Gerber 31-01134 Dime Mini Multi Tool - Black

Product Information

Both tools function exactly the same, with the blade, file, scissors, and screwdrivers placed on the outside, giving you a solid handle and grip when you need to use them. You don’t want to be the guy fumbling with his multi-tool before he can open a girl’s beer. Not cool. Best Blade: Gerber Dime To avoid that situation altogether, here are some of the best TSA-friendly tools that you can take with you on your next trip. To be honest, I came into this test expecting to hate the Dime Travel. I’ve previously tested a standard model, and it was one of the worst multi-tools I’ve ever owned.

The Leatherman scissors were slightly better and got into the cardboard with less effort. Best Bottle Opener: Gerber Dime The Gerber Dime had a hard time getting into it at all and it took some doing to get the cut you see in the picture.Updated September 2023: We've added the Leatherman Raptor Rescue, SOG Parashears, and Leatherman Style PS. We've also updated pricing and availability. The Dime, on the other hand, is contemporary with a rugged two-tone shell that looks more like a cutting-edge piece of gear. We put two travel-friendly multi-tools to the test. Here, the Leatherman Style PS takes on the Gerber Dime Travel. The one breakage it has experienced is when I had some trouble getting to a bolt head with a proper tool, and tried to use the needle-nose pliers to hold the head still, which twisted the tips of the pliers out of alignment. They still didn’t break, but they don’t line up anymore, which hasn’t stopped them from being used, nor whether it closes properly. A. The base Gerber Dime is not technically approved, given the knife blades, but there is a separate Gerber Dime Travel, with many of the same features, that is approved. Q. How big is the Gerber Dime?

Because of its small size the Gerber Dime doesn’t really have the traditional accessories a larger multi tool would have available. The only real choices available for it are the color and finish options. Now, it’s worth mentioning that a TSA agent’s main priority is safety. If they feel like anything you have can be used as a weapon, it’s their job to make sure that doesn’t make it onto a plane. Keep in mind that that's ultimately up to the officer's discretion. That said, these tools are compliant with the most recent rules and regulations. Leatherman has become shorthand for “multi-tool” for a good reason. The company's build quality is fantastic. Tools can be flipped out and retracted forcefully but smoothly, and the finishing on each mini-tool is excellent. Leatherman has many options to choose from, but the Wave Plus is easily my favorite. It has two stainless steel knives, one with a straight edge and the other serrated. The latter is good for cutting fibrous material such as rope. The 420HC steel employed has a high carbon content, so the edges won't stay sharp for long, but it's easy to sharpen 'em up again. There are 16 other tools, including a wood-and-metal file, a diamond-coated file, a saw, Phillips screwdriver bits, scissors, an 8-inch ruler, and a wire stripper, as well as a bottle and can opener. The Gerber Dime was built to be the tool you always have on you. It’s tiny, coming in at 2.8 inches when closed and weighing just 2.2 oz. The tools you’re able to put into something that small will necessarily be less capable and durable than those on full size multi tools. As mentioned, both are built on a butterfly pliers platform. But if you look closely at the accompanying wire cutters, you’ll notice that the Dime’s aren’t very sharp. I decided to test them anyway, and came to a conclusion – these are wire crushers, not cutters.

The Winner: Leatherman Style PS

Finishing out the list are the pair of screwdrivers, one a wide flathead, useful for driving screws as well as prying, and a smaller pointed screwdriver, for Phillips head and smaller flathead screws. This is where the file is also found, on either side of the Phillips driver are a hatched, and double-hatched file, neither of which have been found to be useful. Gerber Dime (Joel Mason) How we tested the Gerber Dime For what it is, and especially for what you pay for it, it provides one of the better sets of tools on the market. A. The Dime is seriously pint-sized, measuring 2.75 inches long and weighing 2.2 oz. Q. Will the Gerber Dime replace a full-sized multitool? Adam Molina is a product review expert and seasoned everyday-carry enthusiast. They have covered gadgets and niche items for almost ten years and are passionate about exploring the ever-evolving landscape of consumer electronics and everyday carry gear. Having always been drawn towards electronics, they began their career reviewing audio gear and personal electronics for outlets like Soundguys, Android Authority, and Business Insider. They are currently a member of MKBHD network of channels, including an executive producer role on the Waveform Podcast. EDC enthusiasts and people who already carry a full size multi tool will enjoy adding this to their daily carry.