gerber combat problem

brendog10

brendog10

Joined
Apr 22, 2006
Messages
351
I just bought a gerber combat . Two days after getting it one of the small screws in the handle fell out and I had to get a new one from gerber, which by the way was easy and pleasant . when I got them I put it in and was checking the knife over when I noticed that the blade scrapes or rubs on the inside handle when it is being closed , Is this normal? I had a gerber covert a while back that did the same thing.Rubbed on the same side too which is the side opposite the carry clip. I tried adjusting it but could only minimise the problem . the rubbing is very light and I see no wear on the finish , it bothers me alittle me but if it is somewhat normal Ill leave it alone , any advice?
 
I would send it back for a replacement or repair. Couple months ago, on a new A/F Combat, had the same problem plus blade was really hard to open. I tried to adjust the pivot screw and found that the pivot axle was stripped. I e-mailed customer service and they promptly sent me all the necessary replacement parts but I was still unable to get the knife to operate properly. I sent the knife back ( a little worse shape from the repair attempt) with a request for a brand new knife and they honored this with no problem. BTW, I wanted to carry the knife minus the pocket clip so I was sent two shorter handle screws with the new knife. Two thumbs up for the way Gerber handled this matter!
 
I've owned a Combat and a Covert model, and was very satisfied with their construction (the covert did loose a screw though...). I just checked my Combat folder and there is clearance all around the blade, -- however I ground a second sharp edge on it (like a true dagger).

There's two possibilities you (brendog) might have meant though:
The liner lock does contact the blade's side, but only a quarter-inch (roughly) from the pivot.
The metal lanyard thru-hole may seem to stop against the edge upon closure, but shouldn't (as an indentation would develop).

For $100 you really should be satisfied; sounds like a replacement is in order. The AF folders are my favorite knives. They are one of the only folding daggers I've seen, whose 2nd (false) edge is hidden by the closed handle, allowing it to be sharpened. You'll mess up the signatures & satin finish, but a mirror finish is also sexy.

Hope you get a new one...
 
brizbane said:
...Couple months ago, on a new A/F Combat, ...I wanted to carry the knife minus the pocket clip...
Click to expand...

My recollection is that the Combat size never had a pocket clip, only the Covert does. My AFs are 8 years old though, the design could have changed.
 
diagnosis: you bought a Gerber.
Solution: don't buy a Gerber.

or if I'm not being a jerk, try tightening the tension of the pivot pin. If the blade is striking the side of the frame the pivot pin is on, it's loose.

Of course, it's a Gerber, and might just be pinned together and non-adjustable, which might be the case.
 
I did try to adjust the tension screws , but to get the blade away from the side I had to tighten it so much that I could not open it one handed . I sent it to the customer service department today , So well see what happens.
Thanks for all the advice .
 
2 people already showed a slight distaste for Gerber quality. Has it got a past I'm not familliar with?

I've only owned 3 gerber products (2 A-F knives and a multitool), but I was satisfied with the quality/reliability & felt I got my moneys worth. I've been pitching the A-F folders around here with praise. Is there something I'm missing?
 
What other brands have you owned?

My first "big" folders were a Smith and Wesson Swat, Gerber Chameleon2, Gerber Gator, and Gerber EZ Out.

After buying Kershaws, BMs, and Spydercos, (and not to mention gerbers rapid decline in quality in the past 10 years) I've realized that there are much much beter knives out there for about the same price. Every gerber I have handled in the past 5 or 6 years has been cheaply put together, not very sharp out of the box, and good luck finding info on blade steel/heat treat. When I sold knives, Gerbers sold to people who just wanted a knife and didn't know anything about steel. People who knew or wanted to know what steel was in the knife they were buying so that they could make sure it would stand up to their specific needs went with other brands. Why? Only on US made gerbers (very few US made models) would say on the blade, box, or gerber's website what the blade steel was made of. Everything else just said "surgical stainless" or "400 series stainless". "400 series" means 420, 420HC, 440, 440A, 440B, or 440C. There are considerable differences between all of those, and I would want to know what exactly is in it so I could be sure if it would hold up to my standards. That's my main beef with gerber.

Back in the day, Gerbers were awesome. I would still take any of their U.S. models (Gators, LSTs, LMFs). But since most of their knives are being cheaply made overseas (not a bash.. some overseas knives these days are not cheaply made. ex. Spyderco's Byrd line or Tenacious). They just aren't all that great anymore.

Thats what you've missed. From my side of the fence. However, If you are satisfied and think you get your money's worth and they perform how you need them to perform, by all means keep buying them!
 
Last edited:
I bought a cs once, used it once, was severely dissapointed, and haven't used it since. Glad you had better luck than me.
 
I am not that familiar with Gerbers in general but the A/F Combat appears very well made, sturdy, opens smoothly, locks up tight,razor sharp, nice beefy blade and handles and pretty tacticool, too. I am very happy with it.
 
gerber combat problem

Source of problem is the first word of your title.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top