- Joined
- Mar 5, 2009
- Messages
- 2,205
I purchased the Gerber Artifact about 6 months ago and have been EDCing it off and on since then. I like the compact size of it though not all tools work well. It is basically two pieces the main pry bar/ screw driver/ bottle opener. And the fold out exacto blade with liner lock. The coating held up pretty well, its missing just a little on the edge of the pry bar and some on the philips screwdriver.
Blade:
I read many places where people had trouble with deployment of the blade, but I havent had this trouble at all, its possible to even do a one hand deployment, but easier to do with two. The blade itself is just a replaceable #11 exacto knife blade. (It actually comes with 3 spare blades in a small plastic container, and you can purchase more #11 blades for about 50 cents a piece in most dept. or craft stores). The blade has actually held its edge longer than I expected, most likely do to how thin it is, but Ive gone through several cardboard boxes as well as packages and expected to have to replace it, but its still able to scrape shave hair, so I dont see a need to yet. The tip, as well as the rest of the blade is very thin so I wouldnt recommend any twisting cuts or putting in kind of torque on it. The linear lock seems to be strong enough for anything that youd use this small of a blade on. Its also pretty easy to take out and put in a new blade.
Screw drivers:
According to the package there is a small and large standard screw driver (on the front of the pry bar area) and a philips screw driver that works quite well but only for screws that arent too recessed inward. Its easy to use and grips the screw pretty well. The flathead screwdrivers, however are quite difficult to use because of the odd angle they are at in relation to what would be the handle or body of the Artifact, though about 90% of the screws I used the tool on were philips screws anyway.
Bottle Opener:
Works just fine, I sort of wish they could of some how sharpened the top a little to make it a can/bottle opener, but as a can opener the handle might not provide enough leverage to work efficiently.
The Pry Bar:
Useful for small things, but because of the size there isnt a lot of leverage in it of course. Came in handy several times though.
In conclusion, while the screwdrivers and blade are probably more useful on a SAK, I feel the pry bar is stronger than using the bottle opener/flathead screwdriver on a SAK, its also lighter and smaller to carry than any SAK with the same tools on it. I think the role the Artifact plays best is a tool to carry along side a nice folder for jobs you dont want your $100 plus folder doing such as being used as a pry bar, screw drive, or cutting something that might damage or muck up your blade (those replaceable blades on the artifact come in handy for cutting something that might have a staple or two in it). Also at only $11 and 50 cent blades Id actually loan this out to somebody who asked to borrow my knife, probably not so with my para-mil.
Blade:
I read many places where people had trouble with deployment of the blade, but I havent had this trouble at all, its possible to even do a one hand deployment, but easier to do with two. The blade itself is just a replaceable #11 exacto knife blade. (It actually comes with 3 spare blades in a small plastic container, and you can purchase more #11 blades for about 50 cents a piece in most dept. or craft stores). The blade has actually held its edge longer than I expected, most likely do to how thin it is, but Ive gone through several cardboard boxes as well as packages and expected to have to replace it, but its still able to scrape shave hair, so I dont see a need to yet. The tip, as well as the rest of the blade is very thin so I wouldnt recommend any twisting cuts or putting in kind of torque on it. The linear lock seems to be strong enough for anything that youd use this small of a blade on. Its also pretty easy to take out and put in a new blade.
Screw drivers:
According to the package there is a small and large standard screw driver (on the front of the pry bar area) and a philips screw driver that works quite well but only for screws that arent too recessed inward. Its easy to use and grips the screw pretty well. The flathead screwdrivers, however are quite difficult to use because of the odd angle they are at in relation to what would be the handle or body of the Artifact, though about 90% of the screws I used the tool on were philips screws anyway.
Bottle Opener:
Works just fine, I sort of wish they could of some how sharpened the top a little to make it a can/bottle opener, but as a can opener the handle might not provide enough leverage to work efficiently.
The Pry Bar:
Useful for small things, but because of the size there isnt a lot of leverage in it of course. Came in handy several times though.
In conclusion, while the screwdrivers and blade are probably more useful on a SAK, I feel the pry bar is stronger than using the bottle opener/flathead screwdriver on a SAK, its also lighter and smaller to carry than any SAK with the same tools on it. I think the role the Artifact plays best is a tool to carry along side a nice folder for jobs you dont want your $100 plus folder doing such as being used as a pry bar, screw drive, or cutting something that might damage or muck up your blade (those replaceable blades on the artifact come in handy for cutting something that might have a staple or two in it). Also at only $11 and 50 cent blades Id actually loan this out to somebody who asked to borrow my knife, probably not so with my para-mil.
