Gerber Balance & Diume Multi Tools

Gerber has two new releases that almost snuck out undetected - the Balance and the Dime multis are going to prove very popular with hunters who appreciate practicality and style. Manufactured using 3Cr13 Stainless Steel, all tools are deployed using thumb nicks and lock out positively.

Aptly Named

The Balance is aptly named, as this butterfl y opener when fully closed is unlike many of the more angular designs we’re used to. Gerber says: “It’s like a smooth stone in your pocket with its all rounded edges and effi cient design.” Very poetic, but closed it feels unlike any multi you’ve held before, but they did use this type of approach with their Fit multi-tool I reviewed a while back.

Weighing a reasonable 7oz and measuring 3.8” closed and 5.3” fully deployed it’s small and light enough to carry in your pocket and includes tools for daily use and larger jobs too. Functions include needle-nose and regular pliers, partially serrated blade, tweezers, wire cutters, scissors, bottle opener, small and medium Phillips and fl at head screwdrivers. Now that’s a whole lot of useful kit! Maybe not to everybody’s taste but on certain sessions it’s all you need and is quite possibly one of the more innovative designs Gerber has ever produced.

One Tough Cookie
The Dime is a feature-packed mini, key chain multi. Often these are seen as oddity’s or gifts for Christmas and such like. But it has obviously been very well thought out and is surely one of the better tools of its ilk. It features a unique blade specifi cally designed to safely cut and neatly score plastic packaging and a nifty bottle opener that is exposed even when the tool is closed.

Weighing a mere 2.2oz and measuring 2.75” closed, 4” deployed, this compact and super lightweight design comes impressively equipped with stainless steel pliers, wire cutters, a fi ne edge modifi ed Tanto-style blade, springloaded scissors, flathead screwdriver, crosshead driver, tweezers and fi le. In fact all the components most needed but scaled down accordingly. This may be smaller but it’s a tough robust cookie that’ll appeal to the many outdoorsmen who prefer to have something more compact but still practical.

For
Build quality, innovative design and practicality

Against
Not a lot

Verdict
Gerber look set to release tools that are as stylishly good looking as they are useful…