Gerber Popularity

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ASBOB

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We discuss the prominence of the big three--BM, Spyderco, Kershaw--and some folks mention Victorinox or Buck.

But everytime I go to a big box sporting goods store--the kind that is a mass retailer--the one brand of knives they always have in abundance is Gerber. Sometimes they have some Bucks, sometimes SAKs. But always plenty of Gerbers. This seems to be the best selling brand of all, in the clamshell sealed segment of the market, which is probably quite large.

Given Gerber's mixed reputation here, it kind of puts into perspective our concerns and our place in the market.

My edc is a Benchmade. btw.
 
I believe Gerber used to be well regarded, but quality and business practices may have changed. When I was younger, I always liked my Gerbers best. I didn't know much about knives, and this was around 15 years ago, but they seemed fine at the time.

To be fair, I still have my father's Mark 1 boot knife, and it's US made 440C from 30 years ago. Still a nice knife. The ones today don't seem up to the same standards, but again, my knowledge and preferences have expanded. I hope someone has a more official answer.
 
Growing up about 25-30 years ago, my dad had a Gerber drop point that was the knife my brother and I lusted after. Took an amazing edge, and seemed to hold it forever. Based on my more recent experiences, Gerber's not what it was then.
 
I grew up through scouts with cheap knives that I used hard and put away wet. Gerbers were the "good ones" compared to the Fury branded ones most carried.

They do make some good knives. But they have a lot of that have terrible design flaws.

Personally my USA made gerber gator folder has never failed me in anyway. but it is retired now adays.
 
A lot of guys I know have Gerber pocket knives. Generally it's because they just bought the coolest looking knife they could find from Wal-Mart or Canadian Tire (which happened to be a Gerber), but most folks I know are quite happy with their Gerber knives.
 
Gerbers are okay, but their tolerances, materials, and QC in my experience tend to be meh. I have had a Gerber folder I paid 45 dollars for have a handle scale that couldn't stay on because the force of opening would loosen the screws. Compare that to my Kershaw Whirlwind I got for the same price and it is still absolutely excellent (Though I also carry a Benchmade now). But Wal Mart and the like carry what is cheap enough to appeal to the uneducated consumer and that is in the knife world in many models Gerber. Not to say all Gerbers are bad, the Profile is actually a surprisingly good knife for only 15-20 bucks and I have one in my emergency car bag because it's cheap enough to be able to afford to lose in an emergency.
 
My sense from the boards was that Gerber used to be a solid, established brand. But some years ago it was sold, and everything is now cheap. offshore stuff. But thanks to successful marketing and excellent product placement, I assume that is what's selling.
 
I carried a large Gerber EZ-Out (ATS-34) as my only knife on the Appalachian Trail (AT) back in 1998. For near 500 miles (GA to VA), I used it for everything you can imagine (even preparing small firewood). It held up moderately well. By the end of my hike, the pivot was fairly loose, and the little rubber inserts had torn a bit. But for an inexpensive knife, it earned every penny.

As a side note, after I returned, I started heavily collecting Benchmades. I went from my original AFCK . . . to BM940's . . . to CRK Sebenzas eventually. And I have never looked back. Of course, every time I see an EZ-Out, I recall my days on the AT (and I get a little sentimental -- but that's between me and y'all).
 
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Thirty to forty years ago, Gerber was what Spyderco is today, a relatively small company making knives for the relatively small knife aficionado market. They eventually were going bankrupt that way, and the brand was sold to Fiskars, who changed their market focus to the big-box, mass market segment where there is a lot more money and a lot less knowledge. Comparing the new Gerbers I've bought in recent years to the old Gerbers I've had since the 70s, I'd have to say the brand isn't what it once was. It is now quantity over quality, but the average person won't spend the money for a good knife, and probably couldn't tell the difference anyway, so I guess it works out for them. I still find it sad, though.
 
in the 80s the gerber folding sportsman was the knife. most of their 70s & 80s models were only bettered by pumas. in fact they were probably the best made american knives at the time for fishing & hunting. alas all things pass--maybe they have some good stuff now but i do'nt have time to experiment.
dennis
 
I still like Gerber, most of them sharpen really easy and hold a decent edge as long as you don't over do it. Sometimes nics and chips can develop with harder use, but I like alot of the products.
 
I have a few older Gerbers but the most recent one was a Gerber SL 3.25 ATS-34 blade with Carbon Fiber scales I think they stopped makin' 'em in the late 90s early 2000s.

It is one of my favorites as far as EDC and I was really impressed with the quality, so much so I bought another as an in case knife, (in case I lose it, break it or wear it out.

I haven't bought any of the current stock of Gerbers so I'm not sure how they hold up but the old stuff is great when ya can find it.
 
In the 80s and 90s I bought Gerbers exclusively and I still have more than a few of them. I think Gerber has moved on to become a mainstream consumer knife company. They still have some interesting stuff, but it's pretty obvious that their target market is Joe Average Consumer.
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SP
 
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Don't know what it is about Gerbers now, but their designs just don't do it for me. I sold off all my Gerbers except the L.S.T. ( threw it in the glove box) because I knew there were better knives. The L.S.T was actually one of the precursors to modern zytel handled knives and was very revolutionary in that regard. Maybe the older Gerbers were OK, but the stuff out now looks all wrong to me. The LMF would be a possibility without the serrations , but alas the steel got downgraded (IMO) and the serrations remain even though most people don't want them . Very gimmicky models now to say the least.:thumbdn:
 
I still have a soft spot for Gerber. I spent alot of my younger years lusting after their knives. BMF, Parabellum,LST, Mark II,TAC-II. Two of my favorite movies featured Gerber knives, "Shoot to Kill" and "Big trouble in little China." I still like a lot of their knives but not all of them. Just like a lot of knife companys.
 
Gerber was known back in the 80s as one of the Premier Knife Companies.

"Some designers who have designed knives for Gerber in the past include: Bob Loveless, Paul Poehlmann, Blackie Collins, William Harsey Jr., Fred Carter, Rick Hinderer, Brad Parrish, Ernest Emerson and Matt Larsen.

Former Gerber employees who started their own successful knife companies include Al Mar and Pete Kershaw.

Gerber built a line of folding knives based on designs of Rex Applegate.

Examples of designs by Gerber are the "bolt action" locking system designed by Blackie Collins, the unique front opening action of the Gerber multitools, and the push button locking Paul knives of Paul Poehlmann. Also unusual are Gerber's niche market products, such as the Clip-it diving knives."

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (Redirected from Gerber Knives)
 
I collect vintage Gerbers- anything pre-Fisker.('86)They used excellent hard HSS in their fixed blades. I'd still put one up against anything currently made. S30 has nothing on old Gerbers.

When Fisker bought Gerber, the first thing they did was scrap the HSS that had made Gerber famous. Thank goodness they did that, cuz now I've got a pile of vintage Gerbers that do nothing but appreciate. Thanks Fisker, for making the stupidest move that makes my collection more valuable year by year.
 
I have a gator stud and gator mate. I really like they way they both fit my big hands but the steel is sub-par. I guess they sell so many at the big box stores due to cost/profit ratio. I do however have the folding saw which I love.
 
I thought Gerber made baby food.

Yep, I see too much gerber stuff also. Academe Sports and Walmart have way too much of their product. I am lucky I live so close to AG Russells shop or my knife life would suck. Gerber is made for goobers who grew up eating Gerber...........Not really true but it had to be said.

I dont buy Gerber, if I did I would just hit the pawn shops and get them for 10 or 15 bucks.

I have also realized that Wal Mart is carrying Leatherman also, thats kind of cool and helps them off set their dork status for carrying Winchester knives. Nothing like a good Winchester knife, they rank right up their with the Spork from KFC.

Am I the only one who gets this stuff.
 
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