- Lightweight and airline safe
- Titanium nitride coating for corrosion resistance
- Perfect size with the basics to carry anywhere
- Includes: small and medium flat driver; Philips head driver
- Includes: wire stripper, pry bar, bottle opener, lanyard hole
Don't let its size fool you, the Gerber Shard keychain tool is the perfect companion when you want just the basics. With a shape of its own, the Shard has seven useful functions: small flat driver, medium flat driver, cross driver, pry bar, wire stripper, lanyard hole, and bottle opener. It is light enough to carry on your keychain, but tough and durable enough for everyday use. The Shard is made of stainless steel with a titanium coating, and it measures 2.75 inches. It's backed by a limited lifetime warranty.
By Jared B. Blackburn
Honestly, people giving this less than three stars are pretty ridiculous. Reading through the one star reviews were laughable, one person was actually trying to make a point that you should just go with this other option, which was five times as much. Seriously people, how do you give this a negative review unless you really had no clue what you were buying. "No worries, I won't read the description, or pay attention to the fact that it's $6"
As far as the tools, I was able to re-assemble my gear shifter in my car one day when it decided to suddenly come apart. I've been able to open cans and bottles with ease, I've pried at crap and screwed in loose screws in the stalls at random public restrooms. I think people underestimate the tools included, but if they don't it's $6.00 and the size of a key!!! Also, the finish is great.
Pros:
Useful, handy, great size, inexpensive, awesome
Cons:
None at all
Overall, people need to stop expecting the world from products. Sometimes if you're spending a couple bucks for something, you might not be able to to climb a mountain with it. It's sure saved me in numerous cases and it fits on my keychain.
UPDATE (2015-05-08):
I've owned this little baby for over a year now, and since I've bought a couple more for myself and for various family members. I now know probably a dozen people that carry these on them on a daily basis and each of which has come insanely in handy. A quick update on the shard: the finish has worn amazingly, it has a very nice patina going and I love it. I've since tried a couple of other pocket multi-tools and none of them are built this stout. I have another one I carry that has a ruler on it, and that's seriously the most useful part, the bottle opener sucks and the screw-driver end is far too large. The Shard still has the spot in my mind for best pocket tool, and really the bottle opener is fantastic!
As far as the tools, I was able to re-assemble my gear shifter in my car one day when it decided to suddenly come apart. I've been able to open cans and bottles with ease, I've pried at crap and screwed in loose screws in the stalls at random public restrooms. I think people underestimate the tools included, but if they don't it's $6.00 and the size of a key!!! Also, the finish is great.
Pros:
Useful, handy, great size, inexpensive, awesome
Cons:
None at all
Overall, people need to stop expecting the world from products. Sometimes if you're spending a couple bucks for something, you might not be able to to climb a mountain with it. It's sure saved me in numerous cases and it fits on my keychain.
UPDATE (2015-05-08):
I've owned this little baby for over a year now, and since I've bought a couple more for myself and for various family members. I now know probably a dozen people that carry these on them on a daily basis and each of which has come insanely in handy. A quick update on the shard: the finish has worn amazingly, it has a very nice patina going and I love it. I've since tried a couple of other pocket multi-tools and none of them are built this stout. I have another one I carry that has a ruler on it, and that's seriously the most useful part, the bottle opener sucks and the screw-driver end is far too large. The Shard still has the spot in my mind for best pocket tool, and really the bottle opener is fantastic!
By The_JoE
I had been looking at this for a while as something handy and fun to add to my EDC (everyday carry). The opportunity came up to add it to an order so as to get free shipping and I did it. I wish I had just purchased it sooner! This little guy comes in so handy that when I recently let a friend borrow my keys, I felt naked without it all day.
This is the same thickness as a key except for a slight bend at the end for prying. The metal is very durable and though I've managed to put a few scratches on the black surface, I haven't broken or bent it in the slightest.
This is the same thickness as a key except for a slight bend at the end for prying. The metal is very durable and though I've managed to put a few scratches on the black surface, I haven't broken or bent it in the slightest.
By mikeh
Fits perfectly on my keychain; good little tool for the price. I was really only looking for a better looking bottle opener compared to my old aluminum one. This fits that bill, and adds some useful tools. I would say the pry-bar/straight head is the most useful; aside from the bottle opener of course. The Phillips may be a bit small to actually use on most screw heads.
By Cobracommand
This keychain is a handy mans multi tool that fits perfectly on my keychain! I have used all three of the screw drivers so far and they work great for smaller screws, also the sharp end works great as a box cutter. I use it at work all the time for that. At home I use the tool to open beers. I have yet to use the pry bar but I will probably end up finding a use for it soon. I only have good things to say about this keychain. For people that say that it is too small what were you expecting? This is a slim minimal model that is meant to compact.
By matthew james clites
So I've had this thing for a couple months now and I love it!!!!
I am a custom car audio fabricator so I always have a pocket full of tools I carry a Leatherman surge a couple flashlights a good pen and a shark
And I find myself using the shard for more jobs than not it is simple small elegant and strong!
If you're hesitating about buying one just do it they're inexpensive and you can leave it on your keychain for that just in case moment.
I am a custom car audio fabricator so I always have a pocket full of tools I carry a Leatherman surge a couple flashlights a good pen and a shark
And I find myself using the shard for more jobs than not it is simple small elegant and strong!
If you're hesitating about buying one just do it they're inexpensive and you can leave it on your keychain for that just in case moment.
By Spencer in Seattle
As you can see in my video, I subjected this little multi-tool to a thorough test of its actual viability as a: screw driver, pry tool, and wire stripper. I also subjected it to a bend test, using my bench vice. I did not, however, demonstrate that it's a good bottle opener. It is, but that's no big deal.
Overall, this mini-tool did pretty well in my test. Compared to other mini-tools I tested at the same time, it actually did amazingly well. (Others snapped during my bend test, for instance. This one held strong.) The Shard did bend some when I beat on it with a hammer, but I'm not really surprised.
Now, I'm not saying that this is going to be your favorite tool of all time and that you're going to immediately throw out your full-sized cats paws and crow bars the moment you get this tool. That would be ridiculous. No one is going to throw out their toolbox and replace it just with this. What I am saying, however, is that this little tool might very well get you out of a jam.
The screwdriver works on many phillips-head screws, for instance, and you can actually strip a wire pretty well with this tool. Pulling nails is feasible, depending on the nail and what it's nailed into.
So I'd say that if you carry this little bugger on your key chain, you're not going to regret it and, one day, you actually might just thank your lucky stars that you have it.
This product was not given to me as part of any promotion. I bought it after doing some comparison shopping and this review is entirely the result of my own opinions and use of the product.
Overall, this mini-tool did pretty well in my test. Compared to other mini-tools I tested at the same time, it actually did amazingly well. (Others snapped during my bend test, for instance. This one held strong.) The Shard did bend some when I beat on it with a hammer, but I'm not really surprised.
Now, I'm not saying that this is going to be your favorite tool of all time and that you're going to immediately throw out your full-sized cats paws and crow bars the moment you get this tool. That would be ridiculous. No one is going to throw out their toolbox and replace it just with this. What I am saying, however, is that this little tool might very well get you out of a jam.
The screwdriver works on many phillips-head screws, for instance, and you can actually strip a wire pretty well with this tool. Pulling nails is feasible, depending on the nail and what it's nailed into.
So I'd say that if you carry this little bugger on your key chain, you're not going to regret it and, one day, you actually might just thank your lucky stars that you have it.
This product was not given to me as part of any promotion. I bought it after doing some comparison shopping and this review is entirely the result of my own opinions and use of the product.
By Ken Wickliffe
Contrary to some other reviewers, I think this little tool hits the mark for every one of its advertised uses. Moreover, it's truly keychain-ready: I weighed the key of my truck (just a regular key, not a fancy one with remote keyless entry built in) and my key weighed 17.9 grams. The Gerber Shard weighed 20 grams. And, the truck key is just a tad longer than the Shard. So, it really is something you'll use and carry, not something to lay aside somewhere and not be able to find when you need it, or keep in the console of your vehicle where it isn't always at hand. That's significant because you can find dozens and dozens of multi-tools (I own several, in fact) but if they're not with you and you're going to have to go get them, you might as well just go get the actual purpose-designed tool from your toolbox and forget the multi-tool.
Okay, so how does the Shard work:
1. Wire-stripper: reasonably well if you understand that the best technique for using it is to press it straight down into the insulation just until you feel it contact the conductor part of the wire, then withdraw the tool, turn the wire over, repeat at a different position to score the insulation all the way around, and then slide the insulation off using your fingernail to slide it off, not the tool, to avoid damaging the wire. (If this is hard to visualize just think of how an actual wire stripper removes insulation and use this tool to perform the same type of action.) The people who claim this doesn't work as a wire-stripper may be trying to whittle the insulation off with it, which isn't how you strip insulation off wire unless you want to damage the actual conductor. Also given the size of the tool you're probably limited to no bigger than AWG 12 wire or so. But, you know what, if you're rewiring your barn you might want to invest in an actual wire stripper that has special places to strip each gauge. The Shard is for those times when you need to put a new plug on a lamp or extension cord and you don't have all your other tools around. And, I know it works for that exact repair because I did it, using no other tool but the Shard as both a wire stripper and screwdriver.
Screwdrivers (3): better than some on advanced multi-tools owing to the small size and maneuverability of this compact item. You can not get a monstrous amount of leverage though for the same reason, so it's not going to work if the screw is super tight. The Shard's Phillips driver worked great for tightening some loose screws on a family member's screen door. Also very appropriate for minor electronic repair, such as removing the case from a computer. Flathead drivers (2) give a nice sizing variety and seem to fit a lot of commonly-seen screws.
Bottle opener: pretty straightforward, no complaints. Does tend to distort the cap some on some bottles so it's sometimes better to use the opener in two different positions, making it a two-step operation. Minor issue, for certain.
Prying: works great as long as the size of this tool gives you adequate leverage. Way better (and safer) than messing up your knives or screwdrivers by using them to pry.
Lanyard hole: okay, calling this a "use" of the tool, as Gerber does, may be a stretch, but this ability to slip it right on your keychain is what makes it so valuable. Maybe they should replace the hole with a standard or metric wrench size/shape and then you have a bona fide seventh use, plus it doubles as a lanyard hole.
In the overall picture, every single claimed function of this tool works great - and it's the size and weight of a key, and only costs a few bucks. The Gerber Shard is an outstanding, worthy little tool that everyone should own.
Okay, so how does the Shard work:
1. Wire-stripper: reasonably well if you understand that the best technique for using it is to press it straight down into the insulation just until you feel it contact the conductor part of the wire, then withdraw the tool, turn the wire over, repeat at a different position to score the insulation all the way around, and then slide the insulation off using your fingernail to slide it off, not the tool, to avoid damaging the wire. (If this is hard to visualize just think of how an actual wire stripper removes insulation and use this tool to perform the same type of action.) The people who claim this doesn't work as a wire-stripper may be trying to whittle the insulation off with it, which isn't how you strip insulation off wire unless you want to damage the actual conductor. Also given the size of the tool you're probably limited to no bigger than AWG 12 wire or so. But, you know what, if you're rewiring your barn you might want to invest in an actual wire stripper that has special places to strip each gauge. The Shard is for those times when you need to put a new plug on a lamp or extension cord and you don't have all your other tools around. And, I know it works for that exact repair because I did it, using no other tool but the Shard as both a wire stripper and screwdriver.
Screwdrivers (3): better than some on advanced multi-tools owing to the small size and maneuverability of this compact item. You can not get a monstrous amount of leverage though for the same reason, so it's not going to work if the screw is super tight. The Shard's Phillips driver worked great for tightening some loose screws on a family member's screen door. Also very appropriate for minor electronic repair, such as removing the case from a computer. Flathead drivers (2) give a nice sizing variety and seem to fit a lot of commonly-seen screws.
Bottle opener: pretty straightforward, no complaints. Does tend to distort the cap some on some bottles so it's sometimes better to use the opener in two different positions, making it a two-step operation. Minor issue, for certain.
Prying: works great as long as the size of this tool gives you adequate leverage. Way better (and safer) than messing up your knives or screwdrivers by using them to pry.
Lanyard hole: okay, calling this a "use" of the tool, as Gerber does, may be a stretch, but this ability to slip it right on your keychain is what makes it so valuable. Maybe they should replace the hole with a standard or metric wrench size/shape and then you have a bona fide seventh use, plus it doubles as a lanyard hole.
In the overall picture, every single claimed function of this tool works great - and it's the size and weight of a key, and only costs a few bucks. The Gerber Shard is an outstanding, worthy little tool that everyone should own.
By Parrish Miller
An inexpensive keychain bottle opener that also serves as a screwdriver set and mini-pry bar? What's not to love? I use this on a daily basis and have not had it fail me yet. I carry very little on my key ring, but this is a constant companion.
P.S. So far I have not had any issues with the TSA or courthouse security confiscating it or even questioning it.
P.S. So far I have not had any issues with the TSA or courthouse security confiscating it or even questioning it.
By Rudy Elias Contreras
One of the most useful piece of metal you will ever find. I have it on my keychain and it has come handy plenty of times. Saves your knife from getting all messed up and you will be amazed how many uses you will find for this thing. Strongly recommend this product for every man. Good for everyday carry.
By Armando Cortez
So initially I was just looking for a bottle opener to keep on my keychain and then came upon this nifty little thing.
I can assure you this is is very handy and quite strong as well. I work in retail outdoors and find myself using this all the time. I've only had it a month and use it almost every other day. And not just for the bottle opener either.
The bottle opener works fine, be mindful of where the hook is because sometimes you can chip the glass on the bottle.
The screwdriver tip works better than you'd think.
Flat-Head works okay, a little bit tougher to use than the Phillips head but usable in a pinch.
Pry-bar works excellent, particularly on staples or smaller nails.
The wirestripper I've yet to use so can't comment on that.
I can assure you this is is very handy and quite strong as well. I work in retail outdoors and find myself using this all the time. I've only had it a month and use it almost every other day. And not just for the bottle opener either.
The bottle opener works fine, be mindful of where the hook is because sometimes you can chip the glass on the bottle.
The screwdriver tip works better than you'd think.
Flat-Head works okay, a little bit tougher to use than the Phillips head but usable in a pinch.
Pry-bar works excellent, particularly on staples or smaller nails.
The wirestripper I've yet to use so can't comment on that.
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