Leatherman Wave Plus and Gerber Center Drive Comparison

Joe compares the Gerber Center Drive and the Leatherman Wave plus multitools. Which multi tool will better suit your needs? Do you need cutting and filing tools close at hand? What about a screwdriver and OTF pliers?

[brianfreland]

Im a rough and finishing carpenter and I'm pretty rough on tools.... I've been using the Gerber center drive every day for 2 years and it's the best multitool I've ever owned. I've kept one on my belt for as long as I can remember so I've tried just about every well known multi tool....this isbby far my favorite and most useful one I've found. It's release slides, OTF and assisted pliers, and it's one handed operation qualities make this thing even more awesome! It's my daily "driver" hahaha. Hope you guys enjoy it as much as I have!

[lawrencehubbard]

I like the “spend your money like you want” I own both. You can shop around for the Center Drive for cheaper price but I think the Plus is the better option. Any 1/4” bit will work with it and so will a couple of different ratchets. On the Wave + you can get a bit adapter and bits plus a extension that will give you the 1/4” bit option and ratchet. Again I like them both but I lean towards the Center Drive more as my EDC. One thing that people over look at Center Drive instruction the spare bit holder needs to be opened for the cutters to close all the way. Really a great and honest review on both tools .

[_EVERYTHING_OEFx]

I started on leatherman and moved on to Gerber because when Gerber stamps USA on a product, they aren’t lying. I dove headfirst into Gerber, did a tour of their facility, met their employees. Really down to earth guys and gals and their military liaison was pretty high speed. They’re making a great comeback with their overseas facilities pumping out affordable equipment and their USA shop making high quality equipment.

[jared]

Both awesome tools...Centerdrivs for work and wave for everywhere else

[brianfreland]

The blades on the pliers of the centerdrive is a functional wire stripper as well

[deleteduser]

1:58 Gerber and Leatherman when no one is looking also kiss kiss

[johngraham]

I would be afraid the pliers on the gerber would jam with dirt and grit if they were used much

[TangoAlpha]

I use to be a gerber fan boy till I got real tools. Gerber is so cheaply made, they may use G10 but bought that G10 from wish. I've broken every Gerber tool I've used especially the center drive. I broke the bit holder using too much torque, the locking mechanism for the bit bent and became ineffective, the str8 blade knife would only hold an edge till you cut something, the serrated knife had its serrations snapped off from cutting paracord, the carbide jaw inserts shattered on small gauge copper wire, the tips of the jaws bent out of alignment using mild lateral pressure, the jaws never opened wide enough to grip common object, and the prybar struggled to be effective on small finishing let alone completely failed on 8 penny. I hate that it has a can/bottle opener, it's made of injection molded polymer parts and stainless steel coated parts, the spring action pliers always bite skin or clothing whenever it can, its the least ergonomic multi tool ive used, the center drive is clunky as hell, the rails for the jaws get junk in them and inhibits them from opening/closing (ik I can clean them out but I dont have that problem with leathermen), no scissors, and you have to lug around a ton of bits unlike the leathermen wave. My leathermen wave has taken a beating and still keeps functioning. I can carry 42 bits that are stronger and lighter compared to the 10 standard 1/4" bits the Gerber can, the large standard head screwdriver doubles as an excellent prying tool, the knives stay razor sharp and sharpen super easy, the jaws are narrow and long yet stronger than gerber's, its forged stainless steel jaws vs investment casted, has the better ability to apply torque than Gerber (utilizing the opposite handle 90° to the handle with the bit), all stainless steel, has super sharp scissors, has a integrated measuring device, the list can go on and on. Ik alot of ppl love gerber bc the US Army issues them to soldiers but thats only bc geber was the lowest bidder, I don't think leathermen even submitted a bid after reviewing the specs the gov wanted bc they knew in order to meet those specs and uphold the quality of their brand it was cost prohibited. Ive used the wave while in the military, working civilian jobs, and as my EDC. Its never failed me no mater the climate or job.

[NaturalBornGriller]

I used a center drive a couple times when I borrowed my buddies when he offered to give it to me. That slide out junk is hard to use. It's super huge too, the bit being in the 'center' doesn't really matter when you're twisting a giant handle..or ever. just seems like a gimmicky toy just like most gerber things. might as well paint it orange and call it the bear grylls multitool