Gerber EZ-Outs: Still In or Out?

Had an original issue(stamped on blade) single hole ATS-34 carried it every day left it on tailgate of truck and drove off ;never did find it; was a great EDC; have a single hole, part serrated in my pocket today; not as good; have many knives but for EDC keep coming back to EZ-Out.
 
I had two of the original, early models with the single hole ATS-34 blade. Each evening, I would open and close the knife repeatedly (using my thumb to open the blade, and NOT fling the knife open). I also would often use the knives to do light household chores. (Used one more than the other.)
I ended up throwing away both knives, because on the one I used more, I had the lock fail on me during a very mundane task and the blade sunk into my fingers.
Prior to discarding the knives, I found that they both closed very easily with finger pressure. There was no lint or dirt in the lock, no discernable wear could be seen, and the knives were very clean. Nothing I could see would indicate why the locks would fail so easily on not just one, but both.
(The blades were marked "First Production Run", so perhaps there were early 'teething' problems.)

I guess I would recommend NOT getting one that's a First Production Run and be careful...

Regards,
Mike
 
I looked on the Guns Unlimited site and couldn't see any knives listed. Both of my knives are recent and have mystery steel in the blades. The lockup on each knife is very strong. But I test each knife I have before using it, as I don't want any more knife mishaps.

Often, first production runs tend to be better as more attention is paid to ensure things are being done right. In your case, Mike, I guess that wasn't true.
 
You're lucky there -- the EZ-Outs almost always failed that test in their original incarnation.[/QUOTE]

I still have the scar where I got "bit" when one of these failed. That knife took up housekeeping at the bottom of the river shortly thereafter!
 
Confederate said:
I looked on the Guns Unlimited site and couldn't see any knives listed.
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Sorry. I should have mentioned that I saw it in their knife display case a couple of weeks ago. I didn't think they'd post their knives on their site. I think it goes for $35.
 
Have the old one hole version partially serrated and an ATS34 plain edge, both are great knives but I wouldn't touch the new ones with a ten foot pole.
 
I carried a one hole ATS-34 for something like 15 years, never had a real problem. I bent the clip many times, but just bent it back, when I retired it is had a bunch of blade play, both side to side and top to bottom. If you can get one of these older ones in pretty good shape, it is a pretty good knife. only performance complaint I had was the edge retention was not very good, i think the blade was pretty soft
 
Yeah, the new model has pretty bad blades. It might have some applications for light duty, but it probably costs more than it's worth.
 
popcornpicker said:
Could we consider them to be "old school cool"?
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It would totally match my outfit man!
jordan1.jpg
 
Funny reading this thread. I still EDC a 450 stamped steel EZ-out with the single hole in the blade.

I've EDC'd it since ~1999? Still like new. The blade is very sharp after minor touch ups, and the lock up is solid. No play at all in the blade.

I also EDC a mini-grip, thought about getting the full griptilian but it's huge compared to the EZ-out...

Love the EZ-out, but probably would not get a current gen Gerber... Their knives have gone down hill big time.
 
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