Gerber Gator steel question

[John Puckett]

I have a Gerger Gator from about 6 years ago and I have never seen anything or anywhere about what kind of blade steel they have. I'm just wondering. Any info would be great. Thanks.

 

[weldonk]

440A. If it's ATS-34 it would say so on the blade. I have found the following to be a general guide in my collecting of older production knives with stainless steel blades. "Stainless steel", "Rostpruf" (spl?),"Surgical steel", you can count on a 420 series. "440 series", "Special Analyis" (as found on Schrade and Camillius)is generally a 440A or equal. If it is 440c it will generally say so on the blade or on the box (older Gerbers had it in the literature in the box and on the box). Many knives that used to use 440c have now switched to aus8a or 440A. (Gerber and now Browning) When production knives first started using ATS-34 about 5-7 years ago they would put it on the blade (sometimes in big letters so you couldn't miss it!) Generally if it's a top end steel (ATS-34,CM 154, D-2, the CPM's, etc) it will be stamped on the tang,etched on the blade or on the lit.-box. Spydies are the only knives that I'm aware of that put the grade (be it GIN1 (2),ATS-34,ATS-55,etc) on the tang of all of their blades, bless 'em! Nowdays it's hard to keep up with 420 and aus6 taking the place of 440A in many of the moderatly (and not so moderately) priced US production pieces. Remember this is not hard and fast but a general rule of thumb. Good Luck Weldonk

 

[HM]

I was let to believe that old Gerber Gators have 420 type steel blade. I read it here on BF not at the official Gerber website.

HM

 

[bob bowie]

I have a 440A model. The original steel was 440A, then it was changed to 425M. There are a few deluxe models that used ATS-34, and are so marked.

HTH.

 

[John Puckett]

Thanks for the help guys. All I have is the sheath now, I guess I threw the papers and box out a long time ago. Mine has no markings on the blade so I guess its not the ATS-34 version.