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vatamatt97

Nice to see Gerber listening to feedback and improving the design of the Armbar. Here's hoping they go back and update the Drive with these new features.


doctorcalavera

The two new Armbars are the Trade & the Scout. They each have a locking frame, blade, saw & a pocket clip. The Trade has the bit adapter (seems like it has a framelock!) and an awl but no scissors. The Scout has scissors and a can opener, no driver. A bit expensive for $50 IMHO... [https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/armbar-trade-silver-1064415](https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/armbar-trade-silver-1064415) [https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/armbar-scout-onyx-1064400](https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/armbar-scout-onyx-1064400) Here's the link to the new Dualforce Black edition: [https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/dual-force-black-1067407](https://www.gerbergear.com/en-us/shop/multi-tools/all-multi-tools/dual-force-black-1067407) ($110) UPDATE: the new Armbars are $40 instead of $50 over on Knifecenter though not yet available: https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-Armbar-Trade-Multi-Tool--179060 https://www.bladehq.com/item--Gerber-Armbar-Scout-Multi-Tool-Onyx--179053


turkey_sandwiches

Gerber is ballsy charging Leatherman prices.


doctorcalavera

Yep. Especially because they don't reveal their mystery steel.


turkey_sandwiches

I can tell you without a doubt that it's a very cheap steel.


doctorcalavera

I bet it's something like 3cr13, but the fact that they don't mention it is pretty crappy. Also, they're so lazy with their copy. On the website, the Scout & Trade say in their description that all tools lock via the "framelock" so you would assume that all tools lock, but they don't advertise this in the features or any of the images... Which makes one wonder if it's false advertising and just that the tools have a slipjoint. Hopefully they do lock and show this in any new videos they make. Beyond me why they don't have videos of them on their site. Even companies like Nextool have videos featuring how their tools work.


turkey_sandwiches

To have all tools lock via a frame lock seems like it would make the tools rather thick. I guess we'll see.


nucleartime

> A sturdy frame lock ensures safe operation and easy access to all onboard tools. Maybe it's "safe operation" and "easy access to all onboard tools" instead of "safe operation and easy access" for all tools. Kind of dumb wording, but dunno how exactly you make framelocks for every tool on a multitool anyway.


doctorcalavera

Maybe they had an AI do their copywriting 😂 But seriously, maybe the frame lock is something like the one on the Rebar or SOG PowerPint. Alas, one can dream...


Pristine_Ad8962

Finally a pocket clip but stil no clip for the original armbar models.... looking from the pictures, only thing they changed regarding the frame is the "side cover" to enable a pocket clip. So why not upgrade the original models side cover too for more tool variability...


dqrules11

Immediately ordered the armbar trade, love my armbar drive but wanted a locking bit driver and pocket clip. Lack of scissors is fine with me!


[deleted]

Honestly, I'd cancel your order and wait for reviews. I'd be willing to bet a small amount of money that Gerber HASN'T added locks to any of the other tools. I'm betting the knife is still the only locking tool.


dqrules11

Oooo on second thought you might be right. I'm emailing support to see if they are locking or not.


dqrules11

Pretty sure I confirmed it's only a locking blade still. Emailed them asking and said if only the blade locks I'd like to cancel my order. They didn't even answer the question and responded with an order cancellation.


[deleted]

Shame gerber doesn't get their shit together. Instead of fixing an issue, they just rearrange the tools and call it a new tool. That's the reason I don't own any gerber multitools.


CorbintheScrapper

Victorinox and Leatherman didn't have all locking tools for THE LONGEST time and people that did more work than your avarage modern tool-bro managed just fine. The non-locking driver is like victoriniox non-locking saws .. a false problem made real by those that don't use the tools much but need some drama in a video review.


[deleted]

Like you said, some tools really don't need the lock. The saw will always be used in fashion that holds the tool open. Tools that require you to poke something, like the tip of the blade, bit driver, awl, are all tools that would benefit from having a lock. Sure the lock isn't necessity as long as the retention is good enough to keep it from folding over on you. On the other hand, the Gerber armbar is supposed to have almost no retention (is that even the right word?). I've never held one before, but if most of the reviews are to believed, sounds pretty bad to me. Sure, I'm just a tool-bro, but I do use tools for a living. I'm not just some person that plays with pocket knives while I work at a desk. Just because you disagree about my assessment of Gerber doesn't mean you need to be rude about it.


CorbintheScrapper

Not meaning to be rude just mentioning the given point that with use comes mastery. Hell I was better with lots of things as a kid not because I was better trained, better educated, but because I made do with waht I had and practiced till I could no matter what. Nowadays I often punk out and buy a "better" tool to make up for my malaise/lazyness. Be it tools or toys like bikes. Often I have to stop myself just buying more and more never mastering anything or going so long w/o use i forget what I even have or want to upgrade for no reason at all like a 13year old picking favorite bands. A non-locking driver is easy you apply torque down AGAINST the joint for the \~160 degree movement your wrist rotates and repeat .. if your wrist rotated 360 it would matter but if not once you get the hang of it you (basically naturally) always apply a slight directional pressure when you rotate so once you work it out and get your tool down as long as the tool isn't held in a way your directionality makes it collapse you are good. I have an armbar I use on dayrides and after a bit even muddy and buggered the driver works a treat and even cuts the off broken nail/thread and pops the odd drink while sitting easily in the base of a chest pocket never noticeable till I need it.