[Update] The Gerber Dime Multi-Tool: Tiny, Convenient, & Frail
Update
After over a year of carrying this multiool around for work everyday, it failed on me. This experience is EXACTLY why I created this site in the first place! I get to share with audience the longevity of various gear products they might consider buying. When working on a car, I pulled out the pliers to try to grip something on the vehicle. As I held the object in place, one piece of the plier snapped in half causing a significant pinch to my hand in the process. I guess you get what you pay for right?
After over a year of carrying this multiool around for work everyday, it failed on me. This experience is EXACTLY why I created this site in the first place! I get to share with audience the longevity of various gear products they might consider buying. When working on a car, I pulled out the pliers to try to grip something on the vehicle. As I held the object in place, one piece of the plier snapped in half causing a significant pinch to my hand in the process. I guess you get what you pay for right?
Overview
The Gerber Dime is a small pocket carry multi-tool that easily fits in the change pocket in ones pants, deep in your pocket, or on a key chain. It's main competitor is the Leatherman Squirt PS4. Which, I'm sure will be reviewed further down the road. It comes in all black or a few colorways that are half one color and half black if you are feeling wild. First, a quick overview of the multi-tool and then we will discuss some items we feel are pros and cons.
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Lifetime Warranty
After purchasing the Dime, you will receive it in this very tiny box that fits in the palm of your hand. Nothing flashy, but it does have a statement for a full lifetime warranty for people in North America. I haven't tried to use it, but it gives great confidence for an item that is about $20. Pliers First and foremost, the tool opens up in a "butterfly fashion" to expose the spring loaded pliers (and wire cutters) that rest in the open position. The pliers are probably the most useful tool in that I always find myself wishing I had some at my disposal, but never carry around pliers due to their size and shape. |
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The Knife Spoiler alert! The Gerber Dime comes with a blade. The blade in general just has an overall very nice look to it. It doesn't look or feel tiny like other multi-tools, it is shaped more like machete. Other than the looks, there isn't much else to talk about especially if you are carrying a pocket knife. Screw Drivers The next couple of tools go under the radar, but I use them quite often! There is a tiny flat head screw driver and a crosshead driver (with a tiny file on it too!). The crosshead, which is the tapered tip one, actually can be used on Philips head screws (for those who don't know…) and it does a pretty good job at the screws that I tried! |
Scissors
Next, the Dime has a tiny set of scissors, which I never thought I would use, until I had to open a small plastic bag that was sealed on all four sides. Typically, I just use a pocket knife, but sometimes piercing a hole into tiny sturdy bags isn't an option and these scissors handled the job excellently! Box Opener Another item I was skeptical about was the box opener. Why have a box opener when you also include a small blade? The box open seems to be safer than a longer open blade and it's tipless blade design makes it so you don't damage the contents on the inside of your package. This box opener is makes it so you worry less about hitting something on a follow through, if that were to take place. It does take some practice, but I find myself looking for it over the blade when opening all of my Amazon packages full of gear! 
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Tweezers
Now, I often forget this tool is in the Gerber Dime, because it doesn't fold out like the ones mentioned above, but the Dime comes with a tiny pair of tweezers. The metal on the tweezers are pretty thin, but it gets the job done and when you are done using them, you can just slid them back into their slot!
Bottle Opener
Last, but not least, the dime has a bottle opener (if you couldn't tell). It's a pretty bold move for a multi-tool to have the bottle open fixed on the end of the tool (must have been a hot topic in the board room), but I personally love it for a few reasons.
Final comment, is there is a small key chain attachment if you want to attach it to any of your gear, keychain, wherever you think a multi-tool would come in handy!
Now, I often forget this tool is in the Gerber Dime, because it doesn't fold out like the ones mentioned above, but the Dime comes with a tiny pair of tweezers. The metal on the tweezers are pretty thin, but it gets the job done and when you are done using them, you can just slid them back into their slot!
Bottle Opener
Last, but not least, the dime has a bottle opener (if you couldn't tell). It's a pretty bold move for a multi-tool to have the bottle open fixed on the end of the tool (must have been a hot topic in the board room), but I personally love it for a few reasons.
- I can open my beer quickly without having to flip through my multi-tool like a loser
- It is very helpful in locating the opening end of the multi-tool, which is an underrated advantage to its design.
Final comment, is there is a small key chain attachment if you want to attach it to any of your gear, keychain, wherever you think a multi-tool would come in handy!
