Gerber Applegate/Fairbairn Combat Folder or Crucible II

H

hybridmoments77

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May 31, 2010
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This is my first post on Bladeforums. I've always been more of a gun guy but I've been getting into knives recently. Two knives have really caught my eye over the last couple of years and I'm thinking about getting one or the other. I'm not planning on using either one for heavy duty cutting as I already have some beater knives for that; these will mainly be for light duty use.

The two knives I'm interested in are the Gerber Applegate Combat Folder and the Blackhawk Crucible II. It seems that Gerber has a reputation for bad quality but I wonder if that is true with the Combat Folder? Also if any of you have input on the Crucible II I'd like to hear it.

Thanks!
 
i dont currently own a crucible but have handled a couple, seemed to be excellent knives, i like them, the gerber AF folder, to me, is like a lot of the current gerber folders, which is imho "not the best", while the lockup on my AF is fine, i have heard stories that they do indeed not have the best locks, the design is also getting a bit long in tooth, if it was me i would go w/the crucible and it would be an easy choice.
 
I have handled both knives and the crucible is the one I would get. It fit my hand well and was well made and designed by a really good instructor and fighter. I had an original crucible in ATS-34 and wish I never got rid of it.
 
Thanks for all the replies! The Crucible does look like it's a better designed knife-I'll probably end up getting it.

I've read a lot about the Gerber Combat Folder's liner lock failing; is this still an issue or has the design been fixed?

Thanks again for all the advice for a knife newbie!
 
hybridmoments77 said:
Thanks for all the replies! The Crucible does look like it's a better designed knife-I'll probably end up getting it.

I've read a lot about the Gerber Combat Folder's liner lock failing; is this still an issue or has the design been fixed?

Thanks again for all the advice for a knife newbie!
Click to expand...

Now it has a safety, like CRKT knives.
 
hybridmoments77 said:
Thanks for all the replies! The Crucible does look like it's a better designed knife-I'll probably end up getting it.

I've read a lot about the Gerber Combat Folder's liner lock failing; is this still an issue or has the design been fixed?

Thanks again for all the advice for a knife newbie!
Click to expand...

my AF folder is an old 1st prod. run, and doesnt have the safety/lawks/whatever it is, and the lockup is fine, a good well fitted liner lock has zero need for any safeties/lawks/etc anyway, but, that said, LL's require tight fitting/etc and cheap knives (ie gerber, a lotta CRKT, etc) often dont do LL's well, or they lock up fine when new but soon wear and start slipping, i dont know iof the basic design of the gerber AF is to blame, imho its there execution of it, i presume gerber still makes the AF folders (i havent seen or heard of them in a while FWIW) and i would wager they still probably need the safety, i dont care for the safeties myself, hate the "auto-lawks", but they do serve a purpose on low end stuff, if ya think to deploy them anyway.

imho theres a lot better stuff around now vs the old gerber AF folders, i saw a cool one a few yrs back, double edged and converted to auto, had a pocket clip added too IIRC, i might not mind having something like that, maybe, it wasnt cheap though, but for a edc knife i can think of dozens of options i would prefer.

to be honest, though the crucible is certainly far better than the AF folder, it wouldnt be my 1st (or second ) choice for a edc knife, its just not one of my favorite designs, it is certainly at least "ok" though, with a secure grip/good lock/better material vs the gerber, albeit at a greater price, i know when blackhawk 1st came out ya heard complaints about F&F/etc, ya dont hear much of that anymore (or really much else) about BH knives.

but, of the 2, the BH is certainly the better choice.

me, i edc a spyderco Ti ATR or a custom emerson CQC13.
 
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I only got to fondle it and never really got to own one (couldn't justify the price), but I've been trumpeting the Crucible, especially the first series, since some years back. Kelly McCann really came up with a functional knife platform (folder, fixed and trainer) that delivers. I really think its one of those few designs that are truly "tactical" or combines functions between fighting and utility.

I don't really go for liner-locks but this one, I would trust my fingers on, even during hard use.

Some threads for info -

(STR's assessment)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508190

(First time I held one and about its liner lock)

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=408310
 
one of my buds, who works for dyncorp, went thru one of mccanns classes and was really impressed, and learned a lot, he said kelly was carrying a crawford ti kasper FWIW, but thats been a few yrs back, before he started designing, really, in a way the crucible and kasper are kinda similar, at least the handles, my bud said one of mccanns big things was using the knife as a fist load and to deliver strikes, either knife would be good at that, and also stressing a secure grip, same thing with both of them, a good grip.
 
SIFU1A said:
one of my buds, who works for dyncorp, went thru one of mccanns classes and was really impressed, and learned a lot, he said kelly was carrying a crawford ti kasper FWIW, but thats been a few yrs back, before he started designing, really, in a way the crucible and kasper are kinda similar, at least the handles, my bud said one of mccanns big things was using the knife as a fist load and to deliver strikes, either knife would be good at that, and also stressing a secure grip, same thing with both of them, a good grip.
Click to expand...


Thanks for sharing. :thumbup:

I truly believe the great thing about the Crucible series is that their designs can truly stand on their own, and being associated with McCann is just a bonus, and that's coming from a fan of KM ;). But then again, it also reflects the "tactical" acumen of the man himself.

As I understand it as well, the late Bob Kasper and Kelly McCann worked and collaborated with each other for a time and I too heard McCann carried Kasper's folder earlier (I heard it was even featured in his early vids).

And yes, I agree the ergo's on both are spot-on!
 
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dunno if it's just me, but there's something about the AF combat folder which keeps me drawn to it's design.
maybe just pure looks, but it has a pretty solid feel to it.
perhaps even enough for one to forget about it's known history of locking issues.
it's a manly knife with a notorious reputation; almost like a badge for someone who is man and crazy enough to pick it up because he thrives on risk and simply won't back down from a challenge.
even if you never buy one, you will never forget just how close it was to touching a real legend!
 
GIRLYmann said:
dunno if it's just me, but there's something about the AF combat folder which keeps me drawn to it's design.
maybe just pure looks, but it has a pretty solid feel to it.
perhaps even enough for one to forget about it's known history of locking issues.
it's a manly knife with a notorious reputation; almost like a badge for someone who is man and crazy enough to pick it up because he thrives on risk and simply won't back down from a challenge.
even if you never buy one, you will never forget just how close it was to touching a real legend!
Click to expand...

The folder, well I dunno? Like you said, it did have some issues.

The fix blade? Without a doubt! Absolutely iconic!

2689.jpg
 
now that's the last thing anyone would wanna face :-o
amen to that!
as for the folder, the covert model is about right with lock 'n all.
safe for the handler and a saviour for keeps.
 
Hey SIFU1A-I also have one of the original FA's with out a safety, etc. Gerber told me it's a L5780-can't seem to find anything out about it, except they put out a safety warning re; the liner lock. Have any idea of the value of this old dog? Thanks.
 
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