Gerber Strongarm: curious defect

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rlewpolar

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Oct 4, 2022
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Recently bought a Gerber Strongarm and it generally lives up to the hype. Strong, overbuilt tank that seems like a great value. However, noticed what looks like a defect right near the handle, blade interface. At first I thought it was a crack but looking closer, it seems like a raised lip of unground material. I can’t tell if it continues down into the tang. It’s only present on one side. Just wondering if this is likely to cause problems down the road, if it’s somehow a weak point. If a knife is likely to snap, it’s usually in this area. Anyone ever see anything like this?

https://imgur.com/a/u4AtXhr
 
Just par for the course for Gerber. They cut costs where they can to provide the cheapest knives possible. They probably don’t bother doing much finishing work below the grip and looks like the tolerances were off for the finished portion machining. Functionally insignificant, I’d say it’s cosmetic.
 
I'm not familiar with this knife....

What is the handle material made from?

From your picture, it looks like the handle melted down into the b!ade?
Or epoxy bleed out?
 
King of the Cheese said:
Just par for the course for Gerber. They cut costs where they can to provide the cheapest knives possible. They probably don’t bother doing much finishing work below the grip and looks like the tolerances were off for the finished portion machining. Functionally insignificant, I’d say it’s cosmetic.
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Thank you, that’s what I suspected also.
Crag the Brewer said:
I'm not familiar with this knife....

What is the handle material made from?

From your picture, it looks like the handle melted down into the b!ade?
Click to expand...
The handle is a type of thermoplastic covered in rubber. No, the handle is intact and it’s hard to tell from the pic but that line on the blade is actually a raised lip of thin metal. I think the previous poster has it right, it’s just sloppy finishing work. As long as it’s cosmetic, it doesn’t bother me in the least.

I will note that I ordered another one with the intent of returning this one. But, the second one I received had horrible, uneven grinds and the tip was so off on one side, it looked bent to the eye. The grinds on the original one are quite good so will probably keep this one if that raised lip is only cosmetic.
 
Is it a squiggly line?

Machining marks are usually more linear. That looks weird.
 
Crag the Brewer said:
Is it a squiggly line?

Machining marks are usually more linear. That looks weird.
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Yes, it’s squiggly for sure. If I flip the knife over on the other side, I can barely see the same lip because it’s even and flush with the contour of the handle. Makes you wonder if the finishing work is done hand or machine and what caused this finishing defect? A drunk worker on a Monday morning? A CNC machine that went a little haywire? 🤷‍♂️
 
Henry Beige said:
It’s a Gerber. I assume it’s junk until proven otherwise.
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This is my first Gerber (well, not counting the 2nd specimen I ordered to replace the first which was way worse 🤦‍♂️) and most likely my last. But this particular model has an outstanding reputation for being an indestructible tank. Pretty similar in function to a Cold Steel SRK. Cheap, robust blade that you can beat on till the end of time.

For $50, I’m pretty happy with it and the sheath is quite decent. The finishing work is not great though obviously. I also have a Cold Steel SRK in SK5 which was even cheaper than this and the finish work is perfect so… 🤷‍♂️

I’ve rarely been disappointed when I spend the money on a high quality knife. I’ve been disappointed more than once on budget knives. It’s a lesson I keep having to relearn
 
rlewpolar said:
This is my first Gerber (well, not counting the 2nd specimen I ordered to replace the first which was way worse 🤦‍♂️) and most likely my last. But this particular model has an outstanding reputation for being an indestructible tank. Pretty similar in function to a Cold Steel SRK. Cheap, robust blade that you can beat on till the end of time.

For $50, I’m pretty happy with it and the sheath is quite decent. The finishing work is not great though obviously. I also have a Cold Steel SRK in SK5 which was even cheaper than this and the finish work is perfect so… 🤷‍♂️

I’ve rarely been disappointed when I spend the money on a high quality knife. I’ve been disappointed more than once on budget knives. It’s a lesson I keep having to relearn
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It’s not “junk” in my opinion. Some people are unable or unwilling to spend much on knives and Gerber fits the role. They also have some superstar knives like the LMF II. We all have different levels of spending, and I could absolutely find knives that will do the job among Gerber.
 
Does not look like metal to me. Looks like melted thermoplastic. I think it is handle material. Try cutting at it with an exacto blade or some such.
No matter what, it's cosmetic, only and would not affect the performance of the knife.
 
If it’s handle material, my guess is the mold flashed. That can happen for several different reasons. Not a functional concern imo
 
I had a Gerber Strongarm for a few years when they first came out. Good knife for the price back in the day ($45ish?).

I would agree with the last two posts. Probably handle material.
 
gazz98 said:
I had a Gerber Strongarm for a few years when they first came out. Good knife for the price back in the day ($45ish?).

I would agree with the last two posts. Probably handle material.
gazz98 said:
I had a Gerber Strongarm for a few years when they first came out. Good knife for the price back in the day ($45ish?).

I would agree with the last two posts. Probably handle material.
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I’m starting to think it might be plastic flashing after all. I’m going to try to poke it with an Xacto knife when I get home. I’d feel better if it was a plastic defect rather than a metal one although sounds like it’s not an issue either way. Thanks everyone for the input!
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Are you positive you are not getting fakes? I’ve noticed certain sale sites are eat up with fake Gerber Strongarms along with Benchmade Bugouts. I could probably help you determine if it’s a fake if I could see the entire knife.
 
vwb563 said:
Are you positive you are not getting fakes? I’ve noticed certain sale sites are eat up with fake Gerber Strongarms along with Benchmade Bugouts. I could probably help you determine if it’s a fake if I could see the entire knife.
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Thanks. Not sure . I’ll post a pic of the entire knife later tonight. Appreciate the help!
 
Looks like handle material and although don't see it affecting performance, as an aesthetic it qualifies as a defect. I would get it replaced either through the vendor or through Gerber's Warranty system.
 
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