Gerber Multi-Tool Stiff Open/Close

[Medic218]

I lost my Gerber and after a week of not being able to find it I got a new one today.
After getting home and cutting into it and messing with it I'm curious if anyone has had a similar experience with a brand new tool....the opening/closing of the handles is a lot tighter than that of my last multi-tool that I had for 6+ years.
Also, the little buttons that you depress to slide the pliers back into the handles while in the closed position seem to be sticking a bit.
Now, like I said, I had my last one for over 6 years but I dont recall ever having either of these difficulties.....but then again that was a long time ago too.
I'm just wondering if this is normal for a brand new Gerber Multi-Tool and if it will loosen up over time/use and end up nice and smooth like the one I loved and lost or if its possibly defective and needs to be returned.
Any info would help.
Here is a link to the model I picked up today....
http://www.gerber-tools.com/Gerber-Mult ... -05500.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[jimlongley]

My first, and second, SOG, and prior multi tools, all were much the same way. For that matter, every pair of: pliers (long nose, needle nose, and regular), side cutters, diagonals, and eight inch pliers, have universally been the same, if they were good quality anyway. A little usage will loosen them up.

[92f-fan]

My expereince is that the tool will loosen with use.
You could always put some gun lube on it to speed the process

I miss the days when the Gerber compacts were available at Walmart for ~$25

[Medic218]

I had been working pn it for a while, opening and closing and prying on it and opening it while in various closed positions, and got it to loosen up considerably but that one button still sticks like a booger!
I think Im gonna take it back and try to get another one and some point today before i go to work

Thanks guys.

[Medic218]

Just a follow up:

I exchanged the first purchase for the same model and the new one is what I was expecting.
The buttons were smooth and easy to compress and while the opening/closing was a bit stiff it was no where near as stiff as the first one.
This tool is what I was lookin for when I bought it.

[jester]

My daddy used to say, "If it wears-in, it'll wear-out." I'm glad you were able to exchange it for one that's good to go straight out of the box.