A multi-tool is the ultimate everyday carry essential—combining pliers, blades, screwdrivers, and more into one compact device. The best multi-tools aren’t just…
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The Gerber Gear Multi-Plier 600 is a field-tested multi-tool built around one-hand, sliding needle-nose pliers and Gerber’s Saf.T.Plus locks. In day-to-day use it emphasizes durability and reliability: stainless-steel construction resists rust, and standard variants pack the core essentials (pliers, wire cutters/crimper, knife, drivers, openers, file, ruler). Reviewers find the deployment quick and secure, though internal tools are accessed from the inside—slower than outside-accessible designs—and the black-oxide finish on some versions shows wear with hard use. At ~9 oz (255 g) it’s sturdy rather than ultralight.
For longevity, the MP600 carries a limited lifetime warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with a straightforward online claim form; however, Gerber cites 25–30 business days for responses and excludes normal wear, misuse, and finish wear. Fixability is mixed: certain MP600 variants ship with replaceable/rotatable carbide cutters (and a Torx wrench), but most other implements aren’t user-replaceable and full disassembly isn’t supported. Compared with top competitors, testers note the MP600 trades some outside-tool access and refinement for one-hand plier deployment, proven function, and broad variant options (including bladeless and carbide-cutter models). If you prioritize rugged function, easy one-hand use, and long-term support, the MP600 remains a dependable, long-lasting pick.
Founded in 1939 in Portland, Oregon, Gerber has built its reputation on designing dependable knives and multi-tools meant to solve real problems in the field. Still manufacturing many products in the U.S., the brand emphasizes craftsmanship, durability, and reliability, serving everyone from outdoor enthusiasts to members of the U.S. military. Gerber backs most of its gear with a limited lifetime warranty, signaling confidence in its materials and build quality.
The company’s mission centers on creating problem-solving tools that last, with ongoing initiatives such as a Zero Waste Facility by 2030 goal and selective parts replacement programs for clips and sheaths. While its repair options are limited—full disassembly is discouraged—the focus remains on rugged performance and long service life rather than disposability.
Now part of the Fiskars Group, a stable global company with strong financial footing, Gerber continues to innovate while maintaining its American roots. Its tools consistently earn praise for practicality and toughness, even if some reviews note variability in finish compared to premium competitors. Overall, Gerber’s legacy and steady commitment to quality make it a trusted name for long-lasting, hard-use gear.
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Mission & Values
Whether the brand explicitly commits to durability, repairability, and sustainability.
Ideal: Brand mission and actions clearly prioritize long-lasting, repairable products.
Confidence —
HIGH
4 sources
72.0%
(W 40%)
PRO
States a goal to make dependable, problem-solving tools, with quality and craftsmanship guiding design decisions in Portland, Oregon.Maintains U.S. manufacturing and highlights long military partnerships; publicly flags a “Zero Waste Facility by 2030” target.Backs products in the U.S. with a limited lifetime warranty, indicating a durability-first commitment.Supports select self-repair and replacement (e.g., pocket clips/screws, sheaths) via parts requests.
CON
Self-repair is limited: Gerber will not send blades or many implements for liability reasons and discourages disassembly, which constrains repairability.Sustainability messaging (e.g., zero-waste by 2030) is stated on-site without detailed third-party reporting on progress.
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Track Record / Reputation
Independent history of reliability and consumer trust.
Ideal: Decades of consistent positive reputation from reviews, watchdogs, and experts.
Confidence —
HIGH
6 sources
66.0%
(W 40%)
PRO
Long history (since 1939) and ongoing role supplying knives and multi-tools to U.S. armed forces.Independent reviews praise innovation and real-world usefulness of models like the Center-Drive (multiple outlets over several years).Recent hands-on testing continues to find the Center-Drive a capable premium tool.
CON
Some expert reviews note less polished construction and looser tolerances than top competitors on certain models.Warranty turnaround guidance suggests responses may take 25–30 business days, which can affect user experience.
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Corporate Stability
Financial and organizational stability of the brand or company.
Ideal: Established, stable company with low risk of discontinuing support.
Confidence —
HIGH
5 sources
88.0%
(W 20%)
PRO
Gerber is a subsidiary of publicly listed Fiskars Group, which reported approximately EUR 1.2 billion in net sales in 2024 and ~7,000 employees, indicating strong backing.Brand longevity since 1939 with continued U.S. manufacturing presence in Portland supports operational continuity.
CON
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Coverage
Scope of what failures the warranty covers.
Ideal: Full coverage of defects and workmanship, including all major components.
Confidence —
HIGH
4 sources
70.0%
(W 20%)
PRO
The manufacturer states that the warranty covers "defects in material and workmanship" for the original consumer ownership.The product page indicates a "limited lifetime warranty" on the MP600 series.
CON
The warranty explicitly excludes damage due to misuse or abuse, sharpening, normal wear and tear, accidental damage or industrial/commercial use.Finish wear (e.g., black-oxide coating) is noted by third-party reviewers to be only minimally covered; one reviewer states the coating won’t hold up to heavy use.
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Duration
Length of warranty term.
Ideal: ≥10 years (lifetime where feasible).
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
90.0%
(W 30%)
DATA
Lifetime (as long as original consumer owns product)
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Ease
How simple it is to file and process a warranty claim.
Ideal: Clear online or phone process requiring minimal effort or paperwork.
Confidence —
HIGH
1 sources
65.0%
(W 10%)
PRO
Warranty policy allows you to submit a claim online and receive an email response with a case number.You do not need to send the item into the factory unless specifically told to do so, reducing required effort.
CON
The manufacturer warns that average response time is 25–30 days (or longer), which may delay resolution.
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Cost
Direct costs to the customer for warranty service.
Ideal: No cost to the customer, including free shipping and parts.
Confidence —
MEDIUM
1 sources
50.0%
(W 10%)
DATA
No explicit customer cost specified
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Exclusions
Limitations or carve-outs in warranty terms.
Ideal: Few or no exclusions; coverage applies to all core components.
Confidence —
HIGH
1 sources
60.0%
(W 10%)
PRO
—
CON
Warranty excludes damage resulting from misuse or abuse, sharpening, normal wear and tear, accidental damage or industrial/commercial use.There is no coverage for lost or stolen products.
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Transparency
Clarity and accessibility of warranty wording.
Ideal: Plain-language warranty document published openly online.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
70.0%
(W 10%)
PRO
Warranty policy is published on the manufacturer’s website with clear headings and accessible text.Product pages on the manufacturer site repeatedly reference the warranty and link to the policy.
CON
While coverage is described, the policy lacks detailed breakdowns of part-by-part coverage or cost of return shipping. (No explicit shipping cost policy found.)
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Material Hardness
Measures the toughness and wear resistance of blade and tool steels.
Ideal: High-grade stainless or tool steel (≥55 HRC) for optimal edge retention and corrosion resistance.
Confidence —
LOW
0 sources
20.0%
(W 30%)
DATA
Not specified
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Corrosion Resistance
Ability of metals and coatings to resist rust and oxidation under daily use.
Ideal: Stainless steel with protective coatings or passivation that prevents rust in humid or salty environments.
Confidence —
MEDIUM
3 sources
65.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
Manufacturer describes the body as “solid stainless steel construction.”Third-party review noted stainless steel construction that handles exposure to moisture and varying temperatures without rusting or weakening.
CON
A reviewer noted that the black-oxide coating is thin (~1 micrometer) and may wear off quickly, reducing surface corrosion resistance.
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Joint & Lock Strength
Mechanical reliability of pivots, hinges, and locking mechanisms under repeated stress.
Ideal: Locks rated for heavy-duty use that maintain secure engagement after thousands of cycles.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
60.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
Reviewers praise the patented Saf.T.Plus locking system and note that when deployed, there is no play in the blades or tools.
CON
Some testers observed loosening of hinges and linkages with extended use, denoting tolerance wear over time.
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Finish Wear Resistance
Resistance of surface coating or anodization to scratches and abrasion.
Ideal: Hard anodized or DLC coatings that show minimal wear after extended pocket carry.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
50.0%
(W 20%)
PRO
Some variants use stainless steel body (less dependent on coating).
CON
Review mentions black-oxide coating is only ~1 micrometer thick and shows wear on commonly used screwdrivers.User reported hands and pockets picking up black residue from the coating when new.
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Tool Modularity
Extent to which components can be replaced or upgraded individually.
Ideal: Modular construction with screws or replaceable tool heads rather than rivets or permanent joints.
Confidence —
MEDIUM
3 sources
55.0%
(W 30%)
PRO
Certain versions of the MP600 include replaceable tungsten-carbide wire cutters that can be rotated or replaced after wear.
CON
Most internal tools are not described as user-replaceable and overall the modularity is limited compared to high-end multi-tools.
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Fastener Accessibility
Ease of disassembly using standard tools for maintenance or cleaning.
Ideal: Uses standard Torx or hex screws accessible without proprietary tools.
Confidence —
LOW
2 sources
40.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
The carbide-cutter version includes a Torx (T8) wrench for rotating or replacing the cutters.
CON
There is limited evidence on overall tool disassembly and maintenance access; internal fasteners and full teardown appear unsupported in mainstream review. (Reviewers noted loose tolerances but did not describe user-accessible screws.)
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Spare Parts Availability
Whether replacement blades, screws, or tool modules are available to consumers.
Ideal: Manufacturer offers affordable spare parts or rebuild kits directly or through retailers.
Confidence —
MEDIUM
2 sources
50.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
Replacement carbide cutters for the MP600 are available online for about $15.
CON
There is no published catalogue of spare parts for other internal tools; user access to other replacements appears limited.
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Maintenance Ease
How easy it is to clean, lubricate, and maintain the tool over time.
Ideal: Tool design allows full cleaning without full disassembly; compatible with common lubricants.
Confidence —
MEDIUM
2 sources
55.0%
(W 20%)
PRO
Design uses sliding pliers rails which reviewers found operate smoothly once broken in and suitable for regular use.
CON
Reviewers note the internal tool access is constrained: you must deploy the pliers first and then unfold inner tools, which slows maintenance and cleaning.
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Tool Selection Efficiency
How quickly and safely tools can be accessed and deployed during use.
Ideal: Outside-accessible tools with smooth one-handed operation and tactile differentiation.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
70.0%
(W 30%)
PRO
The MP600 uses a one-hand opening sliding pliers mechanism which testers found easy and efficient.The Saf.T.Plus locking system engages securely and lets tools remain locked in place when deployed.
CON
Secondary tools require opening the pliers first before accessing, which lengthens deployment time compared with some multi-tools.
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Ergonomic Design
Comfort and grip stability during prolonged or high-force tasks.
Ideal: Rounded handles with non-slip surfaces that prevent fatigue and pressure points.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
60.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
Reviewers found the sliding pliers mechanism produces comfortable one-hand operation and solid handle grip when used.
CON
The tool is relatively bulky and weight (~9 oz) and its sharp plier tips can dig into pockets or be uncomfortable for prolonged pocket carry.
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Tool Versatility
Range and usefulness of integrated tools for common daily tasks.
Ideal: Includes essential functions (pliers, screwdrivers, knife, scissors) without unnecessary redundancy.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
65.0%
(W 25%)
PRO
Contains 14 tools in the standard configuration including pliers, wire cutter, crimper, knife, screwdrivers, can opener, bottle opener, file and ruler.Variants allow specializations such as replaceable carbide cutters, bladeless design for compliance, etc., enhancing adaptability.
CON
Reviewers note fewer secondary tools or features (e.g., smaller blade size or lack of saw) compared to some competitor multi-tools.
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Weight & Compactness
Overall portability relative to number and size of tools.
Ideal: ≤8 oz (≤225 g) for pocket carry while maintaining robust functionality.
Confidence —
HIGH
2 sources
55.0%
(W 20%)
DATA
9 oz (255 g)
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See details on our Scoring Method.
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The Gerber Gear MP600 is a rugged workhorse that brings some solid functionality to a genre of tools that are too often plagued by useless features.
Designed specifically with the combat engineer in mind, this version of the MP600 is built to offer compact versatility. Learn more here.
As the #1 selling multi-tool platform to the US military, the MP600 series has been to hell and back. Learn more here.
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The only difference is the hacksaw blade is missing and no Gerber tag. Ronich69 17 days ago. Helpful? (0).
Aug 21, 2023 ... They make ok knives. If you're the type to lose your knife a lot, go to your local walmart or something and get a 25 gerber.
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| Created | 2025-10-23 | COMPLETE |
| Updated | 2025-11-02 | COMPLETE |
| Published | — | PUBLISHED |
| Scored | 2025-10-23 | COMPLETE |
| 2025-11-02 | UPDATED |
| 2025-10-23 | UPDATED |
| 2025-10-23 | UPDATED |
| 2025-10-23 | UPDATED |
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