The Gerber Armbar Drive Multitool: A Quick Shabazz Review
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- čas přidán 5. 12. 2020
- Today, we'll talk a bit about a multitool that puts the bit driver front and center, with a bit of compromises around the edges, the Gerber Armbar Drive.
- Jak na to + styl
I suspect that the “hammer” is intended to be used in similar fashion as the hammer end on a putty knife. . Mostly you’re hammering paint can lids shut, and such. ( which is probably also what you’re using that prybar for, to open the cans)
Hey nick I think the hammer and pry part is more made for opening and tapping shut paint cans or something. Not hammering nails.
So it's like a leatherman free T with interchangeable bits? That's pretty neat
You accept that a multi-tool will be inferior to a dedicated tool but a 'hammer' that is inferior to finding a rock is really pushing things.
When I originally saw this, my first thought was "This was made for photographers." It seems like the perfect tool for dealing with camera mounts, accessories, etc. while also offering a knife blade and maybe some handy day to day extras like the cap lifter.
Change the scissors for a thin needle nose plier, add a clip and a D2 blade and it's a world beater.
That would be cool
Yep, give me pliers every time. I use my Wenger Journeyman as much as any tool I own.
@@davidmarshall7752 My thoughts exactly. I can manage to substitute a knife for scissors, but nothing can sub in for pliers.
I use scissors almost every day, but can't think of a single time I've ever had to use the pliars on my multi tools.
I want to like this, but I need a plier in my multi tool.
I’m a robotics engineer. I have a few, what I call, “pocket tools”. I call them “pocket tools” because they have 1 major function and then have 1 or 2 minor functions. All pocket and multi tools should have a knife, so I don’t consider that as a function.
For this tool, I consider the screwdriver the major function and the “hammer” and scissors as the minor functions. The awl is a nice bonus, but I just use it to scape (mark) material I’m working with.
My use case for this tool is along the lines of what Nick mentioned...I have a dual sided bit that covers probably 90% of the screws used in our products. We use a lot of small (22-36) gauge wiring, which the scissors can cut just fine. The “hammer” works well for tapping pieces that are friction fit together. And I can also use the “hammer” to pry open small containers of lubricants or cleaners, as well as using the edge as a large flat head for turning the locking screws that keep small battery compartment doors closed. And the knife works for cutting open boxes.
It’s also nice not to worry about those times I might run across an odd size or type of screw, since almost any 1/4” bit will fit in the driver.
I did have to add a pocket clip to the tool. It’s not pretty, but it works. I used the 2 holes on the back side. It’s a long clip, but skinny. It’s a deep carry clip.
Add all that up, and for me it was worth the $30 that I paid for it. Some other “pocket tools” I have; Leatherman Free T4, SmallRig Folding Screwdriver Kit, and a Victorinox CyberTool.
T-20 and T-30 are the standard at my work... i work in the aerospace industry and everything is Torx drive. Just bought this for this exact reason.
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!
Yes its Amazing that blade is so long
Gerber Mystery metal... Soft and easy to sharpen on your pant leg. 😋
lol
I like that the bits on this are removable so you can put the type of bit you use most depending on your line of work such as Torx.
I think the steel is 7CR. I believe Gerber said that in a video somewhere when it was first introduced, but I haven't double checked.
7cr17 is the same as 440a wich, if heated right can be a decent knife steel... usually isnt tho@
Personally I like the slim version better it’s just a knife bit driver with a bottle opener in back almost perfect edc knife only improves I would make is better knife steel and a multi position lick for the driver where you could use it at 90 degrees and fully deployed that would be one awesome tool
Replace the awl with a lock for the driver.
The only people I've ever heard of who like awls are CZcamsrs.
@@starkparker16 the that tool that is 90%useless untill you need it, then it is unreplaceable.
I love this thing for a lightweight carry. 90% of the time all I need is a screwdriver, a knife, or a bottle opener. I find the arm, while annoyingly off center, still incredibly useful due to it's length.
on top of that it's size is just so fantastic for what it offers. My biggest complaint is the lack of a good lanyard attachment spot. Sometimes it can disappear in the pocket.
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.
Tiny magnets can be glued to the bottom of your favorite bits and make them more versatile
Right, a real bit! After all, who would possibly want flat bits that work well, are very easy to organize and EDC on a couple of thin, flat sleeves that easily slip behind a multi-tool's belt pouch. Who in their right mind would want that convenience when they could loosely carry a bunch of bulky _real_ bits with them. It's amazing that Leatherman still offers those thin bits year after year since no one wants them. You'd think they'd do the smart thing and discontinue them by now.
With the hammer tool I've used it to put small pins and nails in walls for framed photos and posters.
Wow, your reviews are spot on, thanks!
Back in my yough age, i was a snowboard instructor. I was always carrying a bit set and a king of ratchet tool to adjust on the go the snowboard bidding of my student.
That tool would have been perfect for me.
for those, 'wide at the top' bits, simply grab a few neodymium magnets that fit inside the bit holder, to extend the magnet- you can lever the magnet back out of the bit holder, using the hole on the side.
Appreciate a review without an affiliate link.
I love this. I would get one in a heartbeat . . . if I wasn't left handed!
Design looks great!
Can you put Leatherman Bits in the driver?
I so want them to revise this tool to make the bit driver lock. I would buy it for sure if the bit driver locked and was a bit more centered. I don't think I would EDC it, but keep it in my car console.
I just picked One up to pair up with my Centerdrive..Now I have scissors an Extra Driver if I have a Bolt or Nut to hold on to at the same time..I think that the "Hammer" is really meant for tapping down Lids and thats about it
You know who this tool is good for? I ASM and do props in the theater every once in a while and, as much as I love my Centerdrive, sometimes, you need to very quickly take something apart and fix it, or tighten something up. It’s easier to carry a couple of bits, whip this thing out, and use it, than to fuss with the Centerdrive, when all I need is the driver, the awl, and possibly the scissors. I haven’t bought one of these yet because it’s gotten some mixed reviews (and no current theater work), but I might get one soon. If they ever offer an option that is bladeless, so I can use it when I do gigs in a place (like my current position as a music teacher, where I have to fix stringed instruments) where I can’t have a knife, that would be great.
For a more functional edc bit driver, check out the SOG PowerPint. It’s a Juice-sized plier-based multitool, with the added benefit of locking tools (although the tools themselves are not all up to leatherman standards). It’s a nice edc size (with a pocket clip) and the pliers are much stronger than what you usually find on small multitools. The bit driver on The Armbar has much better reach, but why they didn’t make it locking is beyond me... like Nick says, the driver is the whole point of this tool.
I agree. The SOG Power Pint is my EDC. I modified the bottle opener to a medium flat head driver, and the file to a large flathead driver/prybar. It has plenty of tools, great pliers, and a clip. A great, versatile little tool.
No one is comparing this to an Ontario Rat II. You should have done your size comparison against a SAK.
That's probably one of the more elegant looking multitools I've seen at the very least. They should have etched a ruler in there as I find that something I wish I had close by hand. Letherman does that with one of their longtime models. It wouldn't have cost any extra space. Loving that the driver accepts standard hex-bits.
I've been following this channel long enough to recognize taut-*awl*-ogy was probably a deliberate joke.
Agree on most of your points, except the hammer part. It's not really meant for hammering nails, more like leveraging pressure on a small bent corner or light metal object. I mean, I wouldn't use my jeweler's hammer to build a deck. Same idea. I wanted the driver, like you said, and a few extra little tools. Good review.
Might be a great tool to carry on my bike as the bit holder takes std 1/4"bits.
Nick, you said you had to open the screwdriver to open the awl. The awl (and scissors) have an accessible nail catch where the driver is notched. They’re actually easy to get at- easier than many thumbnail grooves, actually. As others have pointed out, the hammer head is more for things like hammering paint can lids down. Finally, there is one plus to the driver being slightly off center, and that is giving you a bit more leverage without turning the handle sideways and losing slimness/reach.
There is a corkscrew version, too. Not bad for hotel/picnic baskets.
Looks like something cheap to leave in the car.
(I get what you are saying, but the Leatherman bit kit does have a T30 bit. You could use the extender for any other bits. )
The Gerber mystery steel is a question mark but at the cost fair enough to drop on ignore into a backpack or other luggage just in case of any need
I have actually used the hammer to hammer a nail once. It’s a good tool for your office desk. If the screwdriver locked open it would be great instead of ok.
I'm utterly amazed that Gerber even sends you tools anymore considering how harshly the previous items have been received.
Just got one this weekend at the cabelas. As far as a 5th pocket knife I don't see myself reaching for my sak anymore over this, the knife and driver seems way more capable.
If i not mistaken the blade steel is 420. I saw that in another video
Just saw they are offering a knife custom shop on their webpage like Benchmade. American made and takes 2-3 weeks to get. We’re only offering different colored scales, hardware options and different blade shapes but not different steel. The big difference was the price. Not outlandish if you know what I mean. Maybe if it gets going they will offer different options. Interesting that you could customize a fixed blade too.
I like the version with just the knife and driver. I work in a factory and use it all the time.
This is the only Gerber I've ever returned. Just didn't have enough umph to justify the price.
Love a good nick shabaz review😆
Hey Nick, are you going to be getting your hands on a Toler Union multi tool at some point? I’d love to see you review one of those.
If you were a painter then this would be handy.. screw driver to remove plate covers and air exchanger covers. Pry open paint cans and hammer the lid shut again..
It's kind of like a mini-Centerdrive. The blade is basically the same, (even have the same thing happen where you'll shave a little skin opening it if you're not careful.) EXCEPT instead of the Centerdrive's 420HC steel on the knife blade which Gerber does a reasonable job with, the steel on this Armbar is an unfortunate 5CR15MoV by my understanding.
Gerber excels at puting useful things at the end / top of their multitools. The pry tool on the gerber dime kept it on my keychain for quite some time. It was eventually replaced by the Style CS - with overall higher quality tools. But I would never use the flimsy carabineer head on the Style for some of the things I threw at the Dime on a regular basis.
The style ca is a beast.
Has been with me for years now.
Best folding scissors out there.
@@SuperDeinVadda I like the scissors. In my book Victorinox scissors take the top spot for crisp clean cuts. But I don't carry those much for lack of pliers.
@@Heizenberg32 wait
Isn't the style cs scissors only?
There is also a style PS with pliers and scissors
I was referring to the style cs
Every comment here is about how no one can find the exact multi tool they want, so i will add mine. Replace the knife blade with a t shank blade holder ala leatherman surge. You now have a tsa-able tool and a saw. Almost everyone watching this channel already carries a knife
These are most used tools on my Victorinox explorer in a small body nice!
Steel Side this is actually pretty sick!
i like the idea, ive been wanting a tool better for day to day, i dont need pliers, can openers, or 30 bottle openers. i want something i can run with my knife with another decent knife, bit driver (or decent ph2 minimum) a file, and a pocket clip... this misses the mark by just that much but id pay double for a v2 and some more craftsmanship.
Unfortunate about the steel, because i do appreciate this design, i think it has a lot going for it
Good point on knife steel. But with hammer end, you can always use a blunt instrument to hammer the gerber to drive something in. For the screwdriver, it’s better if it’s off center. You get more torque driving in screws with less effort. Awkward but more efficient. I
Would be nice if the bit driver could lock open
I think its not the highest buildquality but you get what you pay for and also it is still usefull and that is why I carry it nearly every day
I have used the hammer part without issue.
It is not a hammer.
Its a pill crusher... for those young hip kinda folks.
If that had D2 steel for the knife and added a pocket clip, I think it would be great.
It's for hammering things. Just not nails.
When your giving your 'high speed low drag' disclaimer you sound like a used knife salesman
Man, I thought you had reviewed this already, but I guess not. I bought this as my teenage son's first pocket knife. No the steel isn't labeled or mentioned anywhere, which means it's probably like a 3CRxxx steel. It's pretty soft. Overall it's decent for a cheap tool. You have to try using the hooks built into the tools to lift them out. It's really not that difficult.
Good for a driver you use enough to need to replace it regularly.
Thanks
Near miss! Pity about the knife steel, and the awl feels like it's there as a spacer, but the bigger deal for me is no second/third bit storage. Even if there was enough clearance to close the bit driver with one of those double-ended Phillips/flat drivers installed it would be a lot more appealing, but really if you're using one weird but regularly then you're probably using two or three, whether it's torx or security screws or Allen fasteners.
I'd pick one up if they switched to a steel worthy of being mentioned, added a detent or lock to the driver, and added a pocket clip or a case.
I would buy one if they went a little more in on the driver and ditched some of the other tools to make it thinner.
I've been researching this product for a couple of days. Your review has made me pass on it. I don't like the screwdriver not locking, the knife biting you, lack of clip, difficult to access other tools. Great review.
They did a second run on the scissors that spring better
That magnetic bit holder won’t hurt your omega seamaster 300 nick lol 😂, but unfortunately it locks so not legal in the uk 🇬🇧
According to Gerber Store UK, under “Details & Features” the blade steel is 5CR15MOV www.gerber-store.co.uk/knives-c1/gerber-armbar-drive-urban-blue-p538 @Nick Shabazz
No pocket clip, no locks on a torsion based tool, too many “cutesy” design elements for my liking, and it’s 20 bucks more than the Gerber Dime...still not sure why I bought one of these things, but about all the use it sees is clipping herbs because it happened to land near my little hydroponic settup.
I'm pretty sure the steel on the blade is 5cr. I find that regularly with Gerber's stuff, they have plenty of good points in the design, but they let themselves down in the materials they choose. 8cr on a multitool would've been totally acceptable. But 5cr is about as good as cutting with a sharpened credit card.
I'm fairly certain its actually 420hc
@@mattpardy2826 i don't think it is, but I cannot find where I saw that it's 5cr. So you may be right.
@@tidge879 I think they mentioned in a BHQ video that's its 420HC, but I could be wrong
@@mattpardy2826 hmm, on everything I can find, they neglect to mention the steel. But they regularly mention 420hc on other models, like the centre drive. That doesn't prove its 5cr by any means, but if it were 420hc, I think they'd be stating it.
@@tidge879 you could be right, I cant remember for sure.
This is perfect type of tool for a girlfriend/wife's car. Knife, Phillips and flathead, and scissors.
Can change out license plates, cut open packages and snip loose threads. Done.
Sharpen it, lube it up, coat it in rust inhibitor and your good to go.
I like this concept. Now can leatherman make a better version?
They did
Not impressed with the scissors, nice Knife and driver set up.
Only $35 or so? Hey, I’ll have to check that out!
Although, I have no idea what I’d use the awe thingy for.
Pretty good but I won't change it for my skeletool, those pliers have saved me many times, you were unfair with the hammer though, obviously you're not hammering nails, I would imagine it as a surface to tap things or hammer paint lids or along those lines.
Mmm actual bits.
Nick has displaced his number 2.
The driver bit/s are going to stick to the screw heads everytime you torque up a screw to a decent level, from friction. Certainly for Allen and Torx. It's terrible.
This might be a good place to start! Ever notice there are hundreds of bottle openers, and no bottles to open? I'm from the beer and knife capital of the world and have like 10 openers never use them. My knives my keys my belt my buddies shoes(fuckin super ewwww) never use any of them, on the rare occasion that I find a bottle that requires an opener I have a lighter. If knife co.s are gonna be lazy and be like it's a multitool it has a ----- can we at least replace openers with something more useful to modern people like a can opener or scrapper or pry tool I mean come on.
The Victorinox Cybertool line is a better option in this niche.
I've had a Cybertool for years and like it. But the standard bits and hammer make this really tempting.
It would be a MUCH better vid if you slowed down a little and kept things in frame....other then that, it's a GREAT REVIEW VID
👍
Carry everyday at work it's great for in a pinch tool. The driver needs a lock an better steel an scissors an it would be a 10/10
This seems like Gerbers take on a Victorinox
Bit driver is also a whistle..
🤠👍
Its an offset driver for a reason so why hold that against them?
I don't think the hammer is for knocking in 6in nails nick 😂
One of these days these gear makers will finally figure out any EDC guy always has a sharp knife and can open a beer on just about anything. Scissors and a bottle opener are a waste in my humble opinion.
No clip is a deal breaker.
Okeeee, that makes me really nervous. Do you have any appointment or some. Relax man.
Good design but maybe less than ideal execution
I feel like that bit holder is a BIT too deep...
Victorinox laughs at this puny multi tool
i used 0.75x playback speed for more convenience watch this review 😅
I absolutely hate the bits that come with the Leatherman. Terrible bits, and non-standard so you can't swap them out
“That hammer is made out of tetanus.”
Yep.