Why No Gerber Love?

The last Gerber I bought (about five years ago) was a Mini Paraframe. I was in Maine at the LL Bean store feeling the need to buy a memento with nothing really catching my eye, so it was chosen for being something small I figured I'd use. It actually is a nice, light knife. It got returned the next day though because I bought it at night and when I woke up (meaning it was maybe 12 hours out of the package)--and I hadn't even used it yet--I saw both the handle and blade had rust spots everywhere. (To LL Bean's credit, they took it back without any hassle.)
 
My interest in knives started with collecting old Gerbers (hence my name): MK I, MK II, Guardians. Picked up several of the innovative "clip locks" designed by Blackie Collins for whitewater rafting.

I still enjoy them. But the newer line doesn't interest me much for many of the reasons expressed above.

By the time my interest in Gerbers got going, the Vietnam era MKIIs with the canted blades were really pricey. Heres a '70s MK II right out of the box.

Picture013-1.jpg
 
Crap steel is my biggest beef with them. Same with CRKT, like some of their designs, but they are in crap steel so there is no chance I will ever buy.
 
I've got one of those 1970's FSII's and a very early LST (maroon linen micarta with a mirror polish on the blade) and an ancient black multiplier- those are really great! I bought some clearance LSTs at wallyworld maybe 10 -15 years ago - and they are almost as good! A "big box" store clearanced the Suspension Tool two years ago and I can't really fault it. It does what I ask it to and comes back for more. Last year I picked up a mini-paraframe and my only fault is the pocket clip is tight for slipping on a jeans pocket and the EVO junior I had went down the road just too small for my hand. Are these GREAT knives.... probably not but they are still "good" knives and the customer service is awesome! The pouch on that Suspension frayed out. When I e-mailed about a replacement and cost - within hours the answer came that a "complementary" on is on the way! It's a knife - It cuts what more do you want? Gerber is still worth what it costs.
Peace
Revvie
 
I dont really have any gerber folders which I carry with me as I havent really found one which I really like or fits me nicely. I have the gerber EZ-skinner and it works awesome but that's not a normal knife.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top