Gerber Defender Large Freshwater Fishing Tether

Great design and function. I probably expected a little more metal and less plastic but weight is a an issue.

I don't work a construction job or something heavy, I work a desk job and use this clip to hold my keys. I'm also not fat where the tether is pushing against my body weight, I have it strapped to a thick leather belt and I sit all day, and yet this thing bends considerably, I now can't get it to close any more than what you see in the picture and feel like it's about to snap off. Due It's just thin, cheap metal.I don't see how this could even be remotely effective holding a tool of some kind with rigorous work/activity. I have it holding my security badge for god sake and it can't even last a month without getting all bent out of shape and unusuable.

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.

Great concept. Exactly what I was looking for BUT it’s not well made. Instead of taking this perfect design & using quality material they skimped. Taking what could have been my favorite piece of gear I can’t live without and making something that looks good & functions but I don’t have confidence I’ll get an entire year out of it. I’ve only had it a week and the line is already fraying and getting caught when extended or retracting. It’s very thin and light material leaving me wondering when it’s going to break where as it should have been made from material like all the other retractable gear keepers. I wish I could say I’m confident it isn’t going to disintegrate on me after a few months normal use but I can’t. Great idea, a lot of potential, but made with cheap material. I’d get another one but not at the price. Every other gear keeper I’ve ever owned though not as well designed, cost much less than this and is better made.

I'd read all the reviews for this, good and bad and I opted to get the larger of the two to use as a key holder. However, the security of this thing for your important keys is reliant on both a piece of string and its dubious anchor method and a small aluminium spring (non locking -non secure) carabiner. We all know that if your split-ring twists, a non locking carabiner will open. That's exactly what happened to me and I lost my keys because of it. If you have to use this, then put the split-ring through the finger hole and not the carabiner. Also note that your split-ring is steel and the Gerber is aluminum and over time the steel will wear through the aluminum.Also the belt clip on the back, is very easily bent. Unless you intend to put this on or take it off while putting your belt on or off your pants, this clip will bend and you run the risk of losing the whole thing.I dont recommend this for any purpose other than as a fishing tool and not as a key tool.NOT RECOMMENDED.