Gerber Armbar Destruction! Who Designed This?!? 🤦

[@kahuna1247]

I agree with your improvement recommendations, but I just use mine within its limits and its ok for me. Strangely, I never thought to use the driver fully extended, I use it at 90 degrees for better leverage, so I guess that's why a non-locking driver doesn't bother me. Everyone harps on about blade steel, but for the cheap price I paid, it fine. Sharpen it up once in a while and it's good to go. I must be the only one that likes the Armbar!

[@maxlvledc]

Don't mind me, I'm a spoiled reviewer lol. It just bothers me when companies only got part of the way to ideal.

[@johncharleson8733]

I love that tool, the very one, and colour, he disassembles. Admittedly mostly using the driver, the thing is a little jewel.

[@AmericanHistoryXX1]

I got the armbar Slim drive and I like it. Paid $26 and it does everything I need it too.

[@gazzoification]

I own the Armbar Drive and it's the multi tool I use the most! The blade is the perfect shape, holds it's edge well and is easily sharpened, also has one of the best liner locks with totally zero blade play. The driver is perfect and once the screw is nearly home I can turn the handle 90° without unlocking anything to get a lot of torque, having the interchangeable bits is handy too. The scissors are magic for cutting tags off clothing, cutting and stripping small-guage electronic wiring and opening plastic food packaging. Anything else more heavy duty I'd use the amazing blade. The pry tool is great for opening paint cans and removing staples from pallet wood, you can hammer the tops onto the paint cans too with the flat end. Bottle opener was handy for when I went camping and must have worked well because I don't really remember. 😂 This is one of the best lightweight and compact EDC tools for the money, I use it more than any other tool, especially the scissors for clothing tags. The awl I haven't used and agree that should have a lock but it's damn sharp and I've seen videos of people using it to make holes without actually killing themselves. I genuinely think you're being unfair on a tool which costs £25.

[@maxlvledc]

Its just how I feel. I hate "good enough" tools. This tool is one of those.

[@gazzoification]

@@maxlvledc I get that, what's your suggestion of an alternative multi tool for the same cost?

[@maxlvledc]

@@gazzoification Id suggest the T4, no its not exactly the same cost. However it is far far better.

[@gazzoification]

@@maxlvledc the Armbar is £25 - T4 is £60... I have the T4 and it's really nice apart from the cheap plastic inserts. It has no bit driver and too much belly on the blade, it's also 30% heavier than the Armbar. The tweezers are handy to have though!

[@maxlvledc]

@@gazzoification nothing except the blade on the armbar locks properly, it has no clip...it's just not for me.

[@ChristianW1975]

The innovation team at Gerber is coming up with great ideas time and time again, but those in charge of putting those ideas into production fail us constantly.

[@sztaylor89]

Aesthetically and implement selection wise the design was great. Such poor execution though between the cheap knife steel, lack of all locking tools, poor scissor design, and lack of pocket clip option.

[@maxlvledc]

This^

[@Soupcan13]

Same my dude 😂 on paper I was like "heeeey maybe Gerber got their shizzle together" saw some reviews and noped out. Great video as always

[@stefan6316]

Can you recommend an alternative to the armbar? Seems to be the perfect combination of tools compared to size. But all reviews I've seen are not convincing due to quality and stability. So is there a similar or at least comparable option on the market you know about? So far, Greets from Germany!

[@maxlvledc]

Hmm, the Leatherman T4 is very good (but expensive). The boker tech tool, Ruike M or LD series...a few others.

[@stefan6316]

@@maxlvledc yeah I know but a bit driver is crucial for me. Searching for bitholder, knife and scissors in slim design. Ideal would be an included storage for other bits.

[@docholliday7408]

I was so thoroughly disappointed when I found out that the bit driver doesn't lock. A locking bit driver on this would've made this possibly the best multi-tool screwdriver in existence. I would've paid a hundred bucks for an actual good quality version of this tool, and that would've been a bargain. Like with so many other cool Gerber concepts.

[@Ras0ne-d5n]

I can't even use the scissors on mine. The spring dislodges to the side when I attempt to use them.

[@scotsman7626]

Do you think the blade and the Scissors or drivers can be swapped? to make the the knife a slipjoint? that would be great for UK legal carry had that knife been slipjoint.

[@maxlvledc]

Don't think so, besides the slip joint is far to weak to be safe.

[@thepenultimateninja5797]

I really wanted to like this. It has the perfect selection of tools that I would want, namely knife, scissors and bit driver. I saw it for the first time in a store yesterday, and nearly bought it on the spot based solely on the tool selection. The $40 price tag made me decide to be less hasty and watch a couple of reviews first, and I'm glad I did. What a pity, it could have been perfect.

[@maxlvledc]

A pocket clip and decent lock would have changed everything

[@jettschenker]

The moment I realized the most important device on this multi tool, the screwdriver arm, does not lock into position I returned the multitool to Amazon

[@Castleknight]

I need to loose the pivot screw on my Gerber Slim Armbar and have the Knipex pliers, but isn't there a type of pliers made especially for these type of screw heads that have the 4 indentations?

[@southtexasspecials175]

I must ask. what are your favorite n most recommended edc items,??

[@maxlvledc]

hmmmm, in what categories are you interesed?

[@southtexasspecials175]

@@maxlvledcjust like flashlights and multi tools .

[@maxlvledc]

@@southtexasspecials175 ah, sorry to dig, what size flashlight? And with multitools the recommendation depends a lot on needs. I don't think there is a single multitool...other than the knifeless rebar that I can recommend to everyone

[@cranstonsnord4334]

I have one and used to like it, other than the driver, which folds up on me when I use it most of the time. I used to use the knife and scissors and they worked well, until last week. Now when I use the scissors, the spring will sometimes pop and then they become useless. Sometimes bending it a bit will fix it for a while, but then it does it again. Not all the time but just enough to be annoying! lol

[@danielorozco1728]

I own that knife and i Was completely dissapointed too, the scissors are useless and the drivers folds extremely easy, I only Still carry it for whenever I go out to drink, the bottle opener is actually very good

[@insanogeddon]

I historically dislike gerber for many reasons but their armbar is perfect pocket EDC with no print sad thing is like the SOG power pint few realise it, more complain, so the echo chamber destroys good cost effective easy sharpening/maintenance minimalism for lesser poorly thought out revenue kickers lol Angling of tools physics meaning the tool shouldn't close and can't if held on the gerbers rounded comfortable thumb cut out driver shank (and certainly can't cut you). Gerber scissors cut best close to the pivot point - opposite to other multi wobble scissor designs. Hilarious most drivers on most multitools weren't locking and worked even uncentred and unrounded much like the vaunted yet sadly inferior LM skeletool that can't be used for 20 screws or to whittle of 20mins w/o killing bones in your hand nevermind costs you 2x 12hr work shifts after tax if you loose it/goes walkabout/gets confiscated.

[@TheTuneAce]

This tool would pretty much been perfect if all the tools were locking. $30 is such a good price point for the utility this tool brings. It's all ruined by crappy slip joints, and even then it just gets worse when you find that the scissors are sub-par and the knife steel isn't even 7cr (or 420HC)

[@Ryan_Tidwell]

I agree with most of what you said but from an engineering standpoint they did pretty well. If they had made it the way you think is ideal they would have had to charge a lot more for it and people would not be willing to pay that for what they are getting. At $40 I think its a good deal and you can beat the crap out of it and lose it and its not the end of the world. I don't think people would pay $100 for something with a blade a screwdriver and an awl. You have to design it at a price point that makes sense.

[@martynwatson7869]

Why have a slip joint on the driver and a lock on the blade 🤔

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

How would this compare to a Victorinox? Seems very bulky and unrefined...shock...

[@maxlvledc]

Victorinox is 100000% better

[@OutsideTheTargetDemographic]

@@maxlvledc imagine my shock.

[@matthewantonello5029]

omg i LOVVE the armbar so i cant wait to see you break it

[@l.nassah6728]

I actually wanted to point out that there is space to of a pocket clip art the back, those two holes are there. I wonder if it works?

[@maxlvledc]

It's not threaded..so I have no idea.

[@dedded101]

It does. I attached a leatherman pocket clip to it, with screws and little nuts

[@hvacbudget8600]

Love the channel! Excited to see what the Gerber armbar evolves into in its dissected form.

[@wiki6494]

how you used the cobra makes me cry

[@edwardfletcher7790]

I can't believe that knuckle killing screwdriver doesn't have a lock !

[@chevy4x466]

Thx for saving me $35. I have bought a few Herbert products over the years. None have been anything I have treasured

[@TIMExBANDIT]

Hold up, I've got one and it's not as flappy as that, don't act like that's normal. It's a great alternative to a Victorinox, this isn't honest.

[@maxlvledc]

Mine was a little looser, but even tightened..still not good. Even if it had been a slipjoint..it could have been executed so much better. I don't hate slipjoints out of hand...but this one had no tension. On top of this the notch is not designed right to engage the backspring.. Lazy design. Too bad too...I liked the toolset choices. I'm still holding out for the lockdown pry to surprise me.

[@Zorzi98]

The first time I saw this tool I was really excited either, finally someome had thought of a good bit drive in a small form factor multitool... but no. No locking on the bit driver... how come? This was so frustrating, how come they launch a product like this? This must be straight sabotage, it is the only explanation I can think of...

[@eddymintball1950]

For someone that that obviously appreciates well designed and well made tools, and doesn’t hesitate to point out the design and quality inferiorities that may affect a tools use, I find it very surprising the way you yourself use tools. Trying to cut paracord with the very tip of scissors, using the knipex cobras backwards (nothing to do with not being concerned with chewing up the surface) and then using the knipex plier wrench to try and force out the pivot pin. Do better dude. 👍

[@l.nassah6728]

I actually got one but gifted it, and I really liked it. The combination is actually good for me. But I'm carrying a Victorinox walker and rambler and knipex 4" cobra.

[@maxlvledc]

I have no issues with the combo..I actually liked the toolset in general...but execution was terrible.

[@thisguy2659]

I loved the idea of this. Once reviews started coming out about the failed driver I lost interest. I would be awesome if Gerber liner locked the driver, got rid of awl and knife and added the scissor. Would be great knife-less tool.

[@chasingthetrail9375]

Not sure about the blade but there is a new slim model where the knife locks and it has the bottle opener and a better designed driver haven’t picked one up yet to try but I’ve seen that it’s definitely a improvement

[@AdamDaviesJ]

Everything you said was 100% true.

[@ghostyfellla]

I’ve modded this bad boy and I still have such a love hate relationship with it 😂 I just haven’t found the right replacement

[@ghostyfellla]

Let me add also, after almost 2 years of everyday use, it is a good beater but some miracle

[@bretts6127]

The awful joints and lack of clip killed it for me. Sucks cause it's a pretty good tool set. The pry/maul is amazing

[@Bawrabawla]

I love that tool... I can get it for cheap because how badly designed it is. I removed the blade and now it is a secondary tool I carry for when I don't care about what I am carrying and am going to a place where blades are not permissible. Added a magnet and some string in the empty space (left by the blade). I specifically like it for the hammer though. Edit: also most of my uses need a shorter blade and longer handle for the precision I need so I would not carry a blade like this anyways...

[@maxlvledc]

Now this I can get behind! Awesome mod!

[@Bawrabawla]

@@maxlvledc thanks!

[@alexdetrojan4534]

Yeah, I regret buying one of these. Thought I'd give Gerber another chance, but this tool is sub par. Blade is nice, but the scissors(which I use a lot in my other tools) are really not good. If there was a locking bit driver, it would have saved this tool.

[@MrMJY]

thanks you for sharing

[@Triaz357]

Yeah this one was a big disappointment. These big guys need to up their game. It’s not just Gerber but Leatherman too. I picked up a Sidekick for $25 off of eBay and it’s ok for $25. The blade and saw are good. Everything else on it is subpar. The wire cutters don’t even cut wire. How do they think it’s ok at Leatherman to put a wire cutter in a $60 tool that don’t even cut wire? If I paid retail for it I would have probably returned it. As it stands I may rob the blade and saw out of it or just gift it to someone.

[@Trashed20659]

Still gets the job done, and for $35 show me something better that is not a sale-priced SAR.

[@Outpost_76]

That's poor that the driver had no placement retention.

[@maxlvledc]

It's just lazy design

[@Kleiner_Lutz]

You'd have even more grip with your knipex cobra if you flipped it around while unscrewing the blade screw. Mind the orientation of the tools teeth, they can't bite in the way you're using it

[@maxlvledc]

Good call!!!

[@RobertBrownieJr]

You convinced me to not buy this - Gerber, make a MK2 of the armbar!

[@namelesske]

I finally got what is Gerber about. Hey kiddo! Pssst don’t think about the tool. Don’t think about locks and metallurgy and blade angle and other nonsenses. Just use it. (Until you cut yourself badly, which is user error.) Did I mention it looks like something coming from a sci-fi show or video game. That’s what all you need, just please god don’t think. Details for the lame.

[@HashCoinRick]

Lmao they work good if you know how to use tools properly.

[@neeko7878]

I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… Gerber is soooooo horrible…who is designing these things?

[@maxlvledc]

No fing idea, but they to wake up.

[@lacanian_lifter]

Since it's the multi-tool that spurred me to begin the long search for a much better replacement piece (culminating in the purchase of a Victorinox Handyman), I guess I should be thankful to this awful little piece.

[@gearstuffs8007]

My opinion only the full size multi tools up to the game....(For Gerber)

[@maxlvledc]

The Upcoming Dual force could be the winner for Gerber.

[@gearstuffs8007]

@@maxlvledc the center drive the only one I think made in USA? At least the sheath does made in USA

[@maxlvledc]

@@gearstuffs8007 mp600, mp400

[@tomfaranda]

The tool is not as bad as u make it out to be. As u say knife is fine. Scissor is average, not great but not terrible. The awl and screwdriver - ur overexagerrating the fact that they r not locking. For the money the tool is fine.

[@maxlvledc]

The tool is lazy...or "just good enough" as you say. For the same price you can get a T4 practically. It's got a clip, better toolset and everything locks, and made in USA

[@dubernauta]

nice idea!

[@Paladin1776a]

Back in the 80's Gerber stood for quality blades and shovels. Since they came out with multi-tools, all they have produced is garbage... poor designs, poor execution. It's a damn shame...

[@gonzza35]

Its ok tool for this money, i like it....

[@bategoiko1845]

ледерманите ги чупя по същия начин😉

[@robertmills4980]

Good video

[@Sanctified_Leather]

Gerber's quality has gone too Crap !!!

[@Papa-Anvil]

I think you’re being way too hard on this tool, and I’m no Gerber fan boy. For 95% of the population it is good enough. For the EDC community, probably not. 👍

[@maxlvledc]

Fair...but I'm a snob lols

[@georgianmarcu8221]

You are just a hater! I carry on everyday