Does anyone like Gerber?

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I like the pre Fiskars ones. Back then I wasn't a "real" knife nut, just a kid who liked knives. Had a nice gentleman's lockback with brass handle and rosewood inlay which was one of my favorite EDCs. Liked that and my LST. Still have them both.

Ric
 
For years and years my favorite knife was my Gerber LST then I found Blade Forums and got knife religion. :D

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Beckerhead #42
 
For the most part no. Just so many better choices available honestly in a similar price range or for not much more than a Gerber.
 
Gerbers that are worth owning:

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There may be others, but I wouldn't even consider any of the ones that aren't American-made.
 
I used to have a few Gerber folders. I even carried one (a ATS-34 large EZ-Out) as my only knife on a 400-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail back in 1998. I used it for everything from slicing food to chopping small tree branches for firewood. The knife survived, but it was pretty beat up (blade was loose and as dull as could be, and the little rubber inserts tore completely off). I guess it was worth what I paid for it, though.

Since then, I have simply "advanced" in my tastes -- I now primarily carry Sebenzas.
 
I think Gerber knives are cool. The only problem I have with them is they are all most all ways dull out of the box. But this is fixed within a hour of purchase.
 
The Gerber Yari II is an awesome knife that has not let me down...it is one of their more expensive s30v offerings though.
 
I was never interested in Gerber-----until June. I went through some mid life crisis or whatever. Decided that a new knife would brighten my life. I started shopping, but the only designs that i liked were Gerber. I knew they were junk, from testimonials on this forum. BUT---- i got a heck of a deal on a Gerber Harsey Air Ranger--loved it. SOOOOOO i tried a Gerber Guardian, loved it bought 2 more. Then went on a bender that lasted for 2 months. I bought ever kind of Gerber folding knife i could find a bargain on---AND I LOVED EM! Ever one of them . Unrepentant Gerber lover. Henry
 
Gerber has had some great designs over the years often spoiled by using lesser quality steel (400 series) or failing to identify it altogether. My EDC for the past 5 years has been a Gerber Harsey Air Ranger II (out of production). I love the design, roto lock, lightning quick opening, and aluminum grips. Feels perfect. Supposedly has Aus 8 blade or maybe 440C. It's been strong as a tank and holds an edge during everyday use (boxes, heavy duty zip ties, nasty plastic clam shell packaging). I 've never tightened it and oil it occasionally. I touch it up every week and hit it with the EP once in awhile. Still the best design for my tastes.

http://www.fernknives.com/gerber/harsey-air-ranger-ii/312/index.html
 
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In my experiences, the USA made Gerber stuff is good stuff. Their imported stuff is truly garbage though in my opinion. So companies do imported stuff so well like Spyderco and Benchmade but some just don't make the cut. The Gerber LMF-II knife is excellent! One of my favorite fixed blades quite honestly.
 
My first knife was a Gerber Paraframe II. I liked it at the time, but then as I got more into knives, I learned to hate its nylon washers, low saber grind, "surgical stainless steel," poor ergonomics, and low quality. I can now see how badly designed and executed it is compared to other knives in its price range. Looking at the rest of Gerber's line, I don't see anything that breaks from this.
 
I think a lot of the ill will towards Gerber comes from older knife knuts who got into nice cutlery in the 80's or before, when Gerber occupied the same quality-market niche that companies like Benchmade occupy today. I like Gerber. Yeah, they could stand to bring more manufacturing back over here and use better stuff than mystery steels in their knives, but (as has been mentioned before) some of their designs are badass. The Big Rock Camp Knife in particular is one of my favorite "bushcrafty" knife designs ever, and it comes in at less than 30 bucks pretty much everywhere. Plus, their warranty/customer service department is one of the best in the industry, bar none.
 
i like my old Australian Bowie (pre fiskars) and my friends Yari II in S30V. other than that, i tend to avoid 'em YMMV
 
It's a great knife (at least the one in S30V pictured above is), but at 6.8 ounces, it's not exactly light-weight. Mine goes just about everywhere with me.
 
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