Over at Amazon, they have a new Gerber EDC tool of the day, valid 11/16/2020.
With this deal, they have sale pricing on 3 Gerber SKUs:
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- Gerber Dime mini multi-tool in black: $12.71
- Gerber Paraframe I knife: $15.49
- Gerber Dime mini multi-tool green: $15.83
Anthony highly recommended the Dime, here as a value-focused keychain-sized multi-tool, calling it one of the best-designed keychain multi-tools on the planet.
The Dime typically goes on sale every year. If you miss this sale, there might be another one for Black Friday or Cyber Monday, as in previous years.
I checked other retailers, and they have the black and green Gerber Dime multi-tools priced at $20-21.
The Paraframe I, with its skeletonized handle and 3″ partially-serrated blade, is typically priced between $20 and $26 at home center and sporting goods stores.
With these deals, it looks like you save a bit on the keychain-sized multi-tools, as well as the folding knife, compared to current street pricing at Amazon competitors.
Gerber Deal of the Day via Amazon
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Deal ends at 3am ET 11/17/2020 unless supplies sell out sooner.
Gerber Multi-Tool Deal
Amazon also has an early Black Friday 2020 deal on the Gerber Suspension-NXT multi-tool right now. This is a full-size model, unlike the keychain-sized Dime tools.
This is not a deal of the day, and there’s no indication as to when it is set to end.
The Suspension-NXT is priced at $25.64. Most other retailers seem to have it for between $29 and $32. The next-lowest price I found on this Gerber multi-tool is $26.50 via GPKnives.
Amazon’s deal does save you some money on this multi-tool, but not quite the 27% that they’re claiming off a “list price” of $35.
Last year, in December 2019, Amazon had this model on sale for $24. It’s unclear as to whether that deal will return for the 2020 holiday shopping season. The current sale price is fairly close, but if this is on your shopping list, I’ll leave it to you to determine whether it’s best to buy now or wait for a potentially better price.
Here are the features & specs for this model:
- 4.25″ closed length
- 6.25″ open length
- Weighs 6.7 oz
- Needlenose pliers
- Regular pliers
- Wire cutter
- 2.25″ partially serrated knife blade
- Scissors
- Cross driver
- Large, medium, and small slotted drivers
- Can opener
- Bottle opener
- Awl
- File
- Ruler
- Wire stripper
- Limited lifetime warranty
I’d say that $24 to $26 is a good target price for this model. Obviously, the lower the better.
As it turns out, Home Depot has this model (or an identical-looking multi-tool) on sale for $24.88 right now.
The model number is a little different – 30-001364 at Amazon and 31-003634 at Home Depot.
If I had to guess, I would say that both Amazon and Home Depot have the same Gerber NXT multi-tool on sale, but with different packaging, seeing as how there’s only one Suspension NXT that I’ve seen, and the product images are identical.
Home Depot only has it available for in-store pickup.
Other EDC Tool and Knife Deals
Side Deal: There is also said to be deal pricing on the Leatherman Skeletool, and indeed $48 is a sale price these days on the stainless steel and different colored handle models. They’re sold via a 3rd party seller and shipped by Amazon, which is the only thing holding me back from a deal post on this [fabulous and hugely popular] minimalist multi-tool.
See the Skeletool deals here. The same seller also has the black and silver version on sale.
Other retailers have the Leatherman Skeletool models priced at $65 at the time of this posting.
The black-handled model is $48 with an extra 5% “clippable coupon” right now. This is the lowest price of all the models currently being discounted. Keep in mind that this is not the Leatherman Skeletool CX, which does not look to be on sale right now.
At the risk of further digression:
There is an ongoing early Black Friday 2020 “save up to 10%” CRKT knife and tool sale, and also a sale on Morakniv Bushcraft knives, starting at $35.
Dave
EDC is just that “carry”.
Every day USE and they ALL wear out, jaws get misaligned, wire cutters get dull, etc. In my world (heavy use) they aren’t suitable except for keeping one in each vehicle or for other emergency uses.
Like a Swiss Army Knife– neat to look at ” that’s cool what will they think of next?” but of little practical value.
I’ll pass on ANY and ALL of them….
Will
They’re for “happen chance”, not the everyday beater.
Stuart
Heavy everyday use? Of course that’s not what multi-tools are for! If you can anticipate your needs and tasks, bring the right tools with you.
Multi-tools are for the times when you cannot anticipate your needs or carry full-sized tools.
I used to carry a Gerber keychain-sized tool, and it held up really well even with frequent use.
Yes, heavily-used tools tend to wear out, although many Leatherman multi-tools now have wire cutters with user-replaceable blades, prolonging their usefulness by quite a bit.
I don’t like the taste of coffee, but you don’t see me decrying coffee as a worthless beverage because water offers better hydration.
Dave
A set of Diamond or Cee Tee pliers will hold up for YEARS of heavy daily abuse and they cost 8 bucks…. and while they theoretically do a bit less (yes, only a little, who uses the saw or the tiny little scissors on a multi tool?) , you’d be suprised what all one can do with a GOOD pair of old fashioned pliers— and do it over and over and over again, long after a multi tool would have been rendered useless.
Like most things that will sort of/somewhat do a lot, a multi tool will do very few things well, at least repeatably.
Stuart
Multi-tool scissors do come in handy. You can argue in favor of full-sized pliers all you want, and you’d be right.
But, multi-tools will also do a lot of things really well. Just because you’ve had bad experiences or don’t see the benefit, doesn’t mean that those who want one should be dissuaded.
Some campers like to carry a spork for eating with. Sure, a fork, spoon, and knife would work better under ideal circumstances, but sometimes a spork is the more convenient and more portable option.
Mopar4wd
I find them very useful. I carried a wave for years working in the field. Held up well. Swiss arm knives didn’t last as long but the wave was great.
Toolfreak
What’s this about Swiss Army Knives?
The popular versions like the Spartan, Tinker, Camper, Hiker, Huntsman, Fieldmaster, etc. are compact enough for everyday carry and more than durable enough for everyday use.
Sure, they are stainless steel and will wear down over a period of time with enough use and sharpening, but a few years or use seems fair for the price, compared with the impracticality of carrying around the same full size tools.
The pliers-based multi-tools are also pretty decent for the price/performance, though you’d want something like the Skeletool or Dime for the size/weight to keep in a pocket or on a clip vs. a larger tool where you’d probably want a belt-mounted sheath.
Robert
I think that the Gerber Suspension is imported, but that wouldn’t deter me from considering one for that price. In the past, I’ve generally been a much bigger fan of Leatherman. In recent years however, I’ve personally felt that Leatherman’s pricing and quality control are indirectly proportional. I wouldn’t necessarily be opposed to expected price increases over time if their quality remained consistent.
Gerber at least seems grounded regarding the value of their items. Their balance between price and quality is more realistic in my opinion. Leatherman’s pricing no longer justifies their level of quality in my view.
Jerry
I have a Dime and agree it is well designed especially when its small size is taken into consideration. My only real gripe with mine would be the bottle opener. It adds bulk, and takes up space where another tool could be. It also seems like it is the thing that adds the most pocket wear. I’m thinking of ordering another one or two, and cutting the bottle opener off.
On a side note, am I the only one who sees no use for a bottle opener? It seems like they throw them in with all sorts of screwdriver sets, BBQ sets, and add them to any multi tool they can. I can honestly say I have to have over a dozen and havent used one yet. I’d much rather the Dime either be made even smaller, or something better used with the space.
Stacey Jones
Yes, I hate bottle openers. They need to quit putting this useless feature on EDC knives and multitools. Not many bottles without screw caps nowadays.
GML
Most craft beers are not screw tops. That being said, cans are way more prominent now. Personally, I appreciate the bottle opener.
Koko The Talking Ape
I can understand the criticism of the bottle opener.
However, if you do ever need one, it’s nice to have. You can open bottles without one, but some of the methods are not so elegant, and can damage things.
Pat
There’s a bottle opener on every vehicle that has a seatbelt clip
blocky
To wit, I’ve safely opened bottles with a roll of packing tape. Nearly every tool or rigid object is potentially a bottle opener.
As much as I enjoy a crispy-boy on the spot, I hate the ‘+bottle opener’ as a lifestyle-appeal bullet point.
Koko The Talking Ape
I’ve opened bottles with a butter knife set on edge on a kitchen table. And a nail driven into a 2×8. And a hatchet.
As I said, those methods aren’t so elegant. Sometimes you want to be a little more genteel with your bottle opening.
Tom D
I like using the deadbolt strike plate myself – or even the normal doorknob ones. I used to be able to open a bottle on one without a drop spilled.
Chad
been a edc carry of the Leatherman skeletool since it came out ive lost 2 broken 1 ( they replaced it no questions ) never had an issue with it but the price has me not wanting to buy and try something new
been carrying my SAK i got back when i attained my eagle scout rank and again ive never had issues with it but wanting something with better pliers
may have to check out the gerber and see where it takes me !
thanks for the links
blocky
I’ve owned leathermans (vintage classic, rebar, wave+, skeletool, micra, pulse) and gerbers (suspension, dime, centerdrive) and SAK (swisstool spirit, spirt x, skipper) etc.
IME, the burliest pliers on a multitool are from the Swisstool line, followed by the full size Leathermans, followed by full-sized Gerbers. Even the Gerber Centerdrive, I can’t get it to bite well when I really need to bear down, which is a shame given the full-size and weight. I have occasionally abused my swisstool and skeletool and been surprised at how well they stood to the task.
Not to say don’t try Gerber, but all of mine now live in drawers or glove boxes, whereas my swisstools and skeletool live in my tool pouch, my work go bag, and my pocket.
Speaking of pliers, another direction to consider: Knipex 5″ 08-21-145 – at just under 4oz, it has very solid combination jaws with a better cutter than any of the above. That and a folding knife can tackle a lot.
Tom D
I’ve tried a few and always end up back at the wave – frankly I hardly use it for anything but the knife and screwdriver bits – the pliers are nice but not the main show.
Koko The Talking Ape
I have both the Dime and the Suspension. Neither are very nicely made, but they are well designed and function fairly well. Both were very stiff at first, but loosened up with use. That says to me that the parts were not polished before they were assembled.
I keep the Dime in my bag for when I spy invasive weeds in the neighborhood. The pliers make a pretty good weeding tool. You just grab the weed at the top of the tap root and pull it out.
I wouldn’t give these as gifts though. Swiss Army knives are beautifully made, and smooth from the start. I once gave a Leatherman Raptor (the one based on trauma shears) to a surgeon friend to keep in the car, and he seemed to like it.
skfarmer
hey i get my say too! i would not buy a multitiool without a bottle opener. the ones with poorly placed openers suck as well.
hands down the skeletool has the best and doubles as a carabiner.
the skeletool is one of the best ones out there actually. pliers, opener, four bit sizes that can be changed and multi color options. all of the stuff you need and no extra fluff. how often do you really use a wood saw of fish hook remover?
JoeM
I’ve been ruined by Leatherman. I don’t mind Gerber Knives, and a few other things… but Multi-tools? I find them ugly as sin, and overstyled beyond any utility. It’s as if they’re literally designed to DISTINCTLY say “Not a Leatherman” rather than “Gerber Quality!”
Gerber, the company, and Gerber, the KNIVES, ARE Quality. It’s just… Some of the Multi-Tools they’ve had in the past have had features, and asymetric designs, with parts that fold out because… “Look at this foldy-outy-thingy! Leatherman doesn’t do that, do they?”… And it’s true… Leatherman tools didn’t have that extra arm, with ONE tool tucked into it… because that design is ridiculous and unnecessary.
I’d trust the blade on these Multi Tools just fine… I think i’d question the rest of them though. Plus, those price points don’t really scream “Investment” to me… If you aren’t going to invest in the quality Multi-Tools, you won’t get much good out of them. There ARE lines of the Leatherman tools that I honestly don’t find to be their best-of-the-best. Funny enough, they tend to look a lot like these Gerber ones.
Clay
I have been carrying my Wave every day since they came out in 1998. Has been replaced 2x under warranty.
Have not found any other tool to make me want to switch thus far.
Hilton
I received mine for Christmas that same year. On me every day and I use it almost every day too. I did buy a Gerber something or the other a couple of years ago but it’s just too bulky on a belt at work (IT office environment).
JoeM
I have a second gen Wave. Drooled since 1998, finally bought somewhere around 2012? That got the ball rolling, and now I have the Wave, Surge Black Oxide, Style PS and CS, the Bit Kit, Bit Extender, and I’m in the process of completing the sheath system for all of them on one carrier on my belt.
I think Leatherman has genuinely spoiled me as these things go. I can’t even bring myself to call an Oscillating Tool a “Multi-Tool” because that term is reserved for Leatherman alone.
I was a Scout. There were Gerber Bushmaster knives we all wanted. There were Gerber SCISSORS at one time, and we thought “Well isn’t that convenient? Gerber quality, Kitchen use!” I don’t know… After you’ve had a Leatherman… the Gerber multi-tools seem… Disappointing?
Not only do they lack Leatherman’s overall simple design ethic… Somehow the Gerber Tools don’t seem to… Live up to Gerber KNIVES the way I remember when I was younger.
The closest analogy I can give as to why I think so oddly about this is this: In a world where Tesla Motors have models available… Who wants a Toyota Prius anymore? And, yes, I’m totally aware the price point on the two vehicles is ASTRONOMICALLY different… But still… Tesla builds CARS with all the features we ever wanted… Toyota Prius is a car built to be the first off the line, without any features particularly desired.
Does THAT make any sense to anyone? I mean… Did I get the right analogy there?
Tom D
I have replaced my Wave four times – once under warranty and the rest because I lost it – or had to abandon it at an airport.
Nothing else compares for me, and it’s small enough to ignore when not needed.
JoeM
I feel the same about the Surge, funny enough. They’re practically siblings, nearly identical. It’s only a little bit bigger, but it compliments the Wave so well, and duplicates JUST the right tools that you can operate like one tool is doing both jobs.
There’s benefits to both, I’ve found. I do genuinely wish they would make ANOTHER Surge that would replace the flat screwdrivers with some other tools, like the package opener, or fishhook remover blade… maybe the sheep’s foot blade from the Crunch? Not entirely sure there, but when they removed the eyeglass screwdriver, the flathead screwdrivers were completely unnecessary. It had the bit holder, so you always had flatheads you needed. Leaving two screwdrivers that could only make you want to do ONE thing with them: Use them as Prybars… And they aren’t suitable for that. maybe if one was a forked-end nail puller? Or one was the package opener you see on the Wingman/Sidekick series? Make those flatheads into something USEFUL again.
I mean… The Surge is effectively 21 tools in one… It’s far from USELESS… But for those two tools? I think the Surge is nearly perfect if we replace those outdated, and easily damaged, flat blades. Call it the Surge Ultimate or something like that? Or maybe let us do some customization of our Leatherman Tools? I also feel it’s time to make an Ultimate Style CS/PS dual-sided tool. Knife on one side, scissors on the other, small file on one side, AWL on the other, Tweezers on one side, then just go for a full Swiss Army bird flip by putting the first Toothpick or micro ferrous oxide stick onboard.
I have SO many ideas for Leatherman.
Yadda
Costco has a dual pack Leather Rev and Style CS? holiday combo. I think the price is around $45. Not bad, but certainly not earth shattering. I’m not a Gerber Dime fan. It’s okay, but I prefer the Leatherman Squirt or the Style CS. All of them have their shortcomings. Get the one that works best for you.
Stuart
Rev is $30 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SIL74A2/?tag=toolguyd-20
Style is normally $30 on Amazon as well: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0032XVNMQ/?tag=toolguyd-20
I don’t think I’ve seen a Rev and Style bundle before.
I keep waiting for another Skeletool and knife bundle similar to what they had 3 years ago: https://toolguyd.com/leatherman-skeletool-multi-tool-and-knife-gift-set-deal-h2017/
Yadda
I was wrong about the price. I looked it up online. The price is $54.99, still a discount from the full price for both tools, but not setting the world on fire.
RCW
The black one sells for 17.99 with 29.99 for shipping? What a joke
Stuart
Looks like it sold out. Green is still available.
Argie
I’ve had my Skeletool for 3-4ish years now and have been pretty happy with it.
3 complaints:
1) My wife borrowed it for the pliers like 3 months after I got it and broke the jaws somehow. Upon further inspection there appeared to be an imperfection in them. I sent it back and got it replaced in maybe 2 weeks time. So no biggie! Good customer service.
2) I seem to have to sharpen the blade a lot.
3) The I’ve lost 2 of the bits stored in the handle and just gave up replacing them.