Armbar Drive

I had been looking at this for a good minute and after a bit of back and forth I went ahead and bought it. After having it for a bit I think I am able to give a good review about this. I will break this down per tool and then an overall at the end. Bit Driver : If you are looking at this multitool, then this is the tool that probably brought you to it. So lets look at it. It is true that this does not have a lock, of which it would have been great to have one, but when looking at how this is put together it would have increased the overall size of the tool. What this one has going for it is that while it does not have a lock, it gives you a compact quarter inch bit driver in a package that cannot be beat. For its size, the utility that it provides is phenomenal and if you are looking to do higher torque jobs then you probably wouldn't be looking into a Gerber armbar. For me this function gets a 4/5. Scissors : Second on this list of tools will be the scissors. The way these fold is quite unique, and if you are worried about cutting yourself while opening or closing these rest assured, you wont. They are sharp, but the way it all folds up and unfolds does not put you at risk. There is a small thumb pad at the base of the handle, which allows you to apply pressure without it just being on a thin bar of metal. For prolonged cutting this could be a bit cumbersome, but for everyday use these scissors are incredible. I have used them for awhile each day and they have not dulled. They provide a crisp, clean cut and work for me every time. I did a test and was able to cut through ten pieces of stacked paper just fine without them twisting. To get them out, if the little lip is giving you a problem, lift the bit bar and you can then fold them out just fine. For me this tool gets a 5/5. Awl : While this tool may seem like a niche tool (and for a lot of reasons it is) the value I put on this was, at first underscored, but after I got this and have carried this with me I can say that this little guy brings quite the bit of value with it. This value is mainly in the form of overall safety. We have all come across blister packs and other packages that are quite difficult to open, and we have to resort to using a knife or scissors to open these. Now, while this tool does have both of the other tools mentioned, what I like to use this awl for is to begin the hole for the other tools. I have worried before that if my hand slipped while pressing with a knife or with the scissors that I would stab my hand, my leg, or the product inside of it and thus create bigger issues. By having the awl to create the beginning hole I do not have to worry about this anymore. You can also use this to open small packages on its own if you would like to, although I would just leave that to the other tools. The level of safety this brings gets this tool a 5/5. Hammer/Pry Bar : These two, while they aren't used as much as the other tools, are unique in the way that they bring to the table a form of utility that the other tools do not, as well as save your other tools from being used for jobs they should not be used for. The hammer, while small, is very useful for fixing small nails that are standing a bit proud, and is also useful for closing containers, or just small everyday chores that require a bit more force. This does not mean that it is as useful as a true hammer, as this will not drive a full nail. The prybar is also very useful in doing exactly what its name entails, prying things. It clicks VERY firmly into place, so you can get quite a bit of heft on it, and the tool is long enough that you can get a solid grip. This combination makes it for a comfortable feeling. It will for sure open containers for you, and is VERY good at getting staples out of walls. I have used it several times on various things and it has not failed me at all, and still closes firmly as well. I will say though that if you are in need of a hammer, please carry the right sized hammer. This gets a 5/5 for me. Knife : The blade is a sheepsfoot style of blade, and it is made from 5CR15MOV steel I believe. The edge is very bity, and while not the best steel in the world, for general use everyday this little guy is great. I absolutely love him. It saves you time and can save your other everyday knife from overuse. The lock sits on the inside, behind the blade, and is VERY strong, so you do not have to worry about it closing on you. Its a tight hinge, so when you disengage the lock it will not bite into your finger. The only thing I did not like is that because of fingerhole cut out on the blade and how it is a bit stiff (again not a problem) it made it difficult to open with one hand. However, I did find an incredibly easy solution for this on Etsy. If you look up Gerber Armbar Driver Thumb Bar by FMI-NYC they 3D print a little insert that will sit into the opening perfectly, thus making it a one handed open. For me this gets a 4/5 by itself - 5/5 with the thumb bar. Overall the Gerber armbar is a great overall multitool that I can see feeling right at home in anyone's pocket or bag. The utility it provides in this size of package is unbeatable at this price and if anyone is in need of a multitool that wont let you down I would say get this one.

I am not a tradesman, but I teach at a technical school, so I engage in a mix of blue and white collar work. Mostly white collar, but I still get my hands dirty a few times per week. I have also owned Swiss army knives, a Leatherman Wave, a Leatherman Micro, and a Gerber Multiplier. For my purposes, this product is exactly the right combination of tools, weight, size and ergonomics. In all of my previous multitools, I always used the knife and screwdrivers the most. I like having scissors, but it's not a deal-breaker because I can either use the knife or fetch a pair of scissors. Pliers and saws seemed like a nice idea, but in practice I rarely used them. Pliers are a particularly bad tradeoff for me because they add a lot of weight. On this tool, the knife is very well designed. It is easy to find and it can be opened with one hand. It is long enough to be useful, it is easy to clean and sharpen, and it locks into place firmly. The screwdriver is also excellent. It is hard to find a multitool with a full-size #2 Philips, but this one delivers. Originally, I was attracted to the idea that it could accept standard 1/4" driver bits, but in retrospect, I am unlikely to use this feature. I am not going to add a set of bits to my EDC and if I need to fetch a set of bits, I can also fetch a full-sized screwdriver! I am very satisfied with this product, but there are three minor annoyances. 1) The scissors are a unique design that is difficult and dangerous to open. Watch a YouTube review to see what I mean. I don't use the scissors much, so it's not a big deal to me. 2) The awl does not lock into place. This seems dangerous if you are actually going to use it as an awl. 3) There is no clip, so it will sink into your pocket/holster, making it a little more difficult to find.

I like my Gerber Armbar Slim Drive tool. It does exactly what any reasonable person would expect from such a tool. It is not a replacement for purpose-built screwdrivers. If you are building furniture, you should be using real tools. The driver on this tool is meant for light tasks (like tightening up drawer pulls, light switches, etc). It is a handy driver, and it works with any 1/4 inch bits including extensions. The driver does not lock, which seems to be a problem for a lot of people. I have not found that to be a problem yet, but I can see how that would be an improvement. The blade is excellent given the price range of this tool. It will meet the needs of any reasonable user, but will require occasional sharpening. I like the size and shape of the blade and find that it is handy for most cutting tasks. Mine came pretty sharp, but was razor sharp after a few strokes on a stone. The blade does lock via an internal spring liner. It is a little stiff right out of the box, but loosens up a bit with use. When comparing this against tools of similar size, price and toolset, such as a (Victorinox Tinker), this tool stacks up well. The blade and driver are superior to what you'll get with a Victorinox SAK. I recommend this tool, but Gerber could make some improvements. A locking driver would be the first thing I would improve. Second, I don't find the bottle opener useful, and it's awkward to use. I'd rather have the awl from the larger Armbar Drive.

The tool has a good variety and the pieces come out easily. It fits in a pocket and has never broken on me yet. Usually people snag em when I leave them out somewhere :c. I have never used the dowel tool for its intended purpose.

I love multitools...but I hate how big they are and the need for a separate pouch or holster. When I saw the armbar drive I was very excited to give it a try. I can firmly say it is my favorite EDC multitool. The unit is incredibly small and easily pocketed. The tools included (locking blade, screwdriver with double ended bit, big scissors, awl, bottle opener/pray, hammer end) are a great selection for everyday use and I end up using something just about every day. Some things to know 1. The blade is excellent, very sharp and locks securely. 2. The "hammer" is not meant for actual hammering but if something needs a small tap to get two pieces to fit right, or ensure a picture tack is in the right depth, it works really well 3. The awl..ok I don't use it much but it's really sharp so be careful 4. The scissors are awesome, very large for a multitool and cut well. The folding action is a little odd but it has a nice tab to pull them out without needing to unfold every tool on that side. 5. The screwdriver is great, really long reach and a very strong magnet so the bit won't jiggle and fall out. HOWEVER, the screwdriver does not lock open and so it will occasionally start to close on you if you don't apply enough forward pressure into whatever screw your driving. It's not a huge deal just something to remember, you shouldn't be using this to assemble furniture or build a swingset with, but for tightening things up or small projects it's really handy Great product, I just hope they add a screwdriver frame lock and a pocket clip in the future!

I’ll begin with saying that I love this knife, but it definitely has some pros and cons. I’ll list them and then add a more detailed review. Pros: - Really good screwdrivers - Amazing scissors (they’re going to take some getting used to, but the design allows for much bigger scissors in such a small space—so a net positive) - Bottle opener/pry bar will work amazing & is super easy to access, but I’d not venture to say it’s a hammer too - Knife is super easy to access and the lock works excellent without being obtrusive (this does make it slightly harder to unlock but I’m not complaining) - Has both a Phillips and flathead that’re way better than any other multi tool I’ve used - Blade is way better steel than my other gerber, any of my victorinox knives, or my SOG snippet Cons: - Screwdrivers are chisel-ground, not a hollow grind (I may be able to find others that are though) - No tools but the knife lock, but I don’t personally need any of them to, although it would be EXTREMELY nice for anyone who uses the screwdriver a lot - No pocket clip or spot to affix a lanyard My more detailed review: I’m going to love this knife. It feels like way better quality than any other similarly priced multi I’ve ever felt or used. It has a couple drawbacks but I’d say it’s easily worth $60, but I (on my part-time, minimum wage budget) wouldn’t personally pay more than $40, because it can be found for $30 (price I paid on 14.March.2024). Great for anyone who could use these tools everyday, 10/10 would recommend!

I purchased this because it is small, light, and fits well right in your pocket. The knife aspect is fine. The screwdriver portion does not lock in place, so it is always wanting to fold in on me when any real pressure is applied to it. In my job, it's this aspect of the tool I use the most. It's very frustrating and would have been a real deal breaker if I had known before buying.

I'm so glad I bought this. I LOVE this screwdriver/knife. They sell one that's larger and has scissors but honestly I've never used scissors that much and without them the size is perfect. If fits perfectly into the VIPERADE VE1 EDC Tool Pocket Organizer, or in my pocket. Seems sturdy. I tightened up the handle on my sliding glass door which takes a lot of torque to tighten and this accomplished that no problem. And if you leave it at a 90 degree angle to the handle instead of open fully you can squeeze even more torque out of it. (Not sure how much or if it's even recommended to use when not opened fully but it worked fine for me and still opens and closes as new and doesn't seem bent or distorted whatsoever. Good sturdy EDC screwdriver. Magnetically holds the bit in. Great color, great size, great usefulness, and great tool all around. I will order more as gifts in the future. Will update about durability and function after multiple uses. Probably my favorite purchase so far. I should mention the knife locks open but the screwdriver arm does NOT. Not a problem for me but maybe for others. It does fall into a divot or something when fully open so it stays open and you can hear it click in place so it doesn't just close from gravity or fall shut. Shipped on time. 5 stars all around.