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Gerber Center-Drive vs Center-Drive Plus

2 tools, measured the same way from the same sources. 23 of 25 rows read the same on all of them; the ones that differ are what follows. A rust value is the better one in that row, grey is the worse, and a dash means we have not verified the field rather than that the tool lacks it.

Only the Center-Drive has plain-edge knife. The edge is plain on the Center-Drive and combination on the Center-Drive Plus. At list price the Center-Drive is $25 cheaper: $154.99 against $179.99 for the Center-Drive Plus.

Specifications last verified 2026-09-30.

Comparing
2 of 357
Gerber Center-Drive
Gerber
269 g · — tools
Gerber Center-Drive Plus
Gerber
269 g · — tools
Size & weight
Weight
269 g
269 g
Closed length
119.4 mm
119.4 mm
Width
—
—
Thickness
—
—
Tools & blade
Tool count
—
—
Blade steel
420HC
420HC
Blade length
82.6 mm
82.6 mm
Ownership
MSRP
$154.99
$179.99
Cost per tool
—
—
Manufacturer
Gerber
Gerber
Availability
In production
In production
Tools
Pliers
✓
✓
Needlenose pliers
✓
✓
Wire cutters
✓
✓
Knife
✓
✓
Plain-edge knife
✓
—
Serrated knife
✓
✓
Screwdriver
✓
✓
Phillips screwdriver
✓
✓
Flathead screwdriver
✓
✓
Bit driver
✓
✓
Bottle opener
✓
✓
Scissors
✓
✓
File
✓
✓
Awl
✓
✓
Verdict
Buy if it is the cheaper of the two at $154.99.
Nothing in the measured fields separates it from the other. Pick on feel, or on a tool the other has and it does not.
Verdicts are built from the measured fields only. They are conditional by design: which tool wins depends on what you are carrying it for.

Where they differ

Tools

Only the Center-Drive has plain-edge knife.

Sources: Center-Drive: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26), Center-Drive Plus: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26)

Blade

The edge is plain on the Center-Drive and combination on the Center-Drive Plus.

Sources: Center-Drive: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26), Center-Drive Plus: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26)

Price and availability

At list price the Center-Drive is $25 cheaper: $154.99 against $179.99 for the Center-Drive Plus.

Sources: Center-Drive: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26), Center-Drive Plus: gerbergear.com (checked 2026-08-26)

What they share

Both carry needlenose pliers, carbide wire cutters, wire stripper, serrated knife, bit driver, flathead screwdriver, phillips screwdriver, pry bar, nail puller, bottle opener, awl, file, combination-edge knife, scissors.

What reviewers say

Points raised by at least two independent reviewers on YouTube or Reddit, with how many made each one. The quotes behind every point are on the product pages.

Gerber Center-Drive

5 independent reviewers. All quotes

  • ✓ Overall tool design and build quality are high 5
  • ✓ Center drive screwdriver is well-designed and easy to use 3
  • ✓ Knife is large and sharp 3
  • − Tool is bulky and takes up pocket space 2

Gerber Center-Drive Plus

No point was repeated by independent reviewers yet.

Questions

Which is better, the Center-Drive or the Center-Drive Plus?

Choose the Center-Drive if price matters (it is $25 cheaper at list price) or you prefer a plain edge.

Is the Center-Drive worth it?

The Center-Drive lists at $154.99. Among 5 independent reviewers, the most repeated praise is "Overall tool design and build quality are high" (5 of 5), and the most repeated criticism is "Tool is bulky and takes up pocket space" (2 of 5).