Kershaw Corral Creek vs Gerber LST

B

Bo-Ri-Do

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Oct 21, 2014
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So I was thinking about getting an new folder. I want a nice, strong, reliable option that will stay with me for years to come. I do not know which one and I don't want to go through the trouble of getting both. I scanned everywhere for info on this but it was non-existent. I am not particularly fond with liner of frame locks like some people because as they wear, the blade play gets worse. I have a liner lock that has an incredible amount of blade play (more than what seems physically possible) so i decided to get a lockback as they seem stronger. In the end I came up with to major options and one to keep in mind. Those to options are the Gerber LST and the Kershaw Corral Creek (ranch knife). I want to know which I should get. I would also find info on Gerber's 420HC stainless steel (which is used on the LST) and Kershaw's 8Cr13MoV steel (which is used in the Corral Creek) helpful. Keep in mind that if i were to get the Gerber, it would be the modern LST not one from 30 years ago (as I found that many people have REALLY old LSTs and like them but the modern one I don't think is the same. Please help.
 
I have a Corral Creek and it's a great knife for the small price I paid for it. I don't have a Gerber LST but I would choose the Corral Creek over the LST hands down because I like the sheepsfoot blade on the Corral Creek. My Corral Creek has a very smooth opening blade and lockup is solid. I like the knife and it is mostly the sheepsfoot blade that attracted me to it in the first place.

Kershaw's 8Cr13MoV is decent steel. Nothing to get excited over but it's a satisfactory steel for a knife in this price range. I also have a Kershaw Half Ton with the same blade steel. I'm sure the Gerber is good knife too but I can't speak for that one. I checked out some photos of the Gerber LST a few minutes ago and based on those photos and my personal experience with the Corral Creek I would vote Corral Creek.

Good luck in your search and welcome to the forum.
 
I've carried an LST daily since 2007. As I've posted before, I have a lot of more expensive knives but the LST is the one that's always in my pocket (a close second is a Kabar Dozier folding hunter). The LST is still made in Portland. After 7 years, mine still locks up as tight as the day I bought it -- no blade play whatsoever. Of course, I'd prefer that it was in VG-10 or 154, but the 420HC is surprisingly good. I can tell very little difference in edge retention between the LST and the Bucks that I own. I don't own a Corral Creek, but the Kershaws I do have are very good as well. Good luck!
 
See what I would find helpful is someone with both products and is willing to share, not that you guys aren't helpful I just need someone who has experienced both sides.
 
The Gerber is made in Portland Oregon, while the Kershaw is made in China.

The Gerber is made from 420HC, same as Buck, with similar heat treat.

The Gerber is so much lighter weight than the Kershaw it's not even in the same league. The Gerber is like dropping a paper clip in the pocket.

The Gerber has a history going back to 1980 of people who have carried and loved it. Rugged beyond what you would think from the light weight. Pete Gerber did a good job when he engineered it.

They both are cheap enough, buy both and do a test for the forum. Could be interesting.

edit to add; I just realized I have a Gerber LST in the drawer somebody gave me years ago that I forgot about and I never used as it's not my kind of knife. I'm more into the tradition pocket knife. Email me your address and you can have it. I'm never going to use it, so it may as well get some use by somebody.
 
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I think jackknife is right, buy both.

Gerber's reputation lately is absolute crap from what I can tell.
 
Can't speak as to those exact knives, but I've used knives in both Gerber's 420HC and Kershaw's 8Cr13MoV, and I personally prefer the 8Cr13MoV. It has noticeably better edge retention, though 420HC should be more corrosion resistant, if that's a worry (I've never run into problems with 8Cr personally, but a few others have.) Both are very easy to sharpen.
 
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the current generation LST made in China? My wife had a USA one, and I noticed that the packaging was different from what I'm seeing in stores now.
 
Inazone said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the current generation LST made in China? My wife had a USA one, and I noticed that the packaging was different from what I'm seeing in stores now.
Click to expand...

The original LST is made in the USA because it has "Portland, OR" printed on the blade. The Ultralight LST doesn't appear to have the same marking, so it might not be US-made.
 
I have heard that the ABS handle inserts on the Corral Creek tend to wear out and become smooth. Is this true?
 
I've carried an LST on an almost daily basis since 1980. Now, I lost that original one, and replaced it about five or ten years ago -- I've noticed a few very minor finish differences between the early model and the original, but functionally, they are the same. The steel takes a rather fine edge and keeps it for quite a while in normal use, and most importantly -- they stay tight and smooth. It's a very nice pocketknife for dressing up -- it is almost weightless and has a very thin profile. I also have a Kershaw scallion and composite leek which I love, but for pure indispensability and utilitarian value, the LST is tough to beat, and it's made in the US, to boot. I also have a Gerber Mark I picked up at the same time (i.e. 1980) -- I used to carry it in my boot when I drove cab for a short time, but it's been sitting in a drawer since, and a Mark II from the early 80s that sits in a drawer, except for taking out and admiring every once in a while. I have read a lot about the degradation of Gerber quality, but can attest that their older designs were great!
 
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