Gerber Gear Shard Keychain - Multitool Keychain with Bottle Opener, Screwdriver, and Wire Stripper - EDC Gear and Equipment - Black

I have carried this in my pocket every day for the last 15 years, and aside from the finish, nothing has changed since the day i bought it. It has come in handy for many random things, and I definitely recommend this thing for the price and quality.

Overall: This keychain tool is pretty useful. Its got a lot of function, but the bottle opener will likely get the most use. The material feels really sturdy. This tool is as slim as a standard key, but sticks out a bit with a little curve on the end for the flathead screwdriver. For less than $10 bucks, this is an awesome addition to my keychain. This IS NOT a Leatherman. Its NOT a swiss army knife. Don't expect it to be able to fit every screw in your house or use it to pry open a bank vault. It is what its advertised to be, all the functions work well (haven't tried wire stripper). Be realistic on what you will get out of this. I see a lot of reviews where people complain that it didn't fit some screw etc. If you are doing home repairs, use a real screwdriver set. If you want to have something on your keys to open beers, tighten an occasional screw or pry off a lid, this little guy will be your friend Detailed Review Bottle opener: very stable, so much better than those free ones the you get from beer companies. No problems opening any bottles, even the annoying hard to open Modelo bottles. I don't foresee this opener breaking like all the little cheapies do. Its also slimmer than those little bottle openers, which is nice when you don't want a thick wad in your pocket. Screwdrivers: Phillips head is the best one, its got a little length to it, so lets you work with the deeper screws nicely. The two flathead screwdrivers are decent, and I was able to turn a nice amount of screws with them. However, neither set will work with every screw you have. Think about your screwdriver set, you have about 6 sizes for each shape. Pry Bar: pretty strong for how small it is. It'll do jobs bigger than you expect, like opening a can of paint with no problem. A little awkward to use at first because you may be worried it'll snap, but it surprised me. Wire Stripper: Look okay, I haven't tried it, I can't imagine that it'll blow me away, and it looks like you would need to be very patient to use this feature. Keychain hole: I thought it looked huge at first, but I will say that its pretty great. The size allows it to more freely on any keychain. EXTRA USE: Its not listen, but with the two flat head screwdrivers being being on a curved end of the tool and being a little sharp, you can use it as a tiny fork. I would never try to eat a full meal with it, but if you are in a bind, it will definitely do the trick. Got a hot piece of meat on the grill that you don't want to burn yourself on and your grill tools aren't next to you? Yes you can. Warning: How clean is it in your pocket?

Great little tool to have in a pinch. Slot screwdrivers work well for screws requiring low-torque. Wire stripper is good though you need to make a couple jabs for it to grab the insulation. The Philips screwdriver has a very pointy tip, which causes it to bottom out in the screw such that it cams out too easily. It's probably made for #0 screws in small electronics. However, a little work with a file or grinder to blunt the tip gets it so that it will work well with #1 and #2 Phillips screws. The bottle opener works well, though I have to pry up in one spot, then pry again in another spot about 45 degrees away. No biggie, as it only takes a few extra seconds. When on a keychain it does tend to poke while in my pocket. Now the kicker: This is billed as "airline safe" and I see no reason why it wouldn't be. No edges to cut or sharp points to stab someone. But on a recent trip, the TSA agent spotted it in the Xray, pulled me aside and claimed it could be used as a weapon. I just wanted to get to my flight and I wasn't in the mood to argue over a $6 tool when it was clear she wanted the thing, so I let it go. My suspicions were confirmed a few moments later when I looked over my shoulder and saw her slide the Shard into her pocket. Yeah, you win. Of course, this is by no means a fault of Gerber, and I won't dock any stars over this aspect, as they have no control over who might want to swipe their product. What happened to me does speak to the Shard's coolness factor, as the TSA agent clearly coveted the device. I'll have to order another and keep it in my checked bag.

This is an excellent tool, but I don't find it convenient as a keychain tool, which is ostensibly its purpose. What I want in a keychain tool is something that easily opens boxes and bottles, that is not heavy, not bulky, and won't poke me in the leg if I wear skinny jeans. This item doesn't really fill any of those requirements. Obviously it will open a cardboard box, but so will my fingers - the pry side of it doesn't seem to have the right angle to make opening a box convenient. The pointy side would work, but since the keys are attached on that side, I can't find a convenient way to hold it. That also makes the Phillips screw driver (the intended purpose of the pointy side) difficult to use when it's attached to keys. The bottle opener isn't particularly easy to use either, and sometimes it chips the glass. And the pry shape makes it bulky on my keychain, and uncomfortable in my pocket. But I'm still giving it four stars because it is a high quality and useful tool, as long as you keep it off a keyring. It is sturdy, small, and the prybar comes in handy remarkably often. It is also the best Phillips head screw driver I have seen on any small tool. I was trying to unscrew a cheap tiny Phillips screw using first the Phillips head on my Leatherman Squirt (it is one of the flat ones that a lot of pocket tools use), and then using a traditional mini screwdriver (which has admittedly seen better days). The screw was getting increasingly stripped, until I switched to my Shard, which removed and then replaced the screw easily. I have also used it on full sized screws, with similar results. In conclusion, if you want a handy tool to throw in a bag, this is great. If you have similar needs to me when it comes to a keychain tool, I still haven't found a better shape than the Leatherman Brewzer, although I prefer the price and carabiner feature of the Nite Ize DoohicKey.

Your opinion of this product may well be dictated by what you intend on using it for and how well it performs that task (or tasks). For me, I was looking for a bottle opener that I could carry on my key chain, as there have been several instances where I've needed one but one wasn't at hand. With that in mind, my expectations were pretty low about how useful this item would be but I would say that it has exceeded my expectations. If you've ever found yourself in one of those "oh, if only I had this or that, I could fix it" situations (and who hasn't) then you may well find this "tool" useful. I hesitate to call it a tool outright because it's not exactly going to find it's way into every professional contractor's toolbox (or pocket) but it certainly has it's uses for a variety of day-to-day tasks (although by the basic dictionary definition it is a tool). In terms of what I wanted to use it for, bottle opening, it performs well enough. It's just about long enough to give you adequate leverage and while it might not be the cleanest at removing tops, or the most elegant, it works. What makes me appreciate this tool more though are the other uses. I've already used the screwdriver heads (both Phillips and flat) and they work well enough if you're caught in a situation without access to a real screwdriver. I'd mirror the mild complaints about the flat head screwdrivers not being quite right, as the primary function of those two heads is as a pry-bar. As such they seem a little off-kilter when screwing with. I'm not so taken with the Phillips head but perhaps I just haven't found the sweet spot in terms of screw head size that it works with. I was thinking it might be useful for removing battery compartments from toys but I've had limited success (I've actually had more success with the flat heads for that task even with Phillips head screws). Other reviews have praised the usefulness of the Phillips head screwdriver so I'll give it the benefit of the doubt. I haven't used the pry-bar feature yet but opening cans of paint immediately springs to mind. I very much doubt I'd be using this to strip wires (I make a bad job of that with the best of tools) but again I suppose you never know when you might need it (and let's face it, if it's a situation where you get to show off your hidden MacGyver talents who wouldn't be up for that?). Calling the lanyard hole a "use" is pushing it a bit in my opinion but nevertheless, the large hole does make it easy to attach to your key chain. I had concerns that I might be stabbing myself regularly in the thigh while carrying this thing in my pocket but that has proved unfounded so far, I don't know the thing is there (until I actually need it of course). Overall the product seems well made; the black finished steel gives me a sense that it's durable and will stand the test of time. It's not overly bulky (3/4" or 2cm longer than my longest key, at about 2.75" or 7cms long), just the right size to be useable even with sausage fingers and weighty enough that it doesn't feel like it's about to snap without feeling excessively heavy. I certainly don't look at the product and feel that anything destined to break on it any time soon (like you sometimes do with cheap pocket knives). I'm a little skeptical that I'd get this thing past airport security without a fuss but I have no first-hand experience of that yet. Perhaps if I offer to open a bottle of beer for them I'll be good to go. I'm happy with my purchase but as I said, my expectations were low because I was really only interested in one particular feature and so it was perhaps easier for my expectations to be exceeded.

I love the concept of Every Day Carry (EDC), and I was brought up to have something like this in my pocket on a daily basis, but I'm also a minimalist: I don't like having a pocket full of gadgets or things on my belt. At least not in Every Day situations (I'm totally up for it in the backcountry). So when I read reviews of this device, I was compelled to give it a shot because it was (1) TSA compliant (verified; I've taken it through airport security), and (2) size and weight. If I was going to satisfy my minimalist side, this thing had to be simple and lightweight, but for it to survive in my pocket, it also had to be at least somewhat useful. With that in mind, I added it to my keychain and waited. Surprisingly, I've used it a LOT recently, and it has earned a place on my EDC. My first few interactions were when I needed something sharp. Although this doesn't have a knife or blade, the edge of the pry bar is flat and sharp, and I'm able to drag it along packages I need to open. The same is true for the philips head at the other side. It's just pointy enough that you can use it for simple puncturing and cutting. I don't know if this is all be design or chance, but it's enough for my purposes. I could certainly find a use for a blade (for example, cutting of paper), but if they put on on there, then I'm going to need a cover/sheath of some sort, and that adds weight and bulk. So I guess I'm okay with the way this works now. The prybar has proved useful too, even as small as it is. I've used it a couple of times to pull out staples or tacks/nails, and it does well. What surprised me the most was the philips head. We were moving our kid into college and had brought along a toolbox and assembled everything in the dorm. Then on the last day, we bought a last-minute vacuum and took it to the room. I thought it would be pre-assembled, but found it had four screws that had to be installed. I could have gone back to the garage and got my tools, but thought I'd give the Shard a try. Surprisingly, the philips head was able to turn the screws, and even when they got into a tight spot against the handle, I was still able to get the screws all the way tight using JUST the Shard. I won't say it was super easy, but the relevant point was that it worked just fine. This pretty much sold me on the utility of its EDC and position in my pocket. Where other small multi-tools haven't survived in my pocket, I think this one is going to make it. By the way, I am a huge fan of Gerber devices (mostly blades) and super excited to see that this is now EDC for me. My only complaint is that the black metal coating is quickly wearing off of the Shard due to having it on my keyring. I guess this fairly expected, but it's kind of disappointing to see it wearing off so soon. I'll have to see how it looks after the year mark. Overall, though, I'm very impressed with this device!

Contrary to some other reviewers, I think this little tool hits the mark for every one of its advertised uses. Moreover, it's truly keychain-ready: I weighed the key of my truck (just a regular key, not a fancy one with remote keyless entry built in) and my key weighed 17.9 grams. The Gerber Shard weighed 20 grams. And, the truck key is just a tad longer than the Shard. So, it really is something you'll use and carry, not something to lay aside somewhere and not be able to find when you need it, or keep in the console of your vehicle where it isn't always at hand. That's significant because you can find dozens and dozens of multi-tools (I own several, in fact) but if they're not with you and you're going to have to go get them, you might as well just go get the actual purpose-designed tool from your toolbox and forget the multi-tool. Okay, so how does the Shard work: 1. Wire-stripper: reasonably well if you understand that the best technique for using it is to press it straight down into the insulation just until you feel it contact the conductor part of the wire, then withdraw the tool, turn the wire over, repeat at a different position to score the insulation all the way around, and then slide the insulation off using your fingernail to slide it off, not the tool, to avoid damaging the wire. (If this is hard to visualize just think of how an actual wire stripper removes insulation and use this tool to perform the same type of action.) The people who claim this doesn't work as a wire-stripper may be trying to whittle the insulation off with it, which isn't how you strip insulation off wire unless you want to damage the actual conductor. Also given the size of the tool you're probably limited to no bigger than AWG 12 wire or so. But, you know what, if you're rewiring your barn you might want to invest in an actual wire stripper that has special places to strip each gauge. The Shard is for those times when you need to put a new plug on a lamp or extension cord and you don't have all your other tools around. And, I know it works for that exact repair because I did it, using no other tool but the Shard as both a wire stripper and screwdriver. Screwdrivers (3): better than some on advanced multi-tools owing to the small size and maneuverability of this compact item. You can not get a monstrous amount of leverage though for the same reason, so it's not going to work if the screw is super tight. The Shard's Phillips driver worked great for tightening some loose screws on a family member's screen door. Also very appropriate for minor electronic repair, such as removing the case from a computer. Flathead drivers (2) give a nice sizing variety and seem to fit a lot of commonly-seen screws. Bottle opener: pretty straightforward, no complaints. Does tend to distort the cap some on some bottles so it's sometimes better to use the opener in two different positions, making it a two-step operation. Minor issue, for certain. Prying: works great as long as the size of this tool gives you adequate leverage. Way better (and safer) than messing up your knives or screwdrivers by using them to pry. Lanyard hole: okay, calling this a "use" of the tool, as Gerber does, may be a stretch, but this ability to slip it right on your keychain is what makes it so valuable. Maybe they should replace the hole with a standard or metric wrench size/shape and then you have a bona fide seventh use, plus it doubles as a lanyard hole. In the overall picture, every single claimed function of this tool works great - and it's the size and weight of a key, and only costs a few bucks. The Gerber Shard is an outstanding, worthy little tool that everyone should own.

Honestly, people giving this less than three stars are pretty ridiculous. Reading through the one star reviews were laughable, one person was actually trying to make a point that you should just go with this other option, which was five times as much. Seriously people, how do you give this a negative review unless you really had no clue what you were buying. "No worries, I won't read the description, or pay attention to the fact that it's $6" As far as the tools, I was able to re-assemble my gear shifter in my car one day when it decided to suddenly come apart. I've been able to open cans and bottles with ease, I've pried at crap and screwed in loose screws in the stalls at random public restrooms. I think people underestimate the tools included, but if they don't it's $6.00 and the size of a key!!! Also, the finish is great. Pros: Useful, handy, great size, inexpensive, awesome Cons: None at all Overall, people need to stop expecting the world from products. Sometimes if you're spending a couple bucks for something, you might not be able to to climb a mountain with it. It's sure saved me in numerous cases and it fits on my keychain. UPDATE (2015-05-08): I've owned this little baby for over a year now, and since I've bought a couple more for myself and for various family members. I now know probably a dozen people that carry these on them on a daily basis and each of which has come insanely in handy. A quick update on the shard: the finish has worn amazingly, it has a very nice patina going and I love it. I've since tried a couple of other pocket multi-tools and none of them are built this stout. I have another one I carry that has a ruler on it, and that's seriously the most useful part, the bottle opener sucks and the screw-driver end is far too large. The Shard still has the spot in my mind for best pocket tool, and really the bottle opener is fantastic!

Always passes airport security, easy to carry and has come useful a few times.

I expected this to be handy, it's more useful than I thought it would be. I've only had it 4 days but I've already used it to work Philips head screws (including accessing a loose indicator bulb on my car while in the middle of nowhere), tighten a loose mic holder mid-gig, open a couple of beers and pry some short nails. I'm a musician and recording engineer, both jobs involve me hauling a lot of gear around, and working to tight time margins. Having this in my pocket has already saved me a couple of trips to my car for a proper screwdriver, and a couple of trips from the couch to the kitchen for a proper bottle opener (there's a Rugby World Cup on, dontcha know). I'm not a tradesman. I'm not drilling into walls, cutting sheet metal or sawing through 2x4s while on a gig. I just need small, capable tools that'll do the job well enough, without adding much weight or bulk to the pile of gear I'm already hauling around. Between this and the Leatherman Surge that lives in my cable bag (the Surge is too big and heavy to keep in a pocket), I've got pretty much all the hand tools I find myself needing while out and about. Obviously, neither are replacements for the full size hand tools they share functions with. However, the Shard is excellent to have on a key chain for those simple little jobs when you don't have your tool box at hand. When I'm doing something that requires real tools, I use real tools. I'd assumed the Philips driver would be pokey in the pocket, but I've not noticed this thing on my keychain at all (my keychain also has a car key, some house keys, a drum key and a small pill box containing ear plugs, all hanging off a locking carabiner for quick removal). I was deciding between this and the Leatherman Brewzer. I'm very pleased I went with the Gerber Shard, it costs less and seems to do more. It's smaller than it looks from the photos online, but it's well designed and fits surprisingly well in my XL hands. I'll probably buy a few more of these to give as presents. Pros: Useful Philips/flat head drivers (these are the winners for me so far) Useful mini pry bar Decent bottle opener (Better than the cheapo aluminium one it replaced) Solid build quality. I don't expect this to fail, ever (it'll take a lot of abuse before the steel is stripped off the Philips driver) Disappears onto your keychain until you need it Comfortable to use, plus the shape of the body lends a surprising amount of torque to the Philips driver Cons: £6+ is a lot for 5p worth of steel The flat-head drivers are too thick for glasses screws (not an issue for me, but it might be for you) Because of the pry bend, it doesn't sit well in pockets on its own

buen producto

In kurzen Worten. Klein, Satbil, massiv, praktisch, unverwüstlich, enorm widerstandsfähig. Immer wieder nützlich. Daumen hoch. Ich bereu den Kauf nicht.

Excellent and handy little pry bar multi tool I immediately put this tool to work the day I received it, I wish I had purchased 2 of them 1 for work to get messed up with oils and one for my personal keys for around the house and yard, the finish may wear quick which is expected when its dangling around on your EDC key chain set up but over all very thick and tough also small size leaves a small foot print on your key chain and bends in well with your key chain gear... If you think you have a lot of gear on your EDC key chain but would really benefit from having a small pry tool this will not add much noticeable weight and won't take up much noticeable space on your in progress or already accumulated EDC key chain! Very happy with it very useful, I love it! I will post more info at a later time in the future when I use more features on it and I will report how it holds up and wears! Just a side note this item arrived with in a few days of ordering and shipped over the weekend very impressed with its arrival time!