Gerber Shortcut...yuck.

P

pedalinbob

Joined
Jan 10, 2004
Messages
153
I was at Walmart, and got a Gerber Shortcut and a Paraframe for about $12.50. Seemed like a great price.

The Paraframe seems ok, but the quality is not great. Thought it might make a good beater knife--and I might scavenge the clip for a SAK project.
One problem I noticed is that I nearly sliced off the tip of my finger when closing it, because the fingertip was resting inside one of the frame holes.

Be careful!

The Shortcut esems kinda nifty. The quality is not great, but the implements work well. They are very tight, but they should loosen over time...if I continue to use it.

I carried it for a day in place of my Cadet.
I tried to use it to cut away a thick plastic ring-thing that held together a multi-pack of Ragu. The Shortcut didn't make the cut, but I should have expected the tiny scissors to have trouble on the thick plastic. The scissors are quite sharp, however.

I noticed the scissors wouldn't close, and realized the PLASTIC had folded the sharp edges over slightly! I had to file away the raised areas to allow the scissors to function. Needless to say, I am not impressed.

I grabbed my Swisstool and used the serrated blade to easily chop up the plastic thingy...like a hot knife through butter. Even my wife was impressed (she bought the Swisstool for me as a birthday gift last year) at how easily it handled the tough plastic. That knife blade is freaking sharp!

Anyway, I may try a Leatherman Squirt instead of the Shortcut, since this "issue" gives me good reason to buy another tool. :D

Bob
 
Apart from the buck 110's and a few fixed blades, the knives sold in the Wal-Mart counters are junk. Dont waste your money.

Gerber is pretty much crap now, *sigh* they used to be a fine company.



-[digidude]
 
I bought the same package deal a couple of months ago myself. I opened it, and didn't like the Shortcut compared to my S4.

pedalinbob said:
One problem I noticed is that I nearly sliced off the tip of my finger when closing it, because the fingertip was resting inside one of the frame holes.

Bob
Click to expand...

I nearly did the same thing myself with the Paraframe.

I returned the whole thing.
 
I received the same package as a gift, so I can't complain too much.
Like you I figure the para frame is an average knife.
The shortcut is also average. The blade sharpened nicely and the tools work well enough for what I will be using it for. I could not pull out the bottle opener/ SD at first. It was bought for me b/c it doesn't look like a knife. I work in a school and have to be careful about what I take in the building. For these reasons I'll give the shortcut a passing grade of C
 
I might have been a little harsh on the Shortcut. It really is a decent little tool, but I was surprised that the scissors' blades damaged so easily.

Got a Squirt S4 at Target yesterday for $15: VERY nice!
It is tiny, and feels solid with a nice selection of implements.

They had the Vic One Handed Trekker for $12.50! Kinda big for pocket carry, but looked like a great knife.

Bob
 
I had the exact same package also. The paraframe knife required an edge re-profile to get shaving sharp but would not stay sharp for more than five minutes. I learned then not to buy anymore Gerbers. The only plus I can think of is that the knife would make a good impact object when closed.
 
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