Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert

T

tribalbeeyatch

Joined
Oct 19, 2002
Messages
121
Hello everybody,

I've recently been lusting after the Covert and thought that this was just the place to get a few questions answered. I'm not able to handle one in person, so I'm mostly interested in hearing about the fit and finish of the knife. Is it solidly built (any blade wiggle)? How bulky is it (I'm interested in using it as my EDC)? Is it fast opening? How solid is the locking mechanism? Is the black titanium coating worth the extra $4 that it adds to the price?

If all of this has been hashed out in previous threads, then links to those would be just fine. The board apparently doesn't let newbies like me use the search function.

Oh, and recommendations for other knives that I should check out would be greatly appreciated as well. I'm looking for a tactical folder that is small and light enough for EDC (<4" blade length), that is wicked fast to draw and open (pocket clip is a must), and doesn't cost a mint (<$80). I like the looks of the CRKT M-16 13 and may get one of those as well.
 
Tribal guy,
I use both the AF Covert as well as the M16 models. I'll tell you what I feel about both.

If you can get the AF Covert at a good price - its worth the money. Mine has the secondary lock on the top that is very conveiently placed. Mine was chosen from a batch of 6. All were solidly build, no play whatsoever, lockup is sweet and the secondary lock really works and is easy to release when needed. The contours are very comfortable when work close to the skin and the handle grooves are highly effective. Even the pocket clip is nice. I'd get the black one, although coatings are redundant on stainless blades unless you want something "low-register."

Gerber teaches a slightly different opening technique that heightens the effectiveness of the opening action. In my smaller hands, the Covert also works well as a Kubotan when closed. I had problems with the bigger original AF Combat, due to a poor lockup and accidental closure while in use, but Gerber has corrected this on the Covert.

The M-16 series from CRKT is also very good. I'd shell out and get one in AUS8. The Aus6 ones are also good but I like the performance of AUS8 better. Make sure you get the one with a Carson Flipper. If you've never used a Carson Flipper before, you must try. It works and changes the rules about manuals vs. automatics. Strangely, some of the bigger M16's have the pocket clip quite low on the handle, so the closed knife tends to stick out from the pocket a fair bit, so check out what you preference is.

They're both bood knives. Solid and based on custom designs.

Cheers. Hope this helps.
 
I have a Covert First Production Run, and I can understand why you like the design, I know I did. Mine has never been carried and the lock is still all the way over to the right and there is minor blade play. All thing considered, there are better knives out there for the money. All of the CRKT I've seen feel like a better knife. I have the KFF in both sizes, and they are very nicely made. You may also want to look at Spydercos, you can't go wrong with any of their models, or Camillus CUDA EDC, great knives for the money.
 
I have had a covert for quite a while and have been very pleased. For me it was to some extent a matter of price, I got mine at a great price. I sharpened the false top part of the blade, and had to learn to be careful about two handed closing!!
 
I've never handled the Gerber AF Covert, but it does look like a great knife. It doesn't receive much publicity around here.

I do, however, love the M16 spearpoint series. I love the lines of that thing, and I'm planning on getting an M16-03 blade to put in a red M16-13 FD body. Voila, the perfect EDC. The Carson flipper is fun to play with, even more so than the BM Axis Locks, I'd say. The pocket clip of the M16-13Z allows the blade to ride lower, while the M16-13 is lower on the body, making it ride just a bit higher in the pocket.
 
The Covert is a good knife.

It has a good steel, and comes in either 154CM or ATS-34. It carries well due to the clip being where it is, and draws very quickly. It has a good feel to it when you have it in the hand.
 
Not sure if this applies to the newer ones or not seeing as the last time I handled one was about a year ago...but...it didn't have a stop pin to prevent the blade from slamming the back of the tang everytime you close it.

This seems like a slight design flaw to me. I know others have noticed this too.
 
Originally posted by BOK
Not sure if this applies to the newer ones or not seeing as the last time I handled one was about a year ago...but...it didn't have a stop pin to prevent the blade from slamming the back of the tang everytime you close it.

This seems like a slight design flaw to me. I know others have noticed this too.
Click to expand...

I just brought my Covert out and yes due the lack of a closing stop pin, the last half inch of blade actually closes upon the molded zytel spacer on the handle. However, it doesn't seem to wear the blade down much as I'm still able to shave hair off my arm.

WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS KNIFE:
- Cool A/F shape makes it look stilleto like. Everyone I've shown it to think it's rather cool looking.

- Dual steel liners on inside of scales.

- Lake-Walker safety (predecessor of CRKT's LAWKS) really works.

- Nice blade length (just shy of 4 inches). If you get the false edge one, you have the option of sharpening the false edge for a double edged folder.

- Easy to conceal carry due to slim shape.

- Very "tweakable" knife so you can adjust it to your preference. With an appropriate allen key you can adjust the tension of the blade pivot screw. If you want a fast action, you can loosen it so a light thumb flick on the thumbstud (or even a snap of the wrist) will snap the blade out like an automatic. Tighten the pivot screw if you prefer a slower, controlled thumbstud opening.

WHAT I DON'T LIKE ABOUT HIS KNIFE:

- Leaf of liner lock looks kinda thin although I remember someone said from personal experience that it's quite sturdy. Oh, who was that again? I think it was the guy (I think he was in high-school)from the U.S. but he had the logo about the Republic of Taiwan or something. Couple of years ago.

- The lack of a proper stop pin as pointed out before.

- Handle isn't a very good general purpose design and I question it's safety for stabbing (as there's not much of a guard). Yes, that's a gruesome implication but it is touted as a fighting knife afterall.

- Often overpriced. I've seen it for over $100 U.S. in which case you can get better quality tactical or fighting knives from Benchmade, Spyderco, SOG, etc. This is a $70 knife at most. If you can find one for that price or less and you like the Applegate Fairbairn pedigree then go for it.


FTC

P.S. What I like most about the Gerber A/F folder is that my internet search for one led me directly to BladeForums! :)
 
Thanks so much for all of the feedback, guys! In particular I liked hearing what y'all DON'T like about the Covert. So far the thing that weighs the heaviest against me getting the knife is the lack of a stop pin. It sounds like the knife performance doesn't suffer greatly, but it certainly is something to consider. Are there any maintenance issues with the Covert? In other words is it a big chore to take apart to clean out pocket lint and lubricate and whatnot? Also, Jason Cutter, I seem to recall that on another thread you mentioned switching to a Kershaw as your EDC. Does the Kershaw offer something that's lacking in the Covert?

Oh, and finally, the best price that I've found on the Covert is $82 shipped (or $86 for the titanium coated blade). Anybody know of a better price?
 
In regard to my previous post. It was Comrade Chang! Yeah, I think it was he who said the liners were pretty good inspite of the thinness. I wonder where CC went?

As for the Covert, the closure of the knife is sufficient even though there is no stop pin per se and it doesn't dull the knife a noticeable amount.

Just remember to get a good deal on it, and if you have more than a hundred bucks to spare on a knife, consider other brands too.
 
I like the way it feels on my handle but this is a very subjective thing of course. The original was a "paper tiger". Big and tough combat looking but a poor lock. The covert has a better lock and a more practical size. If you're left handed see if anyone on the forums has the first model with the older safety. Perfectly placed for a lefty.
As far as price. If your not in a big hurry you can see if anyone here puts one up for sale. Thers also a place -wholesalehunter that has a limited knife line but does carry Gerbers. They have the covert for about $75.00 I believe. I can't vouch for the place as I've never ordered from them.
 
That s the the first I heard of a mini-covert. The smaller size makes it a more practical carry knife. I can't tell from the picture or description if the lock has the safety feature.
 
I don´t own one, but I once handled a Covert.

I have fairly big hands and I prefer handles accordingly in size. However, the Covert felt simply too bulky in my hand.

It is what it is: a retro-knife. An old design modified to suit modern standards. IMO this is not the best way to design a knife.
 
I had a 1st-generation covert & really loved the handle shape, my favorite ever. And the single-edge blade style (no false edge) was extremely useful, more so than the "dagger" model. BUT all the screws kept falling out, and the pivot pin would loosen up constantly. Maybe the later models had better QC. A great design, but it didn't hold up for me.
 
tribalbeeyatch

I have a new Applegate-Fairbairn Covert that I don't have need of. You can have it for $70 US shipping included if you wish. It has only spent time in my display case. I still have the box. Never sharpened or used. ATS-34 Stainless blade. - Lee
 
Originally posted by fishface5
I had a 1st-generation covert & really loved the handle shape, my favorite ever. And the single-edge blade style (no false edge) was extremely useful, more so than the "dagger" model. BUT all the screws kept falling out, and the pivot pin would loosen up constantly. Maybe the later models had better QC. A great design, but it didn't hold up for me.
Click to expand...

I never had problems with the retaining screws on my Covert (though I admit it spends more time in storage than it does as my EDC) but, yes, the pivot screw on mine also loosened over time. However, I applied Permatex (same kinda stuff as Loctite) and I haven't had any problems since. I really recommend Permatex or Loctite for people who tweak their blades a lot. The stuff works great.

I see the Coverts going on E-Bay for pretty cheap.

I like the false edge version since it's closer in spirit to a real A/F knife, or other Sykes type daggers; especially if you sharpen the false edge (which I never did since I have no use for such a knife).

It's a cool looking blade and I wonder if it would have been more popular amongst hardcore knife nuts if it had been made Benchmade, Cold Steel, or Spyderco? Gerber makes some interesting stuff but lacks the esoteric image of other cutlery companies IMO.
 
AS a former 11Bravo ( infantry ) I have this affinity for "dagger" type blades, and you can do NO BETTER than the Covert. As for myself I have to settle for the SOG Pentagon Elite 'til I save up some mammon for a Covert. ;) GO FOR IT!

AET
 
I own both and much prefer the SOG Pentagon Elite. That is why I suggested that my single-bevel Covert is available. Different strokes. I think the ambi Arc-lock on the SOG is better than the A-F's liner lock. Also the heft and feel and the bit of a double edge at the blade tip of the Elite are positives. The scale material gets no points with either knife, but that's life in this price range. I've got a lot of expensive customs and high-end production blades, but the one I usually pick up when I head out of the house is a left-handed Benchmade 910 Strkyer. Allen Elishewitz is a genius. - Lee
 
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