Gerber Dime Butterfly Open Fine-Edge Multitool
Last updated: June 2, 2023
We looked at the top Multitools and dug through the reviews from some of the most popular review sites. Through this analysis, we've determined the best Multitool you should buy.
Product Details
In our analysis of 124 expert reviews, the Gerber Dime Butterfly Open Fine-Edge Multitool placed 22nd when we looked at the top 22 products in the category. For the full ranking, see below.From The Manufacturer
We took the standard keychain multi-tool and made it better. In addition to stainless steel pliers, wire cutters, a fine edge blade, spring-loaded scissors, flathead screwdriver, crosshead driver, tweezers and file, the Dime includes a unique blade designed to safely cut and score plastic packaging and a bottle opener that is exposed even when the tool is closed. Compact and lightweight, the Dime is the most valuable change you’ll find in your pocket.
Our Expert Consultant
Vicki Liston
Home Improvement Expert
Home Improvement Expert
Vicki Liston writes, produces, and narrates “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement and DIY show of unique project tutorials for the casual DIY’er.
Home improvement and all things DIY have been Liston’s passion since she bought her first house in 2007 and she started making video blogs in 2014. She’s performed hundreds of DIY projects, from small ones to major, wall-smashing renovations and can teach you how to make a trendy DIY barn door for cheap. The proceeds earned from “On The Fly…DIY” are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations.
Expert Reviews
What reviewers liked
The Gerber Dime is smaller than a Bic lighter, yet capable and satisfying to use. Designed to attach to a keyring, it contains a great selection of useful tools, including scissors, pliers, a bottle opener, a knife, two screwdrivers and a clamshell cutter (for safely slicing open retail packaging).
Check out that package opener blade. I like that there’s a dedicated blade for slicing through plastic packaging and tape. That way you don’t get your regular knife blade all sticky with tape residue.
The bottle opener of the Gerber is larger and easier to access than the bottle opener on the Squirt.
The Gerber Dime Multi-Tool has been developed with the latest technology, so it comes with advantages that other models don’t have. One of them has to be a very small case that is compact and practical at the same time. In addition, it is very easy to use and it is based on the butterfly opening. The size is small and it has been carefully chosen in order to make this model even better. As the end result, it is 4.25 inches long and it weighs only 2.2 ounces. This makes it perfect when it comes to portable use, so this model is great to carry in a pocket.
The Gerber Dime comes in Black, Green, Red, or Purple . . . except the Green and Red versions only sport color on one half of the handle. The other half is black. Overall, the fit-and-finish is pretty solid.
Gerber managed to stuff a lot into such a small, lightweight package.
The Gerber dime is one of the best multi tools when looking for something compact and lightweight to fit in your pocket. The tool must nicely fit in your pocket and not cause any problems when traveling.
This will be able to fit easily into your pocket as it is not too heavy and not too long either. It has a butterfly opening which will make it very easy to use.
This multi tool is very ergonomic and convenient to use. The small dimensions (4” x 2.8” x 0.6”) and light weight (2 ounces) make it portable and accessible no matter where you go. You can go camping or picnicking and have all necessary tools right at hand. Gerber 30-000469 Dime Multi-Tool is attached to the ring that can be hung right to your key tag. This way there won't be a chance of leaving the tool in a different bag or pants.
The Dime is different, it’s a small handy piece that’s often carried as a keychain and that’s why style and colors matter.This micro-tool comes in 5 rich colors – from stylish-all black to purple, which makes it a great choice if you are looking for an original gift for wife/girlfriend.
The scissors on the Dime are small but effective. They cut through paper reasonably well.
All implements aside from the pliers are accessible without unfolding the tool. Nothing on the tool locks, but the springs are secure without being too tight- Everything opens easy enough.
Designed to cut safely and score plastic packaging and a bottle opener.
Retail package opener: This one is a winner. No, I’m serious. This tool (though it’s not terribly sharp) is the best thing the Dime has going for it. It’s good for opening those clam-shell packages we all hate, where the sharp edges can slice into your fingers. I’d love to see this feature incorporated into more multi-tools.
That bubble package opener I mentioned is simply fantastic. I had heard it was really good, and that’s why I bought the tool — but it’s better than really good. It tears through a bubble package with ease, and control. Never will you feel like you are are about to cut your hand off, or be frustrated with those packages again.The size is also amazing. This is really why the Dime is so popular: it’s the perfect size. It can fit in your pocket, and yet still be large enough to be useful.
The scissors are surprisingly good despite their size.
What reviewers didn't like
But the knife blade doesn’t lock, as is typical of tools its size, and its pliers make better tweezers than the actual tweezers it includes.
Note that the blade does not lock in place when in use.
The other tools of the Dime are similarly compromised. Torque hard on the screwdrivers and we can't guarantee your results.
In the closed position, the Gerber Dime has a flathead screwdriver and a flat, edged “crosshead” driver, which is like half of a phillips screwdriver bit. It works all right, but for serious multitool needs, it doesn’t work as well as the more dedicated phillips heads you get in full-size multitools.
The Dime, with its handy plastic clamshell opener, came packaged in (you guessed it) a plastic clamshell. I nearly gave up before I even started.
The materials used in the construction are not great as in most multi-tools
The variety of tools is not really big in this Gerber multi tool keychain.
Dropped it while working on small ladders; pliers broke. Now I am waiting to see if my clumsiness is under warranty.
It feels cheap because it is cheap, coming in at a tiny fraction of the price of a full size multi tool.
The Philips driver is acceptable, but not great. It is two dimensional, short and includes a file.
The biggest issues with the Gerber Dime that we find the pliers back spring break easily with little pressure because the metal used is too soft. They can be accessed simply but need two hands to open.
My perception of the Dime was shattered the moment I removed it from the packaging. While it retained its trademark looks, I was immediately struck by the cheapness of its fit and finish. The shiny, metal gleam present in so many of its portraits was absent, dulled by some sort of cheap, factory goo coating each of its twelve tools. As I ran my thumb over the center seam, it became immediately apparent that the two halves of the tool were misaligned.
The knife blade is terrible, and the pliers are pretty hit and miss. The pliers have a very small area at the tip where they can grab onto finer things, but the diminutive size of the tool means you really reach for these when there are small things to grip.
The packet opener is something I haven’t had the need for and I think it’s design is pretty poor in comparison to the rest of the tools within the Dime. I think that Gerber should of perhaps featured a saw or can opener instead as I feel wither one would be more useful for more people.
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