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#76405 - 11/09/06 08:27 AM Leatherman or Gerber?
ame Offline
Member

Registered: 10/15/05
Posts: 162
Loc: Korea
Hi,

I was just browsing in a knife shop here in New Zealand and I spotted the Leatherman micra and squirt (p4 & s4), and Gerber shortcut and clutch. Clearly Gerber's offerings are intended to be comparable to Leatherman's.

They are about twice the price here (compared to REI online), but the Gerbers are cheaper than the Leathermans. I might find them cheaper elsewhere in NZ, but really I'd like to know what to choose. My wife wants one with scissors (therefore Gerber shortcut). I EDC a Swiss Army Champ, but I quite like the small size of the clutch.

Are the Gerber tools ok? Are the Leathermans worth the higher cost? I am sure this will provoke a lively debate...

Thanks,

A

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#76406 - 11/09/06 12:55 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
Malpaso Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 09/12/05
Posts: 817
Loc: MA
This is a "Ford - Chevy" kind of personal opinion. I personally really like Gerber, and really don't like Leatherman. It's not a qulaity issue, it's a fit and function one.
_________________________
It's not that life is so short, it's that you're dead for so long.

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#76407 - 11/09/06 01:11 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
Russ Offline
Geezer

Registered: 06/02/06
Posts: 5357
Loc: SOCAL
I prefer Leatherman. I EDC a Juice CS4. The Micra is a good little tool, fits right into a change purse.
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Better is the Enemy of Good Enough.
Okay, what’s your point??

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#76408 - 11/09/06 01:25 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
Anonymous
Unregistered


I picked up both a Gerber Clutch and Leatherman Squirt recently. Form and function aside, I was disappointed with the quality of the Gerber product. The Squirt had a much more precise "feel".

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#76409 - 11/09/06 03:50 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
teacher Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 12/14/05
Posts: 988
I own several of both brands -- I use the gerbers.

TRO

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#76410 - 11/09/06 04:17 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
JIM Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 03/18/06
Posts: 1032
Loc: The Netherlands
It's your choice. If it was mine, Leatherman would win hands down.
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''It's time for Plan B...'' ''We have a Plan B?'' ''No, but it's time for one.'' -Stargate SG-1

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#76411 - 11/09/06 05:03 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
bassnbear Offline
newbie

Registered: 08/25/06
Posts: 44
Loc: Southeast US
I'm new here but I wanted to say a word or two about these tools. I own both but hardly use my Leatherman. I think it's a matter of getting used to one or the other. I used a Gerber for years before receiving the Leatherman as a gift and still prefer my Gerber. I carried the Leatherman for about 6 months to try it out but went back to my Gerber. No complaints about the Leatherman - I was just used to the Gerber.
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bassnbear

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#76412 - 11/09/06 05:44 PM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
Craig_phx Offline
Old Hand

Registered: 04/05/05
Posts: 715
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
Big thumbs up to LeatherMan!

I gave my Gerber to my son. The screwdrivers, saw, knife blade, can opener, etc. are so much better on my Leatherman! Gerber is the wannabe; LeatherMan is the real deal! <img src="/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
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Thermo-regulate, hydrate and communicate.

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#76413 - 11/10/06 03:29 AM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
Seeker890 Offline
Journeyman

Registered: 06/19/06
Posts: 93
Loc: Central Ohio
I am partial to leatherman's. I own several. The micra has siscers. I also own a SOG, which I hardly ever use. I do not own a Gerber, but have used several. I still prefer my leatherman and wear it every day, except in the office.
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The Seeker

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#76414 - 11/10/06 03:52 AM Re: Leatherman or Gerber?
ame Offline
Member

Registered: 10/15/05
Posts: 162
Loc: Korea
Hi. Thanks for all your comments. From what I can tell, it comes down to personal preference. I went to the Mall at lunchtime (with my wife, who is very tolerant of my propensity for spending money on gear, although in this case the pocket tool is for her).

We looked at the micra, squirt, shortcut and clutch. Here are my obervations, based on handling them and what the shop assistant said.

* The micra is old, and effectively superceded by the squirt p4/s4
* The squirt is smaller than the micra and the Gerbers (shortcut and clutch)
* To me, the squirt 'feels' nicer than the Gerbers. You know what I mean.

I can see why people would be *particularly* pleased with whichever one is their favourite- they are all well designed and look good. Our next task is to find a cheaper place to buy one than the Mall. The price we saw for the squirt p4/s4 was NZ$99.90 (inc. sales tax) which is about US$66.

Thanks for all your comments,

A

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