I like being prepared, but I hate carrying weight I don’t need. A multi-tool that fits on a keychain and is still useful sounded ideal, and the Gerber Dime, tiny with a long list of tools, looked like it. I wanted to know whether it’s a gimmick or something I’d use for the small jobs that come up at home or out bush. So I put it on my keys and carried it for a few weeks.
What’s in the box
A compact keychain multi-tool with 12 functions, including spring-loaded pliers, a knife blade, scissors and a package opener.
What we like
- Extremely compact and light (68 g)
- 12 tools in a tiny package
- Always-accessible bottle opener
- Spring-loaded pliers are great
- Sturdy stainless steel construction
What we don’t
- Tools can be stiff to open
- Retail opener isn't very useful
- Small tools limit its utility
Quick Specs
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Gerber |
| Material | 3Cr13 Stainless Steel |
| Colour | Black |
| Weight | 62.3 g |
| Folded length | 7 cm |
| Length | 10.8 cm |
| Tools | 12 (Pliers, Wire Cutter, Blade, File, Scissors, etc.) |
First look
The first thing I noticed about the Gerber Dime is how small it is. It fits in the palm of my hand and disappears in a pocket or on a keyring. It still feels solid: the stainless steel gives it some weight, and the black finish looks tough.
It opens butterfly-style, and the tools snap out firmly. Some tools can be reached from the outside, like the bottle opener and the package opener, which is a nice touch. The pliers are spring-loaded, a real bonus on a tool this size. The knife and scissors were a bit stiff to get out at first, but they loosened up with use.
Materials & Build QualityMaterials & Build Quality
The Gerber Dime is made of sturdy stainless steel, so it won’t rust easily, even carried every day. The pliers and other tools feel strong enough for the small jobs it’s made for. The hinges are tight and don’t wobble.
The quality is what I expect from Gerber: every part feels well made. It’s not a heavy-duty tool for big repairs, but it should stand up to a lot of use. I did cut my hand on the blade while fumbling with it, which tells you how sharp it is out of the box.
Ergonomics & WeightErgonomics & Weight
At 68 g and 7 cm long when closed, the Gerber Dime is one of the easiest multi-tools to carry that I’ve used. On my keyring I barely noticed it. That’s its best feature: you have a tool with you all the time.
The small size cuts both ways. For quick jobs like opening a box or tightening a screw, it’s perfect, and the spring-loaded pliers are comfortable for their size. But the tools and their handles are very small, which makes it awkward to use for long. It’s for quick fixes, not for work that needs leverage.
Performance & FeaturesPerformance & Features
For such a small multi-tool, the Gerber Dime does a lot. The spring-loaded needle nose pliers are the best tool on it: they make it easy to grab and move small things. The wire cutters work well on thin wire. The blade is short but very sharp, good for opening packages or cutting string.
The package opener is a clever idea: a blade shaped to slice through plastic clamshell packaging without the risk of cutting yourself. In practice, though, it’s the one tool I never found myself needing. The scissors are small but sharp enough for thread or paper, and the file, tweezers and drivers all do small jobs as expected.
All 12 tools, grouped. Hover over a tool, or tap it on a phone, to see what it’s for.
Vs other multitools
We’ve reviewed three other multitools that compete for the pocket. The Gerber Suspension-NXT is Gerber’s slim full-size tool, with spring pliers too and a pocket clip; the Roxon M2 is a mini with driver bits; and the Bosch 16-in-1 is a cheaper full-size tool. The Dime is by far the smallest and lightest.
This one Gerber Dime |  Bosch 16-in-1 |  Suspension-NXT |  Roxon M2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carry | Keyring size | Pouch | Pocket clip | Clip and pouch |
| ToolsTools (functions) Victorinox counts for each model. | 12 | 16 | 15 | 14 |
| Weight | 68 g | 280 g | 196 g | 132 g |
| Price paid | $38 | $32 | $73 | $44 |
| Our score | 8.8 | 9.0 | 8.7 | 9.2 |
Conclusion: Gerber Dime Multi-ToolConclusion
The Gerber Dime fits a lot of tools into a tiny package. It’s not for big repairs, but as something you carry every day it saves you from plenty of small annoyances, from opening packages to tightening a loose screw. The tools can be stiff to open and their small size limits what they can do. It’s well made in stainless steel, and you’ll be glad to have it with you, in town or on the trail.
A lot of tools in a tiny package you'll be glad to have on you.
At 68 g on the keyring, its twelve tools and spring-loaded pliers handle small jobs, from opening packages to tightening a loose screw. The tools can be stiff to open, and they're too small for bigger repairs.
- Everyday carry
- Campers
- Travellers
Yes, for the keyring. Twelve tools and spring-loaded pliers in 68 g is handy to have on you every day. The tools are stiff to open and too small for bigger jobs.
