Don't know what a tat is, but I feel sure it is probably derogatory.
It means cheap 'carp.'
We here at BF are a jaded, cynical, mean spirited lot. We've seen too much of the world to think anyone or anything could change. I appreciate the huge amount of distrust we all have towards knife makers and their products.
I assume that was for me. I didnt mean to come across as 'mean spirited' (and dont really think I did), but I realise I may have been a bit blunt
But note, I said "I think". This statement wasn't an endorsement.
I had a friend of mine that couldn't sharpen a pencil bring me his new SW knife to sharpen, and I was surprised at how well it was built and how well it was holding up. Unlike
us experts, he only has three knives to his name and he uses his SW all day long in a warehouse cutting down boxes, prying staples, cutting hard fiberglass banding strips, and occasionally as a scraper. The knife is about two years old now, and although I have sharpened it for him a couple of times and oiled the pivot, he himself does no maintenance.
Im no expert, so you can only speak for yourself
The knife locks up tight, the blade holds an edge very well for a $15 knife. At our local sporting goods store, they carry a newer line of the SW knives and they look much better than the older stuff. I never paid any attention to the SW lines as all I had ever seen after their first year or so (when they had Fox making some knives for them) was gas station quality product.
To each his own. Im sure that (as another forum member mentioned in regards to the current crop of Gerbers), that some S&W knife customers are quite happy with their purchase - especially if they dont know or care what else is out there. Again, as was mentioned; you can get a lot of value from for example Benchmade of Kershaw (Personally, Id buy a non-warrenty blem from our favourite vendor guy over a S&W knife every day of the week and twice on Sundays). Goes for Opi as well.
So it may be a baby step, but if they are moving to a better grade knife I am all for it.
Robert
Im certainly willing to be swayed if they start manufacturing better knives. The S&W knives Ive seen so far are not very convincing to say the least. Some of them are outright horrid mall Ninja fodder.
Curious how many Gerber (or any brand for that matter) haters or naysayers have actually purchased or used a Gerber within the last couple of years. It's easy to sit and read specs an listen to other haters of something and ride the same train. On the other hand, to actually put your money where your mouth is and buy AND USE a knife would lend some personal experience to it. I bought a 'crap' Gerber Paraframe 2 blade expressly for the purpose of putting in a first aid/survival kit simply due to the fact that it has a blade and a saw. You know what I found... it's a darn good little knife and saw for edc use. And it cost a whopping 15.00. So much for a POS knife. Well made and sharp too.
Funny you should mention that. Goes for Dorito Monks comment about that knife as well. I bought a Gerber Paraframe since Ive always been a HUGE Gerber fan and have shed loads of Gerber Guardians, MK I & MK II knives.
The Paraframe I bought was a POS.
I was disgusted, as I was prepared to like yet another Gerber knife.
I was in no way prejudiced, as Ive always liked Gerber and been a fan of the Company - not least of the knives they supplied to US soldiers in Vietnam.
What a cheap and nasty piece of you-know-what that Paraframe was.
Nothing like the good quality knives, that I was used to from Gerber production of previous years.
But again, Im sure they work for some people and that is fine. We dont have to like the same knives - goes for S&W as well.
As for having handled other new production Gerber knives: Ive several times been in a hot, sandy and unfriendly enviroment where people dress alike (at least the ones on my side).
Amongst those Guys (and because you could buy knives in the PX), Gerber knives were/are widespread. Ive handled several of them. Not least the LMF knives, which are legion in the sandbox. I suppose, I could live with the LMF, but Im not impressed. Not with the LMF and not with SOME of the other current crop of Gerber knives.
Like any other forum, BF has a huge amount of Google educated parrots that simply repeat what they read or hear. Little or no experience is necessary. If you read it on the internet, it has to be true, right?
See above
I bought a fixed blade Freeman Hunter with the treated wood handles after reading a surprisingly good review of the knife here on BF. Then I read more great reviews on knife vendor sites. It was to be utility knife for me, a backup for camping, hiking, and occasional hunting trips. It's a great little knife and fills exactly the purpose for which it was purchased extremely well.
And thats fine. What ever works for you (or others). Luckily we dont need to like the same knives. How boring would that be.
It holds an edge reasonably well (AUS 8?) and sharpens easily. It never rusts but a spot or two, even after spending a couple of days wet or when blood has been left on it from dressing or prepping. And its design makes it a snap to get really clean, clean enough to use as a utensil after gutting a deer. I use that knife for all manner of things I don't want to use my expensive knives to do.
Not a fan of AUS, but thats just me. How ever I like both some carbon steels and SSs for knives. Titanium too for that matter.
I know the cynics will give a great *snort* of derision here and say that the reason I like that knife is because I have lower standards than their lofty needs, but that's fine. Out in the field for the last 5 years it has worked great for me and shows no sign of slowing down.
Robert
See above. What ever works for you. Its your cash, its your knife - if it works for you, thats all that matters. No need to get defensive or worse - we are all friends here (to a degree ;-) ), but the OP asked and forum members answered. You'll notice that there is a red line in this thread.
Personally, I lament the demise of some great US Companies and the shift in quality in others. I like the old SCHRADE knives but its clear that there is no comparison between the old US made SCHRADE knives and the current outsourced ones. Gerber is not what it once was, but they clearly sell knives and I guess thats all that matters. From a cost benefit POV, it no doubt makes better sense to sell abominations like the BG knives to TV-indoctrinated sheeple, than to keep producing he quality knives of yore.
The above may come across as offensive, but I assure you, that Im not out to step on your toes - if your knives work for you thats fine what ever the make.
As for a 'snort of derision,' Im no snob. I have cheapo carbon steel knives, which works fine. You cant beat an Opi in regards to value for money and Im a huge fan of those and other of their ilk. Ill take an Opi over a S&W.
Commenting, repasting posts, and annotations, too?