SUBJECT: CRKT M16 and Gerber EVO - - Similarities ? ? ?

[GigOne]

As with most knife knuts, I have an insatiable knife appetite to satisfy; whether it’s to pick something up to shove in my pocket, take to the range, carry in the truck or the small tool pouch on my scoot, or just to fill the need of an EDC change.

One of the best ways to facilitate this undaunting task of fulfilling my hunger is constant scan the many types of media available (i.e., knife rags, Internet, etc.) for new knife releases.

But. . . my most recent quest has me slightly perplexed, between the two knives mentioned in the subject, and thought that I would ask for the input/opinion of my fellow knife knuts. . . .who may share a similar addiction.

I’ve have/had the pleasure of owning products from both Gerber and CRKT, and have absolutely no problems of snagging something new and cool from either company.

Any whoz. . . .the EVO is a recent release, this year, by Gerber; whereas the CRKT M16 has been around for quite some time.

Have several CRKT M16’s and just snagged the Gerber EVO. Upon arrival and initial inspection, of the EVO, I was surprised at how similar this knife is to the M16. In fact, I was more than surprised. Maybe a better word. . . .would be shocked.

Here. . . .indulge me a little with a few pic’s. . . .

This first pic shows both knives, side-by-side, in the closed position (M16 on top – EVO on bottom). . .

- Notice the scale, flipper and pivot area similarities ?


The next pic. . . .is a close up of the pivot area. . .

The next two pic’s contain blade shots. . . .

- Do I need my eyes checked. . .or what ?

 

[GigOne]

Back to the scales. . . .

Still hung up on the similarities of the scales, I decided to break the knives down (knife knutdom isn’t complete until we can rip them apart to see how they tick ) and do a tracing of the scales. I elected to trace the non-clip side. . .since both left and right scales are pretty much the same on each knife.

The below scan shows a tracing of each scale – EVO is on top.

Still not satisfied, I decided to do a tracing of a scale overlay. EVO traced first and in red and then the M16 over the EVO in blue.

What do you guys think ? Is it me ?





Finally. . . .nothing would be complete without a mini-review of each knife (and I mean mini )

The EVO ran me approx. $35 and I can’t remember how much the M16 cost (I believe it was in the $40 – 45 range).

Fit and finish wise. . . .CRKT M16 is the hands down favorite. Thicker scale slabs and liner, and feels more solid than the EVO.

 

[Steven Roos]

The Gerber is a ripoff of the CRKT, no question about that. I hope Kit Carson and CRKT are already suing the pants off Gerber!

 

[dryfly]

Looks pretty blatant to me. I'm surprised Gerber would do that.

 

[GarageBoy]

RIP OFF. Even the blade grind lines are near perfect copies

 

[lifter4Him]

No Steven, they arent sueing because it is too expensive and gerber knows this. They have copied Kit, Hinderer, and Harsey, no credit given.
They told makers in no uncertain terms, screw you, we dont care, sue us.
I will not buy any gerber products, am telling every knife person I know about it and asking them not to buy also.
I encourage everyone that sees gerber at a show to ask them why they cant come up with their own ideas and if it's possible without getting in trouble, stand around their table at shows and tell everyone what a ripoff they are.
20 0r 30 people in front of their table at Blade might let everyone know about it.
I doubt gerber will care though, they dont care about us knife guys, they only worship the dollar and as long as they can sell to discount stores, etc they dont care.

 

[Mentor]

What a blatant rip-off. I'm all for companies emulating nice concepts, but this is way too similar to be considered honourable.

Methinks Gerber may be solidifying their role as the 'Rolox' of the knife world.

-Mike

 

[lifter4Him]

Tell everyone you know:

Boycott Gerber!

 

[Steven Roos]

No Steven, they arent sueing because it is too expensive and gerber knows this. They have copied Kit, Hinderer, and Harsey, no credit given.
They told makers in no uncertain terms, screw you, we dont care, sue us.
I will not buy any gerber products, am telling every knife person I know about it and asking them not to buy also.
I encourage everyone that sees gerber at a show to ask them why they cant come up with their own ideas and if it's possible without getting in trouble, stand around their table at shows and tell everyone what a ripoff they are.
20 0r 30 people in front of their table at Blade might let everyone know about it.
I doubt gerber will care though, they dont care about us knife guys, they only worship the dollar and as long as they can sell to discount stores, etc they dont care.

That is a shame. Anything AKTI can do?

I already tell everyone to boycott Gerber!

 

[stevekt]

Ha ha. Nice original work by Gerber there.

 

[guy g]

But Gerber isnt the only one to rip stuff off. Look at the Spyderhole. Some used it with credit given and some worked around the patent to do it. If we knew what went wrong in the board rooms , we wouldnt buy anything. I will say, Gerber has done dirty from their very beginnings, by not being square with the man that made their first knives.

 

[Ilovetoolsteel]

Looks pretty blatant to me. I'm surprised Gerber would do that.

I'm not, I don't think it's the first time Gerber has ripped off CRKT either. I remember an Ed Halligan design small framelock folder with a chisel grind and a handle on only one side.

 

[WadeF]

Uhg! I'll never buy another Gerber. I haven't bought anything from Gerber in years anyway. Still have my Gerber BMF though, that thing is going up in value.

 

[BOK]

Similarities? Are you sure?

 

[Planterz]

Yep, that's pretty damn blatent. Chinese knockoff blatent. Heck, most CCCs don't come as close to the original as the EVO does.

How about a mass email telling them (rudely or not, your choice) that the knife community is disgusted and appalled at their blatent imitation?

 

[GarageBoy]

I miss the OLD pete Gerber Gerber. He's probably rolling in his grave right now =/

 

[cerberus]

If I am not mistaken, the "EVO" was ripped off as well.

Cerberus

 

[GarageBoy]

That's a copy of a copy..
Jaguar, one of the CCC knife companies has an "m16 as well"

 

[Spencerbro2]

Looks like Gerber EVO is a "Knock-off" of CRKT M116, amazing what you can do, when you are in bed, Spinning around with the "Chi-Comm", Free enterprize with SLAVE labor!

 

[Bob W]

Probably enough differences to avoid legal trouble; I'm sure they have lawyers.

Still, in my mind it's a rip-off. The similarities in the shape, size, and grind cannot be overlooked and cannot be a coincidence.

I do like the Gerber knives already in my accumulation, but I won't be buying more anytime soon.

-Bob