Gerber Gear Suspension-NXT 15-in-1 EDC Multi tool with Pocket Knife, Needle Nose Pliers and Wire Stripper Tools, Gifts for Men, Survival and Camping Gear, Stainless Steel

A multitool earns its spot in my pocket by solving small problems quickly. Over several months, the Gerber Suspension-NXT has been that kind of quiet problem-solver for me—capable enough for everyday tasks, slim enough to carry, and straightforward in design.

What you get at a glance

The Suspension-NXT is a 15‑in‑1 stainless steel multitool with the essentials: spring-loaded needle‑nose pliers, wire stripper, a 2.25" partially serrated blade, scissors, awl, nail file, small/medium/large flathead drivers, two Phillips drivers, can and bottle openers, and an integrated locking system for the tools. It uses a butterfly opening, measures 4.25" closed and 6.5" open, weighs 6.4 oz, and comes with a pocket clip and lanyard point.

Those numbers put it squarely in the everyday carry category. It’s lighter and slimmer than heavy-duty shop multitools, but it still feels like a real tool—more robust than the “keychain” class.

Build and ergonomics

The stainless steel chassis is simple and clean. Fit and finish on my sample were solid: even gaps, smooth pivots, and no gritty sensation when opening implements. The skeletonized handles shave weight without feeling flimsy, though there is a tradeoff: the cutouts and squared edges can create pressure points when you really bear down with the pliers. For quick jobs, it’s comfortable; for extended torque, you’ll feel it.

The pocket clip is strong and rides fairly deep, which makes the NXT carry like a big folding knife rather than a pouch-bound multitool. That’s a practical advantage if you want this on you every day rather than in a bag.

All outside tools lock, which is a big deal for safety. The lock is positive and easy to disengage with a thumb press, and I never had an accidental collapse in use. The butterfly action is smooth, and the pliers snap open thanks to the spring, reducing hand fatigue during repetitive tasks.

Pliers and wire work

Pliers make or break a multitool. The Suspension-NXT’s needle‑nose jaws are well aligned and fine enough to grab small hardware, pull staples, and bend light-gauge wire. The integrated cutters handle soft wire and zip ties cleanly; for hardened wire they’ll struggle, which is expected at this size and price.

There’s a dedicated wire stripper notch. It’s not a professional wire tool replacement, but it works for quick field strips on typical household and gear wiring. I’ve used it to fix a trailer light and to splice a low-voltage garden line; in both cases it got me there without nicking conductors once I found the angle it prefers.

Clamping power is good for light to moderate tasks. If you’re accustomed to wrenching on pliers as if they’re a full-size tool, you’ll feel flex earlier here than on burlier multitools. That’s the balance this design chooses: portability over brute force.

Cutting tools

• Partially serrated blade (2.25"): The blade geometry favors utility cuts—cardboard, packaging, cordage, and food prep in a pinch. The serrations chew through rope and plastic strapping, and the plain edge handles push cuts. The stainless steel sharpens easily in the field; edge retention is modest, which I prefer for a tool I tune up frequently. Corrosion resistance has been strong in wet, muddy conditions, especially with a quick wipe-down afterward.
• Scissors: A highlight. They’re springy, sharp, and control well on tasks from trimming paracord ends to snipping fabric tags and first-aid tape. They’re also one of the easiest tools to deploy single-handed while the multitool is closed.
• Awl: Useful for starting pilot holes, punching leather, or venting plastic. It’s stout enough for light prying or scraping though I’d avoid twisting it hard in brittle materials.
• Nail file: Short but genuinely functional for smoothing PVC burrs, tidying a fingernail, or easing sharp edges on 3D prints.

Drivers and openers

Gerber gives you small/medium/large flatheads and two Phillips sizes. The reach is adequate for most fixtures on appliances, bike accessories, and cabinetry hardware. The tools lock, so you can lean on them, but the handles are narrow; long torque sessions aren’t especially comfortable. For quick adjustments and “get-me-by” fixes, the drivers are reliable.

The can and bottle openers are classic patterns. The bottle opener works on the first try; the can opener takes a moment to find the rhythm but does not slip once you’re underway.

Access and workflow

Most implements are accessible from the outside when the pliers are closed. That matters more than it sounds; it means you can grab scissors or the blade without unfurling the whole tool. The nail nicks are generous, and the detents strike a good balance—firm enough to avoid accidental opening but not nail-breakers.

Because everything locks, you can use the blade or a driver without worrying about collapse. The lock releases are reachable even with gloves, which I appreciated during a cold campsite repair.

In the field

A few representative tasks I put the Suspension-NXT through:
- Swapping a cabinet pull: Phillips driver fit well, and the slim body let me get close to the face frame.
- Fixing a bike fender: Needle‑nose pliers aligned the bracket; medium flathead handled the adjustment screw.
- Camp chores: The scissors and blade handled food packaging and twine; the bottle opener was unsurprisingly popular.
- Electrical quick fix: Stripped and reconnected a low‑voltage landscape wire using the stripper notch and pliers.

Across those jobs, the tool felt predictable. It never tried to be a full-size replacement, but it also never left me stranded.

Durability and maintenance

After pocket carry and glovebox time, there’s minimal cosmetic wear. Springs are still snappy and locks are secure. Stainless construction shrugs off moisture well; a drop of light oil in the pivots every so often keeps everything smooth. As with any stainless tool, “rust-resistant” isn’t “rust-proof,” so if it gets a salty bath, rinse and dry it. The included limited lifetime warranty adds peace of mind, though I haven’t had cause to use it.

What could be better

• Edge comfort under load: The skeletonized handles can bite the palm during high-force plier work. Rounding or chamfering the edges more would help.
• Torque ceiling: The slender build prioritizes carry comfort over brute strength; you’ll meet flex earlier than on heavier multitools.
• Blade deployment: It’s secure but not truly one-hand friendly. A thumb stud or hole would speed up access, though it might complicate the slim profile.

None of these are deal-breakers in the EDC context, but they define the boundaries of the tool.

Who it’s for

• Everyday carriers who want a capable, pocketable multitool for frequent light tasks.
• Campers and hikers looking for a compact, stainless option that covers common camp chores.
• Homeowners who want a reliable “first responder” tool in a drawer, glovebox, or range bag.

Who should look elsewhere:
- Tradespeople who routinely torque fasteners or cut hardened wire will be better off with a heavier-duty multitool or dedicated tools.
- Users who need one-handed blade deployment as a requirement.

Recommendation

I recommend the Suspension-NXT as a balanced, budget-friendly EDC multitool that does the everyday jobs well and carries comfortably. It earns that recommendation with a thoughtful tool set, reliable locks, good scissors, practical pliers, and corrosion-resistant construction, all in a slim 6.4‑ounce package that actually disappears in a pocket. It’s not the right pick if you routinely push multitools to the limit or need maximum comfort under prolonged torque, but for the daily stream of fixes, snips, and adjustments, it’s an easy tool to live with and a sensible value.