Gerber Crucial Multi Tool Review

3.0 rating

The stylish Gerber Crucial Black multi tool is designed to give you all of the important tools you need without going overboard with a bunch of seldom used tools that add weight and space. The Crucial Black is very similar to the other Gerber Crucial multitools but removes the carabiner/bottle opener and replaces it with a strap cutter.

Despite its compact and lightweight size, the Crucial Black multi tool delivers full-function components at at only 5 oz. you can carry it like a pocketknife for excursions and adventures.

Gerber Crucial Black

Our Hands-On Review

The Gerber Crucial Black multi tool with pocket sized tools including a partially serrated knife blade, needle nose pliers, V-cut wire cutters, strap cutter and flathead and phillips screwdrivers. When unopened, the Crucial Black is 3.6 inches and can expand up to an overall length of 5.5 inches when using the pliers. The knife blade is accessible with one hand using the thumb knob and liner locks prevent unwanted closing while in use. The handles of the Gerber Crucial have an ergonomic shape that makes it comfortable when using the knife or screwdriver tips. However, the handles are less comfortable when using the pliers. The pliers are not spring loaded. The Gerber Crucial Black is full stainless steel with no plastic parts for toughness and durability during rough use.

  • Blade length: 2.25 in
  • Closed length: 3.6 in
  • Weight: 5 oz
  • Pocket clip: yes
  • One-handed: yes

Gerber Crucial FAST Red [Discontinued by Manufacturer]

  • Price: ~$33
  • Weight: 3/5
  • Size: 3/5
  • Durability: 3/5
  • Utility: 4/5
  • Overall Rating: 3/5

Like the other tools in Gerber’s Crucial lineup, the Crucial FAST Red is designed with only the important tools you need. You won’t find a bunch of seldom used tools that add weight and space. The Crucial FAST Red is very similar to the other Gerber Crucial multitools but adds three upgrades. First is F.A.S.T (Forward Action Spring Technology) to assist opening the knife blade. The other two differences are G10 on the main handle for better grip, and longer reach screwdriver heads. Despite its compact and lightweight size, the Crucial FAST Red multi tool delivers full-function components and at only 5.8 oz. you can carry it like a pocketknife for excursions and adventures. With all of the tools on the outside, the only time it is necessary to open the handles is when using the pliers.

Our Hands-On Review

The knife blade is accessible with one hand using the thumb knob and the FAST function makes it easy to open. The Gerber Crucial FAST Red includes liner locks on all of the tools to prevent unwanted closing while in use. The main handle of the Gerber Crucial is G10 composite with crosshatch pattern to improve grip and the overall shape is an ergonomic shape that makes it comfortable when using the knife or screwdriver tips. However, the handles are less comfortable when using the pliers. As with the other Crucial multitools, the pliers are not spring loaded. The Gerber Crucial FAST Red is a solid pocket sized multitool but spotty build quality and heavier weight put it behind the best everyday carry multi tools.

Features

The Gerber Crucial FAST Red multi tool includes 8 different functions in a pocked sized package. When unopened, the Crucial FAST Red is 4.8 inches long and expands up to an overall length of 5.8 inches when using the pliers.

  1. Blunt tip knife blade
  2. Serrated blade (lower half of knife blade)
  3. Regular pliers
  4. Needle nose pliers
  5. V-cut wire cutters (pinch style)
  6. Long medium flat head driver
  7. Long cross head screwdriver tip
  8. Bottle opener

Technical Specs

  • Blade length: 2.25 in
  • Closed length: 3.6 in
  • Weight: 5.8 oz
  • Pocket clip: yes
  • One-handed: yes

Dan Sawyer

I'm the guy behind Multi Tool Mountain. I grew up in Wisconsin with a love for the outdoors. I currently live in Texas with my family where DIY home improvement projects keep my and my multi tools busy.

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