Gerber Center Drive - The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Few points I'd like to make: First is that the Gerber allows standard hex bit while the Leatherman uses their proprietary flat shape. If you do any electronics, computer work, or other work that requires weird bits it's nice to know all your existing bits can be used with the Gerber. While I recognize this video is a few years old, even today the Surge will typically cost you 30-50% more than the Gerber (more if you have to pay for proprietary Leatherman bits) so I think the tools are extremely close from a value standpoint, even if the Surge edges out on performance. The engineer in me has very mixed feelings about testing tools outside what they're designed to do (i.e. using a small file on hardened steel, using wire cutters on hardened nails). For example, certain carbides can be harder than titanium and make extremely durable and excellent cutters, but they don't flex or give, so of course they shatter when used on hardened steel; that's not what they're designed for. If you need to cut hardened steel nails frequently with a multi-tool you're probably better off getting a multi-tool with a t-shank or u-shank adapter and using replaceable grit or metal saws so you don't end up with misaligned pliers and replacing damaged cutting teeth.

I replaced the wire cutters in my center drive with metal machine cutting teeth which are great for cutting the types of tie wire I use as a painter the driver and knife are great and the one hand opening pliers are great to have when I'm on a 24ft ladder the inside tools do come in handy from time to time but for me the driver is the biggest reason I bought this tool

Great sense of humor. Much appreciation for your attention to detail all around (editing, thoroughness, efficiency). Great watch and very helpful information. Thanks!

As usual Ben, an outstanding review. It's a joy to watch & listen to your knowledge & experience (as an Engineer) come through into your reviews; well done, again !

Great review man. Finally a channel taht actually bases a review on real-world testing. No over-hyping, no BS, just a solid, honest review. Keep them coming!

i work in a machine shop, and have never seen that trick with hot glue before. thank you for showing me that, it will be very useful!

Thanks for you review. You are the honest guy talking about Gerber center drive, I see more than 30 videos related about it. I’ll give you 10 stars ⭐️ if I can.

I own leatherman but am also a fan of the centerdrive. One thing that always annoys me about these reviews is that they cut nails with WIRE cutters. I work in hvac and building maint. I dont think iv ever had to cut a nail in half. And if i did i wouldnt use a tool that wasnt designed for it then blame it for it.

Excellent review. I'm glad you put it through its paces. I had a SOG for a few years and it broke 3 times, they fixed it for free every time, but after the third, I was done. Switched to a Gerber and have never looked back. Had my MP600 for 10ish years and the small flat head broke, so I decided to get the Center Drive. Haven't done much research yet, but I am hoping to be able to replace the serrated blade and the wire cutters with upgrades. Hastaloy or steel would be nice for the cutters.

Super tool 300 EDC for almost five years. Still going strong 💪😃

Very good test of the knife, thank you.

Fantastic review and demo, thanks and subbed! My main users are the Leatherman Wave and Swisstool Spirit X but I think I will pick up the Gerber, I do use those 3 main tools the most.

Awesome driver design! I'd love to see leatherman implement the same sort of system. A long reaching, outside opening bit driver would be a great addition for certain applications

This is the multi-tool they issued in the Air Force. So, when I hear things like, The Leatherman PST or Gerber’s CenterDrive is a best seller, I always think back on the fact that if it were not for the military it probably wouldn’t be. Just because it’s what the military uses doesn’t mean it’s the best. More than likely it came down to pure logistics when they chose, and a lot of time that means a sacrifice somewhere.

I realize this is an older video. I used to make knife and multi-tool videos, and back when I did that I never cared about a multi-tool having scissors. I just didn't need them. Fast forward to now, and I had to send my Surge in to Leatherman for an odd repair and I feel naked without it and it's fabulous scissors. The centre-drive has an upgrade now.. the centre-drive+ that has scissors. They've changed the main blade to be a combo blade (I suppose the scissors took the serrated blade's place). Great video.

Great Ben. I won't ever waste my time with Gerber. Thanks.

The reason the pliers have a little lateral movement is because of the rail system. Since there has to be a little tolerance for the rail to slide effectively it has to have a little room. This translates into a little slop in the plier. Kind of a trade off, and in my opinion not a deal breaker. These tools aren't really designed to be super heavy duty anyway, just a convenience to accomplish light to medium tasks without taking your tool bag with you. If I had some heavy work I knew I was doing, dedicated pliers would be my go to

Ben, the pry bar/bottle cap opener can also be used as a can opener. The cut isn't as smooth as the Victorinox but it can be done. I work in aviation maintenance and on the jet engines we still use metal oil cans and I use the pry bar/bottle cap lifter as a can opener all day everyday 😉 just wanted to share this with you. Keep up the good work, great video as always 👍

Excellent humor with the slice of butter at the end, I laughed a lot.....

awesome video tutorial. thank you. kuala lumpur, malaysia