Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife

M

mdarby

Joined
Apr 10, 2005
Messages
87
In the market for a camp knife (to rotate with the Becker Necker / Becker BK-7 / Mora knives). Some models I've been reading about:

Bark River Bravo-1
Benchmade Fixed Griptilian ( I love the folder)
Doug Ritter RSK MK3
Fallkniven F1
Fallkniven S1
Fears Survival Knife

All seem like great, well-regarded knives. However, the Gerber Big Rock seems potentially a good deal for the money. If I bought it, I would have a new Kydex sheath made as well.

What do people prefer from the list above, and how would a Gerber Big Rock with a new sheath compare? Good deal or false bargain?

Thanks,
Michael
 
You're not going to run into many fans of Gerber's recent quality on here. Bark River, however, makes a great knife, and I've heard a lot of positive things about Doug Ritter's knives, or modded Benchmades.

I've been considering a fixed griptilian myself, but Bark River has so many much nicer (looking) offerings in a similar price range.
 
mdarby said:
In the market for a camp knife (to rotate with the Becker Necker / Becker BK-7 / Mora knives). Some models I've been reading about:

Bark River Bravo-1
Benchmade Fixed Griptilian ( I love the folder)
Doug Ritter RSK MK3
Fallkniven F1
Fallkniven S1
Fears Survival Knife

All seem like great, well-regarded knives. However, the Gerber Big Rock seems potentially a good deal for the money. If I bought it, I would have a new Kydex sheath made as well.

What do people prefer from the list above, and how would a Gerber Big Rock with a new sheath compare? Good deal or false bargain?

Thanks,
Michael
Click to expand...

I personnally don't think 440 is the best choice, there are better steels out there; however, if the heat treatment is good, than you may be okay. The Gerber is 440A and I would only consider 440C (Fears) in that range. You're right about the Big Rock sheath...that looks horrible! Both the Benchmade and Ritter fixed blades look pretty decent. I have the Bravo-1 over here in Iraq with me. It's a stout little blade...probably a little to stout for camp-chores, but the convex edge does quite well and cutting tasks. The F1 is similar, being pretty thick (not as much as the Bravo-1 though). It's another excellent blade. My choice would be the F1 and then the Bravo-1 for a camp knife giving your selection.

ROCK6
 
The Bravo 1 has taken away all of my objectivity so I can't help you beyond it!!!. It is awesome. A bit thick but then again Bark River has plenty of knives to pair with it. I love the Mikro Canadian. Check them out.
TC
 
I have been very impressed with the quality of Bark River knives. IMHO, the Bark River "Northstar" is one of the finest all around production camp/hunting knives ever made.

Ben
 
Steel snobbery aside, I think you're right. The Big Rock sure looks like a good deal for the money. In the shot show review on ritter's site he mentions that it would be a good replacement for his custom benchmade if you couldn't afford it. I've been waiting to find one at a show to handle.

The sheath may "look bad" but is it less functional or less safe than a more expensive sheath?

Adam
 
steel snobbery not aside, Gerber has fallen on hard times and using 440A in their tools means they have more or less giving up on those who use the tools as intended.

440A is one step up from a tin can. Sure, there maybe someone out there who can make perform half way, but why spend good money on it when for a few dollars more good steel can be had that YOU KNOW will be better performing;.
 
Guntotin_fool said:
440A is one step up from a tin can. Sure, there maybe someone out there who can make perform half way, but why spend good money on it when for a few dollars more good steel can be had that YOU KNOW will be better performing;.
Click to expand...


I've owned quite a few 400 series steel knives over the years, and I haven't liked any of them. I'll never buy another one.:grumpy:


Ben
 
OK, since 440A is apparently utterly useless as a blade steel...

What would you recommend for a "few dollars more" than $30 that has good steel?

Adam
 
Somebody on another thread highly recommended the A.G. Russell Deer Hunter. About $60 for D2 or VG10. Although it seems fairly thin and light, about the same weight as a Mora 2000. Cool looking sheath thought with the pivot.

I am leaning toward the F1 or this knife (or both) depending whether I want something which is thin and a real slicer or something which feels a little more substantial.

Probably avoiding 440A makes sense.
 
I have the fixed Griptillian and like it a lot. It actually comes with a good sheath which is pretty much unheard of these days in a production knife. :D
 
I just checked out the AG Russell Deer Hunter mdarby mentioned. That's a nice looking fixed blade.

The option for D2 or VG10 is also a big plus :thumbup:
 
440A is a tough steel and will work just fine. The Gerber is not a match for a Fallkniven - but an S1 probably costs 2 to 3 times as much. The Gerber is probably easier to sharpen than the S1. My problem with the Gerber is the partially serrated edge.
There are precious few forumites here who have better than 440A in their kitchen drawers.
The obvious choice for me in this size range is a good deal on a CS Master Hunter.
 
A Buck Vanguard is hard to beat - rubber or wood gripped, $55-$65 - well heat-treated 420HC isn't bad at all. S30V, as in the 'Alaskan Guide' series, is only $95 (Cabelas only). A 'proper'/traditional hunter - like the Buck 119 - $30 boxed closeout, $35 blister-packed at local Wally World - is hard to beat. These are 'Made in the USA', if that's important.

Stainz
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top