Great little multi tool was a gift for my son to keep close for his work. He was pleased and so was I. It’s really useful and oh so small. The Leatherman has similar features but is not as pronounced or useful. The Gerber Dime has ‘one upped’ them on the pliers. Best Scissors: Leatherman Squirt PS4 Multi-tool While these may seem like trivial differences, they cause the Gerber to carry much less pleasantly than its counterpart. It’s important to understand when reviewing these tools that we were grading on a curve. It’s a given that the tools on the Dime aren’t as capable as those on full sized multi tools. What we’re looking for is how they hold up and function for everyday tasks. Pliers and Wire Cutters

The Gerber Dime doesn’t have a traditional multi tool bottle/can opener combo tool. Instead the body of the tool itself is shaped into a larger bottle opener that works quite well for its intended purpose. The Dime Travel, Gerber’s TSA compliant version of the Dime, replaces the knife blade with a blunt tip file. Scissors and Tweezers Some people also find an alternative model in the Gerver vise. This other model also includes 10 tools. It is very similar in essence. To be honest, I came into this test expecting to hate the Dime Travel. I’ve previously tested a standard model, and it was one of the worst multi-tools I’ve ever owned. Both of these multi-tools can be handy in other ways too. I’ve used each to help disassemble larger items and perform various tasks around the house. They’ve also come in handy at work, turning the occasional bolt or screw. For superficial tasks, the Gerber and the Leatherman perform almost identically. What’s DifferentBernard is known for bringing everyday carry out of obscurity and into the mainstream, having been published or featured in various publications such as GQ, TIME Magazine, The New York Times, VICE, HYPEBEAST, Outside, and many others. He has also played a part in curating, designing, and developing digital and physical products, resulting in successful crowdfunding projects or limited edition collaboration products with established softgoods brands. He stays on the pulse of the EDC industry by attending trade shows, participating in online interest communities, and actively engaging with fellow gear enthusiasts on social media. Leatherman has become shorthand for “multi-tool” for a good reason. The company's build quality is fantastic. Tools can be flipped out and retracted forcefully but smoothly, and the finishing on each mini-tool is excellent. Leatherman has many options to choose from, but the Wave Plus is easily my favorite. It has two stainless steel knives, one with a straight edge and the other serrated. The latter is good for cutting fibrous material such as rope. The 420HC steel employed has a high carbon content, so the edges won't stay sharp for long, but it's easy to sharpen 'em up again. There are 16 other tools, including a wood-and-metal file, a diamond-coated file, a saw, Phillips screwdriver bits, scissors, an 8-inch ruler, and a wire stripper, as well as a bottle and can opener. For a better set of pliers, go for a bigger multi-tool. Victorinox SwissTool Spirit is an excellent option. Now, the things that I did not like about the pliers. Even though the ergonomic handle coupled with the strong spring action makes you think that you can use it with some force to loosen stubborn nuts and bolts with, please do not. The pliers are not strong enough to handle that kind of abuse. You may be familiar with the Gerber Dime, the neat, mini keychain multi-tool with loads of useful every-day tools.

Both tools fold open the same way, with the arms flipping out to reveal the spring-loaded pliers. Best Pliers: Gerber Dime Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast.

The jaws have a flat and rounded section for grabbing anything. They both also have a small wire cutter at the bottom of the jaws which is strictly light-duty. The Gerber Dime was built to be the tool you always have on you. It’s tiny, coming in at 2.8 inches when closed and weighing just 2.2 oz. The tools you’re able to put into something that small will necessarily be less capable and durable than those on full size multi tools. It also worked quite well on the same test but felt more flimsy and had a harder time cutting through plastic. Best File: Leatherman Squirt PS4 This is nice it has all i need in a small carry tool. replaced my CRKT kiss on my key ring, totally legal. well made solid. Along with SAK got my EDC carry requirements sorted. Well worth considering as an everyday carry option. Both tools function exactly the same, with the blade, file, scissors, and screwdrivers placed on the outside, giving you a solid handle and grip when you need to use them.

A. No, though many features are shared with a larger multitool, the Dime is meant for smaller jobs and menial tasks, not the heavy-duty usage of a full-sized multitool. I would say that they occupy separate levels of size and utility. Got questions, comment below & talk with T&P’s editors! I also accidentally pinched myself while using the pliers. The near-end where the two handles meet while squeezing the pliers has a pinch point. The skin of your palm will get caught in it and give you a bad pinch if you are not careful. Not every multi-tool, even those from our favorite brands, are winners. These are models we've tried and don't like as much (or at all). Save your money and skip 'em.This isn’t intended to be your only multi tool. It’s meant to be the tool that you can bring with you no matter where you’re going. It’s small enough to fit on your keychain and light enough that you won’t even notice it’s there. Gerber offers the Dime in two versions and several different colors. Gerber Dime Tools It may say "Travel" on it but I would carry this with me every day. This would be an ideal gift for anybody. The tweezers are very small but have enough strength to pull slivers, which is all I’ve used them for. Best Price: Gerber Dime What tools can you expect to find on a standard multitool? The list can vary widely, but it should include a screwdriver (with a Phillips and flat-head driver, at least), pliers, scissors and possibly a knife or two. Most will also have a bottle opener or something you can use as one. It’s a good bet that this tool is the one that will see the most actual use among weekend warriors. A. The base Gerber Dime is not technically approved, given the knife blades, but there is a separate Gerber Dime Travel, with many of the same features, that is approved. Q. How big is the Gerber Dime?

The Vise is a redesigned version of Gerber’s older Clutch micro multi tool. It replaces the scissors on the Dime with a second serrated knife blade but otherwise has similar tools. To be honest though, the Vise feels generally cheaper than the Dime. The pliers especially don’t feel sturdy, with numerous user reports of fatal failure. This wasn’t a close call for me — the Style PS is a better tool on every front. But things may not be as cut and dry as they appear. The Winner: Leatherman Style PSFor what it is, and especially for what you pay for it, it provides one of the better sets of tools on the market. Winning 6 of 9 rounds, it’s the clear winner of the Gerber Dime vs. Leatherman Squirt PS4 Multi-tool battle.