Everyday Carry: When you make multi-tools for tradespeople and military personnel alike, they're going to get the job done. But for the rest of us, that might be a bit overkill for everyday tasks and projects. That's why Gerber created the Suspension NXT—a more compact, EDC-friendly butterfly-style multi-tool based on the original trade-oriented Suspension.
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I've had a Gerber since I was a teenager, but I stopped carrying a multitool for a long time because it was a lot of bulk for not a lot of utility on any average day. Even worse, the tools on my Gerber were only semi-adequate for any given task, and I'd end up grabbing a full-sized tool anyway. For several years now, I've just carried a knife, which has fulfilled the vast majority of my needs. In the intervening years, Gerber appears to have addressed many of my complaints, particularly with the Suspension NXT. The overall size and weight is less burdensome, the handles of the pliers appear to be set close enough together for me to get a good grip, the screwdriver is vastly improved, and it actually has a file. Best yet, it's under $30. For a long time, the average Leatherman seemed to be objectively superior to the average Gerber. With the NXT and other recent developments, I think Gerber might be creeping ahead.
Starting at the end of elementary school and into middle school, I began to carry a multitool more and more. With this, I started on what may be a life-long hunt for the "perfect" multitool. I have tried so many multitools that I've lost count. That being said, I do not everyday carry a multitool anymore. Now, I every day carry a folding straight blade and carry a multitool when at work. This is primarily due to the fact that multitools tend to be pretty bulky and don't carry well in pockets. For a while, I carried a Leatherman Charge because of its integrated pocket clip, but I now prefer the Leatherman Wave+ due to its tool layout and overall feel. I have never been the biggest Gerber fan as I have never owned or tried one that got the job done for me while also feeling very sturdy. The Suspension NXT may have solved this issue. As such a small footprint and weight and the integrated pocket clip, it appears to be a great pocket carry tool. On top of this, reviews seem to say that it is sturdy and gets the job done. And did I mention its only 27 dollars? While Leatherman and the Wave+, in particular, might continue to be my favorite for work, this might be my new favorite everyday carry.
I’ve always liked pocket knives and multitools for as long as I can remember. I liked the idea of having any tool necessary handy at any given moment. I also enjoyed the aesthetic of how cool and ‘hardcore’ carrying one on you looked. That being said, I almost never wound up needing to use mine. I would always have them in my pocket or backpack and either the chance would never come up, or I would wind up using other tools to get the job done. But on that rare occasion that I do get to whip out my tool, as if I’m always prepared for anything, feels so satisfying and as though I’m on top of the world. and I have a Gerber multi-tool that my dad gave me that is pretty similar to the one described in the article, carrying a lot more components than probably necessary. It’s fairly bulky and a little bit heavier for comfort, which makes transporting it in an already full backpack that much more of a drag. The fact that this new multitool is lighter and only $27 however is really tempting me into buying one. The affordable price mixed in with the possibility of being able to have so many more various tools on me is really drawing me in, despite knowing I don’t actually need to buy another one. I think Gerber is really stepping up their design game in multitools.
More recently, I've been looking into getting a multi-tool. I really enjoy the idea behind this one to keep the design light and portable in a pocket, not belt. As someone who is not always wearing a belt or belt-looped pants, I like the idea that I could toss this tool in my purse and not have it weigh down too much on me. I think it is interesting that the article brings up a good point that multi-tools like this one serve purposes for so many people that often there is so much to add that there is not enough space to fit all the tools. It was impressive that this one fit 15 tools into the compact design. I know Gerber and Leatherman are the two most well known multi-tool companies used in theatre. I've seen both types of products but would like to know more about how they differ if the tools are practically identical, what makes the distinction?
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