The Gerber MP600 is the multitool on a soldier's belt. Its signature is the plier head that slides out the front and locks with a flick of the wrist, one-handed, and it has been doing that for two decades on military and law enforcement duty belts. It is made in the USA, comes in a bladeless version for bases and job sites that ban blades, and costs a fraction of a Leatherman Arc. This review covers what it does well, what it does not, and how to carry it.
Gerber MP600 specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tools | 14 |
| Plier deployment | One-hand, out-the-front, flick to lock |
| Closed length | About 5 inches |
| Weight | About 9 ounces |
| Made in | USA (Portland, Oregon) |
| Versions | Standard and bladeless |
| Street price | Roughly $75 to $90; confirm on the listing |
The one-hand pliers
Hold the closed MP600, flick your wrist, and the plier head slides out of the frame and locks. Flick again to retract. It is faster than any butterfly-frame multitool and it works with a gloved hand, which is why the MP600 has stayed on duty belts long after newer tools arrived. The pliers themselves are needle-nose with wire cutters, and they lock solidly.
The rest of the tools
The inside tools, a blade, a saw, files, drivers, and openers, are butterfly-style and open with two hands. They are functional rather than refined, and the fit and finish is a step below Leatherman. What you are paying for is the plier deployment, the USA build, and the price.
Bladeless
The bladeless MP600 keeps the pliers and drivers and drops the knife, which makes it carry-legal on bases, in courthouses, and on job sites with blade bans. It shares the standard MP600's body, so it fits the same sheath.
Carrying it
Gerber's nylon pouch has a flap, and a flap defeats a one-hand tool. Our kydex sheath for the MP600 holds it by the frame with a click and lets you draw and flick the pliers in one motion. With the Tek-Lok clip it mounts on a duty belt up to 2.25 inches.
MP600 vs Leatherman Wave+
The Wave+ has better inside tools, outside-accessible blades, and finer finish. The MP600 has faster pliers, a bladeless option, and a lower price. If you deploy pliers fifty times a day with one hand, the Gerber wins. If you use the whole toolset, the Leatherman does.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Gerber MP600 made in the USA?
Yes, in Portland, Oregon.
Does the bladeless MP600 fit the same sheath?
Yes. It shares the standard MP600 body.
How does the plier deployment work?
Flick the wrist and the plier head slides out the front and locks. Flick again to retract.
Is the MP600 better than a Leatherman?
For one-hand pliers and price, yes. For overall tool quality, the Leatherman Wave+ is more refined.
Can I carry it on a duty belt?
Yes, with a kydex sheath and the Tek-Lok clip.
The bottom line
The MP600 is the tactical multitool that earns its reputation on the pliers alone. Carry it in a sheath that lets the flick work.
Related reading
Best sheath for the Gerber MP600
The best made-in-USA multitools
The best Gerber multi-tool sheaths by model
