Gerber F.A.S.T. broke :( Advice please

[alettish]

I have arthritis in the fingers of both hands making it difficult to do some finger related task (opening mail, potato chip bags etc.). Anyway, after years of searching I found the "perfect" solution, the Gerber F.A.S.T. It was the perfect size, and after hundreds of blade activations, the action was smoother, and easier to activate than even an automatic.

Of course three months later--snap, crackle, pop--the spring and safety just self destructed. I'm sure that it was in no small part due to the countless activations that smoothed the action out, but still, I had hoped for a little longer life out of it.

I realize that there is a life time warranty on this, but I imagine that they will just ship out new one instead of repairing my already broken in knife, leaving me to mindlessly snap the blade open over and over until the new knife smooths out (as well as wears out) to the same degree as the old one.

So, any suggestions for a more durable knife. Must be easy to open, similar weight, blade etc. would be most welcome. I have several assisted open knives, but none so easy to open--either hand, as this Gerber. Would self replacement of springs be an option? I am truly missing this knife already. Thank you for any input or suggestions.

 

[HappyDaddy]

I'm not familiar with the knife, but I'd see if Gerber would send a new spring. If it's as easy to replace as a Kershaw SpeedSafe torsion bar, it's a snap.

 

[mqqn]

You could try this -

Made in USA, inexpensive and good materials and build quality for a great price. IT is also assisted with a flipper to make for easy opening for those with arthritis and other ailments that effect hand strength. IT is also offered from one of our supporting vendors!

http://kershawguy.com/products-page/featured-items/1776t-link-tanto-usa-made/

There is also a standard version if you prefer something other than a tanto.

best

mqqn

 

[alettish]

You could try this -

Made in USA, inexpensive and good materials and build quality for a great price. IT is also assisted with a flipper to make for easy opening for those with arthritis and other ailments that effect hand strength. IT is also offered from one of our supporting vendors!
...

Looks nice. Is the assist similar to the Cryo II? I could never get my Cryo quite smooth enough to want to carry it all the time. The U.S.A. build might make a difference though. Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it.

 

[alettish]

I'm not familiar with the knife, but I'd see if Gerber would send a new spring. If it's as easy to replace as a Kershaw SpeedSafe torsion bar, it's a snap.

Unfortunately it appears to be operated by a coil spring rather than a torsion bar. I don't know the logistics of cramming a new coil into it, but I did leave Gerber a voice mail inquiring as to availability of spare springs for customer installation. If it wasn't too difficult or expensive, I wouldn't mind replacing a couple a year. Thanks.

 

[KAEDC]

Kershaw Blur/BM Mini Barrage/BM Emissary are great, higher quality alternatives that I would recomend looking into since the durability of the Gerber is at the crux of the issue it seemes.

 

[Matador]

I would consider something waved like a Spyderco Delica. I have a friend with a similar ailment and this worked out perfectly. He waves it open on just about anything, chair cushion, pant cuff, etc. Good luck to you on this.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

The Kershaw Leek is one of the best EDC knives ever conceived and takes VERY LITTLE effort to deploy, unlock or close. Buttery smooth right out of the box usually, made in USA, under $50... really tough to beat.

My Dad carries one I gave him and loves it.

Oh, it also comes in a bunch of spiffy colors.

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

Looks nice. Is the assist similar to the Cryo II? I could never get my Cryo quite smooth enough to want to carry it all the time. The U.S.A. build might make a difference though. Thank you for the suggestion, will look into it.

I have a link sitting around that I'm happy to loan you to try out if you're interested in it. It's a great knife, but I don't know how it will affect your arthritis.

 

[alettish]

I have a link sitting around that I'm happy to loan you to try out if you're interested in it. It's a great knife, but I don't know how it will affect your arthritis.

T.L.E., your kind offer of the loan of the Link is probably the nicest thing Ive heard all week . If you were closer, I would certainly take you up on it, but given the distance (I'm in Michigan), and having to depend on USPS, or other carrier to transport your knife makes me uncomfortable. I would rather stay friends with all the forum folks, and not take a chance on something happening to it during transit. Thank you, again!

Anyway, I really like the looks of the Leek, but it worry about opening. I can't follow thru with my thumb to comfortably open most non assisted thumb stud knives. Does the blade pretty much flop out of these, or is following thru the blade arc with your thumb required?

 

[Petunia D. Feeble]

T.L.E., your kind offer of the loan of the Link is probably the nicest thing Ive heard all week . If you were closer, I would certainly take you up on it, but given the distance (I'm in Michigan), and having to depend on USPS, or other carrier to transport your knife makes me uncomfortable. I would rather stay friends with all the forum folks, and not take a chance on something happening to it during transit. Thank you, again!

Anyway, I really like the looks of the Leek, but it worry about opening. I can't follow thru with my thumb to comfortably open most non assisted thumb stud knives. Does the blade pretty much flop out of these, or is following thru the blade arc with your thumb required?

The Leek is assisted and is a flipper. The thumb studs are really stop pins. You can use them to open it if you want, but it's not what they're designed for.

If you like the looks of it I'd HIGHLY recommend getting the Leek. Especially the liner lock versions. I can't really think of a better knife for someone with arthritis.

 

[SW-EDC]

Just bought my brother a Kershaw Link. Seems like a great quality SA flipper.

 

[alettish]

I just realized that the Leek is assisted open, I believe I was thinking of the Skyline (is that correct?) as being non assist.

Both the Link and Leek look good. Strictly from ease of opening and durability viewpoint, what are you folks opinions on which to try first?

 

[kniferbro]

I just realized that the Leek is assisted open, I believe I was thinking of the Skyline (is that correct?) as being non assist.

Both the Link and Leek look good. Strictly from ease of opening and durability viewpoint, what are you folks opinions on which to try first?

I am going to suggest giving the Link a try first. The Leek is a fine knife and is easy to open, but it is small and may be hard for arthritic hands to grasp and open easily. The link having a bit more body may be easier on you. Just a suggestion

 

[dcmartin]

I have arthritis in the fingers of both hands making it difficult to do some finger related task (opening mail, potato chip bags etc.). Anyway, after years of searching I found the "perfect" solution, the Gerber F.A.S.T. It was the perfect size, and after hundreds of blade activations, the action was smoother, and easier to activate than even an automatic.

Of course three months later--snap, crackle, pop--the spring and safety just self destructed. I'm sure that it was in no small part due to the countless activations that smoothed the action out, but still, I had hoped for a little longer life out of it.

I realize that there is a life time warranty on this, but I imagine that they will just ship out new one instead of repairing my already broken in knife, leaving me to mindlessly snap the blade open over and over until the new knife smooths out (as well as wears out) to the same degree as the old one.

So, any suggestions for a more durable knife. Must be easy to open, similar weight, blade etc. would be most welcome. I have several assisted open knives, but none so easy to open--either hand, as this Gerber. Would self replacement of springs be an option? I am truly missing this knife already. Thank you for any input or suggestions.

Alettish, the springs on the Gerber Fast mechanism are coil springs. I've had good luck getting the Gerber C/S sending out clips and screws but I haven't yet had to ask for springs. Hopefully they'll be sending you a new knife. I have a spare FAST that I would like to send you, it's not new by any stretch and the pocket clip is a little goofy but it fires and works just fine. I'll even sharpen it up for you to boot! PM me your address and I'll send it out.

P.S. I don't want anything, this comes with no strings attached. It just sits in my knife drawer, I would like to see it put to good use

 

[T.K.C.]

What about a Pro-Tech Runt?

 

[alettish]

Alettish, the springs on the Gerber Fast mechanism are coil springs. I've had good luck getting the Gerber C/S sending out clips and screws but I haven't yet had to ask for springs. Hopefully they'll be sending you a new knife. I have a spare FAST that I would like to send you, it's not new by any stretch and the pocket clip is a little goofy but it fires and works just fine. I'll even sharpen it up for you to boot! PM me your address and I'll send it out.

P.S. I don't want anything, this comes with no strings attached. It just sits in my knife drawer, I would like to see it put to good use
...

I was going to take you up on your gracious offer, and offer to pay at least pay a few bucks for postage, and handling, but it seems that PMs can not be sent without paid membership, which is not in the budget currently. I do appreciate your offer though.

 

[dcmartin]

I was going to take you up on your gracious offer, and offer to pay at least pay a few bucks for postage, and handling, but it seems that PMs can not be sent without paid membership, which is not in the budget currently. I do appreciate your offer though.

email me at dcmartin2001@gmail.com

 

[alettish]

What about a Pro-Tech Runt?

That is a nice one, but it seems to be an auto. Our state, in it's wisdom, only allows autos for people that are missing an arm (????????) But who can blame them, we all know how dangerous auto knives are -- sarcasm off.

The auto knife thing is one of my greatest pet peeves. What on earth were they thinking?

 

[HP2000]

That is a nice one, but it seems to be an auto. Our state, in it's wisdom, only allows autos for people that are missing an arm (????????) But who can blame them, we all know how dangerous auto knives are -- sarcasm off.

The auto knife thing is one of my greatest pet peeves. What on earth were they thinking?

If the assisted part of the knife isn't a priority then I vote for a Kershaw Skyline. There's a couple variations of it and it's a super smooth flipper. I sold my Kershaw link the day after meeting my first skyline and never looked back at assisted knives again.


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