Newbie questions about Gerber! And what knife for my upcoming camping trip?

[STDK]

I was considering getting the US made Gerber Gator Knives featuring Bell and Carlson Handles with a s30v blade from Cabela's. Is that a bad idea? Would I be better off with a Becker BK2? Also...in regard to the other blades you mentioned...I was under the impression that a fixed blade knife is the way to go for camping. Since my Gerber Yari II is not well suited for a camp/hunt/fish/survival knife...I thought I'd need a different fixed blade. Are folders good enough? Or should I just use the Yari II and get a better folder than my little Gerber Paraframe II? Thanks!

I think that would definately be the way to go. The Yari is a fine knife and would work fine on most camping trips. An upgrade to a S30v Gator would make a very nice combo that you should be proud to own.

 

[Mrbladedude]

After getting knives from RAT Cutlery (ESEE) , Spyderco and Fallkniven, I will never buy another Gerber again...

 

[ISKski]

This christmas i bought myself a gerber freeman in s30v, (and cocobolo handles) great hunting/camping knife, not for attacking wood (though i've seen people doing it on youtube) but for every other cutting task its great, especially preparing food(s) plus its a beauty for a production knife. I have been using mine consistently in the house since december and its still sharp enough to SLICE tomatoes THIN because i only eat them like paper thin..

gerber? :thumbup:

 

[danseifert]

I was considering getting the US made Gerber Gator Knives featuring Bell and Carlson Handles with a s30v blade from Cabela's. Is that a bad idea? Would I be better off with a Becker BK2? Also...in regard to the other blades you mentioned...I was under the impression that a fixed blade knife is the way to go for camping. Since my Gerber Yari II is not well suited for a camp/hunt/fish/survival knife...I thought I'd need a different fixed blade. Are folders good enough? Or should I just use the Yari II and get a better folder than my little Gerber Paraframe II? Thanks!

I think a folder would be perfectly adequate for most of the tasks you described, but there are things that you just cant do with a folder. A good sharp endura or griptillian will allow you to prep fish, small game, and handle those general camping tasks, and I think you'll find a medium size folder more practical in that role. For me its all about defining roles for the blades you purchase. I generally take a couple folders and a big knife for most camping trips. Folders for most of your tasks, big knife for things like prepping firewood, splitting, clearing brush, etc.

Using a big knife for anything that requires any real detail work and control can be awkward for some, and I think a folder with good handle ergonomics is just an easier option. There are pros out there that could perform surgery on a puppy with a big fixed blade, but I'm definitely not one of them. I use folders for smaller to medium tasks and a big beefy fixed blade for big tasks.

So to answer your question, fixed blades are great to have on a camping/backpacking trip, but they aren't going to be the best for every task. I agree that your Yari probably isnt the best option for a survival knife, though you could probably make it work. The specs on that Gator actually sounds pretty nice, but at only a 4" blade I dont think its going to fill the survival knife role either. The BK-2 is almost 6" blade and is an absolute beast. Find a combination of a quality folding knife and a larger survival knife and I think you'll be set. Either way definitely move on from that Paraframe and grab a spyderco or benchmade

 

[jerm03]

I think that fixed blade knives are the way to go for camping. I have used such knives as Buck Pathfinder for many years with completely satisfactory results. I also would not hesitate on the Mora knives.
I see no reason for an expensive folding or tactical knife for camping. They might be attractive in some way, but to cut fish, meat, open cans, and cut some firewood I much prefer fixed blades that have served for many years. You don't have to spend $100 either.

However, if you have your heart set on a modern folder or a particular name brand go for it. I would not be handicapped with Gerber no matter where it was made as long as it was designed more for hunting and camping than for fighting or showing on U tube.

PS: A medium size Swiss Army Knife is also necessary in my view.

Regards,
Jerry

 

[chiral.grolim]

I am oddly drawn to Gerber...I guess because they're the first ones I've owned. Looking at their lineup...it doesn't seem like they have a good camping/hunting type knife. Maybe the Big Rock or Freeman? Would they be ok? I read a bit about the LMF and people don't seem to like them except for some sort of combat-survival type purpose.

... I was considering getting the US made Gerber Gator Knives featuring Bell and Carlson Handles with a s30v blade from Cabela's. Is that a bad idea? Would I be better off with a Becker BK2? Also...in regard to the other blades you mentioned...I was under the impression that a fixed blade knife is the way to go for camping. Since my Gerber Yari II is not well suited for a camp/hunt/fish/survival knife...I thought I'd need a different fixed blade. Are folders good enough? Or should I just use the Yari II and get a better folder than my little Gerber Paraframe II? Thanks!

Go on gerbergear.com or any knife-dealer site to view Gerber's selection of camping/hunting knives - that is their PRIMARY area, not military or edc stuff. The Big Rock is more of a camp/survival knife, the Freeman and Gator are smaller and better suited to hunting/fishing/general knife tasks, imho. But honestly, give that Yari II a trial run and prove all the nay-sayers false. If I had the dough (just bought a house, so i do not), I'd buy it off of you and prove its capabilities. That is a high quality knife judging by the materials and design. A drop-point blade might be better, but is not necessary. I envy your tiny collection (despite owning more blades of higher price).

The LMFII is a military survival knife equipped with lots of bells and whistles that increase its weight and make it less suitable for the tasks you mention. I own one, but as a civilian it rarely sees the use it deserves in my outdoor tasks. Other knives are lighter to carry, more easily deployed, and have simpler designs for how I use them. The BK-2 lacks the bells and whistles but keeps the LMFII weight - again for the tasks you mention, skip it. Your Yari fits the survival-knife role. I'd rather have it than my LMFII or a BK2 on a camp-out. The Yari will also handle fish better than either.

If you want to bring a better folder than your paraframe, bring your multitool or a SAK. With that and your Yari, you're good to go, no need to spend more unless you want to. Are there 'better' knives? Of course there are. But decide for yourself empirically whether your Gerbers are 'good' products. If you can't bring yourself to try them out, sell them off but make no judgment.