Defender

Brilliant, sturdy tool - tether.I use it at home to always have a torch on my belt, that I can use without hands - simply turn it on and dangle it from the tether.Also use it in construction those rare times I need to hold a tool.Sturdy and well-made.

I understand that this is marketed towards fishers but you need to think outside the box and I’m surprised Gerber has not done this. I’m using this to control my speed loader so I can load, let go and get back to work. They also work really well on your trauma shears saving you from losing the investment on a great pair. These have tactical applications because the tension bar on the back not only has a lip to secure it over whatever it hooks on to but it’s perfectly spaced to fit in Molle webbing. The colors would have to be changed to a subdued gray or black for those type of tactical applications, the orange stands out on OD green, Black or FDE. The high tension of the lanyard and the material itself would make this incredibly useful as a tripwire. The small filament and the brake that you can apply hold it in place and makes it extremely hard to see. I gave this a five star rating because we sat around at my station testing this and trying it out on different applications and it’s such a universal product. Extremely well-made also.Onto the bad stuff and this has nothing to do with the product itself. The picture you see here is of my second one because I ordered a replacement. The first one did not come with a little ring on the hook that’s advertised and it was dented. The replacement I was sent also did not come with the ring and was already broken apart from the zip ties that holds it to the cardboard hanger. The replacement one was an excellent condition though and I don’t believe that bring it down one star would be fair considering this is an amazing product and had nothing to do with its overall usability.

Solid Little Tether That Just WorksI picked up the Gerber Gear Fishing Tether ‘cause I got tired of droppin’ my pliers in the water. Let me tell you — this thing’s a game changer.It’s got a 48-inch Dyneema cable, which sounds fancy, but all you need to know is it’s strong as heck and doesn’t tangle easy. It keeps your tools close so you’re not diggin’ through your tackle box or watchin’ your gear sink to the bottom of the lake.The clip holds real snug on my vest or belt loop, and there’s a little lanyard hole if you wanna run a strap through it. Ain’t bulky at all — real lightweight, but still feels tough. That anodized aluminum don’t rust either, which is good ‘cause I’m out fishin’ rain or shine.Honestly, it’s just a good piece of gear. Simple, sturdy, and does what it’s supposed to. I’ve used Gerber stuff for years and they haven’t let me down yet. This tether’s no different. If you’re out fishin’ regularly, it’s worth throwin’ in your setup.

I use this as a retractor for my wading staff. It’s held up for several outings in the streams, with exception to the belt clip. The clip is thinner metal that bent when I clipped it to my wading belt.

I already have one of these. I use it with my regular keys. I’ve carried 3 keys on a “split-ring” key-ring on one of these every day for years. Like 4-maybe even 6yrs. The cable that it uses is incredibly reliable. (There’s back and forth toggle-ish switch to lock the cable) . If it gets caught on something as you walk past and it yanks you back. Well as long as you’re not like running, most likely this thing “will” stop you and yank you back. Before breaking. I’ve pretty much done it. But now it seems like it may, “possibly “ be breaking up right where its ring meets the cable. I think that is actually more user error. Sometimes I don’t totally retract the cable and that’s where if it catches on something and yanks it, its yanking against that connection point. Otherwise the ring retracts into the device so usually in that event it acts as one piece. …the ring and the device.

Great item!!!!

I work freight at our local orange big box hardware warehouse, so I'm always in my orange apron while working. Because a bit part of my job is using a razor knife opening boxes, I was constantly digging around in my apron pockets trying to remember which one I put my knife in and fish it out. So, picked this up as a way to hang the knife on my apron pocket and always have it handy. This Gerber Gear Defender really does the trick. It keeps the knife at hand and is available at all times.I've even snagged the knife on things a few times to no ill effect; the spool just ran out near the end and snapped right back. This seems like a good sturdy product and is just a handy as you could want.

I have been using this as a key reel, for which it is almost great.First, the sharp 'lanyard hole' is real uncomfortable if you're wearing it up front and bending basically any amount. After cutting it off, much better.Second, the clip is flimsy. It hasn't broken yet, but it's only a matter of time until it does. I haven't found a fix yet, I'm just crossing my fingers that it doesn't fail (it will).Third, the retention of that little spring bar. It's not great. On several occasions, I reached for a key but it wasn't there. I would find it laying in the driveway, or on the couch, or on the seat of my car, etc. Thankfully I've found most things that it dropped, but one very important key has not been found. Tired of losing my things, I cut the thing down to just a basic ring and have been attaching my keys that way. I haven't lost a single thing since.After these modifications, it is excellent, except for the clip. The fact that the modifications were necessary isn't very excellent. But even then, I'll probably buy another, because it still manages to blow a Keybak out of the water with its strong retention, extra length, button lockout, etc.