gerber 30-000140 crucial tool, green
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As stylish as your favorite knife, but packed with essential features like your favorite Gerber Multi-Plier. Dispite its compact, lightweight size the Crucial Tool delivers big, full-function components.
The Gerber Crucial Multi-tool is also available in Gray
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Technical Details
- Compact and lightweight design that carries like a pocket knife
- Essential components for “just in case� situations
- Clip knife styling with full size drop point blade, utilizing liner lock technology
- Essential components are larger for full function in compact and light weight multi-tool
- Eight functions: Pliers, V-Cut wire cutter, Large 1/2-Inch serrated blade, Cross head screw driver, Bottle opener, Medium flat driver, Pocket clip and Carabineer clip
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2010-04-11
By M. Stewart
I have been using the Crucial for almost 4 months now. I work in Outdoor Education for a University so I spend a fair amount of my time in the woods. I can honestly say I use this tool almost every single day. I needed something that I could keep comfortably in my pocket. It needed to have a good blade and pliers with wire cutters. I searched around and was torn between the Crucial and the Leatherman Freestyle. I settled on the crucial because of the addition of the carabineer and screwdrivers.
I was impressed with this tool right off the bat and grow fonder of it each and every day...with a few exceptions. I think it will be easiest to break this review down into sections.
Blade
The blade is easy to open thanks to the little thumb piece attached to it. The locking mechanism is very secure and inspires confidence when you are using the blade in a way you shouldn't (let's be honest we all do it at some point). On the flipside of the lock being secure, it can be a little stiff while trying to close the blade. I found myself using a second hand when the knife was new. The blade doesn't dull too easily. I have only needed to sharpen mine once since I have been using it. I like the shape of the blade. I have found myself using the flat tip for scraping stuff that I would normally use the sharpened edge for in the past. Oh and I love that I don't have to unfold the knife to get to the pliers.
Pliers/Wire Cutters
The pliers are my most used tool, and are great for what they are. They are sturdy and grip very well. They will not let you down as long as you know they are not vice grips. Also, because of the shape of the handle, you need to hold the pliers with the gray part against your palm. Otherwise the stylistic flair will dig into your palm and cause irritation. Flip the tool over and the problem is solved. The wire cutters work well and have not disappointed me yet. I have used them for bicycle cables, automotive wiring, and cutting cord in the field and have not been disappointed. I have seen reviews complaining about the small gap between the cutting surfaces. I had never even noticed that until I read the review.
Screwdrivers
I have used them both multiple times and while I'm not ecstatic about them I'm happy enough. They are both very short which can hinder their use. However, if you unfold the tool it makes the Phillips head screwdriver much more usable. I have never used either of these on very stubborn screws, and would walk to my toolbox to get an actual screwdriver if it is a possibility. With that being said, they have and will continue to come in handy and I am glad that Gerber included them.
Carabineer/Bottle Opener
I love having a carabineer on my knife for when I'm camping. I can attach it to my bag when it's not in my pocket and it is easily accessible. I have also found the carabineer to be the perfect tool for pulling out stubborn tent stakes. The bottle opener works surprisingly well although I have only used it a handful of times. I do have two complaints about the carabineer. First, the gate is somewhat weak. It doesn't always return to its closed position without a little help. Second, there is no lock for the carabineer. At first there was enough friction to keep it open somewhat securely. However, that has worn away and now I can open and close it with the flick of my wrist. I don't like how easily it moves.
Pocket Clip
I love pocket clips on knives. I won't even consider buying a folding pocket knife without one. The pocket clip on the crucial served me well until about two days ago. I went to grab my knife and realized it had fallen into my pocket. I pulled it out and found the clip had broken off. I would simply put a new one on and it wouldn't be a big deal but it broke one of the small torx screws off...nearly flush with the handle. It's so small I am not sure the best way to get it out. Hopefully this will be covered by their lifetime warranty.
Conclusion
Overall I have been very happy with the crucial. There have been a couple small annoyances but nothing that has hindered the tool's functionality. I will definitely buy another when the time comes, and may even purchase a few as gifts. The crucial loses a star due to the carabineer and the pocket clip. I think the crucial is a great tool for a great price, and will be heartbroken if I ever lose it.
2010-04-04
By Larry
I purchased the Gerber Crucial in order to have a small, lightweight knife/plier combo to carry in my pocket while boating. There are constant needs for a knife and for small pliers on a sailboat (loosening shackles, tight knots, etc) and I find that I'm unlikely to carry one of the larger multitools around. I just throw the Crucial into my pocket on the way to the boat and I'm good to go. I've also found that the screwdriver tools are self-locking which is nice when working on a tight fastener. I read several reviews on this tool before purchase and I found the product exactly as described.
2010-03-30
By T. Walker (The Woodlands, TX USA)
The Gerber Crucial Tool is unique as pocket tools go. It has only the most essential tools for unexpected, everyday use: serrated knife blade (very sharp), flat head and phillips head screwdrivers, pliers, and a carabiner. I haven't figured out what the carabiner is for except to securely hold the tool to a belt or belt loop, but the other tools are great. All tools except the carabiner and the pliers have a lock to keep them open when in use, which is an excellent safety feature. The needle-nose pliers are slim and appear to be very strong, and the plier mechanism is placed inside the tool to give smooth handles for use. The shape is ergonomic so that it fits most hands comfortably. This is a good choice as a gift for that special "someone" who likes to do his own repairs.
2010-03-26
By Glenn Doherty (New York, NY)
OK, I just received mine today and have not had much of a chance to use it, but there are already a lot of noticeable differences over my old Leatherman and the Swiss Army Climber knife of which this knife now shares company. First, I like the dual carry design, featuring both a pocket clip and a caribiner. The pocket clip is easy to slide on and off the pocket, without any additional prying to get it to go on, like some clips need (as in, they don't always slide easily on to the lip of the pocket). Also, it's nice to see the caribiner fold into, and be parallel to, the design of the knife. Some knives with 'biners have them perpendicular through a hole in the knife, and this makes the knife bulkier to carry. This knife is already a little on the bulky side, and the in-line 'biner maintains the slim(mer) design nature of this Gerber.
Others have commented that this knife is a little bulky, but given that a knife even a little smaller than this usually needs a belt sheath, this one fits nicely in the pocket, especially when you can clip it on and not have it free-floating around. I can barely notice the knife in any pocket.
Lastly, the pliers design is much more ergonomic that any other knife i have had. Having to grip metal and put pressure on it can hurt, like it does with the Leatherman, and this feels much more comfortable. I can't attest to it's strength, but I'm sure someone else has tried it to tell you if it's a durable set of pliers.
2010-03-25
By Kyle R. Fraliex (the bluegrass)
I am a professional mechanic by trade and an avid hiker/camper and d.i.y'er at heart. I have carried a gerber multi-tool daily for over 10 years. The multiplier 600 has saved me more times than i could name. i longed for a pocketknife sized plier with the basics. FINALLY got it. retire the 600, carry this unit and use it daily....in the shop, on the trail, in the woods and ANYwhere else you could imagine.
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Buy Gerber 30-000140 Crucial Tool, Green Now
This tool could be very handy for climbing. I have been on the rock before and could use a knife, pliers, all sorts of things to get me out of a jam. The caribiner would make it easy to add to my sling along with my other hardware. http://www.summitcampinggear.com
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