Gerber Gator S30V Fixed

kyturkey

kyturkey

Joined
Oct 10, 2007
Messages
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I was looking at getting a Fallkniven F1 but ran across the Gator, which is cheaper.

So, I was wondering if anybody had any experience or thoughts on the Geber S30V Bell & Carson handled Gator. Never had an S30V bladed knife, and was wondering about using it hunting and camping. I've seen edge retention stated as being better along with being more difficult to sharpen.

I've got a folding gator that has cleaned several deer, and I've been happy with it. I really like the handle material.
 
I don't think you'd have any trouble at all with that knife. One thing I've found in my experience with s30v though is to not let it get too dull before sharpening, otherwise you will be sharpening for a while.
 
What tknife said. Keep it sharp and it'll be easier to maintain. Get it dull and it's a beast to sharpen, at least with my limited sharpening abilities. Diamonds make a huge difference.

That knife got great reviews from Outdoor Life or Field and Stream or something. They really liked the blade and the handle. It's on my way too long list of knives to get. I'll snatch one up if I can find it on a good sale.

The F1 would be a better all around knife, is highly respected and highly reviewed, and their VG10 is supposed to be excellent. It's much higher on my must have list and I was seriously thinking of purchasing one when I found out about the Spyderco Bushcraft 2nds. Now I'm in love! I would like the F1 better with micarta scales, but that doubles the price of them, making them much less attractive. You can get them with micarta at KnivesShipFree.
 
I have know cases of S30V blades being brittle and chipping/cracking, personally I'd go with the Fallkniven !
 
Camillus made that run of BK-7's in S30v, also Buck has used it in fixed blades, so I'm sure it will work well. Should have more edge retention then VG10 also, although I find VG10 much easier to sharpen. I would maybe think twice before using it to baton frozen wood, but that would be about it. I think there are a few S30v Bucks around that size\price in the exchange right now that you might also want to check out.
 
Regardless of steel, The B&C S30V Gerber is hollow ground. The Fallkniven F1 is convex ground.

A hollow grind makes for a nice skinner or hunting knife. If you're going to use it to dress deer or other critters and use it occasionally for woodcraft it'll do fine.

If you are looking for a woodcraft/bushcraft knife that can be used as a skinner or for splitting/batoning then get the Fallkniven F1.

They're both very good knives but the grind should be taken into consideration as much as the steel.

EDIT:
Forgot to add. The B&C Gerber Gator is Cabela's exclusive. Its the only place to get it and it's comes with Cabela's highly rated customer service and satisfaction guarantee (lifetime for defects and one year for money-back satisfaction guarantee). Its also made in USA if that matters.
 
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I have had the s30v Gator fixed for some time, they are a darn good quality knife, Besides that, if you get it at Cabelas, you get a no questions asked complete money back or replacement warranty. There are some darn good Gerbers out there, don't fall for the all Gerbers are bad, it's hog wash. I have probably 25 Gerber knives, all well used. The s30v is the newest one, not a lot of use yet, I had it convexed as well.
 
pitdog- I was wondering about that, seems I remember reading somewhere about S30V chipping.

udtjim- It is good to hear from someone who actually has one, and likes it so far.

Thanks for all the replies. It's great that there is a wealth of knowledge here, and people are willing to share it.
 
udtjim said:
There are some darn good Gerbers out there, don't fall for the all Gerbers are bad, it's hog wash. I have probably 25 Gerber knives, all well used.
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My first real pocket knife was a Gerber LST Magnum Jr. The LST was the begining of the plastic/FRN handled lightweight pocket knife. Designed by Blackie Collins they're still made today. The USA built Gerbers (LST and Gators) are great knives for the price.

I rank the LST right up there with the Remington 870, the Parker Jotter ball point pen and the Mitchell 300 reel. Its ugly, its inexpensive but it works and its ridiculously easy to maintain. Takes a great edge easily. Its been around for around 20 years and Gerber has not slipped on the quality.

I've used mine for everything and even though I have Benchmade and Spyderco folders now I still have my LST Jr. I've used it to spur buffing wheels and to dress turkey. Its held up to all of it.

I'm not a fan of their imported stuff but the knives made in the US are great for the price.
 
Rupestris said:
The USA built Gerbers are great knives for the price.

I'm not a fan of their imported stuff but the knives made in the US are great for the price.
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+1. :thumbup:
And even their Taiwan made knives are pretty good.
It's those from mainland China that in my experience should generally be avoided.
 
I am not aware of any chipping problems with any of the moderrn s30v. I never heard much negative about it. D2 had a little chipping problem when they first came out but like a lot of new stuff, the bugs are pretty much worked out. I have several Buck s30v as well as several other brands. I have not had one chip yet.

I am not a huge fan of s30v but i think it has become a top notch blade steel. As a rule, it's a little spendy for me.:) The Gerber is a bargain IMO.
 
I've had probably 15 Gerbers over the last 3 years and the only one I feel I got my money's worth out of is a fixie Profile that costed me 10 dollars. The 80 I wasted on my LMF, the 40 on the Guardian and the 35 on the EZ OUT... major edge chipping with normal everyday use, the EZ OUT's blade snapped half an inch from the point and after about a week the action was so garbled it became a loose framelock knife. Maybe they've changed quality over the years, who knows, but as for me if I'm making an investment into a quality bushcrafting knife, it will NOT be a gerber
 
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