Back in January I reached out to Gerber and asked if they would be willing to send a couple of products my way for my fast-approaching SERE Class Date. Unfortunately, some products did not make it to me in time for the class, but once I got home a few cool things were waiting for me in my mailbox. One of those cool things was the Gerber Center-Drive Black with their accompanying Bit Set and Molle-Compatible Sheath.
Gerber is a prominent American brand renowned for its high-quality knives and multi-tools. Founded in 1939 by Pete Gerber, the company originally began as an advertising firm before evolving into a knife manufacturer. Gerber’s first product, the “Gerber Legendary Knife,” quickly gained popularity for its craftsmanship and durability. During World War II, Gerber knives were supplied to the U.S. military, cementing the brand’s reputation for reliability in challenging conditions. Over the decades, Gerber expanded its product line to include a wide range of outdoor, tactical, and survival tools. Today, Gerber remains a leader in the knife industry, known for innovation and maintaining a commitment to quality that has made its products a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts, military personnel, and everyday users. When I first joined the Military I was issued a Gerber Multitool and I’m still using that thing to this day.
The Gerber Center-Drive Multitool was provided for this review by Gerber and this does not change my opinion on any of their current or future offerings. Gerber has not been allowed to review this article prior to its release. I have been using the Gerber Center-Drive Multitool for the better part of 5 months at this point in my EDC rotation. It has been in my backpack pretty much every day just waiting for someone to pipe up and ask “Anyone got a Gerber?”
Specifications: Gerber Center-Drive Black – Bit Set, Molle-Compatible Sheath
Dimensions
- Overall Length (closed): 4.7 inches (11.9 cm)
- Overall Length (open): 6.6 inches (16.8 cm)
- Weight: 9.9 ounces
Materials
- Handle Material: Stainless steel with black oxide coating
- Blade Material: 420HC stainless steel
Tools
- Center-axis bit driver
- Spring-loaded needle-nose pliers
- Standard pliers
- Wire cutters (replaceable)
- Fine edge knife blade (straight edge)
- Serrated edge knife blade
- File
- Awl
- Magnetic bit driver with Phillips #2 and flathead #1 bits
- Bottle opener
- Pry bar
Additional Information
- Made In America
- Limited lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship
MSRP – $135
Design and Build Quality: Gerber Center-Drive Black – Bit Set, Molle-Compatible Sheath
Coming from Gerber you would expect the Center-Drive Black exudes an American Ruggedness and the Center-Drive certainly delivers. In case you were not sure the words “Made In America” are boldly stamped on the frame. Its black finish not only adds a touch of sophistication but also enhances durability with a corrosion-resistant coating. The Center drive has a heft to it almost asking you to abuse it and if you’re up for that challenge. Thankfully even with its rugged looks, the Center-Drive is still comfortable in the hand and has a few fun tools up its sleeve that we will get into more here shortly. All of the tools are constructed from 420HC steel and this is no surprise due to it being a popular choice for knife blades and multitool implements due to its balanced properties of hardness, corrosion resistance, and ease of maintenance. It would have been nice to see a nicer steel being used on the blades of the center drive but this would inflate the price of the tool by a fair margin so I can see why Gerber decided not to for this particular Multitool.
Functionality: Gerber Center-Drive Black – Bit Set, Molle-Compatible Sheath
The Center-Drive boasts a comprehensive array of tools that are sure to help you in a pinch. Beyond the Center-Drive screwdriver, it includes spring-loaded pliers, a knife blade, wire cutters, a saw, a file, and several other tools. Getting back to the screwdriver and where this guy gets its name from, the Center-Drive function is great and makes you actually want to use it for pulling or planting screws. The model I was sent also had a nice small bit set included for when the Philips and flathead are not going to cut it and I think that’s a great addition. The one-handed opening mechanism also is a huge win here and makes opening the Center-Drive definitely more of a joy. With that being said, a lot of the other tools are stiff and don’t open up quite as easily as I would like but that is certainly not a deal breaker.
Usability and Performance: Gerber Center-Drive Black – Bit Set, Molle-Compatible Sheath
In practical use, the Center-Drive Black shines. The spring-loaded pliers deploy effortlessly with a single hand, making it a breeze to handle tasks that demand dexterity and efficiency. The knife blade holds its edge well through moderate use and is easily sharpened when needed. Again the center drive feature is great in practice and having the extra bits is always nice. The integrated rotatable carbide wire cutters slice through tough materials with ease, from wires to cables, and make this a great tool for both job sites and everyday DIY projects. I do have to report that the Awl tool snapped off the first time I tried to use it so that was a little disappointing.
Wrap Up: Gerber Center-Drive Black – Bit Set, Molle-Compatible Sheath
In conclusion, the Gerber Center-Drive Black Multitool sets a high standard for what a multitool can be at this price point. Its robust design, coupled with innovative features like the Center-Drive screwdriver one-handed spring-assisted opening, elevates it above competitors in terms of functionality and usability. I did have the Awl snap off the first time I used it and that was pretty disappointing and some of the tools are not the easiest to deploy (I’m looking at you Bottle opener). In the end, I think this is certainly a great multitool it just needs a little refinement in my opinion, and maybe a blade steel upgrade.
Gerber Coverage on AllOutdoor
- AO Review: Gerber Savvy Folding Knife – 940 Osborne Competitor?…
- Gerber Guide to Everything You Will Need for Father’s Day 2024
- AllOutdoor Review: Gerber Dual-Force Multi-Tool (Black) – Clutch Strength
- Cutting Through History: A Brief History of Gerber Knives
- Gerber Announces the New Custom Center-Drive Multi-Tool
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