Gerber Dual-Force Multitool Review | CleverHiker

Bottom Line

The Gerber Dual-Force is a standout in our guide to the best multitools. Compact and powerful, this tool shines with its slip-joint pliers, offering impressive strength and smooth operation for heavy-duty tasks. Our tester loved the center-bit driver, too, for high-end torque and leverage. The Dual-Force’s full-size tools and a long, strong blade add to its versatility. However, while the pliers operate smoothly, the tool tends to rattle when closed, as the handles don’t align perfectly. This slight flaw can detract from the overall premium feel.

In terms of comfort and ergonomics, the Dual-Force falls short for users seeking one-handed operation. The handles are positioned too closely together, making it difficult to deploy. This is not a deal-breaker for us, but it is something to consider. Prolonged use may also be less comfortable due to the lack of rounded contours in the handles. 

Tool deployment is efficient for most tasks, with the center-bit driver allowing for powerful, controlled usage. However, the lack of scissors or a serrated blade limits its versatility for specific jobs. It may not be the most ergonomic or versatile tool, but a few design shortcomings are hardly noticeable with this top-shelf tool.

How We Tested

We tested the Dual-Force over 30 days on several Minnesota farms—mending pens, slicing bale twine, and tuning up tractors. It also headed north, battling freezing temps and serving as the go-to fix-it tool at basecamp.

Weight & Portability

The Gerber Dual-Force brings rugged, heavy-duty performance with impressive portability. At 6.4 inches when closed and weighing just 10 ounces, it’s compact enough to carry easily in your pocket, bag, or clipped to your belt without adding bulk. 

With tough construction that is still functionally lightweight, the Dual-Force is perfect for campsite chores or everyday tasks around the house. This durable, rust-resistant tool means business and easily takes on challenging jobs like cutting, prying, and gripping. 

Whether you’re working in tight spaces, fixing outdoor gear, or just need a reliable tool on hand, the Dual-Force delivers versatility and strength in a portable, easy-to-carry design that’s ready for any adventure or project.

Ease of Use

Belying its burly look and feel, the Dual-Force is widely praised for its smooth and powerful operation, highlighted by the super-strong pliers, center-bit driver, and innovative design features. 

The pliers’ performance stands out thanks to their prominent teeth and two-position slip-joint design that brings extra strong grip and control during use with minimal effort. The driver, centrally-positioned in the handle, allows smooth, powerful torque, especially when used like a standard screwdriver. This perk makes it a user favorite.

The full-size tools and long, strong blade all deploy and leap into action without delay. We tested this beefy tool against redirecting bent sheeting on a stubborn barn door repair and never lost grip. Our team went on to highlight the tool’s overall build quality, robust construction, and little flex, which keeps it reliable across a variety of demanding applications.

While the Dual-Force earns praise for its design and build, there are a few caveats. Some users report that the tools can feel stiff when new, though this typically improves with regular use. Additionally, while the blade is sharp and performs well, the deployment mechanism may feel slightly less smooth than other options. Despite these minor issues, the Gerber Dual-Force remains an impressive multitool that delivers smooth, reliable operation and versatility for a range of tasks.

Ergonomics

Despite its burly look and heft, the Dual-Force multi-tool doesn’t skimp on comfort, an affliction common among many traditional multi-tool design challenges. 

Its handles are sculpted with smooth contours that fit naturally in the hand, reducing fatigue during extended use without feeling bulky or awkward. The textured grip also provides excellent traction, which came in handy when pulling wire on livestock panel fencing on a rainy day.

The handles are purpose-built to minimize strain when gripping and manipulating whatever tasks populate your to-do list, whether they take 10 minutes or last hours. The tool’s weight distribution feels intentional—neither too heavy nor too light—creating a balanced feel that makes extended handling comfortable. 

The tool’s overall design will also prevent uncomfortable bulges in pockets or tool bags, although its size is best suited to a glove box or tool kit.

The Dual-Force’s intuitive design brings much-appreciated versatility and confidence in approaching an array of tasks. Once broken in, the tool delivers a remarkably smooth deployment experience that feels precise and effortless. The spring-loaded mechanism launches the pliers with a satisfying snap, requiring minimal wrist effort and providing an intuitive, almost tactile connection between the user and the tool. Individual tool attachments swing out with surprising ease, notably the knife blade, wire cutters, and other implements that deploy with a one-handed fluidity.

What sets the Dual-Force apart is the natural tool transition from closed to open. There’s no wrestling or awkward fumbling; each component moves with a deliberate, well-engineered smoothness. The pliers lock firmly into place with a reassuring click, communicating reliability before you start working.

Some multi-tools feel like complicated mechanical puzzles, but the Dual-Force moves with engineered efficiency, reducing user fatigue and minimizing the learning curve. While the compact size means slightly reduced leverage compared to larger tools, the deployment mechanism itself remains impressively responsive and user-friendly.

Load Bearing Capacity

This is another metric where the Dual-Force shows its stuff. The tools’ mojo is made for heavy-duty tasks, with never-fail dependability. The beefy pliers are the standout feature, with vise-like strength for gripping and pulling, with no signs of bending or failure under pressure, and the center-bit driver brought reliable leverage for driving in tough screws at a Chequamegon National Forest trail shelter during a pelting rain. 

While not designed for extreme industrial loads, the Dual-Force excels in practical scenarios, from automotive repairs to outdoor equipment maintenance. Its wire cutters, for example, readily manage electrical and soft metal wires, and the gripping surfaces maintain tension without deforming.

The full-size tools and strong blade bring power and strength, but the slight rattly noises detract from our confidence in the Dual-Force. Nevertheless, our tester turned to this stalwart go-to every time the going got tough.

Material Quality

The Gerber Dual-Force is built to last, made with high-quality stainless steel that stands up to tough tasks. Whether we are using it for cutting baling rope, prying out stubborn nails, or gripping a tent stake, the robust construction handles heavy-duty jobs without backing down. 

The tool’s material is corrosion-resistant, so we haven’t had to worry about wear and rust, even when exposed to the elements. The Dual-Force also feels solid in the hand, with a strong, reliable design that’s typical of Gerber’s gear. It’s the kind of tool we can count on for everyday tasks and more demanding outdoor projects.

Should You Buy the Gerber Dual-Force?

The Gerber Dual-Force is a multi-tool game-changer. Its jaw strength is a testament to Gerber’s commitment to precision engineering. It boasts quite the gripping power through a sophisticated layered construction that turns mechanical limitations into advantages.

The tool’s design is a masterclass in ergonomics as well. The adjustable two-position slip joint jaw applies tenacious grip to wherever you direct it. Meanwhile, the 3.25″ center-axis bit driver operates like a genuine screwdriver, while clever bit storage transforms this from a tool to a complete solution.

As if the performance weren’t enough, Gerber backs this marvel with a limited lifetime warranty, backing their confidence in a tool that’s clearly built to outlast and outperform.

Here’s some similar options from our best multitools gear guide worth checking out:

Leatherman Surge Review: Versatile and robust, the Surge is known for its durability, full feature set, and ease of use. It includes 21 tools and is designed with one-handed opening in mind. It also has a compact, user-friendly design, prioritizing both functionality and ergonomics. While the Surge offers a more traditional multitool experience with a broader range of tools, The Dual-Force excels in load-bearing capacity and penchant for heavy-duty applications. The Surge shines for versatility where the Gerber focuses on raw strength, power, and fewer compromises. 

Leatherman Wave+ Review: Another of our larger-size favorites, the Wave+ is a popular multitool celebrated for its practicality, ease of use, and range of features. With 18 tools, it offers all-around versatility. Its standout features include one-handed tool access, ergonomic design, and strong build quality. The Gerber edges out the Wave+ in terms of load-bearing capacity and strength, and is better suited for heavy-duty, high-stress tasks requiring superior strength and durability.

SOG PowerAccess Deluxe Review: The PowerAccess Deluxe is versatile and durable meets functionality and innovative design. With 21 tools, this go-getter offers a wide range of capabilities, with a compound leverage system that boosts the strength of its pliers. The PowerAccess boasts an ergonomic design with comfortable handles as well. The SOG offers more tool variety and a focus on comfort and ease of use, while the Dual-Force outperforms it in terms of raw strength and resistance under heavy load.