What's nice to see is that all the tools are well constructed and designed, meaning that they are adequately built, so you shouldn't have any trouble using them.

Leatherman has become shorthand for “multi-tool” for a good reason. The company's build quality is fantastic. Tools can be flipped out and retracted forcefully but smoothly, and the finishing on each mini-tool is excellent. Leatherman has many options to choose from, but the Wave Plus is easily my favorite. It has two stainless steel knives, one with a straight edge and the other serrated. The latter is good for cutting fibrous material such as rope. The 420HC steel employed has a high carbon content, so the edges won't stay sharp for long, but it's easy to sharpen 'em up again. There are 16 other tools, including a wood-and-metal file, a diamond-coated file, a saw, Phillips screwdriver bits, scissors, an 8-inch ruler, and a wire stripper, as well as a bottle and can opener. One thing that makes the Gerber Suspension NXT Multi-Tool so perfect for everyday use is its 15 tool functions. For example, the spring-loaded needle-nose pliers have a straight section and a bolt/nut gripper section. You also get wire cutters and wire strippers to facilitate that well-rounded, everyday use feel. The smaller Suspension-NXT weighs even less, advertised at under 6.5 ounces. Its updated features are the same as the Truss’, yet it’s longer and has three more functions than the 12-function Suspension.Truss and Suspension flat-head drivers - Medium(Truss)/Small(Suspension). The Truss adds a cross-cut file(short) on one side and a depth gauge on the other side. From camping and fishing to on the spot fixes the Suspension NXT gives you Gerber's renowned quality and design with their unbeatable construction. A tough, indispensable companion to any adventure and perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life.

The knife is a combo blade with half straight and half serrated edges. Some people love combo blades as it gives them the option to use the part of the blade that best suits the cutting job without using the real estate 2 separate blades would take. I can take or leave a combo blade. Serrated blades are good at cutting things like rope because the serrations grip the rope surface allowing it to cut more easily. That’s true but a straight blade will do the same thing as a serrated knife if it’s sharp because it’s sharp enough to “grip” the rope.Something that isn’t small is the Philips screwdriver which has a full-size head and a reasonably long shaft. Thumbs up for the Philips. The other tools are standard and commonly used tools for a multi-tool of this size. Truss and Suspension Phillips driver. The Truss has a fully-formed Phillips driver. A much welcomed addition! After spending some time studying the features and specs of the Gerber Suspension NXT Multi-Tool, I’ve come to form some humble opinions about who might find this item particularly useful. It’s clear that this tool is designed with thoughtfulness and versatility, but let’s dive right into its user profile. What tools can you expect to find on a standard multitool? The list can vary widely, but it should include a screwdriver (with a Phillips and flat-head driver, at least), pliers, scissors and possibly a knife or two. Most will also have a bottle opener or something you can use as one. It’s a good bet that this tool is the one that will see the most actual use among weekend warriors. If you compare the NXT to Gerber’s own Center-Drive (my review here), you can see the differences in the size of the tools like the pliers and the knife which are a size or two up from the NXT. That tells you it is more a medium-duty multi-tool rather than heavy-duty.

I’m not sure why the knife is only 2.25 inches (5.7 cms) when the inside of the handles is longer than that. It would be good to see the blade at least 2.5 inches (6.3 cms) particularly when you have a half/half blade that gives you just over 1 inch (2.5 cms) of either straight or serrated blade to work with. There is one knife here and that’s a combo blade 2.25 inches (5.7 cms) long. Half straight edge and half serrated with an oval thumb hole for deployment. The last main tool is a pair of scissors. They are small though so it’s probably an exaggeration to count them as a ‘main tool’ in this case. New features to the Suspension-NXT include: wire stripper, medium flathead driver, awl, file, and ruler This change is evident in the reduced weight from 9oz (255gms) in previous multi-tools to 6.7oz (190gms). With 25% less carry-on weight, carry around is so much easier at the lighter end of the weight range of full-size multi-tools. We had no issues with the durability and construction of the Suspension. This is as much a testament to our rigorous pre-screening of products as it is to the interest these tool companies take in making solid products. Consumers of multi-tools expect rugged performance, and the manufacturers deliver it. We then select products that represent the best of the best before closely comparing them. At no point in the testing process did we experience any issues with the Suspension. We have heard reports of people having issues with the spring-loaded pliers binding up, but in our extensive use, over multiple years now, this did not bother us. PortabilityThe pliers have the sort of functions you would expect on a full-sized multi-tool so nothing to complain about there. They are also spring loaded which apparently reduce hand fatigue. I don’t know about you but I’ve never had hand fatigue using pliers before but you might appreciate it. From its wire stripper and screwdrivers useful for unexpected equipment issues to the bottle and can opener that could be a lifesaver in a pinch, this multi-tool seems to offer a wide range of functionality. And with its lightweight yet sturdy construction, it seems to strike a commendable balance between durability and convenience.

Another thing to note is that the Truss fixes the biggest issue on the Suspension. The Suspension has suffered BADLY with broken plier-stops, whether the screws break or the stop breaks, the Suspension had that weakest link. The Truss fixes this by incorporating the plier-stops into the handle-frame themselves. Another much welcomed addition to the new Gerber Truss.

The benchmark qualities that made the original a success still remain, now optimized for the everyday carry consumer. The focus has shifted from the industrial and professional landscape to the commuter, weekend warrior, or hobbyist.