The Multi-Tools the Military Choose To Use

I don’t know about you, but I can put my multi-tools through a lot of tough torture tests when I’m doing my MacGyver thing. But my guess would be that our soldiers give their multi-tools an even harder time than I do. I mean, it can be like a battlefield out in the suburbs but it’s still not Afghanistan is it?

That got me thinking…..if a multi-tool is good enough for soldiers, wouldn’t it be good to know exactly what multi-tools the military use? And can I come up with a better multi-tool than the ones they use?

The Simple Answer

The current multi-tool of choice for the US military is the Gerber Multi-Plier 600 platform. What makes it particularly useful for the military is that the MP600 comes in a lot of different configurations – blunt nose pliers, needle nose pliers or blasting cap crimper pliers, replaceable or non-replaceable wire cutters, blade or bladeless, sight tool or RemGrit saw. 

The key feature of all the Gerber MP600‘s is that it has one hand opening pliers. With a little practice, you can flick your wrist and the pliers snap and lock into position. Push a button on the side and slide the pliers away. Really useful when you’re hunkered down with a gun in one hand and want to deploy your pliers with the other.

The Gerber MP600 – but which one?

Gerber proudly announces they are the number one supplier of multi-tools to the military with their Multi-Plier 600. By my count, there are 19, yes 19, variations of the MP600 you can buy and Gerber don’t specify exactly which of the 19 variations is the one they supply to the military. They claim the military connection for each of the 19 variations. One way to narrow down which versions are the ‘official’ ones is to look at which ones are supplied with a Berry Compliant sheath. Because we know (see Sidebar) the Department of Defense has to comply with the Berry Amendment, they can only supply MP600’s with a Berry Compliant sheath and squeezes the field down for us to only 3 MP600 variations, actually only 2 because one of the variations is just a different color for the sheath – coyote brown or black – but the multi-tool is the same.

Let’s look at the 2 different MP600 versions that are ‘military spec’.

The Military Spec Gerber MP600

Gerber MP600 Needle Nose, Black

The 2 models are basically the same except the type of plier head – one is a blunt nose, the other is a needle nose. Otherwise, the 15 function toolset is the same. Both of the plier heads have tungsten carbide replaceable wire cutters. The design of these replaceable cutters is clever. The cutting blade has 3 sides (that’s right, it’s a triangle!) which means you can blunt or wreck one side, loosen two screws, spin it and get yourself a new cutting surface. Ruin 3 sides and then you have to buy a replacement wire cutter blade. This is a design other multi-tool makers could consider rather than their single blade replaceable cutters.

OK, I’ve just heaped some praise on the design of the 3 sided cutters but if there is one bit of consistent feedback from many users it’s that the tungsten carbide cutters are too brittle and they get damaged very quickly. Stranded wire seems to defeat these cutters for example. There’s also the cost of replacement – $20 seems a bit steep. A good idea if you buy this version of the MP600 would be to add a spare set of cutter insert replacements in your order.

Gerber MP600 Blunt Nose, Black

All the MP600’s have pliers that can be deployed with one hand with a bit of practice – a sharp flick of the wrist calls the pliers into action. A must in a combat situation I would imagine or even handy when you’ve got one of your hands full on your DIY job.

At 9 oz (255 gms), the MP600 is no lightweight but that’s understandable given that it’s built to be tough. Nothing too out of the ordinary in the closed length department either being 5.04 inches (12.8 cms) so it won’t be a big burden to carry. 

All the tools lock into position, especially important for the straight blade knife and the serrated knife but also useful for the screwing tools – the small, medium and large flathead screwdrivers and the Phillips screwdriver. Round out the toolset with a file, can opener and the ubiquitous bottle opener. Nice.

This version is finished in stealthy black so as not to risk the sun glinting off the MP600 when you’re on a secret operation. Although Gerber says their multi-tools are “Built in the USA”, they are upfront in explaining the MP600 is built in the US with global parts. Meaning they source the parts from around the world, ship them in and build them in their factory in Portland, Oregon. The Berry Compliant sheath is made in China. If you’re interested in where Gerber, Leatherman or SOG make their multi-tools in the US, I did a lot of research on the subject and wrote about it.

The Rest of the Miltary Spec MP600s

One of the reasons the Multi Plier 600 is the No.1 multi-tool platform for the US military is because it comes in so many variations. So the military can issue it to a lot of different soldiers who have different tasks and it’s going to do the job for them. Besides the versions with needle nose or blunt nose pliers, versions with a MOLLE Compatible or a leather sheath or no sheath at all, with replaceable tungsten carbide wire cutters or non-replaceable cutters and finally in a stainless steel or black finish. A lot of versions right?

These versions basically have similar toolsets though there are some versions that change the toolset.

MP600 D.E.T. Black

The MP600 D.E.T. is for the combat engineer. The pliers are the needle nose variety with blasting cap crimpers. Don’t get this version unless you want to crimp some blasting caps as the pliers are useless at a lot of other plier tasks. Like all the other MP600’s the pliers are one hand deployable by a flick of the wrist.

Gerber MP600 D.E.T.

Besides the specialized plier head, the other big difference with the D.E.T. is the RemGrit saw. Use this to saw through cables and it’s replaceable as well so use any RemGrit saw blade you want. Normally the RemGrit slot would be the serrated knife to go with the straight edge knife on the other handle. Because you have the RemGrit instead, Gerber has given you a combo blade – half straight/half serrated.

Then there’s a punch to put holes in C4 explosives. I don’t know why you put holes in C4 explosives but I assume that’s something you want to do if you’re a soldier whose job is to blow up stuff or stop being blown up. Otherwise, the toolset is the same as other MP600’s and it comes in a black oxide finish.

The Bladeless MP600
Gerber MP600 Bladeless

This must be the MP600 for the soldier whose not on the front line because it doesn’t have a blade. Or is it just the best full-sized multi-tool that doesn’t have a blade? This multi-tool got my best bladeless multi-tool crown. Check it out on the Recommended Multi-Tools page.

Replacing the slot where the blade would be is a RemGrit saw and on the other handle is a full-length file. The other tool this MP600 version gets is a set of small scissors.

The Sight Tool MP600

This one has a front sight post adjustment tool for M4/M16’s instead of one of the knives an MP600 usually has. You don’t miss out on a knife altogether though because you still get a combo blade – half straight edge, half serrated. Another tool difference is that it has a longer length Phillips screwdriver. Before you get too excited about the sight tool, see what customers are saying about the sight tool in the Effect section below.

The Pro Scout MP600

I’m not sure where this model fits into the MP600 lineup. It’s got a combo knife and a RemGrit saw and scissors. Nothing unusual for the MP600 except the pliers which don’t have replaceable cutters. Strange to have just one version of the MP600 that doesn’t have the tungsten carbide cutters.

Other Specialised Military Multi-Tools from Gerber

Effect Military Maintenance Tool
Gerber Effect II Weapon Maintenance

The is a multi-tool designed as a maintenance tool for AR15/M16/M4 firearms. There’s a lot of scraping tools and a front sight adjustment tool. It’s this tool that gets feedback from users. I’ve never seen such consistent negative feedback about one tool on a multi-tool before. Everyone complains that the prongs on the sight tool snap off easily making it useless. Should be covered under the warranty but Gerber needs to make it much stronger to do its job properly. Especially on a multi-tool that’s designed for military use and costs over $100.

Crew Served Weapons Tool

This multi-tool is for the maintenance of a couple of the US Army’s commonly used weapons – the M249 Squad auto and the Crew Served Weapon. It has 13 functions which are very particular to these 2 weapons so if you don’t own these weapons, this multi-tool isn’t going to be any good for you. If you do have a use for it, customer feedback says it’s a very good maintenance tool.

The MP1 Platform

Besides the MP600 platform, Gerber has also introduced the MP1 platform consisting of 2 weapons maintenance multi-tools – the MP1- Military MRO and MP1- Military MRO.

A couple of big differences between the MP600 and the MP1 platforms is the stronger forged plier jaws of the MP1 versus the stamped plier jaws of the MP600 (and most other brand’s plier heads too). The MP1 pliers are spring loaded which some people really like and I don’t. And the last big design difference is that the tools on the MP1 platform are outside accessible so you don’t have to open the handles to get at them while the MP600 are inside accessible. The downside of the outside accessible tools is that you lose the one hand opening pliers trick you get with the MP600.

The MP1-AR is designed for maintenance of the M-4/AR-15 series carbines and rifles and includes a lot of weapon specific cleaning tools and features a long-handled bit driver and a bit kit and a straight edge knife. It’s also got a front sight adjustment tool which I assume is the same as the one customers complain always breaks. You can read my review where I put the MP1-AR up against the Leatherman MUT and the Multi-Tasker Series 3 to find the best weapons multi-tool.

Gerber MP1 MRO Military

The MP1- Military MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Operations) multi-tool is very military specific and has tools for something called PMCS. No, I didn’t know what that was but it means “Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services”. The first hint that this is a very specialized tool is that the medium flathead screwdriver includes a tire depth gauge because that’s what soldiers do, they check if the tread depth is up to code.

Is it only Gerber that makes military multi-tools?

While the other multi-tool makers can’t claim to make the “multi-tool of choice for the US military” that Gerber can don’t mean they can’t offer a multi-tool alternative for military and those who live to a military beat. Both Leatherman and SOG produce models that could and do, find a spot in many a soldier’s MOLLE compatible gear.

Leatherman’s Military Multi-Tools

Leatherman has a lot of different choices for soldiers doing different missions. Kicking off with the MUT EOD. From the multi-tool’s name it’s pretty clear who this multi-tool is targeted at. The Military Utility Tool Explosives Ordinance Disposal multi-tool has 15 functions with some specific ones for the intended tasks. The MUT EOD has a lot of tools that can be replaced if they get damaged or dull – wire cutters, bronze carbon scraper, C4 punch and a cutting hook. Then there’s the ‘Military Performance Spec” blasting cap crimper in the plier jaws and the bolt override tool.

Leatherman MUT EOD

All good stuff for a soldier doing EOD work and if you’re not, there’s always the standard MUT which doesn’t have the cap crimper plier head. Both MUTs come with a MOLLE sheath and a 3/8″ Wrench and Front Sight Adjustment tool.

Leatherman’s Super Tool 300 EOD version is obviously designed for the EOD techs with the same sort of tools the MUT EOD has with a cap crimper, C4 punch and fuse wire cutters. Of course, it comes in a stealthy black oxide finish so it doesn’t flash in the sun and a MOLLE sheath. Then there’s the Leatherman OHT. Choose from black or tan for your One Hand Tool and MOLLE sheath in black or brown (strange Leatherman don’t call it Tan!).

This is Leatherman’s answer to Gerber’s flick opening pliers. You can open the spring-loaded pliers and all the other tools with one hand because they are all outside accessible with cutouts in the handles so you can get a thumb to each tool. If it works as advertised, the OHT is more OH than Gerber’s multi-tools. I don’t own one of these but I’m keen to get my hands on one soon to check out how well it works. Look out for a review in the future.

The Leatherman’s Super Tool 300 EOD is the last Leatherman you could consider for military use although it doesn’t have any specific military tools like a C4 punch or cap crimper. But I own a Surge and it’s a real solid workhorse of a multi-tool so I can see why it would be useful in tough situations. The new version of the Surge comes in black and you can get a black MOLLE sheath for it.

SOG’s Military Multi-Tools

SOG’s multi-tool for the military is the PowerLock EOD. There are two versions, one with a V-Cutter for cutting demolition cord, rope and straps and one that has a bit driver instead. Because the PowerLock is for Explosive Ordnance Disposal it needs to have blasting cap crimpers. It’s also got a wire crimper and wire cutter but strangely it doesn’t have replaceable wire cutters which I think is critical for a tool that’s going to get a tough time.

SOG’s advantage is their Compound Leverage technology which means you don’t have to use as much pressure on the handles to grip or cut with the pliers. Even more reason to have replaceable wire cutter blades because sooner or later you’re going to try to cut some wire that’s going to damage your wire cutters and you’re not even using much muscle. None of the tools are one hand opening or even outside accessible so you’ll need both hands free when you want to use the PowerLock.

SOG PowerLock EOD

The other multi-tool that would be useful to some military personnel is the PowerAssist in Black Oxide. It’s got the blasting cap crimper and the V-Cutter like the PowerLock EOD but adds 2 separate knives – a straight edge blade and a serrated blade. These have SOG’s patented Assisted Technology which makes it easier to thumb stud deploy the blades. You start it off and the assist mechanism flicks it fully open. It’s the first multi-tool I’ve seen that has 2 separate knives in the same handle. Comes with a ballistic nylon sheath.

Multitasker’s Military Multi-Tools

Multitasker manufactures the most weaponcentric multi-tool on the market with their Series 3X. I reviewed it as part of a 3-way test and it shone for the obvious quality of its toolset kicking off with the CNC machined pliers with replaceable wire cutter blades and the thumb stud deployable straight edge blade.

The rest of the toolset includes a hex wrench for scope mounts, carbon scraper, a magnetic bit driver with 4 prong sight adjustment tool (and with a clever bit holder for 8 x 1/4″ hex bits). Add a pin punch with 8-32 male thread for OTIS cleaning kits.

Multitasker Series 3X

Multitasker has complied with the Multi-Tool Industry Compulsory Tools (MICT) laws and ensured the Series 3X has a bottle opener. They have cunningly disguised it as a dual-lug M4 castlenut spanner!

Besides the Swiss, who else uses the Swiss Army Knife?

We’ve talked about 3 of the 4 big multi-tool brands and their military models but didn’t the Swiss start the whole thing with issuing a multi-tool to their soldiers?

They are credited with first issuing a multi-tool to their military with the pocketknife we know as the Swiss Army Knife. Victorinox now own the Swiss Army Knife brand and more than just the Swiss Army use their products today. Here’s a list of which armies using their products:
– Switzerland
– Germany
– Netherlands
– Denmark
– Luxembourg
– Norway
– Slovenia
– France
– Ireland
– Australia
– Brunei
– Singapore
– Malaysia
– India
– South Africa
– United Arabian Emirates
– Nigeria
– Indonesia

Multi-Tools – Don’t Leave Home Without One (or go to battle)!

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Do you own any of the Gerber MP600 versions? Are you in the military and have used the Gerber multi-tools in action. How did they stand up to the job? Let me know in the comments below.

What does “MOLLE Compatible” mean?

You’ve seen the phrase “Molle compatible” used when talking about multi-tool sheaths and you were wondering what it meant. Molly, as it’s pronounced, is an abbreviation for MOdular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment. As it says, it’s a type a equipment that’s designed to help carry gear comfortably and securely. It can be something like a backpack, vest or a belt that has rows and columns of lightweight webbing that you can hook a gear pouch to.

MOLLE pouches are made out of hard-wearing, lightweight and water-resistant denier nylon. A MOLLE Compatible sheath for a multi-tool will be able to be attached to the webbing on the backpack or belt in a few different ways. I own a couple of MOLLE Compatible multi-tool sheaths – one from Leatherman and one from Gerber. They are both designed similarly because they need to attach to standard MOLLE Compatible carrying equipment.

Both of them have a vertical strap with a press stud making it easy to thread the strap through the vertical or horizontal webbing. Also on the rear of the sheath, they both have rows of webbing loops to give other options to attach the sheath. The flap on the front closes securely by hook and loop (velcro) and the sides have compression straps to hold the multi-tool firmly in place and so it doesn’t move around inside the pouch. Both the sheaths I have also have an additional pocket on the inside to carry extra bits for the bit drivers.

Just having these sheaths in your hands will tell you they will take a hell of a beating and will hold their contents in place. Put your multi-tool in one of these, attach it to something solid and the sheath and it’s contents aren’t going anywhere you don’t want them to. I’ve seen them come in black or brown – both colors giving them an authentic military look.

Gerber MOLLE sheath & Leatherman MOLLE sheath

Fun Fact

The Canadian Defense Forces issue a multi-tool to every soldier and used to give them a Gerber multi-tool. Then they changed their mind. You see with Gerber’s one hand opening pliers that deploy by flicking your wrist, the pliers slide along metal rails to open. Well, that metal on metal sliding could cause static electricity which they rightly thought could be dangerous around C4 explosives. So now they issue a SOG multi-tool instead.

What does “Berry Compliant” mean?

I could give you the long boring version of what it means to be Berry Compliant starting from when the Berry Amendment was first introduced in 1941. But let’s skip a lot of that and bring ourselves up to the part that’s important for American Defense Forces which really applies from 2006. To be Berry Compliant means when the Department of Defense is buying equipment, vehicles, food or anything for any defense forces, it needs to comply with the procurement requirements in the Berry Amendment. It needs to try to source domestically produced products first. It’s like the ‘Buy American’ policy which applies to the US Federal Government while the Berry Amendment applies specifically to the Department of Defense.

The easiest way to think about this is when the Department of Defense purchase and issue a multi-tool to soldiers, they need to make sure it is ‘Berry Compliant’. The Gerber MP-600 is the multi-tool of choice for the military (see Main Article) and that means that it has to be Berry Compliant. And it’s not the multi-tool itself that is impacted by the Berry Amendment, it’s actually the sheath that comes with the MP-600 because compliant fabrics are specified in the Berry Amendment.

 

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