Gerber Knives?

i actuallt just bought the same knife the other day ... i'm not sure how well it will hold and edge through use but i know it get's real real m*t*e*f*c*i*g sharp ... i am pleased especially for the price i payed for it
 
Interesting thing on Gerber. If you watch the stores (and web-sites) you will come across Gerber Gators in 154CM or AST-34 (new made). I have recently purchased three of them. Same price as the "surgical stainless" knives ($39.95). They do not seem to be cataloged? My plain blade full sized 154CM gator (folder) is as sharp as my two new Bark Rivers (or any other knife I have bought NIB). BTW, the Gerber Brush Hog (big curved machette type knife with long handle) I bought my wife for $34.95 was very sharp and was still "new" looking and sharp after limbing six 40 foot tall cedars. I have many similar sized machettes and none come close to this thing. 1 1/2" to 2" branches came off in one swing. The forward swept point has a large dull end that prevents hitting rocks from damaging the blade. No idea what it is made of.
Ron
 
hwyhobo said:
Aren't they made by Fiskars? In fact, isn't Gerber owned by Fiskars now?
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Actuall, No, and Yes.

Fiskars may be the parent company of Gerber, but Gerber makes their camp hatchets and axes in Oregon, using a much crappier steel than Fiskars makes theirs with in Sweeden or Finland or wherever they are. If you're looking, please do yourself a favor and get the Fiskars model. For more evidence, and people's experiences, just search in the Axe and Hawk forum. It's an eye opener. In brief, the Gerbers chip, roll, and loose their edges much faster than the Fiskars models of the same axe.

Since I have no proof other than Gerber employees, it may be possible that it is in fact the same steel, but Fiskars does a better job on the heat treat. Bottom line though, the Fiskars are better for the same price and design.
 
I picked up a Gerber similar to the one you have in the picture. It came sharp, and stayed sharp. Now, what did i use it for? I took it hunting, and i have skinned my share of deer with it. For cutting meat, skinning deer, and general use Gerber makes a fine knife at a reasonable price. I think mine was about 30 bucks. The price and the balance to mine was what sold me. Alas, i did not bring it to Iraq with me. I have a benchmade and another gerber here. The gerber is the applegate folder (issued). I must say that it is a good blade, even if a little prone to rusting here and there.
 
Back in the day (read: early-mid 90s), Gerber made some nice stuff. Their LST was a good knockaround beater, and I still like my old 800 multitool. (Destroyed the wirecutters trimming some floral wire, but I digress)

Nowadays, though? Largely junk. Their ATS-34/154CM stuff is as good as any they've ever made, but their other "400 stainless" knives are fit only for light use or toolbox beaters.
 
Gerber's hayday was what 70's-80's? I have some very good ones made in Seiki Japan, really nice fit & finish. I no longer buy them.
 
but Gerber makes their camp hatchets and axes in Oregon, using a much crappier steel than Fiskars makes theirs with in Sweeden or Finland or wherever they are
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Just to clear that up I bought a small hatchet from gerber and it was made in finland. It was about a year ago. I don't know if things have changed since then, but it is by far the best hatchet I've ever used, you can get it shaving sharp and just fly through kindling and limb with it it's great!
 
I have a Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Covert Black in 154CM bought 4 years ago. Love it.

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Yeah, I still carry EZ-Outs on occasion. They're light and not too hideous for light cutting. As for Buck, I sure wish they'd settled on 440C instead. I can understand why people like them, though. The Applegate-Fairbairn Covert (above) has a blade that looks very much like the blade in the CRKT M16-13.
 
I have an ATS 34 EZ out an unmarked serrated EZ-out full size Air Ranger an LST and an AR 3.00. Good bang for the buck every one. The unmarked EZ out started as a "lets destroy a knife" project on a Sunday afternoon. One year on, it's still in the daily rotation.
 
My Gator Serrator (circa 1992) was an excellent cheapie knife. Three years of abuse in the army before I had to retire it, i.e. didn't wanna re-sharpen it.
 
Well, the AR 3.00 is still going strong. It's a light-weight knife that can be carried in the office or in the field. They make great gifts and first knives for scouts. The 440A stainless blade is respectable in this kind of knife and it's one I could recommend.

Gerber had a great reputation, but it's squandering it by going to cheap blade steels and hiding the grade of steels it is using.

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The AR 3.00
 
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