This new Gerber Prybrid X tool is a 2-in-1 EDC multi-tool – it’s both a mini pocket knife and a prying bar.
Gerber says that the Prybrid X blends the best of a replaceable hobby blade knife and a compact multi-tool and its sell sheet says it’s a lightweight pocket tool that you can trust to help you everyday and in a crisis.
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Gerber also says that the Prybrid X is the only tool you’ll need for quick tasks at the job site.
Would you use this at a job site?
The Prybrid X is available in black and olive drab green, as shown above, and also in silver and blue.
Each Prybrid X is wrapped with a length of paracord, presumably for decorative and quick-access purposes, but you might be able to unwrap and use the cord in a pinch if needed.
At the pry bar end there is also a built-in bottle opener. The full list of tools and functions include:
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- Standard #11 blade
- Pry bar
- Wire stripper
- Nail puller
- Flathead driver (small/medium)
- Bottle opener
- 550 cord wrap
I don’t think a tool this size will be able to successfully pry larger nails, due to the lack of leverage, but small pry bars can be handy for a multitude of other tasks.
Gerber equipped the Prybrid knife with a precision hobby knife-style #11 blade.
Making use of the small and replaceable nature of X-Acto-style blades has an increasingly popular trend in recent years, with many other models aimed at EDC users and the enthusiast community.
One of the biggest selling points for the Prybrid X, in comparison to the other X-Acto-style hobby knife-compatible tools I’ve seen, is its price. You can buy Gerber’s newest mini multi-tool for $22-24 via Amazon and other dealers.
- 4″ overall length
- Weighs 1.7 oz
- 0.875″ width
- Aluminum handle body
- Retractable knife blade
Price: $20-24
Buy Now: OD Green via Amazon
Buy Now: OD Green via BladeHQ
Buy Now: Blue via Amazon
Buy Now: Blue via BladeHQ
There will also be a Prybrid Utility, which uses standard utility knife blades in lieu of the X-Acto-style hobby knife blade.
Discussion
To speak candidly, I can see the utility of a small replaceable blade EDC knife, but having used X-Acto-style precision knives for many years, I could never see myself using them in place of a standard utility knife or pocket knife.
The Prybrid X’s blade, which should be comparable to any of the size-11 blades I’ve used with hobby knives in the past, is going to be super sharp but also very delicate.
I don’t see tools like this offering much in the form of cutting strength or precision control. Because of that, this and other tools like it seem more to be “just in case you need it” types of EDC pocket knives, rather than “workhorse” types of knives and tools.
I suppose the same can be said about nicer folding pocket knives, but something about this and other hobby knife tools I’ve seen simply scream to me “use something else.”
Then again, I could be biased.
Hobby knife-compatible mini knives have been available for years, but typically at much higher prices than you’d expect, made from exotic enthusiast-aimed materials such as anodized titanium. There are some cheaper ones available, with terrible reviews.
The prices of enthusiast tools have come down, such as with the Massdrop Ferrum Forge RUK ($45-55 via Amazon), but I still find it hard to see these as tools I would use regularly.
The Gerber Artifact, no longer available, also had a hobby knife-style blade, and the tool has had decent user reviews over the years. The Prybrid X looks to be a descendant, going not by design or appearances but by the shared features.
Surely I could be more open-minded about tools like this, but I still have a hard time envisioning how I would use such a knife. It’s not that the blade is small, but that these types of blades are for light and precise tasks.
Can you see a tool like this being used to break down a cardboard box? What kinds of jobsite tasks would it be suitable for?
Gerber sure made the Prybrid X look appealing, in my opinion (I particularly like the look of the silver and blue version), but how useful might it be?
If there’s the choice between having a hobby knife-based multi-tool in my pocket and nothing, I’d choose the compact hobby knife tool of course. But I’d choose plenty of other compact knives and multi-tools over this one and others like it.
Trying to push through my apprehension, I finally came across a good question. What if I only used a knife like this for the types of tasks I would use a keychain multi-tool for, such as the Victorinox Swiss Army Classic or some of Leatherman’s keychain tools such as the Micra? That could work…
However, refocusing my perception conflicts with Gerber’s marketing claims of how “the Prybrid X is the only tool you’ll need for quick tasks at the job site.” I am also hesitant to consider it a keychain knife or multi-tool replacement, partly because the blade is going to be too sharp and delicate compared to even Victorinox’s mini knives, but also because it’s much larger. The Gerber Prybrid X has a 4″ length, which is the same size as a closed Leatherman full-sized multi-tool. The Kershaw Dividend folding knife, reviewed here, has a closed length of 4.25″.
Maybe this is something I really need to try before I comment, but that’s the point – I am very apprehensive, even irrationally so. Do you think it has something to do with all the blood I’ve lost to hobby knives over the years, usually when I apply any more than the slightest force?
If you have a mini hobby blade-based knife or multi-tool, what have you used it for? What’s your take on the Gerber Prybrid X knife/multi-tool?
Is this a convenient everyday-capable multi-tool, or more of a “just in case I need something and nothing else is available” type of tool?
fred
I’m always optimistic when I see a new tool – that it might appeal to someone. With this one – as my mother told me “if you have nothing good to say – then say nothing.”
Nuff said.
Oflannabhra
I rotated through a couple small multi tools before settling back at the Victorinox Classic SD.
The issue I’d always have with the other tools was how heavy they were on my keychain.
I think the only thing I’d like to change about the SD is faster knife access, and maybe a bit sturdier of a blade.
Jason S.
Agreed. You can’t go wrong with the classic SD. I also have a slight bias to the Victorinox Recruit. It’s a little larger blade that I tend to favor over the SD.
Gordon
I have a classic SD on every keychain. I’d say the knife is one of my least used tools. The scissors are by far the most useful. I never use the toothpick in my teeth, but it’s pretty great for cleaning out the USBc port on my cellphone.
Adabhael
The SD is awesome. However, for the past (checks tool inventory, gulps) 13 years, my heart and pocket have belonged to the Rambler, which adds a wee Phillips driver/bottle opener tool. It is incredibly useful and well worth the extra 1.5mm thickness and 9 grams mass. I use the blade so infrequently I have often considered the Jetsetter, to avoid TSA donations, but I would miss the file/screwdriver tool. When flying I settled on the Leatherman Style PS, which adds useful pliers, and less useful carabiner, and is overall a little less elegant and refined
Hilton
For $5 I’d get it to throw in the car or lunchbox but at this price there are better alternatives that will do the job properly. For the skinny jeans wearing hipsters this is probably uber cool.
William
Don’t really think a hobby style blade would have any place in my EDC above a box cutter. I use hobby knives quite often, keep one in my shop/garage and a few In other places around the house. Don’t find myself needing one when I am going about my day and not at my desk etc..
Jared
It doesn’t look small or light enough given it’s limited range of utility. I’d rather carry a micro multi-tool like the Gerber Splice than this – which I realize wouldn’t have the prybar aspect, but I guess I can’t see myself using that feature a whole bunch. Maybe there’s a user group that can make use of this selection of tools, but I’m not it.
Otherwise, it looks pretty cool. If I did own one, I think I’d prefer the regular utility blade version though.
I am having trouble envisioning the job site where this would be the only tool I’d need for quick tasks…
Jared
I just looked up the Gerber Artifact. That actually looks like it would make more sense. It’s tiny – if you’re carrying a hobby blade because it makes the overall package really small and then want a tool that adds a couple extra features just to have them, I could see that.
DrewMcD
Maybe for someone working on electronics or doing networking wiring this may could be something that is carried routinely, The pry bar, depending on how thick it is, could take the place of a spudger or something similar. The knife may be useful for trimming leftover plastic extrusions, where a utility knife may not be able to get into.
Mike
If the EDC tool you use most is a bottle opener I’m sure this tool will prove very useful. But it’s not for me.
Grady
I can see a compact retractable x-acto knife could be useful. And as you said Stuart, perhaps a keychain tool. However, all that crap on the palm end is completely useless, unless your goal is to destroy your hand.
Gordon
My only requirement for a keychain tool is that it can’t be bigger than the key. It’s not that hard given the size of most key/transmitter fobs. I find when you have 2+ items that large on a keychain they become hard to toss into a pocket, or even get out of your pocket.
I liked the Massdrop RUK but the price is quite steep. I actually would prefer something with a snapoff blade too. I’ve thought about just hacking a metal, 9mm Olfa down to the size I want.
Koko the Talking Ape
That handle looks thick, heavy, and over-constructed for the loads that will be placed on it, especially given the fragile blade.
Also, the pry end will wear holes in your pockets. Also, I don’t really need a prybar. If I need to open a paint can, I have an old, beat up screwdriver just for that purpose.
I keep a cheap snap knife in my bag or pocket most of the time. Nearly as sharp as a #11 Exacto, but it is cheap, light, and offers a longer blade if needed.
Nathan
sort of along the line of Fred’s comment.
I see a tacticool cap lifter that might pry a nail if you had a nice helper board .
max
Are you sure this wasn’t priced for the exotic enthusiast? I would could see maybe $5-10, but anything more than that is too much.
Stuart
While generalizing too much for comfort, I’d say that tools solely targeted towards enthusiasts would be made of titanium, carbon fiber, or similar, and at much higher pricing.
Alex Peel
Not that this is specifically portable but I just got a Bard Parker #5 handle and blades.
Amazing. Way better than X-acto in terms of use and ergonomics, and there are a wide variety of blade types. Blades are also much cheaper.
Highly recommend in place of an X-acto style knife.
Michael
Looks like a solution looking for a problem.
Stacey Jones
Only a hobbiest might get use out of this and even for that purpose it’s not designed well. Handle is too bulky and too big for a keychain. The artifact is nicer. Got one for my youngest son but he quickly outgrew it.
Stacey Jones
Much nicer for EDC: https://backnife.com/ only flaw is that it doesn’t lock open. You have to squeeze it.
High & Mighty
I think that this is a flop. People don’t carry a pry bar around in their pocket nor do they carry an xacto knife on their person or in their vehicle. I’ve never seen someone use an xacto knife for renovation and construction purposes. Not even painters. So what sort of job site are they referring to? Besides staples and thumb tacks, I wouldn’t count on using this for prying much else. There’s no leverage at all and it’s too short to grip and your hand will be in the way every time. It might useful as a walk bar, but it typically behooves one to walk a workpiece using a hammer and a flat bar together. So maybe a wedge or some sort of chisel. However I doubt that the housing can handle being struck by a hammer. That rules out nail removal prying and striking. I hate to say it but this was a very stupid idea that Gerber (baby food?) came up with for an edc item. The tools they decided to incorporate into this item aren’t typically carried in the pocket and are considerably larger in order to be of use. This doesn’t mean that it’s no good, but I don’t see any advantages to owning it.
Blythe
Hobby knife seems too fragile to me. I really like my EAB lite, it can be a secondary knife that you can really abuse without concern
Dan S
That is far too much mechanism and weight for a flimsy blade. This is heavier than a full-size x-acto knife, and follows the disturbing trend of making everyday objects “tactical” for no purpose. This blade is far too flimsy for anything I would need a pocket knife for, and the screwdriver/pry bar is kludgy at best.
I’m an ultralight backpacker and sometimes will carry just a single blade razor in it’s cardboard wrap, to cut cords and whatnot. Weight .035 oz vs. this at 1.7 oz.
If I need a real knife I carry an Opinel No. 6, with a 2 7/8 blade (sharp as a razor) it weighs 1.2 oz and is sturdy enough to make feather sticks to make a fire, unlike this.
I have a Gerber EDC Lite which uses a far better disposable utility blade, and it doesn’t get much use. If I’m doing construction (drywall etc) it’s a lot safer and easier to use a full-size box-cutter. If I’m carrying something around the house for general needs it’s my Leatherman Skeletool.
Nick
This feels like a wooden leg with a real foot.
Forrest
I carry a two-bladed Leatherman Surge all the time, and it gets a good deal of use around the home and farm. However I wanted a cheap small knife with a very sharp disposable blade which I could let other people borrow (“hey, do you have a knife?”), or use when a very sharp knife is needed.
So I also carry a Stanley 10-598 folding knife, which takes standard scapel blades of various shapes. The blade locks very well in the open position, and there’s a lanyard loop and space for a spare blade. Stanley sell packs of blades, but with Swann Morton scapel blades costing about 3.50 GBP for 50 in the UK on eBay (or about 10 US cents each), I don’t mind giving the knife to someone else and risk them blunting the blade or losing it.
I use it mainly for opening up plastic- or mesh-wrapped hay bales, or cutting string on straw bales.