With this multi-tool, you'll also get several secondary tools, such as a Phillips head screwdriver with a fully formed "3D" head, other small, medium, and large flathead screwdrivers, an awl, a multi-sided file, a can opener, a ruler, and the ever-useful bottle opener.

The last primary tool that you'll need for everyday use is a pair of scissors. Although a bit on the small size, classing them as a main tool may be a bit of a stretch. The 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. 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.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. 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. Portability The Truss and Suspension add functions while reducing weight from Gerber’s ‘best-selling’ predecessor. If you are looking for a very useful gift idea, look no further than the Suspension NXT Multi Tool from Gerber. Made from stainless steel and with a 25 year guarantee you can be sure of giving a hardwearing and long lasting gift. The NXT has one of my favorite tools – an awl. Want to know 11 uses for an awl I bet you’ve never thought of? It doesn’t have a thread loop but I’ve never used an awl to sew anything so I wouldn’t miss it. There’s also a multi-sided file and a can opener and the ubiquitous bottle opener. That’s it for all the tools on the NXT except a ruler if you want to call that a tool. Use-ability

The newly designed Suspension NXT gives you a compact multi-tool with 15 handy tools for the everyday user, from the commuter and hobbyist to weekend hiker and camper. Truss and Suspension Can Opener/Bottle Opener(Suspension) and Can Opener/Bottle Opener/Small Flat-head driver(Truss). The Truss added a small flat-head driver to the tool. A much welcomed addition to the combo opener. The can opener on the Truss is also notably sharper as well. 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. The Suspension and Truss have the exact same plier-head. But, the Truss's plier-head is more polished and seems to have better tolerances. At least, this is the case, on my example. I cannot make the claim for all Trusses.

Truss and Suspension Phillips driver. The Truss has a fully-formed Phillips driver. A much welcomed addition! 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. Truss and Suspension Wood Saw. The Suspension always had a pretty poorly formed wood-saw. The Truss has a notably longer, more aggressive, and much better-formed wood saw. A much welcomed addition.

Another tool that’s only the small side is the scissors. I’m sure they will still cut some small things but the mouth doesn’t open very wide so you won’t get a lot of anything in one cut. New features to the Suspension-NXT include: wire stripper, medium flathead driver, awl, file, and ruler 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. Note: This is a mostly subjective thread. If you have any technical questions, please feel free to ask in a reply. 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.

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. Now, who would find this useful? Given its multifunctional nature and compact size, I’d say it can cater to a wide audience. The ‘multisport’ label suggests it’s made for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy camping, hiking, or fishing. The wire stripper, Phillips and standard screwdrivers, and pliers all seem handy for dealing with unexpected equipment issues or setting up camp.

The secondary tools are headed by the Phillips head screwdriver with it’s fully formed “3D” head. That just means it’s got a head like the Phillips screwdriver you have in your toolshed rather than one of those flattened “2D” style Phillips you see on a lot of other multi-tools. The other screw management tools included are small, medium and large flathead screwdrivers. So there you have it. I personally think that while the Suspension NXT is a superbly versatile tool, it’s not going to be the perfect fit for everyone – and that’s okay. It’s crucial to remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all tool out there. It’s all about finding the right tool that matches your specific needs and preferences.

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. A few tools in our test are less expensive, but almost all of them compromise significantly on features and quality. The Suspension is an excellent value, in that it will last a long time and has the features that most normal users are looking for. Conclusion However, it doesn’t stop there. The straight-edge and serrated knife could be a boon for those who enjoy the art of whittling or need to cut ropes or prepare food outdoors. Similarly, the awl—a tool you don’t often see in your average multi-tool—could be a godsend for someone needing to punch holes in leather or fabric, perhaps for makeshift gear repairs. Overall, the Suspension NXT seems to be a well-rounded multi-tool, but it’s essential to weigh your specific requirements and lifestyle against its features to find if it’s the right match for you.