Gerber vs Barlow

[rdbjr57]

Greetings to the group... brand new to the forum and my first post.

I've got a question that I've had for a long time but didn't know who or where to ask it... until I found this "bladeforums" forum.

As a general rule (if there is such a thing!), which is considered a higher quality brand knife, Barlow or Gerber?

The Barlow says it is made in China and the Gerber in the USA, so I obviously like the Gerber better for that reason, but that doesn't necessarily tell me which is the better quality knife.

Thanks for any feedback!

Bob

 

[mp510]

Barlow is a knife style, and Gerber is a Trademark/ brand. Gerber makes many different models, and you don't specify which Gerber model you are looking at. Generally, I like Gerbers, as functional and affordable tools. A Barlow knife is probably less expensive, especially if it is an Asian import, but that is not necesarily the case. Your intended use could also play a big diffirence in what would be recommended. You really need to be more specific about both knives.

 

[Bob W]

The Barlow says it is made in China and the Gerber in the USA, so I obviously like the Gerber better for that reason, but that doesn't necessarily tell me which is the better quality knife.

Hard to say for sure, but generally I find that USA-made knives are higher quality than Chinese imports.

And as MP510 wrote, Gerber is a brand name and Barlow is a knife pattern. Knives made by Gerber range from good quality to low quality. Some companies make very high quality knives in the Barlow pattern, and there are very low quality Barlows.

It would be helpful, and you'll get better replies, if you can say exact which Gerber model and what Barlow you're considering. Can you find them for sale at an online shop and post a link to them?

Best Wishes,
-Bob