REASONS TO BUY
One-handed pliers deployment
Excellent bit driver
Robust pry tool
REASONS TO AVOID
Pricey
Bulky
Some tools hard to access
Gerber Center-Drive Review
A strangely cumbersome tool with a couple brilliant features that are among the best in our lineup
The Gerber Center-Drive
Credit: Kyle Hameister
By Kyle Hameister ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 6, 2026
RELATED: The Best Multi Tools of 2026
Our Verdict
The Gerber Center-Drive is an interesting paradox: It has some of the best engineering and design seen anywhere on the market, paired with some truly poor choices packaged in a clunky shell. In our opinion, its pliers are the best in the industry, period. The 1/4" hex driver and pry tool are also fantastic — all three of those features can realistically replace or beat a dedicated tool in your toolbox. The problem is they're housed in an annoyingly hefty, janky chassis. Even carrying the Center-Drive in a belt sheath feels like it gets in the way too often. Other than the knife, the other fold-out features are hard to access and below average.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Gerber Center-Drive | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Customizable Multi-Tool | Best for Most People |  Best Bang for the Buck | Great Value on a Tight Budget | |
| Price | $155 List Check Price at REI | $88 List Check Price at Amazon | $130 List Check Price at REI | $50 List Check Price at Backcountry | $30 List Check Price at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A strangely cumbersome tool with a couple brilliant features that are among the best in our lineup | This multi-tool is proof that innovation is alive and well, and available today in a quality build | A full-function multi-tool from a great manufacturer at a very reasonable price | A compact budget tool with excellent construction and a reasonable set of features for daily use | An affordable multi-tool in a familiar form that punches way above its weight class |
| Rating Categories | Gerber Center-Drive | Roxon Flex | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman | Mossy Oak 27-in-1 |
| Everyday Utility (40%) | |||||
| Construction Quality (25%) | |||||
| Ergonomics (20%) | |||||
| Portability (15%) | |||||
| Specifications | Gerber Center-Drive | Roxon Flex | Leatherman Wave+ | Leatherman Wingman | Mossy Oak 27-in-1 |
| Basic tools included | Pliers, wire cutters, knife, bit driver (no scissors) | Pliers, wire cutters, knife, scissors, bit driver | Pliers, wire cutters, knife, scissors, bit driver | Pliers, wire cutters, knife, scissors, bit driver | Pliers, wire cutters, knife, bit driver (no scissors) |
| Blades and Type | 1 straight, 1 serrated | 1 straight | 1 straight, 1 serrated | 1 hybrid serrated/straight | 1 straight |
| Number of Functions | 14 | 19 | 18 | 10 | 27 |
| Locking Tools | All (including pliers) | All but pliers | All but pliers | Scissors and blade | All but pliers and ferro rod/ whistle |
| Carry options | Sheath, lanyard loop | Sheath, pocket clip | Sheath (sold separately), lanyard loop | Sheath (sold separately), pocket clip | Sheath, pocket clip, carabiner clip |
| Closed Dimensions (Measured) | 4.8 in (L) x 1.7 in (W) x 0.8 in (D) | 4.2 in (L) x 1.5 in (W) x 0.7 in (D) | 4.0 in (L) x 1.5 in (W) x 0.7 in (D) | 3.9 in (L) x 1.3 in (W) x 0.6 in (D) | 4.8 in (L) x 1.5 in (W) x 0.6 in (D) |
| Weight (Measured) | 10.0 oz (11.3 oz w/ sheath) | 9.0 oz (10.5 oz w/ sheath | 8.5 oz (9.5 oz w/ case) |
6.8 oz (7.8 oz w/ sheath) |
8.2 oz (10.0 oz w/ sheath & bits) |
| Tools Accessible Without Deploying Pliers | Blade, bit driver | All | Blades, saw, file | Blade, scissors | Blade, saw |
| Full Length w/ Primary Blade Open (Measured) | 7.9 in | 6.9 in | 6.9 in | 6.4 in | 7.6 in |
| Primary Blade Effective Edge Length (Measured) | 3.0 in | 2.4 in | 2.8 in | 2.4 in | 2.7 in |
| Pliers type | Spring-loaded needlenose and regular, with replacable wire cutters | Spring-loaded needlenose and regular, with replacable wire cutters | Needlenose and regular, with replaceable wire cutters | Spring-loaded needlenose and regular, with wire cutters | Needlenose and regular, with replacable wire cutters |
| Full Length w/ Pliers Open (Measured) | 6.5 in | 6.4 in | 6.3 in | 6.2 in | 7.0 in |
| Number of screwdrivers | 1 — swappable driver with additional included 1/4" hex bit | 3 | 1 included + swappable proprietary squashed bit driver & swappable jewelry/ eyeglasses bit driver | 3 | 2 + additional swappable double-ended bits |
| File | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Saw | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Openers | Bottle | Can, bottle | Can, bottle | Can, bottle, package opener | Can, bottle |
| Other Important Features | Pry bar, awl, magnetic 1/4" hex bit driver | Awl, chisel, rope cutter, and swappable tools | Ruler, 2 swappable bit drivers (squashed 1/4" hex, and jewelry) | Ruler, package opener | Whistle, fire starter (ferro rod), awl, carabiner clip, hammer |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The out-the-front pliers of the Center Drive are a unique Gerber innovation, useful for one-handed pliers deployment, but at the cost of utility on the rest of the included tools. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Likes
Most prominently, the Center-Drive's pliers are spring-loaded, very heavy-duty, and include tri-sided wire cutter jaws, which greatly increase the longevity on that feature (commonly an Achilles heel for multi-tools). Better yet, they slide out the front of the handles, giving them a one-handed deployment advantage over the standard butterfly opening multi-tool pliers design.
The pliers are no joke. Spring-loaded, and with replicable wire cutter jaws, these won't let you down. Credit: Kyle Hameister
The pry tool is quite well-designed, pulling loose stubborn nails better than the claws of most standard hammers in our testing. The fold-out hex driver, which gives the Center-Drive its name, is longer than what you find on most multi-tools. Beyond the obvious clearance improvement for accessing screws in tight holes, that added length also subtly translates to a surprising improvement in leverage.
The magnetic 1/4" hex driver is also outstanding. We may legitimately prefer using it over a stand-alone screwdriver. Credit: Kyle Hameister
The on board pry tool is rock solid and angled just right. It out-performs other pry tools on competitors by a long shot. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Despite the budget steel alloy used on the knife (420HC), it does have a full three inches of cutting edge. That alone makes a good argument for leaving your stand-alone pocket knife at home.
Dislikes
Our major gripe is the Center-Drive just feels… kind of shoddy. Overall, the handle feels and sounds rickety. Deployment of the pliers is great in that it only takes one hand, but it doesn't slide smooth and tight, and sometimes catches just before fully extended or fully retracted back again.
The Center-Drive has two blades -- the primary straight blade is accessible with the handles closed, but the serrated blade is inside the handle, requiring the pliers to be deployed before access. Credit: Kyle Hameister
The secondary features, other than the pry tool, seem largely unnecessary and are annoyingly hard to access on the inside of the handles. The awl is stubby and too wide to be useful for threading repair, and the secondary serrated blade takes several steps to unfold, meaning you'll settle for making the primary straight blade work in most circumstances.
The pliers deploy via an innovative slide design, but the locking lever can be finnicky. Credit: Kyle Hameister
The file's cut grit is too subtle, but at least it's long enough to be fairly useful. We also find the unlocking slider bar (with lanyard hole on the end) larger than it needs to be; adding bulk to an already large tool. Puzzling choices all over the Center-Drive.
Should You Buy the Gerber Center-Drive?
To be fair, for arguably the three most used tools on a multi-tool (knife, pliers, and driver), the Center-Drive may well be the best option in our lineup and beyond. If the heft (and price tag!) don't scare you off, the utility you get from those three features alone make this model well worth your consideration.
Including the sheath, the Center-Drive weighs almost 3/4 lb! Credit: Kyle Hameister
What Other Multi-Tools Should You Consider?
Around this price range, we like the Leatherman Wave+, which isn't quite as big, but feels more solid and precisely built. The SOG PowerAccess Deluxe is under $100. Both feel similarly heavy-duty and blue-collar-focused to directly compete with the Center-Drive.
—Kyle Hameister
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