Gerber Truss M/Tool

Gerber are one of the ‘Big 2’ in relation to the design development and manufacture of multi-tools. An ever-forwardthinking company they now bring us the most recent model to join their comprehensive portfolio, the intriguingly named Truss. Like many of their models it’s relatively compact yet is a very well appointed and feature driven multi and like all others they produce has an all-stainless-steel build.

No prizes for guessing the Truss is a butterfly opener and measures 4.25-inches in the closed position, 6.25-inches open and weighs in at approximately 8.4oz.

Opening time

When opened out, it reveals a pair of spring-loaded needlenose pliers, regular pliers, hard wire cutters, stranded wire cutters and wire strippers. All outboard tools are accessed when the tool is in the closed position and deploy using an eclectic mix of elongated thumbholes, thumb nicks or raised hubs. These include a 2.25-inch long fine edge knife blade, 2.25-inch serrated edge blade, aggressively edged wood saw, bottle opener, can opener, small, medium, large flat head drivers, awl, file, crosshead head (extended reach) driver, and a set of sprung Fiskars scissors. All tools lock out in the open position with Gerber’s patented Saf. T. Plus™ mechanism that’s amongst one of the safest for reliable and dependable use. To unlock the mech, you slide back the serrated edge ‘narrow bar’ shape catch positioned adjacent and on either side of the pivot point of the outboard tools. It operates with a secure, yet smooth motion and the deployed tool chosen for closure can effortlessly be returned back into the handle.

Handling it

Talking of which, the handles are a major plus point as they’re quite thickset and ergonomic in an understated way. This obviously translates over to them affording a safe and very confident grip when using the pliers and/or any tool deployed. As can clearly be seen they’re of an open frame design which goes a good way to helping reduce weight, but without sacrificing strength or functional integrity. Another bonus of the design is that it’s very easy to keep clean plus the abbreviated handles do tend to give you a better grip over some full smooth finished types. Also, both sides of the handles have been given a very stylish gun metal grey finish which not only gives the tool a quite stylish appeal but adds a little more to the ease of usage due to sides having a wellrounded off profile. And there’s even more because on one-side the manufacturers have cleverly integrated a lanyard or carabineer clip loop into the build.

Now although there are other Gerber multi-tools that have similar components to offer, the Truss is amongst one of the more substantial models yet one that still manages to be highly portable, which in part is due to the supplied Nylon belt pouch.

Conclusion

To sum up the Gerber Truss is a thoughtfully designed and very well featured multi-tool that’s a highly useful and relevant inclusion to their range and will be of great interest to many hunters and outdoorsman.