Gerber 07563 Pro Scout Needlenose - Multi-Plier
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Gerber 07563 Pro Scout Needlenose - Multi-Plier
Customer Review: Overall Excellent Multitool
Summary: 4 Stars
I have used the Gerber MP600 Pro-Scout continuously for several months, both at work and in the outdoors. The Pro-Scout is about 5-1/16" closed, and slightly over 6-1/2" with the pliers open. The reason I purchased the Pro-Scout instead of the Leatherman or Victorinox is because it is larger and has what seems to be a more rugged design. Also, the addition of a metal cutting saw was another feature that I especially wanted. I have actually used the metal saw to cut a 1/4" diameter bolt in half, and while the saw took a beating, it did the job. I was more interested, however, in how the saw holder performed. I wanted to test the ability of the holder to sucessfully hold the saw in place, and not become worn or loose after some heavy use. I'm happy to say that the saw and holder performed well and did not deform.I have used all the other tools, and with the exception of the file, they have performed very well. If I had a choice, I would eliminate the file which is useless. Perhaps the file could be replaced with a wood saw or lanyard holder. The knife is extremely sharp. I don't care for serrated edges, but I have to say that the knife blade works well for cutting cardboard, rubber, rope, and whittling wood.
The Pro-Scout comes with a black ballistic nylon sheath lined with what appears to be black Cambrell. In just five months of use, the lining has already begun to disintegrate and tear open. The sheath has a flimsy 1" wide strap sewn on the rear for a 2-1/4" wide belt. One of the problems with this design is that it allows the sheath to slip off and fall whenever the user's belt is loosened.
With that said, the overall rating of this multitool is four stars. If Gerber improved the design of the sheath by adding a good clip and if the multitool itself had a useful file that actually worked, I would have to give it five stars.
Customer Review: Serious Tool, a few minor issues
Summary: 4 Stars
I had one of these until I lost it. I bought a SOG in the meantime (can't remember the actual model, but its the one where the pliers snap out when you push a button). Lusted for my Gerber ever since - the pliers are way better and there was a phillips screwdriver bit (can you believe not putting one of these in the tool?).Before I got my Gerber again, I looked at the leatherman tools - Wave and Juice models, and the swiss army tool. The reviews on the leaterhman looked good, and I really liked the juice, but their seems to be a problem with the wire cutters being of softer metal and that being a problem. I cut alot of wire and this would be an issue.
The Juice models look really cool, but they are more pocket knives than multitools. Other than that, I think they will give swiss army knife users a serious alternative. But, as a multitool, they really aren't.
I really liked the Swiss Tool from Victorinox. But, and I just couln't believe this, it didn't have a scissors! Yet every swiss army knife I have owned always has had one? Someone was really asleep at the switch on that one!
The pliers on the Gerber do yeoman duty. They are tough, they open wide and you can really exert comfortable leverage.
The ability to use the optional bit adaptor for any 1/4" bit is just way useful. The second most used blade on my tools are the screwdrivers and there never seems to be the right size - with this, it just isn't a problem anymore. You can get the PERFECT bit for the job and always have it with you.
I also like the sheath better on the Gerber than for the SOG. But i do miss the ability to be able to clip it onto by belt instead of thread it. You would think there would be a great 3rd party tool sheath out there, but there really isn't (that meets my specs).
My complaints with this tool - or at least what I would like to see:
- Serrated knife: For some reason, there seems to be an infatuation with multitool mfgs with serrated knives. They have a place, but boy, are they hard to sharpen. A sharp straight edge will do 90% of what a serrated blade will do and is far easier to sharpen and touch up. The Gerber has a half serrated knife and it would be much better if it were a straight edge.
- Using the pliers is the most common use of this for me. However, it would be nicer if there was an easier way to get blades out without having to open the jaws first. This isn't a big deal, but it can get tricky.
- I would like the sheath to have one of those hook style serious clip sheaths. If they substituted this on the vs the belt loop on the sheath, I would be happy. Everytime you undo the belt, the tool and sheath want to slide off and drop to the floor.
I also bought, but did not receive yet, the Legend 800. I had a budget for multitools and the pricing on Amazon was such that I could buy both the Pro Scout and Legend for the same price as a Legend elsewhere. I uses these things so much that having one handy at home and for the boat really works well.
Customer Review: Why I chose the Gerber over the Leatherman
Summary: 5 Stars
Simply put, if you use the knife blade a lot, go with the Leatherman Wave. That one has four separate locking blades (2 of them knives) that you can deploy without opening up the tool. If you can make do with one small (albeit really good) blade, then the Gerber 600 is better. Both of these tools (plus the SOG I've bought for a distant relative) are very well made. Here's why I bought the Gerber for myself:
- What I find myself doing is not-so knife-intensive.
- ALL the tools lock in place, whereas with the Leatherman, only the four blades do. The last thing I want is to be in a hurry (which you will be, if/when you need one of these instead of a full tool kit) and have the screwdriver fold on me.
- As small as the single, half-serrated blade is, it's still a Gerber blade. Marketing or not, Gerber makes knives. Other companies just make little knives for their tools.
- The scissors are of an incredibly simple design, and I can say that they cut like they are truly of Fiskars quality.
- The extra tool kit (6 slotted/phillips bits) that I bought with my Gerber 600 fits neatly in the sheath, instead of in an extra box like the Leatherman's does. The adapter is a lot simpler, too. I highly recommend this little extra kit.
- There's a ruler (3 in./8 cm) imprinted in the sides of the Gerber (none on the Leatherman). I thought this was just for show, basically, until I really needed it one day (at which point, it became invaluable).
- You can replace the saw blade EASILY on the Gerber with standard (I forget the size) blades you can find at the hardware store. You don't have to take the tool apart to do so, either.
- It's WAY less bulky than the Gerber 800 Legend
The Gerber MP 600 Pro Scout doesn't have a lanyard loop, though.
Customer Review: better then most.
Summary: 3 Stars
This is a pretty nice knife except for a couple of issues I'd have rated it higher.
Bad points-
Only one standard screw driver blade - small size with a nice bottle opener built in the same blade. My son dropped this once when he barrowed it from me and the screwdriver blade chipped. Must be some pretty good hardened steel.
No saw - The black Finegrif (tm) saw blade is a joke. It would take half an hour (at least) to cut through a small nail and the blade is too thin to not break right off. For wood this blade is even less effective. This is a none usable...
The file has no teeth on the sides like a proper file should. One side is a double cut and the other single cut (metal). No chance for an emergency manicure here.
Can opener blade has no fingernail slot and it's sharp so it's hard to safely deploy without cutting yourself in the dark.
Best things about this knife-
Nice set of needle nose pliers great for small precision type jobs. One handed operation (pliers only) and also has a comfortable grip.
Scissors- a necessity in my opinion.
locking blades- excellent system for locking the blades
All and all a good quality tool but with some design flaws.