Steel used in Gerber folders

[Fallbrook Forge]

I do not care who designed it or whose name is emblazoned on the knife!!!
I just want to know what steel it is, or even I it performs well enough to justify $25


I went to REI on Sunday to pick up some replacement socks, and a new pair of running shoes and while I was there I glanced at the knife selection..

They have a surprisingly good assortment of quality knives and multi tools at decent prices.

And then I saw a Bear Grylls folder from Gerber that really caught my eye. It's the Scout model, $25 and is listed as a High carbon stainless steel.

Does such a thing even exist?

Does anyone know what steel they're using in their folders?

I'm considering this one for my girlfriend because it's small and thin enough to fit in her pocket, and it's her favorite color...orange.

 

[kvaughn]

Gerber and the un-named one involved in the same knife=:thumbdn:--KV

 

[pellidon]

Someone thought it was the equivalent of 440A. I have one and so far it has held up decently to cardboard boxes.

 

[vollertron]

i bought one for the looks and the feel. can't speak to the edge retention yet but it sure came sharp.

 

[PunisherLcr]

 

[RandomAyes]

......

 

[edcrefiner]

a reputable store owner told me it is likely 440A or 440C.

 

[Arakiel]

I've given up on Gerber low-end steel. Whatever it is makes me have to waste my time trying to keep it sharp.

 

[THE PUNISHER]

if it is cheap,you cant go wrong,if it stays sharp........

 

[Arakiel]

Haha...yep. That's the grade of steel it must be.

 

[silenthunterstudios]

440A if you're lucky. 420J2 or it's equivalent, what a lot of companies are using right now for liners.

 

[flash900]

I think it's inexcusable when a manufacturer fails to list a blade's steel on its specs.

I was interested in a Gerber a few weeks ago, called a dealer for the steel type and was told that the dealer had no idea either.

So I wrote Gerber. This is what I found:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=824553&highlight=gerber+steel

When a manufacturer hides a key fact about a product from consumers there's usually a reason.

 

[brets-ftw]

theres actually a gerber out with cpm S30v the handle is terrible but im just make a new one or get one commissioned definitely worth the $20 tag also these were taken on my phone so the quality is rather bad on that close up

 

[Arakiel]

What is the exact model number of this ez-out knife?

 

[brets-ftw]

G339 i do believe, it doesnt say on the clamshell packaging or the knife but the invoice seems to think that, i got mine at SMKW

 

[Arakiel]

Thankyou, brets-ftw. I think this might be the Gerber that rekindles my interest in them.

 

[brets-ftw]

no prob and yeah when i saw this i literally fell out of my seat

 

[chiral.grolim]

...I just want to know what steel it is, or even I it performs well enough to justify $25

I'm considering this one for my girlfriend because it's small and thin enough to fit in her pocket, and it's her favorite color...orange.

Gerber's standard "high carbon stainless steel" or "surgical stainless steel" is the equivalent of American 440A and comparable to Japanese AUS6 and AUS8. It's not as impressive as their 12C27 blades (their HT seems better on those) and it isn't high-end like S30V (they have a few models), but it's functional...

Is it worth $25? That's up to you, but knives of comparable size and materials from CRKT and SOG cost twice as much. *shrug*

 

[res1cue]

You know the purple dumdum that is the mystery flavor?

Thats like the high carbon stainless gerber offers

 

[Limeyfellow]

I assume the blade is made out of the same stuff the standard knife is, which would be 420HC. They just throw on a plastic handle, that doesn't hold up as well as the original design, but they double the price.