New Gerber fighter - What do you think?

Larsen, Harsey, Reeve

Damn knockoffs! ;)

Looks like a nice knife, but it falls under the Gerber category of "I could get something better for the money" sadly.

I was gifted a Gerber Harsey Air Ranger which is like a tiny folder version of this bladeshape. Just based on that, and how much I like that knife, I'm really interested in this one, just not at this price.
 
Nice handle, good lines, cool sheath... if it wasn't for the combo edge I'd grab one for 75ish.

edit: looked around at some, and the OP knife has alot more serrations than most.
 
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Picksmith said:
Nice handle, good lines, cool sheath... if it wasn't for the combo edge I'd grab one for 75ish.

edit: looked around at some, and the OP knife has alot more serrations than most.
Click to expand...

The knife itself should only have about 1in-1.5in of serrations. At least thats what mine has.
 
I actually think it's a handsome blade with good blade shape, secure grip and great sheath, however, I agree with many of you that the use of 420 steel and the serrations seem rather stupid and cheap! It just once again confirms to me that all too often we are expected to pay for the name of the designer. To crown it all, this design doesn't even seem so fresh. When I first saw the knife a few months ago in the tactical life magazine, I wrote to Gerber to ask what steel they used, cause they didn't bother to mention it on their website - I received no reply! I assume they are ashamed of the 420 - I would be...

Here in South Africa there are 2 designers/knife-makers whose designs I love and whose craftsmanship is superb. Both use Bohler N690 steel for their tacticals. I have no vetsed interest in referring you to their websites, other than the fact that they desreve the exposure. Check it out:

http://sites.google.com/site/tacknivessouthafrica/

http://www.arm-koknives.co.za/
 
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1. The butt of the handle appears to be a pointy 'glass-breaker.' It loses any credibility as a fighter. The first rule of a fighting weapon: no sharp or pointy things aimed back at you when you hold it in normal fighting grip. I don't care who deigned this, their fighting knowledge is impaired, to put it kindly.
2. The handle with that single finger groove looks like it would be uncomfortable, even irritating during prolonged use.
3. As everyone has said, the price, based on materials, was clearly chosen by some coked-up marketing exec. Even if street price is half that, it is still not worth it.
4. Plenty of mall ninjas, and ordinary non-knife people will probably buy it anyway.
5. I wouldn't want it for free.
 
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I don't know about it being a knock-off but I do know it's supposed to be a big rock with a longer blade.
 
axtalan0 said:
1. The butt of the handle appears to be a pointy 'glass-breaker.' It loses any credibility as a fighter. The first rule of a fighting weapon: no sharp or pointy things aimed back at you when you hold it in normal fighting grip. I don't care who deigned this, their fighting knowledge is impaired, to put it kindly.
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Oooh, that sounds very much like merely your opinion. Many well known and acknowledged fighting knives have had skull crusher pommels, the Devil's Brigade's V-42 being one of them.
 
axtalan0 said:
1. The butt of the handle appears to be a pointy 'glass-breaker.' It loses any credibility as a fighter. The first rule of a fighting weapon: no sharp or pointy things aimed back at you when you hold it in normal fighting grip. I don't care who deigned this, their fighting knowledge is impaired, to put it kindly.
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My friend, there have been fighting knives throughout history that have had this design, whether incidental or not.

The strike with the pommel is an excellent close quarter and non-lethal strike when the situation dictates it.
 
untamed said:
My friend, there have been fighting knives throughout history that have had this design, whether incidental or not.

The strike with the pommel is an excellent close quarter and non-lethal strike when the situation dictates it.
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I am not saying there are not similar designs, I am saying it is a BAD design. Skull-Crusher pommels, etc. I think they are more a liability than anything else, as you are at some point going to injure yourself. I know, I know, not if you are a trained samurai, or ninja......
 
I like this a lot better, is made out of 1/4" 1095 steel, micarta handles, is designed to cut yourself out of a chopper if need be and you can get it for $120. Personally I think it is cooler looking as well which is one of the reasons why I bought it.
product_thumb.php

Here is another knife in my collection that costs also less than $150 with a Kydex Sheath
TP-50T.JPG

My point would be that I believe there are much better quality knives at much lower costs.
 
EnduringEagle said:
I like this a lot better, is made out of 1/4" 1095 steel, micarta handles, is designed to cut yourself out of a chopper if need be and you can get it for $120. Personally I think it is cooler looking as well which is one of the reasons why I bought it.
product_thumb.php

Here is another knife in my collection that costs also less than $150 with a Kydex Sheath
TP-50T.JPG

My point would be that I believe there are much better quality knives at much lower costs.
Click to expand...

These knife designs make me feel like watching Rambo and flexing my muscles in front of a mirror with a bandana tied around my head. So many TOPS designs are ridiculous, hard to believe it's the same guts as ESEE knives turned into those things.

The Force must be very strong to actually sell those knives at those prices.

hr50tp_add1.jpg


Years spent in Iraq and working with, living with, etc. guys and gals from all U.S. military branches with all types of occupations and plenty from other nations also - never seen or heard of one single person owning or wanting to own a TOPS knife.

Hope you actually test out the designs and don't believe the advertising.
 
DoctorDan said:
Gday guys,

I've had this knife or a little while now, and I think it's a good purchase - IF you're primary intent is for Defence/back up weapon/tactical for deployment in hostile territory with the military (which it is, for me).

I did a video review on it, and posted a little blurb on this post:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=752153

It's definitely not for everyone, and there are far better alternatives for camping/outdoor lovers. But as a combat knife, it serves the purpose well. My 2 cents.
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i really like this post. the knife was designed for Mil guys and, low and behold, here's a Mil guy saying he's happy with it. sounds like a success.

i think it looks like the Big Rock Camp Knife which i bought for a friend. he did things to that knife i won't do to mine and it never failed him. i don't know how similar they could be, thought, the Big Rock is made in China.

i don't like serrations on the same side as my edge. the only combo that ever made sense, to me, was the SOG Pentagon :thumbup:

that Tops Tanto that was posted.... i'm sorry, but if i ever dropped a duece that looked that hideous, i'd make sure to flush because i would not want anyone to see it. i have to say i'd DEFINATELY take the Gerber over that just for the sake of not ever having to pull such a goofy looking tool. but, hey, eye of the beholder ya kno.
 
Ricky,

Thanks for these links - they look like great knives to me, appreciated.

BP:thumbup:

Rickyj said:
I actually think it's a handsome blade with good blade shape, secure grip and great sheath, however, I agree with many of you that the use of 420 steel and the serrations seem rather stupid and cheap! It just once again confirms to me that all too often we are expected to pay for the name of the designer. To crown it all, this design doesn't even seem so fresh. When I first saw the knife a few months ago in the tactical life magazine, I wrote to Gerber to ask what steel they used, cause they didn't bother to mention it on their website - I received no reply! I assume they are ashamed of the 420 - I would be...

Here in South Africa there are 2 designers/knife-makers whose designs I love and whose craftsmanship is superb. Both use Bohler N690 steel for their tacticals. I have no vetsed interest in referring you to their websites, other than the fact that they desreve the exposure. Check it out:

http://sites.google.com/site/tacknivessouthafrica/

http://www.arm-koknives.co.za/
Click to expand...
 
IMO, I think Gerber S%CKS.. and I will never buy another product from them again.. Maybe 10 or so years ago, but they've really lost every bit of the reputation they once had..
 
OK, the 420 blade will only cut 2 1/2 Taliban throats before loosing its edge and every "expert" knows a real combat knife should do at least 15 throats.

It looks like the Big Rock because Bill Harsey designed both. Why would that surprise anyone?

The entire concept came from a combat vet and ex-Ranger that was the one time head of the 75th Ranger's close-combat department. He also had access to over 900 actual hand-to-hand after-action reports from Iraq and Afghanistan. So much for it never happens in modern combat. In many of these cases, the troop could have used a knife if he had one he could easily deploy. Thus the design of the sheath which is more what Gerber is trying to sell than the knife. The troops in the field all want partial serrations on their blades, so that is the way Gerber went. Glass breakers are common on all recent tactical type knives. I've never been to Iraq or Afghanistan but again, the troops seem to think they need this option.

As for price, I don't think I've ever seen a new knife on this forum that someone didn't say "IMO" it is over priced. I bet if you were the one actually making it, you wouldn't think so.
 
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