The most widely used stainless steels for Gerber multi-tools are 420HC stainless steel and ATS-34 stainless steel. Both of these steels are designed with different percentages of certain key elements. 420HC steel offers good corrosion resistance, and knives made out of this steel retain a sharp edge well. This type of steel contains more carbon than 420 steel. ATS-34 steel is very hard but not very stain-resistant and not as resistant to corrosion as 420HC steel.
420HC and ATS-34 stainless steels are composed of different percentages of certain elements. 420HC steel contains about 13 percent chromium, 0.46 percent carbon, 0.30 percent vanadium, 0.40 percent manganese and 0.40 percent silicon. ATS-34 steel contains about 14.0 percent chromium, 1.05 percent carbon, 4.0 percent molybdenum, 0.40 percent manganese, 0.35 percent silicon, 0.02 percent sulfur and 0.03 percent phosphorus. All steels contain a majority percentage of iron as a base.
Carbon is the most important hardening element in steel. Added to steel, it not only increases material hardness but also increases steel's tensile strength, edge retention and resistance to wear. Chromium increases the corrosion-resistant properties of steel. This element also increases tensile strength, toughness and resistance to wear. Stainless steels typically contain a minimum 13 percent chromium in their construction. Manganese and molybdenum also increases steel's wear resistance, tensile strength and hardness. Molybdenum helps steel retain its strength at high temperatures. Phosphorus and sulfur improve steel's machinability. Silicon can also increase steel's tensile strength. Vanadium increases the strength of steel and increases resistance to shock impact.
Gerber manufactures several different types of multi-tools. The "Diesel" multi-tool features 14 components including a fine-edge knife, serrated knife, bottle opener, scissors, wire cutters and file. The "Grappler" features 12 components including a flat screwdriver, small ruler, bottle opener, wire cutters, nail puller, flat knife and a serrated knife. Gerber's "MP600 Basic" features 14 components such as a flat and serrated knife, Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers, lanyard ring, bottle opener, can opener and wire cutters. The "Curve" is one of Gerber's smaller multi-tools. It is equipped with seven components such as a Phillips-head screwdriver, large and medium flat screwdrivers, bottle opener and file.