Gerber 31-01134 Dime Mini Multi Tool - Black

Product Information

Some people also find an alternative model in the Gerver vise. This other model also includes 10 tools. It is very similar in essence.

As you can see from the picture below, Gerber added a lot of versatility in the jaws with flat and curved sections to grab almost anything.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

Comparing the scissors is, as the expression goes, same song, different verse. The Dime’s can cut, but nowhere near as well as the Style’s. 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. Upon diving into the details, however, you’ll discover two very different tools. Most noticeable is the build quality. 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.

Performance Comparison

I always thought that a tiny set of pliers does not help much, and to some extent, the Dime reinforced that belief. I am not blaming the Gerber Dime for this, as all such mini multi-tools with pliers will have similar issues. To avoid that situation altogether, here are some of the best TSA-friendly tools that you can take with you on your next trip.

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. Now, the things that I did not like about the pliers. Even though the ergonomic handle coupled with the strong spring action makes you think that you can use it with some force to loosen stubborn nuts and bolts with, please do not. The pliers are not strong enough to handle that kind of abuse. The Micra has been around for a while and is extremely popular. It has a good reputation for quality and maintains it by keeping things simple. The scissors in the Micra work better at this size than the pliers on the Dime do, but many people prefer pliers to scissors even so. The lanyard ring is of much greater importance on micro multi tools than full sized ones. The one on the Dime unfortunately doesn’t seem to take this into account. It’s a tiny little ring with a small keyring on it. It makes it very easy to connect to your keychain but also breaks when just a little force is applied to it, leaving you with a keychain multi tool that won’t stay on your keychain anymore. The Style PS just feels slightly nicer than the Dime. The metal is smoother and the tools work just a bit better. If you travel frequently or pass into secured areas we recommend you go with the Style PS. This is true even compared to the Dime Travel. Dime Vs Bear Grylls CompactThe Leatherman has a flip-out opener on the screwdriver which is thin and gets the job done… but not that well.

The Vise is a redesigned version of Gerber’s older Clutch micro multi tool. It replaces the scissors on the Dime with a second serrated knife blade but otherwise has similar tools. To be honest though, the Vise feels generally cheaper than the Dime. The pliers especially don’t feel sturdy, with numerous user reports of fatal failure. The Gerber Dime is no one’s choice for best multi tool. It’s too small to be really useful for most tasks and too fragile to be put through serious use. Despite that, we like this little tool. It was never meant to compete with full size tools in either durability or usefulness. It’s small enough to comfortably fit on your keychain and light enough to always be with you. The Dime, on the other hand, is contemporary with a rugged two-tone shell that looks more like a cutting-edge piece of gear.

Expert Reviews

The jaws have a flat and rounded section for grabbing anything. They both also have a small wire cutter at the bottom of the jaws which is strictly light-duty.