Why the Gerber-hate?

E

ewjax

Joined
Oct 31, 2005
Messages
16
Well, "hate" may be a strong term, but still the question remains - why are so many folks down on Gerber?

I bought a Gerber "bolt action" lockblade back in the mid 80's that has served me very well for my entire Navy career. When I bought it, I thought I was really buying a top of the line knife, and still like that knife. It keeps a great edge, and the lockup is quite good.

However, recently I started looking at knives again for the first time since....well, that knife really, and I see lots of folks who just can't stand Gerber. What's happened to the brand?

I think I can partially answer my own question, but I'm interested to hear other opinions. Thanks.
 
I'm not a big knife fan and I don't pay attention too much... but wasn't Gerber now outsourcing their work to a cheap factory in China? Now that's not saying Chinese can't produce good work (hell I'm Chinese) in China or elsewhere... but when you settle for the lower bidder regarding price..... and quality suffers... you can't help but think the brand is going downhill.
 
I Managed a cutlery store about 50 miles form the Gerber factory in the 1980s. We sold a lot of Gerber's then. Most were made in Portland, OR or in Japan. I did notice some changes when Fiskars bought them out. Less of the high quality American stuff and more imports. As far is I know they are still making knives in Portland. I just bought one a couple months ago that was made in Portland. It is a super knife!
It would not surprise me that they have some stuff made overseas......most companies do now days, but as far as all of em being made there I rather doubt it.
 
Gerber is a company that does not think twice about stealing the designs of others. As far as I am concerned they are scum and can burn in hell.

To everyone else, a merry Christmas.
 
Good grief! Thanks.

I wondered - I actually bought an EVO Jr the other day off the rack, got it home, and......wow did that thing feel cheap. I'll never use it, and in fact, I'd feel bad even giving it away to someone. That was my first hint actually that the Gerber of the 80's has changed.
 
ewjax said:
Good grief! Thanks.

I wondered - I actually bought an EVO Jr the other day off the rack, got it home, and......wow did that thing feel cheap. I'll never use it, and in fact, I'd feel bad even giving it away to someone. That was my first hint actually that the Gerber of the 80's has changed.
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I did nearly the same thing. bought one, found this forum, returned it. 30 bucks well unspent.
 
Years ago Gerber was decent. They now seem to specialize in junk and rip offs. I'm not even sure if that have a USA made product anymore.
 
Yup, that's why I dislike Gerber so!!!!

KNOCKOFF KINGS!!!!:grumpy: :jerkit:
 
I don't think "Gerber" ever designed anything. Not many marketeers do. Look at Sears Craftsman. Still, very shady to use the "change it 10 percent Rule" to rob a true craftsman. On the other hand, all designs are an amalgamation of all that we have seen and are influenced by. Most tacticals have design elements that identify them as tacticals. Most "new" knife design patents are re-patents on ones that ran out. I have seen pics of 18th cenury knives with a "spider hole" in the blade. Once a patent runs out, fair play would dictate that it be public domain forever. Honor would dictate that credit should be given where credit is due.
 
R. Ellis said:
Most "new" knife design patents are re-patents on ones that ran out.
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Please provide some examples.
R. Ellis said:
I have seen pics of 18th cenury knives with a "spider hole" in the blade.
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This is fascinating! The patent office and its examiners cannot find examples of "prior art" but you have! Do you have any examples of 18 century knives with a hole in the blade that is used for opening the knife? How much experience do you have with patents and intellectual property law?

Gerber used to make good knives. Now they're knocking-off another knifemakers successful knife design. Maybe when the next big company buys Gerber out they will return to honesty and making good knives. Until then they are like any other knock-off company in the world who makes junk.
 
I understand it's been 10 years since they ripped off Kit and wouldn't buy a post '95 Gerber.Did they go bad before that?
I ask because I'm completing a specific era military knife collection and am involved in a trade with SirJames for a Mark II.It's a '90 or '91 MarkII and would like any input on Gerber's unquestionably questionable,read crappy,business ethics.
Gonna' do the deal anyway as it's already in the works but any input on there pre-'95 ethics good or bad would be appreciated.Thanks feller's. :)
 
Have had my old Gerber for over 10 years but I have noticed a change in quality. One of the reasons I am looking to other makes.
 
When I was a kid in the boyscouts gerber used to be pretty good, and that was about well like everyone else has said 12-14 years ago, but as time went on and i wanted/needed more knives I felt what everyone else felt, the cheapness comin on. It happened real subtle like but the edges started not holdin as well and the knive especially int he last 3 years to me hav felt cheaper. Now after being on this site I find out they have to copy others ideas to stay in business it seems. I dont hate gerber I just think it needs new managment to bring it back to the company it once was.
 
Gerber used to be OK. Decent USA made products. Then they got bought by Friskars. Quality bottomed out. Everything they make now is "400 series stainless", which to anyone that knows anything about knives means that it's crap.

And after the EVO/Carson fiasco, I wouldn't even use a Gerber to scrap dog shit off my shoes.
 
The linerlock is a good example of a re-patented design that has been used for over a century.

I will try to dig up a pic of an older example of a knife with a hole in the blade used to open it, but here is one I am sure you will agree, while probably not patented, is well known as a trademark style of Bill Scagel.
scage_pers_2_blade_sm.jpg


Here is another. Italian mid 1800's.
Italian_1850_pic2.jpg


When you look at as many antique knives as I do, tens of thousands, you soon come to realize that there is truly nothing new under the sun, including that quote. I have no knowlege of patent law nor intellectual property law. I just take the word of people who make a study of such things.
 
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