Why No Gerber Love?

nevermind35 said:
In short its because Gerber sold out to fiskars a few years ago(probably 4-8?). They are now generally thought to be a scissor company that makes knives on the side. From the newer models that I have used/felt they dont seem to pay much attention to their tolerances or fit and finish. Many are rough and pretty far from smooth. However, a few are still made in Portland Oregon and they seem to be the only ones that have some quality. In my opinion they do make some pretty alright knives at that plant. In particular the gator 154cm can be had for somewhere around $50.
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Pretty much nailed it with the "sold out" part of this quote. With a handful of exceptions.
 
One of the first nice knives I ever had was a Gerber folding Sportsman from the 70's. It got a good workout for years before I found a Case or Buck that caught my eye to replace it. The Silver Knights were some of the best production knives I've ever seen. I went through a couple Bolt Action folders that held an edge but I kept breaking and snapping the blades. I love my old Magnum but compared to some of the lighter knives of that size it was like having a boat anchor in your pocket or even your hip. I had a couple Gerber Bowies, a MK I and a 'First Production Run' Gator but I haven't used them in 10 years or so.
 
mikellen said:
How about the Prodigy? Is that a good one that Gerber makes?
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It's a good knife, well worth the money. One of only a couple that's still made in USA. It has a good comfortable handle, decent sheath, holds an edge very well, and takes a beating. It really just a smaller version of the LMF II.
 
Those old LST knifes was ordinary peoples workhorses in the years around 1990. Someone own a new one, how are the quality now.

Bosse
 
Gerber > Fiskars (scissors) :thumbdn:

In the 70's, Harley Davidson > AMF (bowling balls) :thumbdn:

But HD rose from the dead.:thumbup:
 
I have three Gerbers:

500 lockback - 2.5" clip mystery metal - don't know where/when I got it - or why - fits an Altoid tin 'kit' - US made

LMFII - gift from son - mystery metal - pretty useless (I hate serrations!) - US made

Stag/S30V Freeman - nice knife for ~$80 (The only Gerber I remember buying...) - made in US - useful size/feel (see below)

IMG_3698.jpg


A good Gerber!!

Stainz
 
Stainz said:
I have three Gerbers:

500 lockback - 2.5" clip mystery metal - don't know where/when I got it - or why - fits an Altoid tin 'kit' - US made

LMFII - gift from son - mystery metal - pretty useless (I hate serrations!) - US made

Stag/S30V Freeman - nice knife for ~$80 (The only Gerber I remember buying...) - made in US - useful size/feel (see below)

IMG_3698.jpg


A good Gerber!!

Stainz
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I have that same revolver, but still have the stock rubber grips. Where did you get those beautiful wood grips? They look great!
 
knarfeng said:
I remember when Gerber was the leader of the pack. But no more. IMO, I can get much more bang for the buck from other companies today. It tells the tale of where Gerber has gone. Some companies have driven for the goal line with their products. Gerber has headed for the Cheap line.
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I think that Mr. Gerber lived part of the American dream: Start your own company, grow it, then sell it. I'm sure that he made out very well when selling the company to Fiskars.

Now though Gerber is disconnected from its original owner and knives. Not to say that corporations cannot produce quality-they can and do. But except for a few good models, Gerber knives fill the low-end niche.
 
I have bought 5 Gerbers, First ever was a Sportsman model 3. It's still my favourite folder, yeah it's big and heavy, but it fits my hand perfectly. I still have 2 of that model. Outside of them I have a mk 2 dagger , late 80's vintage and had a mk1 , that was stolen...grrrr. I'll buy an old Gerber, but since the sell out they just aren't the same. I've bought older ones from collector sites and off ebay,but I can't see buying any of their current crop. lol had to be different then my brother and my dad who always favored the classic Buck 110s . Although after seeing my brother's custom 110, I just may get one of 'em.
 
What is a Gerber 1254CM Serrated Drop Point W/Ballistic Sheath Item #06065 still doing around here and there. I have one and have no idea where it came from. Also a Silver Knight #2508 Pearl and a Silver Knight #250B - Hunting Dog Item NO. 7669 ------------ Plus 2 XCP Fixed Blade Clip Point Model #06916 P/E With NWTF 2002 on Blade and then a Gator Stud SERR W/Sheath Item No. 06909 and last but not least a Gator. STUD. Fine Edge W/Sheath Item No. 069098 got these but don't remember how long ago or why. Are they any good.?? Anybody know the background on these.?? All these are new and in there boxes.!
 
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I have a vietnam era Mark 2 made in 1969. I got it from an uncle who passed away.

It was used by him while he was there working as a contractor.

Here is a couple of pictures...



 
Welcome to the forums, thetrio! Seeing that Mk.2 makes me sad that I didn't pick one up in the 70's. :(
 
"Surgical Stainless Steel"? What the hell is that?!? I don't like not knowing what my knives are made out of.
 
When I think of Gerber, I think of baby food. I can't shake that thought when looking at their knives.
 
Pete2s said:
When I think of Gerber, I think of baby food. I can't shake that thought when looking at their knives.
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LOL! I thought that at first too, back in the late-80s when I first became aware of Gerber knives. Still have those, and the quality is pretty good. Namely, an early Gator and First Production EZ-Out.

Now, uh, Gerber Knives just seems bland. Bland aesthetics, bland materials, bland designs. Just another knife company stuck in the rut of black plastic...

The highest quality Gerber knives in my experience are the Silver Knights that were made in Japan in the 1990s.
 
I had finally given up on Gerbers after stubbornly buying a couple too many and being disgusted by the quality in recent years but just last night I saw the S30V EZ out in woodland camo (generally I hate camo handles but...) I think I might just pick up one more Gerber. (I'll never learn will I?;))
 
PayetteRucker said:
Because they are crap? I have maybe 500 dollars worth of gerber knives. All of them have the same issues: poor steel, poor finish, poor materials, poor quality control, and way too high a price. They have some damned good designs but there never was a good knife made from a bad steel.
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Care to show us a picture of your $500 worth of crappy Gerber knives? I'd be interested in seeing them.
 
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