More Information
 On: 2008-04-14
Another great Gerber product. I have purchased several over many years and the quality always gets better! Can not say that about many things these days.
On: 2008-03-04
This is an excellent tool to keep around for almost every need. Quite strong and compact, its the ideal tool to keep on your belt (mine goes with me everytime I go fishing... about 200 days a year!) The "quick deploy" feature is very convenient; a flick of your wrist and its ready to work, whether you need to tighten a nut or remove a hook. Highly recommended.
 On: 2008-01-15
Ive worked on the water (salt) for 15 years, so my tools see more rough environment treatment than the average. Over the years Ive owned a Leatherman (original), SOG Paratool, the original Gerber slide out needlenose plier, and most recently the Gerber Diesel.
The Diesel comes with a natty nylon sheath that goes right on your belt. The downside with the velcro closure is that over time, of course, it gets gummed up with schmutz and the like. I prefer a brass snap, but your mileage might vary.
Within a month and a half, my Diesel showed signs of oxidation, especially around the tips of the plier and the plier pivot. That was disappointing, to say the least. Although the tools did seem stronger than the original slide out design, the pivots that allow the tools to swing out became loose within a month. Halfway through the season they had developed so much play that getting the plier head retracted became impossible without manually jiggling all the loose tools.
I finally had the set sent in to Gerber for servicing. After six weeks of no response, I contacted Gerber and was informed that they had never received it.
Needless to say, I will not be purchasing any Gerber products any time soon. The Diesel was a terrible disappointment, and I bought it when it was new.
Best of luck if you purchase this device. I hope your mileage is better than mine.
On: 2007-11-25
I purchased mine as a kit from W*Mart. It included the extra bit set for less than most were selling just the tool for.
I use mine in my work EVERYDAY! It was tight at first but a very tiny bit of graphite powder made that work-in go faster and its a breeze to deploy the pliers with just a flick of the wrist (everybody I work with grins when they hear that snap-open sound.) The great bit set (standard 1/4" screwdriver bits) comes with a piece that fits over the otherwise disappointing standard phillips head that comes built in. But this bit set lets me have what I need for any situation in the field.
The wire cutters cut clean and smoothly (important for the wiring we do) and the knive will cut through just about anything I need it to. Theres a great saw blade (saw/knife) that cuts through thick plastics and wood. The scissors in this are bigger than the other models and I use them all the time.
Ive had this tool about a year now and all my colleagues with their Leathermans have gone to W*Mart and purchased one of these! We look like the Gerber brigade :) but that tool is one of those things I dont leave the house without, anymore!
I agree with others that it would be nice for them to have taken the 1/4 second to stamp the side with a ruler/scale like the other units. I, too, used that frequently. Ive actually taken a nail/scribe and marked the thing off myself but it is silly they didnt add that feature.
On: 2007-11-24
I purchased mine as a kit from W*Mart. It included the extra bit set for less than most were selling just the tool for.
I use mine in my work EVERYDAY! It was tight at first but a very tiny bit of graphite powder made that work-in go faster and its a breeze to deploy the pliers with just a flick of the wrist (everybody I work with grins when they hear that snap-open sound.) The great bit set (standard 1/4" screwdriver bits) comes with a piece that fits over the otherwise disappointing standard phillips head that comes built in. But this bit set lets me have what I need for any situation in the field.
The wire cutters cut clean and smoothly (important for the wiring we do) and the knive will cut through just about anything I need it to. Theres a great saw blade (saw/knife) that cuts through thick plastics and wood. The scissors in this are bigger than the other models and I use them all the time.
Ive had this tool about a year now and all my colleagues with their Leathermans have gone to W*Mart and purchased one of these! We look like the Gerber brigade :) but that tool is one of those things I dont leave the house without, anymore!
I agree with others that it would be nice for them to have taken the 1/4 second to stamp the side with a ruler/scale like the other units. I, too, used that frequently. Ive actually taken a nail/scribe and marked the thing off myself but it is silly they didnt add that feature.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-05-13
The Diesel Needlenose is only a little bigger than one of my favorite multi-tools of all time, the Gerber 400/Sport model, which is hard to beat for compactness without sacrificing utility.
The Diesel doesnt waste its extra size on more of the same and is definitely a great competitor to the vernable 400/Sport.
Like all good Gerber products, it can be opened one handed, and has all the basic tools you need for work, camping, or in many other situations. When I first started my career, a friend gave me a Gerber and said, "Wear it for a week." Now I feel like I lost my keys when Im without it.
On: 2007-01-19
I just bought one of these, and this is my first Gerber. Ive known other people with Gerber multi-tools and I have always considered them to be a step up even from many Leatherman designs. The "flick open" design is great and this model feels very solid in your hand. Using the tools is quite easy, though digging out the middle tools (screw drivers, bottle opener, etc.) isnt as smooth as one would hope. Nevertheless, all the tools lock satisfyingly in place.
This also comes with a handy set of extra bits that attach magnetically (theres an adapter that goes over one of the screw drivers). Anyway, I dont really understand why, among the handy hex bits and philips head attachments, they also include flat head attachments. Those are already in the tools array of tools! but thats no reason to rate this any worse.
 On: 2005-11-23
As owner of two Swiss Army Champs over more than twenty years, the Gerber Diesel is disappointing. It lacks the design flair and obvious quality materials and workmanship of the Victorinox products. This is probably not much more than an excellent School Metalwork Project. Fresh out of the box today, the pliers already show signs of oxydisation.
Other than the outer tools (knife, saw, file, scissors), opening other tools is a nail-tearing operation but Im sure itll loosen up with use.
The plastic locks are poorly made/fitted on my Diesel and have a habit of locking open, requiring considerable coaxing to close the tool (deeply irritating). Probably not a common fault.
I find the Phillips/Posidriv crosshead driver is prone to slip out of screw heads so care is needed in use to avoid damage.
The cutting blades, for my taste anyway, should face the other way - I can see this might be a safety measure. But thats the only measure - Theres no ruler?! Come ON now.
The nose of the pliers protrudes when fully closed and I suspect this is going to chomp its way quickly through the ballistic nylon pouch.
Really pernickety, I know, but... why isnt a lanyard supplied?
BUT! Even given all of the above gripes, the Gerber Diesel represents good value for money. The tools included are limited but appear to be of simple but sturdy construction and Im confident theyre up to most tasks.
Its going to require far more TLC than the Swiss but I anticipate a good few years service. Id recommend it.
On: 2005-11-04
Being deployed in a combat zone, this little tool with a belt holster has been very useful. I have owned a Leatherman in the past, and until recently, owned a Gerber for the past 6 years. I prefer the Gerber due to its ease of use compared with the Leatherman. Specifically, the one-handed pliers opening mechanism with just a flick of the wrist, and the softer grip compared to the Leatherman, since you grip on a solid surface on the Gerber compared to the parts compartment on a Leatherman. This last point makes the Gerber more comfortable to hold than the Leatherman. The Leatherman tends to leave grip marks on the fingers and the palm of the hand.
About this particular model, there is room for improvement. I had to purchase a new model, as I lost my previous Gerber of 6 years. I chose this particular model because it is a new model, a 2005 edition, and allegedly has 15% greater endurance and strength compared to other Gerbers in its class. One feature that I would like to see added in future models is the inclusion of a ruler on the handle that comes standard in most other Gerber models.
I would rate this model 5 out of 5 stars since it is so nice and comfortable to use, but I have to take off a star since it did not include a ruler, a feature that I used a lot with my previous Gerber.
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