WHAT TRADIES WANT. 59TEST #1: HOW GOOD IS THE
ACTUAL CENTER-DRIVE?
One of the key components to any multitool
is the screwdriver, and it’s from this feature
the Gerber Center-Drive gets its name. So it’d
better be pretty damn good.
The driver has an offset shaft which allows
it to find the true centre axis of the tool when
folded out. It also gives a rotation that’s much
more likely to stay engaged with the fastener,
and at 8.25cm it’s long enough to be a truly
useful feature.
Yet another standout feature for me on the
screwdriver is the interchangeable magnetised
bit holder. This holder takes standard-sized
quarter-inch bits which can be easily replaced
or swapped to suit the job at hand. There’s
also a second bit holder that allows carrying
two bits in the tool at any given time.
TEST #2: GET A GRIP
The pliers are an interesting blend of a
regular-style plier and a needle-nose plier.
That’s perfect for the kind of job the Gerber
Center-Drive is designed for. Like when you
need to access tighter areas that normal
pliers wouldn’t get into. They grip extremely
well when using the stylish-looking tip while
still leaving plenty of meat in the mid-section
for gripping larger items like nuts, bolts and
screws. At the back of the plier are wire cutters
with a triangular shaped blade that can be
rotated as it loses its edge, giving triple the
life of other carbide blades. There’s a notch
on each of the triangular blades designed for
wire stripping. The wire I originally tried to cut
and strip was beyond the capability of the tool
(even our electrician’s pliers needed a good
squeeze to do the job, but I wanted to see how
the Gerber went). There’ll always be a time
when you must decide between a multi-tool
and a professional, dedicated heavy-duty tool.
The Gerber Center-Drive wire stripper
worked a treat on the other smaller wires
I tried.RESULTS
I’ve owned a couple of multitools over my
time and loved them for different reasons. It
was my fondness of these tools that drove
me to really give a thorough test and review
of the Gerber Center-Drive and I’m glad I
did. It gave the tool the opportunity to rise
to the occasion and prove itself as a serious
alternative for professionals.
The individual tools are great quality and
designed extremely well. The single-handed
opening functionality and spring-loaded
handle mechanisms are unique and well-
thought-out systems. It feels great in the
hand and the weight and build quality is right
where it needs to be.
I think it’s important to mention you need
to be realistic with the kind of jobs you
approach with any multitool. No multitool is
going to replace your nail bag or tools of the
trade, but one of the first things I do now in
the morning is put the Center-Drive on my
belt and I know I can take on any challenges
that the day might throw at me.
Visit: http://www.Center-Drive.comTHE FULL LINE UP
Let’s get down to the nitty and the gritty
and take stock of the full list of features:- Center-Drive screwdriver
- Pliers
- Plain-edge knife
- Serrated knife
- File
- Bottle opener (with integrated nail
puller and pry bar) - Awl
- Ruler
- Lanyard hole
- Sheath
CENTER-DRIVE
MULTITOOL
KEY FEATURES- One-thumb opening system
- Spring-loaded needle-nose pliers
- Rotatable carbide wire cutters and
strippers - Full-size 8.25cm, 420HC fine-edge
blade - Serrated blade
- Center-axis magnetic bit driver
- Pry bar with nail puller and
bottle opener - File, awl
- Magnetic Phillips- and flat-head bits
- Lanyard hole
- Fabric sheath
- Jaw material: cast
- Made in the USA
- Lifetime warranty
- Knife blade length: 8.25cm
- Weight: 269.3grams
Get loose with the
regular pliers.Get a grip with the needle-nose pliers.Wire strippers are
a great addition.