Gerber that bad? Why?

[texastonydobbs]

I own several Gerber knives but all are U.S.A. and nothing more, all those other Gerber knives that are not USA , I would not buy Gerber has really lost points with me over the out sourcing of their name.

 

[Morrow]

I'm in agreement with a previous poster in that I wouldn't buy any CURRENT Gerber or Kershaw product---both are low end crap anymore.

The person you are agreeing with obviously isn't well informed. It's just plain silly to say Kershaw is low end crap.

 

[hardheart]

Kershaw does have production in China, so that may be the ones people don't like. the twocan is a neat idea, but I wish it were just a bit nicer. I personally don't have a problem with Chinese quality as a general rule, but there is a lot of dislike for it on the board.

I haven't cared for Gerber since I bought the first model A/F folder 10 years ago. the liner lock failed with very, very mild spine whacks. I've bought a couple of their items, but as throwaways almost, getting them cheap and not expecting much.

 

[Messersmith]

In my opinion, Kershaw is making some of the best knives in the business today. Great designs, quality materials, excellent fit and finish....

 

[Thomas W]

Gerber&Kershaw USED to be worth a crap,now they are outsourced to foreign markets made to substandard price point..

Dave, Dave, Dave. It is really sad to see posts like this, and it is one of the reasons I joined this forum in the first place.

"Outsourced to foreign markets, and made to a substandard price point"?? First off I'm not sure what that means. 2nd of all we make 80% of our knives here in the USA. 10% in Japan and 10% in China (in a facility we own btw). 85% of our sales are from American made products. We make them, not anybody else, Kershaw Knives, KAI USA makes them. We are as self sufficient as they come. Heck we even make our own hardware.

I have said this recently and am proud to say it again, apples to apples, I'll put our stuff up against anyone's.

...more expensive? sure better quality? ask the 22 millon other Spydie and BM owners don't take my word for it.

I'm not sure where you get the 22 million figure Dave (link please), but trust me on this one, the volume we move in comparison would spin your head. Just a little food for thought, Kershaw is also not the company producing a class or line off shore.

...CURRENT Gerber or Kershaw product---both are low end crap anymore.

omaha, thanks for the platform.

Let's talk about Kershaw since 1998:
Partnered up with Ken Onion and brought forth the first assisted opening knives, and am proud to say continue to be the king of AO's

Current stable of custom collaborators: Ken Onion, Grant & Gavin Hawk, RJ Martin, Tim Galyean, Lee Williams and Frank Centofonte. Pretty talented group of guys last time I checked.

Steels used; ATS-34, CPM440V, S30V, CPM3V, ZDP189, SG2, VG-10, Clad VG-10, D2, 154CM, CPM154. We have also upgraded our core steel to a very fine 13C26. AUS-8, AUS-6, 440A, and 420HC pull up the rear.
We also have a patent on MIM technology, and have currently a 440C MIM'd blade.

Our composite blades have a patent pending, which will allow us to combine 2 pieces of steel, our first blade will feature a 154CM/CPM-D2 combination. I'm pretty sure none of these materials or knives are low end crap.

The Stud Lock and Ram Lock are new locks that have been brought forth in an effort bring forth diversity.

The ZT line has spawned from Kershaw, and a search will prove out their worth.

Our cabinet is full of industry awards and achievements including recent multiple "Overall Knife of the Year" pieces.

We don't copy others, we blaze our own trail.

I could go on, but Cliff will accuse me of being a hype machine and who knows what else.

"Low end crap", yea I guess we are full of it.

 

[texastonydobbs]

In my opinion, Kershaw is making some of the best knives in the business today. Great designs, quality materials, excellent fit and finish....

AS LONG AS IT IS U.S.A. KERSHAW I AM ONBOARD WITH THIS STATEMENT !

 

[Spydiefan04]

Kershaw is certainly NOT low end crap, they make very good knives, however Spyderco and Benchmade they are not.

 

[Thomas W]

Spyderco and Benchmade they are not.

and vise versa.

 

[Kohai999]

Kershaw is certainly NOT low end crap, they make very good knives, however Spyderco and Benchmade they are not.

There was a time where Spyderco was THE dominant QUALITY cutlery company, worldwide(we are talking all encompassing criteria here; buzz, designs, packaging, advertising, materials....)

Benchmade then took up that mantle around the mid '90's, then Microtech a few years later, and now Kershaw.

Kershaw has become the dominant player for QUALITY production cutlery, pretty much no matter how you look at it, and there is a reason for that.

Best Regards,

STeven Garsson

 

[Deadhead Archer]

I've spent more money on Kershaw than Benchmade and Spyderco in the last year. (Lets not talk about Busse purchases, ok? ) Kershaw is definitely a rising star, if not THE rising star; in my book.

Gerber got me started with their EZ Out model in the mid 90s; but I then later discovered what quality steel and knife materials were all about.

 

[texastonydobbs]

I've spent more money on Kershaw than Benchmade and Spyderco in the last year. (Lets not talk about Busse purchases, ok? ) Kershaw is definitely a rising star, if not THE rising star; in my book.

Gerber got me started with their EZ Out model in the mid 90s; but I then later discovered what quality steel and knife materials were all about.

I can agree with this statement minus the Busse,I have not gotten to that point in my knife collection yet a little to $ for me at this point ! I traded or sold my spyderco's to buy some of Kershaw/ken onion collaberations(I think I spelled it right if not ) I love the Ken Onion Kershaw's They are great Knives !!! IMO !

 

[cutlerylover]

I carried an EZ-out combo edge for a couple of years. I even bought a PE model several years later. While they sharpened easily, they needed sharpening too frequently for my taste. I also got tired of the blade wobble on both. Plus the grind on the PE was so coarse that the first time I sharpened it, the "factory edge" literally crumbled into powder.

If it works for you, fine. It does not for me, even though I still like the design. For the same price as an EZ-out ($25 online), I recently purchased a KaBar Large Dozier. Far better steel, far better fit and finish. Much more satisfactory at no more cost than an EZ-Out.

I see...I only use mine for light cuttign work...maybe thats why mine lasted longer? anyway I got mine with a flashlight in a clam shell plastic package for $11.99 from smokey mountain knife works...So it was alot cheaper...but after lookign them up just now I would not suggest anyone buyign them since today there are at least a dozen or so other knives that are better for the price...

 

[Jeff Clark]

I have been disappointed with the edge that I got on recent Gerber knives. I am very particular about being able to get a shaving edge on my knives. I am not concerned about holding a mediocre edge for a long time. It is possible to heat treat 440A so that it takes a fine edge. Kershaw proved that to me. On the other hand it is awfully common for 440A to be really recalcitrant when you try and get that last 20% improvement in edge performance. The Gerber blades that I tried were in the 80% performance bin. Kershaw knives have taken much finer edges for me, even with 440A alloy. I am extremely happy that Kershaw has moved on to 13C26 for their mainstream knives. For me that puts them in the Benchmade/Spyderco end of the performance spectrum. For me the edge is pretty near everything that makes a knife a "knife".

 

[4W4K3]

My Kershaw Ken Onion LEEK 1660CKT has been nothing mroe than outstanding. It is one of the higher quality knives in my very small collection. I carry it everyday, and it sees a lot of use in the car shop where I work. Has yet to fail me and I doubt it ever will.

 

[g30ff]

I have been disappointed with the edge that I got on recent Gerber knives.

I've purchased two knives from them recently (paraframe & camp knife) and both were quite dull right out of the box. In the past I've owned an EZ-out and never had any issues with that. I did an admittedly unscientific test and ended up removing more arm-hairs with a used popsicle stick than I did with either of the new Gerbers. I did like the design of the camp knife but I wasn't impressed with the workmanship.

 

[knarfeng]

Kershaw does have production in China,

Then I hereby eat my words and apologize to Daverageguy. I'm the one who did not fully check his facts.
Knarf

Although I will say that both Spyderco and Benchmade produce knives in China as well.

 

[Jeff Clark]

I guess I chose my words badly. When I mentioned the quality of the edge I "got" I was not talking about the out-of-the-box sharpness. I resharpen everything I buy immediately. That includes Spydercos which come pretty sharp. I am not interested in the temporary edge that comes from the factory. I am worried about the recurrent edge that I get every time I resharpen the blade. An extreme razor edge doesn't last long in use. It has to be maintained. The right steel (and heat treatment) allows me to produce and maintain an edge to my standards. I expect to have to reprofile and resharpen factory blades. In the case of Spydercos I usually don't do much reprofiling. For most other manufacturers I do.

 

[Daverageguy]

Knarf,no beef with ya man it's just the internet

Mr. ThomasW i freely admit i pulled 22 millon outta the air and i happen to own a 1660 BWST it's a good cheap blade,but when i'm going hunting or out at night rest assured your little blade sits in the gun box either the Spydie or the BM is in my pocket why? because if i need a real serious cutting tool i probably need it badly don't i? try taking apart a 250 lb wild boar with one blade and a hacksaw which would you want the 1660 or the BM 425 or Endura? i used to be strictly a Spyderco guy,through this Forum i learned of BM and their commitment to excellence so i laid my hard earned cash down for my 425 and i'm thrilled with it.

 

[Thomas W]

Screwed up my edit, sorry.

 

[iamsmiling]

I've only purchased one Gerber in the last fifteen years. I seldom use it but it appears well made although I can't speak to edge retention. I had a Gerber folder I bought in the 80's that was great . . . until a friend pried with the point.