What Happened to Gerber?

[ERdept]

Gerber?

They're still making baby food aren't they.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[jdm61]

I have a very old Gerber Folding Hunter with brass framed wooden scales and I don't know what steel in the blade, but it holds an edge like mad and is hard as Hell to sharpen. I also have an old Gerber bolt action folder, a really very nice little knife, that has a steel in the blade that is a bit easier to work. Finally, I have a Gerber San Francisco Bowie from the late 1980s, a very nice piece but for the rubber hilt on it. I may have one or two others, but that is about it, IIRC. I had a Parabellum that I sold for $150 a couple of years back. That was the knife that was once described as the first megafolder.

I have one too.....GREAT little knife. Where Gerber went wrong started in the 80's when they stopped making the Mk 1 and Mk 2 out of O1 and went to stainless......been downhill ever sine then:grumpy:

 

[cb4life_30]

The quality sure has decreased. I wasn't around to really experience some of the gerbers you all are talking about. My first gerber was a multitool (I still have it) no locking tools and it would pinch your hand sometimes but it was a great tool. Layed along side my newer gerber multis you can see a definate reduction in quality. My only other gerber was the e-z out it was older probably around 1994 it was my first one hand opening clip knife. Gave it to my brother a few years ago now I wish I hadn't.

 

[pinetree]

I got a 4" hunting knife, Gerber, China...boo. The guy at wally world talked my wife into. The grip fits my hand horribly, the sheath is cheap, thin and does not fit the knife correctly. I had wanted a Fatty. Saw the post today regarding it's quality, or lack there of. I've had many cool Gerbers, most grew legs in college. I am very diappointed in there current offerings. I may get one of their gut hooks as they take utilty blades. Fiskars makes some nice stuff. I see the plant north of Montgomery has shut down.

I liked thier EZ Out knife, a cheap handy knife for surf fishing, it is somewhere in the Gulf.

tjg

 

[Bungwrench]

Indeed. However the growing reality is that more and more people opt for cheaper products. Just look at the success Walmart has had. Personally, I can't stand the concept of a Red Chinese made knife and don't own any personally. But I'm in a really smalll minority, I'm afraid.

So what happened to not selling anything made in China? At least that's what you were going to do.