Multitool Roundup: One to Avoid, Two Bargains, and a Hold on Gerber's Next Move

Introduction

Multitools are the kind of purchase you live with for years, so it pays to know which designs genuinely work and which ones fight you every time you reach for them. This roundup covers nine tools from Gerber and Leatherman, including one we would actively steer you away from, a couple of genuine bargains worth hunting down, and one upcoming release that could swing a buying decision either way.

Everything here is based on hands-on use, including some fairly drastic modifications on tools that needed them. Where a tool’s problems can be fixed with a workshop and a lot of patience, we note it, but the advice is written for buyers who want a tool that works out of the box.

A Major Disappointment: Gerber Lockdown

The Gerber Lockdown series has been the biggest letdown in recent memory. The core problem is a combination of design choices: the thumb studs sit flush with the frame, and paired with an extremely strong liner lock and stiff detent, the tool is almost impossible to open one-handed as it comes from the factory.

It is technically fixable. Getting there required completely disassembling the tool, cutting the liner lock deeper to weaken its spring retention, and bending the springs so they stop pressing so hard against the implements. After that work, one-handed opening of every implement became possible, which proves the design flaw was solvable at the factory level. As sold, though, this is not a tool we can recommend in its current form. If you are determined to try it, open the package in the store first, test it on the spot, and expect to return it.

Leatherman Bolster: A Fine First Multi-Tool

The Leatherman Bolster is not a headline tool, and that is fine. At $40 with a 25-year warranty, a sheath, and a pocket clip, it is perfectly usable. At 6.5 ounces it is light for its class, and it reads as roughly a blend of half a Rev and half a Sidekick, which makes it a sensible first multitool for someone who has never owned one.

The main criticism is not the tool itself but the way it has been marketed, which barely registers. It is not something to write home about, but for a first-time buyer it does everything a basic multitool should.

The Hybrid Trend Worth Watching

The Bolster raises an interesting question: whether Leatherman will keep building hybrids of existing tools. A Rebar and Wave hybrid, or a Bond and Curl hybrid, could each have real appeal, and hands-on time with this approach suggests there are genuine advantages to combining proven layouts. It remains to be seen whether buyers see it as innovation or idea recycling, but the Bolster shows the formula can work.

A Bargain Pair: Leatherman Wave and Rebar

A used Leatherman Wave and Rebar pair turned up second-hand for $82 total, which is a genuinely good deal and the starting point for a long modification project. The plan is a multi-part series documenting every possible modification to the Wave, step by step, starting with changes that do not affect the warranty and ending with the most involved work possible.

Both of these tools remain benchmarks in Leatherman’s lineup, and picking up either one used is one of the easiest ways to get a proven design at a fraction of new pricing.

The Sidekick, meanwhile, is worth noting as one of the tools the Bolster borrows from. It is a compact, proven layout that holds up well next to the newer hybrid approach.

Watching Gerber: Dual-Force and Center-Drive

There is cautious optimism around the upcoming Gerber Dual-Force. Early indications are that it will be made in the United States in the same factories that produce the Gerber Center-Drive and the MP600, both of which are genuinely good tools. If Gerber carries that manufacturing quality through, the Dual-Force could be a strong release.

The Center-Drive itself remains one of the better tools in Gerber’s range and a good reference point for what the brand does well when it gets the details right.

Leatherman Crunch Still Unavailable

The Leatherman Crunch remains unavailable at the time of writing. Anyone after this locking-plier-style multitool will need to keep watching availability, since there is nothing to report on restock timing yet.

The Lockdown Pry Problem

The Lockdown Pry also needs an honest warning: people searching for a decent dedicated pry tool will not find it here. This is not a good pry tool, and a collection of alternatives exists that are all considered significantly better. If prying is a real part of your daily carry, look elsewhere rather than starting with this one.

Conclusion

The takeaways are clear. Skip the Gerber Lockdown in its current form unless you enjoy disassembling tools to make them usable. The Leatherman Bolster is a perfectly fine $40 entry point with a 25-year warranty, and used Waves and Rebars are excellent value when they surface. Keep an eye on the Gerber Dual-Force, since its manufacturing pedigree suggests real potential, and look past the Lockdown Pry if you need a serious pry tool.