

Typical Gerber. Great concept, poor execution, mediocre to poor materials. Like my CenterDrive. Oh well. Thanks!

[@bannisher]

Yikes. What a mess.

[@pititoy]

👍

[@pressuresh1ts793]

Looks like a massive pile of pants. Gerber isnt what it was 25 years ago

[@gokhanersan8561]

Great concept, bad execution.