This tool is definitely a bit beefier than the other tools on the list, and also focuses heavily on the military functions of the tools. We know that a lot of you guys are shooters and this is the perfect multitool to ensure that you never have issues when you’re shooting. Camping Hygiene & Comfort Whether you are out on a day hike or looking to go out into the wild for a few days, it’s important to keep yourself and your kit clean. Those home comforts that you can take with you can really help. Wood to Water have compiled some of our favourite camping clean and comfort items to keep you smiling when you are out in the wild. Read More >> One feature that stood out was the bit drivers. The Wave Plus houses not one, but two different bit drivers, a full-sized one, and a micro driver, perfect for those tiny screws on my eyeglasses. Although I found the proprietary sized bits a tad inconvenient, the bit extender was a game-changer, allowing the use of standard ¼ inch bits. This device is manufactured in such a way that it can get the most intricate of tasks done. But getting intricate tasks done is easy; the issue that usually arrives is that some multi tools can be difficult to use. With various compartments and sliding options for the tools, it can be a hassle to figure out the dynamics of it. When you compare what Gerber is doing with the tools included in the Center-Drive, you begin to wonder how you ever used anything else.

As amazing as it can be to have one of these, multi-tools are often very expensive. Though, you won’t face this issue if you have Gerber Truss. A. Truss is an engineering term used to describe a structure made of rigid material joined at the ends to achieve strength through mutual support. You can see this kind of thing on bridges or in your attic, where metal or wood beams form triangles to make the structure more capable of bearing heavy loads while remaining relatively light. What’s that got to do with a multitool? Hell if I know. Got questions? Comment below & talk with T&P’s editors

Gerber and Leatherman are both excellent multi tool brands that produce high quality tools. For casual use you’d be fine with either a Gerber or a Leatherman. If you’re looking for the best multi tools money can buy, we think you should go Leatherman. Gerber makes some fine tools but Leatherman invented the multi tool. It’s what they do, and they do it well. As much as I love collecting specialized tools, there are times when a good multitool is right for the job. Maybe that time comes on an aircraft or walking patrol when lugging around a bunch of full-sized tools isn’t realistic. Maybe it’s when you’re suffering your ass off in the attic getting dominated by 50-year-old insulation. I used the Truss for all kinds of odd jobs around the house and garage, but never was it more of a life-saver than when I had to sort out faulty wiring in a ceiling light. Bracing my knees on joists above old plaster and holding up sheets of horrendously itchy insulation with one hand, I was glad to have screwdrivers, pliers, and wire cutters at my fingertips. The Truss was a huge help up there.

We think Gerber beats out Leatherman in this category. Folding knives are the companies bread and butter, they’re just more experienced that Leatherman and produced an overall better product. The Gerber Obsidian product picture Gerber has replaceable wire cutters on other models like their highly acclaimed Center-Drive (reviewed here). And Leatherman has just recently upgraded their most popular model, the Wave, to the Wave+ and included replaceable wire cutters. The Truss is supposed to be a “professional grade” multi-tool so not having replaceable wire cutters is an oversight in my opinion. Both tools are tiny, the Brewzer is just under 2.5 in and weighs less than an ounce, while the Shard is 2.75 in and .6 oz. When it comes to tools Gerber blows Leatherman out of the water. The Brewzer has just two functions, a bottle opener and mini pry bar. The Gerber Shard by comparison has seven different tools/functions including screwdrivers, a bottle opener, a wire stripper, and a pry bar. On this first look, I think Gerber has done a pretty good job of this multi-tool. It’s a good size and a manageable weight for a full-sized multi-tool.Remember, while Leatherman and Gerber are popular brands, there are other reputable manufacturers that produce quality multi-tools as well. Exploring different options and considering your specific needs will help you find the perfect multi-tool for your camping, hiking, and survival adventures. Conclusion Liquid Fuel Stoves Explore our selection of liquid fuel stoves, perfect for outdoor trips. From burners to alcohol stoves, Trangia stoves multi-fuel cookers you’ll find everything you need to make your camping experience one to remember! Read More

Truss and Suspension Phillips driver. The Truss has a fully-formed Phillips driver. A much welcomed addition!The Gerber Center-Drive includes 12different tools: spring-loaded needle nose pliers w/ x-channel rail system, standard pliers, rotatable carbide wire cutters, 3.25″ 420HC fine edge blade, magnetic 3.25″ center-axis bit driver, extra bit holder, ruler, bottle opener, pry bar/nail puller, awl, fine & coarse sided file, and a serrated blade.You can also get it with the optional bit set. The MP600 is without a doubt one of the most widely used multi tools in the world. This is due in no small part to its status as the standard issue multi tool of the U.S. military. It’s a big, heavy duty tool that’s designed to stand up to extreme conditions without complaint. Gerber went with a significantly different design for the MP600 than Leatherman did for the Wave+.

At the same time, the Truss definitely doesn’t feel cheap. At 8.4 ounces, it’s apparent that this multitool was built to take a beating and there’s not a spec of plastic to be found outside of the lanyard loop. I also like that all the tools open outboard, so users don’t have to mess with unfolding the handle every time they want to get to something besides the pliers. Leatherman wins here as well. The Wingman is only marginally more expensive than the Gerber Suspension but it feels like a much nicer multi tool. The Leatherman Wingman product picture At a first look, Gerber has got a lot of things right with this new tool but I think they’ve missed the mark in a couple of critical areas. It allows you to apply more stable pressure as you’re working with screws. The Center Drive comes with many of the tools we like to see on top quality multi tools. One of our favorite features is the included awl, something a lot of manufacturers are pulling out of their tools.We honestly found the Brewzer to be the more attractively designed of the two. It’s a sleek little tool that looks good on your keychain, but in terms of actual usefulness it loses out to the Shard. The Brewzer does exactly what it says it will of course. Overall though it just can’t stand up to the outsized value the Gerber Shard provides you. The Leatherman Shard product picture Camping Stove Accessories Uncover the secret to an amazing outdoor cooking experience – explore the accessories available for all your camping stoves and gas bottles. From coffee presses to pot grips, and even leather aprons, get creative with your cooking setup and make all the difference! Read More The entirety of the apparatuses inside the handle will naturally secure set up, limiting the number of wounds that would return from devices collapsing over onto your fingers. The diamond-coated file was a handy tool to sharpen my blades on the go, a useful trait when out in the wild. The ruler markings along the edge of the outer handles were a modest but handy feature, aiding in small measurement tasks.