Gerber Evo multitool - tested

Quality counts when buying a multitool. And maker Gerber seems able to give its products a premium feel at a fraction of the price of high-end rivals.

Its latest offering is the Evo, which is just as impressive as its Suspension stablemate, which won our Issue 983 test.

As soon as you hold the Gerber, it feels like a top-of-the-range product. The Evo has a reassuring weight as you slip it from the tough nylon belt pouch. Then there are the neat touches we expect from Gerber. The tools open from the outside, so the handles only need to be flipped round when using the pliers – and this means they can have rounded edges, allowing users to apply force comfortably.

On the Evo, the pliers are sprung, too, for easy operation. We also like the way the main blades open one-handed. All tools lock in place, and can be released via a small slider or by opening another blade or bit.

You get serrated and fine-edged knives, a saw, bottle and can openers, scissors plus two flat drivers and one cross-head. Knives and scissors are sharp, while the pliers cut auto wire easily. And although the cross-head slipped on larger fasteners, it was fine on smaller ones.