Gerber Quality

In the mid 90's I had several of the Gerber multitools where the pliers jaws could be flicked out of the handle and into action. The last one of these was what I carried into Iraq with me in 2003. They all worked fine-nothing fancy but dependable and on par with the first generation of Leatherman tools. That last one was lost while redeploying back to the States. My bride replaced it with the newer version that had fat, spring loaded pliers jaws and rubber inlays in the handle. Didn't feel like the same quality and the rubber inserts didn't last long before falling off. I didn't really warm up to that version and eventually replaced them in the rotation with a used Leatherman Wave which I bought off of e-bay. I often carry the Leatherman Wave but never reach for the Gerber. Everything about the Leatherman feels like better quality while the old Gerber multiool just feels cheap and waiting for an opportunity to break in my hands. The only thing that the Gerber may have over the Leatherman is the locking mechanism. This cheapening of the Gerber brand seemed to just continue with the intro of the Bear Grylls line in Wally World. I personally wouldn't put Gerber in the same category as the US made Buck knives nor Leatherman even though they target the same customer. I own and have carried a Buck 112 for a number of years-a quality knife made with decent steel that you are not afraid of using. Nothing fancy, nothing too expensive, just dependable.

Foxdoublegunner
 
Gerber and quality do not fit in the same sentence. I've been collecting Gerber since the 1980's. Good knives back then. Fiskers blew it. First off...when they started importing, their warranty was for only 1 yr. Well that didn't last because of the shoddy quality. Lately customer service has been an issue. Like Microtech....they keep no record of knife components, (clips, screws, sheaths, etc.) Several recalls haven't helped their image. All their knives are overpriced compared to similar models. Really just making "whatever" for the masses. I would say that Guidesman, Schrade, Camillus, and Kershaw have better offerings for less money. The U.S. Models with premium steel are low quality. Better off getting Piranha and Protech as far as their autos go. Especially when they have $120 autos with 420 steel. Baer Grylls actually had a Gator folder break on him in Man vs. Wild. In the Walking Dead they showed Rick Grimes using one and it closed on his hand. He then replaced it with a Southern Grind model. You can't go wrong with their U.S. Lower end fix blades if they are on sale. Stay away from the LMF. You pay twice the price of a Prodigy just because it comes with a larger butt plate. Gerber knives are generally dull crap, overpriced, and heavy compared to other competitors. Blah, Blah....I could continue for hours.
 
If I had to choose a Becker or a Gerber I think I would lean towards Gerber. Not based on materials, but based on design. I prefer 1095 over 420hc Gerber uses, but Gerber's designs are more functional in my opinion. I think that is one area Gerber doesn't get enough credit - is in the design department. They do have creative yet functional knife/sheath designs. It is a shame they don't place more emphasis on using high quality materials (and QC) in at least a subset of their products. I would consider them if they did.

The first knife I ever bought for myself was a 499 Air Force survival knife. As a kid the 499 and a Swiss army knife were my only blades. The 499 is long gone, and I haven't used any of the newer OKC blades, but I think I'll put a few on my wishlist. Heck I may buy a 499 for nostalgia's sake - I never found it to be really functional as a kid, I just thought it looked cool. (The OKC rats do look like a good line of knives.)

That said I would prefer my ESEE PR4, or Spyderco Bushcraft, over any Gerber I have based on materials and design.
 
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Velitrius said:
Maybe you have an issue with the Strongarm's level of quality. I don't. It's a great addition to my BOB.

Perhaps you can educate me. What are the shortcomings of my gear? What perils will I not be able to overcome, simply because of the "unwise" and "fool" nature of my selection? Which $50 fixed blade would stack the deck in my favor, and what would it do so much better than the Strongarm?

Can't wait to see what I'm missing.
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Don't let the knife snobs on these forums deter you. For the 50 dollar price range, the Gerber Strongarm looks to be a damn good knife that will take a ton of hard use. (see 'the gauntlet' youtube video testing series on the Strongarm)

Personally, I have found it hard to find bad reviews on the Strongarm. From most of what I can find, Gerber has made a good quality fixed blade here.

Is there low quality Gerber product out there? Sure there is, but the patient & discerning buyer knows where most of this comes from anyways.

I have a couple newer USA made Gerbers and I have no complaints. Just stay away from the cheaper, foreign-made stuff and you should be fine.
 
I'm going to reply on this post on Gerber and forgive my nostalgia creeping in but I think you'll get my point on Gerber.

When I was a kid we weren't cuddling our Schrade's and giving them kissy faces and calling our $20-$50 knives 'special'.We used them for the design and function they were intended for.You sharpened it and called it a day and all you had to concern on edge retention was the debate between tool steel and the higher cost of stainless steel.If you lost or stole your knife or snapped the tip off...you marched down to the local hardware store and bought another.A reliable and functional cutting tool domestic or imported isn't hard to make...the design is what sells it.

Gerber's out of China follow that philosophy on just function and some good models have came and gone...

The Metolius Series
The Profile
The Myth (fixed blade model)
The Big Rock
The Obsidian (never liked the screwdriver though...poorly crafted)
Torch II
Kiowa
Firestorm
Presto 3.0 and 3.5
Fast Draw
Air Ranger (I'm more partial to the edge geometry on their Taiwan era)

These are the imported models at least that I like by Gerber and all those ran in that ballpark range on price.The point is you're going to find hit and miss on both USA and China made in that price factor.But most of the USA stuff I find to be a 'miss' strangely is popular by some YouTube reviewer's recommendation who doesn't look like they've been using it or at least enough to give a legit opinion.No residue on the factory edge,grit scrape marks to the bevel from sharpening,no rub or actual scratches to the coated blades or staining...no signs of use.There's a level of dishonesty in addressing inconsistencies on USA made inexpensive knives but those very eager to point out the slightest little thing on a Gerber.


Concerning Gerber's blade steel I'm sure I'm going to get some criticism on my viewpoint but I'm not really concerned about the Rockwell hardness by China.Traditional stainless steels domestic and foreign are soft and I usually rate their performance by grind,bevel width, and edge geometry to know how far I can take it when it comes to coarse materials since their softness causes them to dull quicker...cutting power can overcome that to an extent.It's more fair to judge any knife you encounter by the performance of the blade design firsthand then the steel quality because like I said results vary.Gerber's steel is nothing special-it sharpens easily and keeps it's edge for a while if it's not the monotonous use of just being a box-cutter.But to say Gerber's steel as a whole is crap just sounds a bit uneducated.
 
I have to say that my folder Gerber Freeman, sold by Cabelas (USA S30V), is still effective... after some years of usage...
I have to add that my Strongarm as well my LMF II are cutting very well, after hard usage... After some years these tools are still effective...
Just these few words: "the tools are still effective". That is enough for me.
And I would like to add what data I found in Amazon.
The vast majority of buyers have only good words to say about Strongarm and LMF II:
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-StrongArm-Fixed-Blade-30-001038N/product-reviews/B00U0ILXGC
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Survival-Knife-Black-22-01629/product-reviews/B000E3QUB6

That is all... (a lot as far as my humble opinion is concerned) about the Gerbery quality...
 
hunter55 said:
I have to say that my folder Gerber Freeman, sold by Cabelas (USA S30V), is still effective... after some years of usage...
I have to add that my Strongarm as well my LMF II are cutting very well, after hard usage... After some years these tools are still effective...
Just these few words: "the tools are still effective". That is enough for me.
And I would like to add what data I found in Amazon.
The vast majority of buyers have only good words to say about Strongarm and LMF II:
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-StrongArm-Fixed-Blade-30-001038N/product-reviews/B00U0ILXGC
https://www.amazon.com/Gerber-Survival-Knife-Black-22-01629/product-reviews/B000E3QUB6

That is all... (a lot as far as my humble opinion is concerned) about the Gerbery quality...
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I forgot about Gerber’s fixed stuff. Or bad at all generally.

I have a couple at the cottage (forget the models), and they are good knives. One is a 12” Gerber machete that I bash the living crap out of cutting trees, batoning wood, etc. and it is a beast. The steel is pretty crappy though. I think I paid $30 for it. The finish is wearing quick, but it is still rock solid.
 
zfJames said:
I have researched several Gerber knives (including some information-mining on this forum) such as the LMF II, and I have heard about numerous quality-control issues and sloppy building techniques at Gerber. I have personally never owned a Gerber knife, although I have carried one in the past on a few trips and I really liked it. Has Gerber’s overall knife quality dropped, or are people just complaining more often since the Bear Grylls series was introduced? What Gerber knives do you own and how well have they performed?
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I own the A/F versions in all 3 sizes and have found them solid and well built.. The covert and the combat folders are my present edc.
 
I used to find Gerber designs very appealing. And I never had any complaints about quality in the knives I purchased from them. Until recently I carried my original Harsey Air Ranger II as my EDC for years. Super tough knife. The aluminum scales are worn, but the washers still operate smoothly and there’s no blade play after years of everyday use. Still feels solid. Super light too. Love the Roto lock also.

I met Bill Harsey at the SHOT show a few years ago and pulled out my Air Ranger II to show him. He seemed surprised and pleased that I was still carrying a long discontinued knife.
For me, it’s still my ideal folder design. Gerber did a great job. The AUS 8 or whatever mystery steel they used is adequate and has held up ok. If only it had something like BG-42 or S30V it would be perfect. I wish someone would reintroduce it.
 
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You last two guys note the dates of previous post?

Oh, what the heck, Gerber has seen better days. In my opinion you can do better for the money spent.

With that being said, I love their 600 series multi-tools. Sure the finish isn’t the best and the steel heat treatment is questionable. But, whenever I am tired, cold and wet, I find the Gerber multi tools easier to use than something like a Leatherman Wave.

Don’t get me wrong. Leatherman makes a superior product. No question. But Gerber‘s ergonomics win me over.
 
J_holtslander, care to elaborate? How'd you break it?
My experience with Gerber multis has been pretty mixed. More negative than positive, but an old mp400 is still one of my favorite multitools to carry. I like the slidey pliers, decent scissors and light weight. Plus I just love the big U.S.A. stamp on the handle.
 
Shrub said:
care to elaborate? How'd you break it?
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I was using it not as intended. Like a screwdriver for a large slotted piece of hardware. But lengthwise, not from the tip.

eg:
images
 
j_holtslander said:
I was using it not as intended. Like a screwdriver for a large slotted piece of hardware. But lengthwise, not from the tip.

eg:
images
Click to expand...

In that case, the type and size of the piece pictured would increase the amount of reverse leverage against the file too. Can't really blame that one on the multi. Not that you were. You did say you were using it "not as intended". As far as being "pot metal", files do usually use a different type of steel than a knife blade. Typically they use tool steels with alot of larger carbides, iIrc. So it would look a little different than a well heat treaded knife steel.
 
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I got original LMF for sale
Beware, it's not your globchin days quality and/or price :^)
 
I'll throw out that over the fifty or so years I've been working & playing with the most versatile tool our species has invented I've owned several Gerber knives. No specific complaints on any of them.

All were bought before the turn of the millennium as I recall, with the exception of the 19'ish inch long Fiskars Brush Axe billhook with it's plastic axe handle. It appears to have *extremely* short attachment area to the handle. Which makes me hesitant to wail on it too hard, in spite of it working very well at lopping green pine branches off blowdown trees. Very comfy for my small hands. It's dull, but still chops okay. I don't look forward to trying to sharpen the in-curving tip section when needed because I've never worked with or sharpened scythes, which this seems to approximate in shape. It's a beater & car trunk user. I do like that its very thin stock, coupled with the relatively long length, bites well into green wood.

Their production of the Blackie Collins River Master design always impressed me as being sort of the ultimate minimalistic knife. Blade & handle shaped from a single bar of steel, skeleton handle to accommodate clip to secure it in the sheath, and half serrated for rope cutting that would be common when rafting or kayaking. Blade just long enough for shore lunch duty. Overall light weight.

The drop point A475 Hunter worked well for the infrequent tasks I used it on, mostly food prep. Armorhide handle coating got beat up rattling around storage. M2 tool steel blade IIRC always seemed hard to sharpen. Harder than my other knives at the time, so not surprising.

The MK-I/-II daggers were interesting designs in the British war knife continuum to me. I used them for inappropriate civilian chores & they didn't seem to care.

EDC for quite a while was a wonderfully slim model with walnut & brass handle that just seemed to disappear in the pocket. Sportsman III by the look of pics online.

Re: current Gerber offerings, particularly the BG line. While there are a couple designs that look like they'd work okay for camp chores, I'm of the opinion these days to spend up & reap very much higher performance (over what appears to be quick 'n dirty materials & production from Fiskars/Gerber) for the extra bucks. Plus my knife chores these days are confined mostly to kitchen duty, cardboard box breakdown, and rude & dirty daily snips 'n cuts.
 
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I just got a new Sedulo and it's not a bad knife at all!
It's sharp, has lots of grippiness in the scales, and the action is at least okay...
 
The EAB Utility is probably the only Gerber blade I would ever buy again. It was one of several tiny, cheap, and disposable knives I bought when I was working in a warehouse and shipping out pallets of food, wrapped in shrink wrap. The EA Utility is an above average cutter for that kind of work, where you really don't want to carry anything expensive. I'd still carry something better if I was to go back in time with what I know now, but for what it is Gerber did a really good job with them.

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