Gerber Fastball

[AF]

I see this model is showing up at dealers now. I'm curious to see how it will be received.
It reminds me somewhat of the SOG Terminus XR in the sense that it has the potential to generate some excitement for a brand that is generally ignored by enthusiasts.
The Fastball shares many design cues with the Kershaw Dividend. They are a similar size and weight, have aluminum scales, liner locks and are made from thin 0.10" blade stock. Both are made in the U.S.
In contrast, the Fastball rides on bearings while the Dividend is assisted.
The premium version of the Dividend uses M390 steel but still comes in $20 cheaper than the Fastball in S30V steel. The M390 Dividend seems to be made in limited production.
Even if the Fastball borrows heavily from the Dividend and is a bit pricier, I think it has a chance to sell well provided Gerber has dialed in the lock geometry and the detent strength.
In one of the SHOT Show videos the rep says that they carefully tuned the detent and it does appear to have a good action.
Looking forward to hearing other peoples thoughts about the knife, whether you've handled one or not.

 

[Blacplastik]

Wonder what it weighs.
But I hope Gerber comes back and starts making good products in USA.

 

[marrenmiller]

I'm wondering who will buy this, as it's probably too expensive for Gerber's primary audience, and the enthusiast market by and large doesn't trust Gerber to make anything good.

I'd be wary of suspecting that Gerber can deliver a consistently tuned and well crafted product, even if it's made in the US. I say that having owned a handful of their US made folders, which I found to be unique but not extremely well made.

 

[AF]

Wonder what it weighs.

I see a couple different weights but it's under 3oz and similar to the Dividend.

 

[AF]

I'm wondering who will buy this, as it's probably too expensive for Gerber's primary audience, and the enthusiast market by and large doesn't trust Gerber to make anything good.

I'd be wary of suspecting that Gerber can deliver a consistently tuned and well crafted product, even if it's made in the US. I say that having owned a handful of their US made folders, which I found to be unique but not extremely well made.

I'm a bit skeptical as well and certainly won't be buying one before reading reviews and watching videos. I also wouldn't pay $100 which appears to be the MAP. So I'd have to find a deal.

 

[marrenmiller]

I'm a bit skeptical as well and certainly won't be buying one before reading reviews and watching videos. I also wouldn't pay $100 which appears to be the MAP. So I'd have to find a deal.

I will say this: I'd love for it to be a fantastic knife. I wish Gerber's US endeavors nothing but success.

 

[cbrstar]

I actually would like to try one but being in Canada = fat chance.

One thing that im not too keen on though was the MAP was supposed to be $99, meaning the knife would come in slightly less. Now blade HQ is saying the map is $120...

 

[gazz98]

I wish Gerber all the best too. I've learned over the years I don't like metal handled knives. I'm a synthetic handled fan myself. YMMV.

I currently own two Gerber products. A Strongarm from a years ago and an old 600 multi-tool. I don't seen any Gerber purchases in my near future. If the new US made products seem decent, I might send some $ to Gerber.

BTW, the Fastball is 2.7 oz according to knifecenter.

 

[tgtodd]

If it was only 3.5"...

 

[Night Rider]

I will say this: I'd love for it to be a fantastic knife. I wish Gerber's US endeavors nothing but success.

By the looks of it they are trying to step up their game. I won this one in a GAW here and when I opened it I was pleasantly surprised to see the Crosshatch textering on the aluminum scales, Jimping, and a nice little swedge on the clip point. It's called an Air Ranger and was designed knife maker, William Harsey Jr. and it sells for $35 bucks. A very nice little EDC for the price but it's tip down right side carry only and rides on Nylon washers so they still have a little more to figure out but the future looks bright.

 

[bigddy263]

I think a lightly textured front scale, m390 for the blade, and a deep carry clip, and I would be in for one at $100. It looks like the clip already has nice countersunk screws. I own a dividend m390 and my only complaint with it is the slippery scales. I love its thinness and the thin blade. Of course the action and lockup would have to be great on the fastball too. I will be waiting for an upgraded version and some reviews before I pick one up. If I didn't have the dividend, I might give one a shot now. Or if lived where spring assist was illegal.

 

[tcd511]

I'm wondering who will buy this, as it's probably too expensive for Gerber's primary audience, and the enthusiast market by and large doesn't trust Gerber to make anything good.

I'd be wary of suspecting that Gerber can deliver a consistently tuned and well crafted product, even if it's made in the US. I say that having owned a handful of their US made folders, which I found to be unique but not extremely well made.

So, I decided to drink the koolaid after watching BHQ's Shot Show review of Gerber, especially the Fastball. I received my Fastball today and would just like to say that unfortunately, Gerber's quality control is still a problem. The one I received has a lot of left/right blade play as well as the centering of the blade is so far off it is rubbing the frame. Should have just bought a Dividend with the M390 but I was really hoping that Gerber was coming back and was coming back with a home run in the Fastball but ultimately just another bad foul.

 

[Night Rider]

So, I decided to drink the koolaid after watching BHQ's Shot Show review of Gerber, especially the Fastball. I received my Fastball today and would just like to say that unfortunately, Gerber's quality control is still a problem. The one I received has a lot of left/right blade play as well as the centering of the blade is so far off it is rubbing the frame. Should have just bought a Dividend with the M390 but I was really hoping that Gerber was coming back and was coming back with a home run in the Fastball but ultimately just another bad foul.

Wow that just sucks tcd511. I was hoping that Gerber would be on top of their game in the QC department while launching a new ambitious release. The Gerber Air Ranger I was gifted came through with the pivot so tight that one of the nylon washers was squished and it took a lot of tinkering including bending the liner lock outward to relieve pressure on the detent. Maybe were just unlucky . Anyway thanks for taking the plunge and letting us know and BTW Kershaw has always been my goto brand for work knives with the Blur being my all time favorite.

 

[marrenmiller]

So, I decided to drink the koolaid after watching BHQ's Shot Show review of Gerber, especially the Fastball. I received my Fastball today and would just like to say that unfortunately, Gerber's quality control is still a problem. The one I received has a lot of left/right blade play as well as the centering of the blade is so far off it is rubbing the frame. Should have just bought a Dividend with the M390 but I was really hoping that Gerber was coming back and was coming back with a home run in the Fastball but ultimately just another bad foul.

That's a shame. I'm guessing the play can't be adjusted out? Unless the pivot tolerances are just horrid (which frankly wouldn't surprise, knowing Gerber), you might be able to fix both of those issues in one shot.

 

[AF]

T tcd511 You tried tightening the pivot?

 

[Im_your_huckleberry]

So, I decided to drink the koolaid after watching BHQ's Shot Show review of Gerber, especially the Fastball. I received my Fastball today and would just like to say that unfortunately, Gerber's quality control is still a problem. The one I received has a lot of left/right blade play as well as the centering of the blade is so far off it is rubbing the frame. Should have just bought a Dividend with the M390 but I was really hoping that Gerber was coming back and was coming back with a home run in the Fastball but ultimately just another bad foul.

Well that's the first review I've seen of a Fastball and, as I was afraid would be the case, it's not good. Even if the blade play can be adjusted out you shouldn't have to with a $100 knife. Maybe this is just a bad QC'd one but still that shouldn't be the case given the price. You can make knives in the USA with better materials but if the tolerances and QC still suck it doesn't matter, you're still the same old Gerber. If the emerging Chinese brands can do it you can too Gerber.

 

[amunderdog]

Was hoping they were going to attempt relevance.
First the billboarding thru me off.

They hide that that pretty good in most pictures.

Then this thread.
Wonder what strike three could be.

 

[AF]

The knife definitely should not have shipped like that. That said, if the centering and play are resolved by a turn of the pivot screw, it's a much smaller issue.

 

[tcd511]

I figured I would post an update. So I decided to not return it and instead tinker with it to see if I could resolve my issues with it. I did attempt to tighten the pivot which helped but caused the blade to not open fully. Ended up taking it apart, cleaning and applying some nano oil. When reassembling I used a wedge to push the blade to the opposite side of the frame and tightened all the screws down. This held the blade to other side of where the blade was contacting the frame. I then began gently loosening the pivot and as I did this I was able to center the blade and remove the play. The knife now fly's open with the flipper and the blade has remained centered. I am now satisfied with it and have been carrying since my original comment.

 

[gamepete]

With my 60 something hands I can open it up fast about half the time and without nicking my palm. About fourth the time it's a slow ball for me.