Gerber Shard Keychain Tool - Silver [30-001501] Pack of 1

Product Information

Overall this is a fairly nice tool with a few unique features you won’t find on other tools. The spoke wrenches in particular would be very helpful for cyclists. Functional but Not Exceptional: While it performs well for its size, it doesn’t replace the efficiency and ease of use of full-sized tools. Overall, the Gerber Shard has become an important travel tool in our arsenal. After two years on the road, it’s still holding up nicely with only a few minor blemishes to speak of. Gerber initially released the Shard as a trade show giveaway with no plans to sell it to the general public. As photographs of the Shard made their way out on the internet, public demand to get a production version produced grew. Finally, Gerber caved and decided to make the Shard for sale.

The MP600 is without a doubt one of the most widely used multi tools in the world. This is due in no small part to its status as the standard issue multi tool of the U.S. military. It’s a big, heavy duty tool that’s designed to stand up to extreme conditions without complaint. Gerber went with a significantly different design for the MP600 than Leatherman did for the Wave+. Multitool often conjures up a specific type of look in the mind’s eye. And the Dime…well, it likely looks like what you imagine. Gerber and Leatherman are both excellent multi tool brands that produce high quality tools. For casual use you’d be fine with either a Gerber or a Leatherman. If you’re looking for the best multi tools money can buy, we think you should go Leatherman. Gerber makes some fine tools but Leatherman invented the multi tool. It’s what they do, and they do it well. One handed opening tools are becoming more and more popular as new models are released. Gerber got into the field early and incorporated slide out pliers into a lot of their designs but Leatherman wasn’t asleep at the wheel either. They released an innovative multi tool designed to allow one handed opening of every tool. Lets see how these two, the Gerber Center Drive and Leatherman OHT, compare. The Wave Plus, with its rugged yet compact design, has now become a mainstay in my outdoor adventures. Whether it’s setting up a camp, fixing a loose screw on my gear, or slicing through a catch of the day, this multi-tool has proven its mettle. It’s not just a multi-tool; it’s a reliable companion that every outdoor enthusiast should consider.

A lot of people will say that Leatherman pays closer attention to detail, but Gerber still produces excellent tools. Many of their top products are still made right in Oregon by American manufacturing, something a lot of EDC enthusiasts prefer. The box cutter/scoring tool work very well, one of the best out of the tools we reviewed. It does unfortunately make it unsuitable for frequent travelers but overall is a good feature. The bottle opener is somewhat difficult to use just because of the angle of the tool but always works in the end. Frequent complaints include the screwdriver being just slightly too wide to use on standard screws.

We like the design of the OHT better, but overall think the Center Drive is more useful to the average person. If Leatherman released a multi tool with the OHT’s design but a more generalist set of tools we’d have to reevaluate. There are standard models with non removable tools, needlenose pliers, bluntnose, straight blade or serrated, the list goes one. Gerber even has versions designed specifically for combat engineers performing demolitions work. The Wave Plus wasn’t without its minor qualms. The nylon sheath felt a little on the cheaper side, and I did find the ‘one-handed open internal tools’ to usually require a bit of a struggle, demanding both hands more often than not. The wire cutter portion eats through the thin wires you find in everyday small electronics, but cutting a surge protector’s power cord…yeah, not going to work. You’ll need something bigger for that task. I got this teeny-tiny keychain light as a door gift, and it’s been chugging along with me for years now on my keychain. Streamlight Nano

The small flat driver was tossed into action as well, but it was more awkward due to the flat driver existing as part of the curved pry bar. The Shard’s shape makes it super comfortable to use. Nothing pokes or prods when you use its wide variety of tools. Let’s be honest; there’s a lot of value in that. In conclusion, the Gerber Shard has proven to be a worthy companion for the minimalist outdoor aficionado. It’s a testament to how a humble piece of metal can embody the spirit of readiness, offering a blend of practicality and unassuming reliability. Its shortcomings are overshadowed by its ability to be a silent, yet capable partner in the face of minor adversities, making it a solid entrant in the realm of one-piece multi-tools. Finally, before we go, I have to mention the tool that inspired this entire article…the Streamlight Nano.