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In our endless quest for the ultimate multi-tool, we come to the Gerber Multi-Lite. The goal of this tool's design was to provide all of the basic tools that one might need in the field and around the office in a small compact case. The Multi-Lite sports the following tools:
All of these tools fit into a 3.5" x 1" rectangle that weighs a scant 5 ounces.  The Multi-Lite, shown here with the serrated blade which has now been replaced with a jig saw blade.
The flashlight feature on the Multi-Lite is cool. The light is amber colored so that if you use it outdoors, it will not ruin your natural night vision. The light is designed so that you can use it when the Multi-Lite is closed and it will illuminate whatever tool you're using. The light can also be detached from the rest of the tool. I really dislike the scissors on the Multi-Lite. They're very small and the spring mechanism doesn't work nearly as well as the scissors on the Leatherman Wave. You find yourself prying them open slightly after each cut. The press release says these Fiskars scissors can cut through denim and seat belt material. I bet they can (they're *real* sharp), but I sure wouldn't want to be cutting my loved ones out of a burning vehicle with this rinky-dink pair of scissors. The jig saw blade is a new addition to the Multi-Lite (it used to have a serrated blade). The new blade fits onto the tool via a "universal tang coupler" allowing you to use any universal tang saw blade. The Multi-Lite comes with a Magma blade that can cut through mild steel and non-ferrous metals up to 1/8". What's great about this tool is also what limits its usefulness: it's slight size and weight. A Leatherman Tool is small enough to carry around and handle light-duty choirs, but it's also a serious tool set that can handle more heavy-duty tasks. Not so with the Multi-Lite. It's great for emergencies and most day-to-day tasks, but likely not all of them. It really comes down to what sorts of uses you expect from your multi-tool. For office applications, carrying around in your laptop bag, in a day pack, etc., the Multi-Lite is perfect. If you've got a job that requires frequent and varied tool use-- serious tool use--a Leatherman is worth the extra money and extra weight. - Gareth Branwyn [7/2/98] Other multi-tools reviewed on Street Tech:
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