Thoughts on Gerber Applegate Combat Anniversary Edition

T

thallium

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Jan 25, 2011
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Wanting to find opinions about the Gerber Applegate-Fairbairn Combat 15th Anniversary Limited Edition folders.

These knives come with a walnut stand and are made of S30V with micarta handles. Seems a bit of a step up over the unknown steel and FRN handles of the standard editions, but they are about twice as expensive.

These are limited to a run of 1500.

Do any of you have one or wish to share your opinion on them? I would like to get one but am wondering if it is worth it. Do you suppose their value will appreciate? I can find almost no info about them other than what the retailers have.
 
It is a tactical knife. I suspect that your thread will be moved to the General section.

- David
 
I purchased one of the production folders, and was less than impressed.

The handles feel cheap, and the pocket clip screws stripped.

The fit and finish was not great.

I'm not sure about the specific model you are referring to, but I can say based on my experiences that you might not experience a great return on your investment.
 
Toyz said:
I purchased one of the production folders, and was less than impressed.

The handles feel cheap, and the pocket clip screws stripped.

The fit and finish was not great.

I'm not sure about the specific model you are referring to, but I can say based on my experiences that you might not experience a great return on your investment.
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Which one did you get? A combat, covert or mini covert?
 
The one thallium is talking about is the Combat model. It is a big knife with a 4.5" blade, and weighs 7.4 ounces.......just my kind of knife!

The 15th Anniversary model is upgraded with S30V steel and the micarta handles. I think I would purchase this knife if it came WITHOUT serrations. I've always thought the Gerber Combat model was/is one of the best folders Gerber currently does. Heck I might even buy the thing even though it has serrations. I can see it now with a foldover, deep carry clip mounted at the end of the handle. If I bought one it would go into my pocket for a while.

I honestly think you could do worse than the Combat.:thumbup::)

If you pull the trigger on it I would really like to hear your thoughts once you get it.
 
I would also like to see your table top review - I only have experience with the Covert model.
 
Does anyone have an opinion about whether or not it might make a wise investment? Prices seem to range from $175 to $250. I sure wouldn't want the value to drop even if I picked one up on the low end.

Maybe it's too subjective. For reference I also have a Gerber Mark I from about 1993, a Gerber Harsey Air Frame in titanium and a Gerber Michael Walker tactical folder. Each of these I got for a very good price and I think they should be worth more than I paid but finding out the market is very tough.

If I got one of these knives it would be my most expensive knife purchase. I really want to carry it but would hate to mark it up.

I know a couple hundred dollars is chump change when it comes to custom knives but I have a hard time putting that kind of money out on a knife. Now if you're talking about Canon cameras and lenses I don't have that much of a problem. :) It's hard to buy a decent lens for less than $500 and the ones I lust after are the price of a used car so we all have our weaknesses.
 
thallium said:
Does anyone have an opinion about whether or not it might make a wise investment? Prices seem to range from $175 to $250. I sure wouldn't want the value to drop even if I picked one up on the low end.
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Are you not going to use it?
 
singularity35 said:
Are you not going to use it?
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I want to use it but I don't know if I want to use it at that price. I might just tuck it away.

I might get a covert model and carry that however I already have a SOG Spec Elite I which is roughly the same size as the covert. The SOG is about as big a knife as I want for an EDC and given that the Applegate combat is even bigger I don't know that I want to carry such a big knife around daily.

I never said I wanted the knife for practical reasons. I just want it. :) Being practical is just a bonus.
 
Pretty-much any production knife that has "commemorative", "anniversary", "special edition", "limited edition", etc. on the blade has no real appreciable value.

It is pretty difficult to know which production knife will go up in value over time. Some have gone up, and then back down in value as collector interests move on to other models.

You should buy your production knives for using, or because you just like to own it, never in hopes of it going up in value. That way, you may be in for a pleasant surprise down the road.
 
CWL said:
Pretty-much any production knife that has "commemorative", "anniversary", "special edition", "limited edition", etc. on the blade has no real appreciable value.

It is pretty difficult to know which production knife will go up in value over time. Some have gone up, and then back down in value as collector interests move on to other models.

You should buy your production knives for using, or because you just like to own it, never in hopes of it going up in value. That way, you may be in for a pleasant surprise down the road.
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Right.

I don't want it because it's an Anniversary Limited Edition. That has no real appeal to me it's that it comes in S30V and green micarta handles that I want it. That makes it more unique to me than the other. Just watch, I'll get this and Gerber will introduce the same knife for half the price only it won't be an anniversary edition.
 
it's just an added bonus for anyone who would actually want any form of standard non serialized commemorative etchings on a more than functional "combat A-F" that's made entirely from premium materials.
non-wall hanging or safe queen collectors will cringe at the sight of whatever additional markings; with the exception of the makers stamp markings and model type or serial number.
this would place the pricing of the said knife in the relm of a standard functional model with irritating etachings;
for it doesn't mean value added, except for positively dating it's year of manufacture.
it's could be a different story though, if the etchings were actually done in pure gold?
i really do wonder how much more is the "production cost" (not retail) from that of any "future" standard production model in premium steel and fixtures....fingers crossed :-)
 
I think it would definately be down the road before/if it gained any value. It's really hard to determine what knives will gain in value from one year to the next. This is why I don't consider future worth when buying a knife. I like the design and the materials used in this knife, and have had this knife before with no issues. If I do get one I will carry it and I will modify it with a deep carry tip up pocket clip which should destroy and value it would gain down the road.:thumbup::)
 
I think if you're looking at making an investment with an appreciable yield that buying a knife is probably not the right move. You seem to indicate that you don't really want to use it. Why not take the money and buy some bullion or a couple shares? It may not be as exciting as having a knife stashed away, but your potential for growth seems much better.
 
somniloquist said:
I think if you're looking at making an investment with an appreciable yield that buying a knife is probably not the right move. You seem to indicate that you don't really want to use it. Why not take the money and buy some bullion or a couple shares? It may not be as exciting as having a knife stashed away, but your potential for growth seems much better.
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My primary interest was not to make an investment but it would be nice if it appreciated. I just like the knife and want to carry it but hate to mark up a nice knife.

Having said that, I have ordered one and got a good deal in my opinion. I searched and searched and can't find anybody that has ever gotten one so maybe I'll post a review when I get it.

From the pictures I've seen the only difference this has from the standard model, besides the materials used is that on the back of the blade where it already says "combat folder" it says "1996-2011 xxxx of 1500".
 
Well, I'm late to this party but I have valuable input that can help anyone that is thinking about picking up the anniversary edition AF Combat folder and perhaps Gerber products in general. I bought one because I love the pattern and I already have a 1st production full size AF Combat folder and a 1st production AF Covert. Those 1st production pieces are great, they are quality. I was expecting the same with the anniversary edition but to be clear that my expectation was not fulfilled, I'll describe the experience I had when I got it. Before doing so, I must mention that I am a long time collector and am not a hater of any company. I appreciate good quality stuff and I despise corner cutters!

I opened the box, pulled the knife out, and rotated it around in my hand. I appreciated the Micarta's nice color and texture. I noticed the blade wasn't even close to centered in the handle. I tried to center the blade by tightening the pivot to no avail, but it was pointless anyways because the pivot was already very tight as I discovered when I opened the knife slowly. I heard the blade scrape against the inside of the handle liner as I opened it. Then the lock bar engaged the tang and click, about 10% engagement, which of course meant that the Roto-Lock safety mechanism could not move in behind the lock because there was no clearance. Also, due to the weak lock engagement, all it took was a good tap at the blade spine and the lock gave out. This was repeatable every time I opened the knife until I did a wrist flick / quick deployment, and then the lock bar engaged at 50% and held solidly. I left it opened and appreciated the stonewash finish on the blade. I checked out the edge and noticed it wasn't even utility sharp (not good). I did some grip transitions to get a feel for its balance. It felt good but I noticed something pinching my palm occasionally. I looked at the back of the handle and noticed that the Micarta didn't even meet in the middle. There was a visibly large gap in the handle. I figured that maybe the handle screws were just loose so I tightened them carefully one by one and then SNAP!, uh oh! a handle screw broke. So in conclusion, this knife is not well built in any way shape or form. Rex Applegate would be appalled to have his name on such a P.O.S. . I did buy it from a reputable dealer, and I could return it to Gerber, but I decided that I'd like the pocket clip for my original 1st Production AF Combat so I harvested it and it fits my 1st production AF Combat better then the anniversary P.O.S. . So there you have it. As far as I'm concerned, old Gerber manufacture = good, new manufacture Gerber = bad. I'm not a Gerber customer any more. Others may take or leave my advice as they will.

I won't post pictures here, but I may send them through email if anyone is curious. Thanks all.
 
Nevermind... thanks for preventing me from buying this knife.
 
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