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Question about possible problem w/ folder...

N

nickE10mm

Joined
Mar 17, 2006
Messages
113
Hi there all....

I just got my Gerber Freeman Folder in S30V in the mail last night. The knife is really, really nice. The handles are hand carved tropical cocobola and the blade is coated in Boron Carbide for a really sweet looking appearance. It uses an open liner-lock design for easy cleaning and comes with a thick, heavy duty dark brown leather belt sheath. The blade came very sharp (although not "shaving" sharp, I will be reprofiling it soon) and I already cut myself with it :eek:

I have only one complaint about it. When I close the blade, there is an audible 'click' as a small area of the belly on the drop point makes contact with the back and inside of the folder. Its annoying because, as I see it, I could work on getting my blade perfect and then close it and have a burr or nick where it touches. There is NO PLAY at all when the blade is open but there is nowhere for the blade to 'rest' when its closed so it just rests metal-on-metal. I can even see a rough spot about two or three millimeters long where it contacts the metal.

I've tried to call Gerber blades but all I get is an answering machine. I was wondering if you all think this is fixable or if its maybe a defect, or if its something that could be fixed with a replacement.

I love the knife and it will be my EDC as soon as I figure this out.

Thanks in advance for all of your help!
-NIck


ps...ill get some pics posted when I get a chance, I've already taken a few nice ones..... :D
 
As far as I know, the only thing you can really do is one of three things:

1. Send it back to either Gerber or where you got it from for a replacement.

2. Add a little solder or something like that to the part of the tang where the blade rests on the stop pin (I've seen this done to a Lone Wolf Tighe knife)

or

3. Sharpen the edge down to the point where it doesn't rest on the spacer.

I'd try option #1 first. If that didn't work or wasn't practical, I'd be tempted to go to option #3. I don't have any expertise in welding or soldering though. Option #3 at least wouldn't void your warranty.
 
hmmm... option two and three are no good for me.

If Gerber can fix it or if a replacement will fix it then I'll probably do that. I'd like to find out if this model is even SUPPOSED to have a stop of some kind or not. If its SUPPOSED to then I'll just request a replacement.
 
Sorry dude! Gerber is not the company it used to be. Even with 1/2 decent materials, the knives they make are crappy. QC and Customer Service are really bad. Try sending it back at your own risk. In the future go with the "bugs". They make good knives for the $.
 
I just called Cabelas and they happily said they would send me a label to return it for free and replace it. If I still don't have any luck (which I doubt...) I'll just return it. Actually, I've fallen in love with the design. Its a great knife except for that one little QC problem. If my new knife is fixed, I'll be a happy camper.
 
Someone posted once about this type of problem in a thread on Laguiole knives.
He quoted a French knifemaker who said something to the effect of:
People should know better, and put a piece of cork inside to keep the blade from hitting the back of the frame.
Why not try that?
 
Same thing happened with my girlfriends Spyderco Meerkat- sent it back and 2 months later got the replacement with no problems with it. That is the path I take every time I have a problem.
 
Are you 100% positive the click is caused by the blade hitting the spring and not the tang of the blade locking up near the pivot? I can't believe you actually have a knife that is that poorly made.
 
That French knifemaker was technologically illiterate. The part of the tang that juts out to impact the inside of the backstrap is called the kick. It prevents the blade from closing down too far.

When I close a knife with that defect, as unfortunately some Laguioles will, I close it two-handed and slowly, bringing the blade edge in to rest without letting it snap closed. But it isn't the customer's fault, it's a defect in the old design.
 
DGG- Knife seems to be fitted great except for that. No grit, no play, audible snap into open position. The blade is clicking against the frame, I'm positive. Also, there is a little scratch mark on part of the belly of the blade which is a pretty good indicator.

Esav- I think is a problem with the 'kick' not being formed correctly on this blade. I'm looking to get it fixed.
 
I would definitely take cabelas up on the return. now that you know that you like that pattern of knife then look around your area and buy one you can handle prior to purchase. If that isn't possible then try one of the internet knife stores mentioned here and tell them about your experience i'm sure they would help you. good luck ahgar
 
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