REASONS TO BUY
Compact
Pocket clip
One-handed blade deployment
REASONS TO AVOID
Flexible and rattly construction
Limited feature set
Gerber Crucial Review
A simple, compact tool in which each feature is optimized for basic use and the whole thing is easily transported in a backpack or pocket
Credit: Gerber
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Our Verdict
This is an inexpensive tool for everyday carry and backcountry use. The few features are handy and the carry options and weight are delightful. As long as your work and play wardrobe allows for a discrete pocket clip on your pants, the Crucial will always be at the ready. If you are seeking something a little more useful than a simple pocket knife for backcountry repair purposes, the Crucial is a good choice. It is light enough to go along on human-powered adventures, but not useless in tougher repairs.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gerber Crucial | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $58 List $54.84 at Amazon | $120 List $119.95 at REI | $45 List $34.04 at Amazon | $68.00 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $14.00 List $14.90 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Compact, pocket clip, one-handed blade deployment | Comprehensive, well-made, aftermarket accessories and carry options | Interchangeable bit, sharp blade, inexpensive, small footprint | Inexpensive and well-made, spring-loaded pliers, scissors, pocket clip, one-handed blade | Some useful features, inexpensive |
| Cons | Flexible and rattly construction, limited feature set | Proprietary bit driver, no pocket clip included | Screwdriver doesn't lock, limited features | Hybrid straight/serrated blade, squashed Phillips driver, short main blade | Limited features, heavy, bulky, questionable construction quality |
| Bottom Line | A simple, compact tool in which each feature is optimized for basic use and the whole thing is easily transported in a backpack or pocket | A full-function tool from a great manufacturer at a reasonable price | This simple screwdriver tool has an interchangeable bit drive and a few other useful features, but the screwdriver itself doesn't lock, limiting its use for big jobs | A budget tool with real value and function, this model is compact with a feature set that does much of what you want and little that you don't | This tool has some useful features like a large straight-edged blade, screwdriver, bottle opener, and pliers, but its weight and poor construction prevent us from recommending it to most people |
| Rating Categories | Gerber Crucial | Leatherman Wave+ | Gerber Gear Armbar... | Leatherman Wingman | Amazon Basics 10-in... |
| Functions (40%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
| Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Gerber Crucial | Leatherman Wave+ | Gerber Gear Armbar... | Leatherman Wingman | Amazon Basics 10-in... |
| Number of Functions | 10 | 18 + bits | 8 | 10 | 10 |
| Weight | 5.1 oz | 8.5 oz (9.5 oz w/ case) | 3.2 oz | 6.8 oz (7.8 oz w/ sheath) | 7.9 oz |
| Locking Tools? | All but pliers & bottle opener | All but pliers | Blade | Scissors and blade | Blade |
| Pliers type | Needlenose, Regular, Wirecutters, Spring-Loaded | Needlenose, Regular, Wirecutters, Hard-Wirecutters, Crimper | None | Spring-Loaded Regular & Needlenose | Needle nose, standard |
| Tools Accessible without Deploying Pliers | All | Blades, Saw, File | All | Blade & Scissors | All |
| Blades and Type | 1 Partially Serrated Blade | 1 Straight, 1 Serrated | 1 Straight | 1 Hybrid Serrated/Straight Drop Point | 1 Straight |
| Scissors | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Number of screwdrivers | 2 | 5 included/integrated. More available aftermarket for proprietary driver | 1 (Double sided bit) | 3 | 2 |
| File? | No | Yes, wood/metal & diamond-coated | No | Yes | No |
| Saw? | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Openers | Bottle | Can & Bottle | Bottle | Can, Bottle, & a unique box opener | Can & Bottle |
| Other important features | None | Ruler | Pry bar, Awl | Very small ruler | Carabiner |
| Sheath included? | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Other carry options | Carabiner style clip, pocket clip | Pocket, Pocket clip | Carabiner style clip | ||
| Closed Dimensions (Length x Thickness) | 3.6 x 0.7 in | 4.0 x 0.7 in | 3.6 x 0.7 in | 3.8 x 0.7 in | 4.1 x 0.9 in |
| Open Length (Pliers) | 5.5 in | 6.3 in | N/A | 6.2 in | 6.5 in |
| Open Length (Primary Blade Open) | 6.0 in | 6.9 in | 6.4 in | 6.4 in | 7.0 in |
| Primary Blade Effective Edge Length | 2.4 in | 2.8in | 2.6 in | 2.4 in | 2.5 in |
Show full specification detailsHide full specification details
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Crucial tool is a compact and simple tool for everyday carry and backcountry use. Its features are spartan and simple, to maximize portability and utility of those features it does contain. Some tools attempt to pack as much function as possible into a tool while others, like the Crucial, prioritize usability and portability over maximizing options.
Performance Comparison
The blade of the Crucial is accessible from the outside and has a hybrid straight/serrated edge.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Functions
The Crucial is a multi-tool, but it doesn't maximize the functions. Ergonomics, value, and portability are prioritized over a maximum number of features. The Crucial is pliers, blade, two screwdrivers, and a bottle opener. Virtually every other tool we tested has more functions than the Crucial. The Leatherman Skeletool has a similar feature set.
The screwdrivers on the Crucial are small and limited in effectiveness, but work great for light duty tasks.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Construction Quality
Gerber tools and knives are highly regarded, but suffer some construction issues. The Gerber Crucial has hinges and pivots that rattle a little and the whole thing flexes more than the competition. In heavy tasks, you will notice some give in the pliers and drivers. Torquing super tight screws with the Crucial drivers feels vulnerable. We didn't torque to failure, but it seemed imminent on a couple of occasions. Our lead tester used multi-tools in a renovation of his camper. Rusted screws tested the limits of all our new multi-tools. Of this robust crew, the Gerber Crucial is the most flexible.
The Crucial tool and its select, ergonomic selection of features.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Ergonomics
The Gerber Crucial is as small as we would dare call a "full size" multi-tool. The deployed plier handles almost exactly fill a typical adult hand. The knife blade is definitely on the small end. The cutting edge of the knife is short, but we are thankful that it opens from the outside and the full edge is usable. Tools with knife blades that open from "inside" the folded plier handles are hampered by interference with the blade. Most tools are going away from this design, but a few hold out. In these other tools, the working edge of the knife blade is blocked near the handle by the handle itself. In some cutting tasks, this doesn't matter, but in others, it is very noticeable. The full length of the Crucial's 2.4-inch outside-accessed blade is usable.
We dig the one-handed, external deployment of the Gerber Crucial's main blade.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Portability
Given the size of the pliers, the Crucial is quite portable. It strikes nearly the perfect balance of portability and usability. The Leatherman Skeletool strikes this same balance. Both weigh right around 5 ounces and have a secure and modern pocket clip. The pocket clip holds the tool up out of the random bits in your pants pocket. For rapid access, this is key. We like carrying the Crucial in all sorts of day-to-day situations.
Unobtrusive, compact pocket clipped carry of the Crucial.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
The carabiner clip of the Gerber Crucial also functions as bottle opener. Yeah, we know this is a twist-off bottle cap.
Credit: Rosie De Lise
Value
If you need a lightweight, small multi-tool for minor tasks, this model holds a lot of value. From front- to backcountry, you'll find a lot of use for this tool without setting you back much cash.
Conclusion
We recommend the Gerber Crucial for routine use around home, work, car, and campsite. It won't hold up to more serious repairs and tasks, but its portability will have it always at the ready.
—
Jediah Porter
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