Gerber 06 Manual Folder: Shocked. Stunned. Thrilled.

[bradytx]

First, the Gerber 06 Manual Combat Folder is one of the best "hard use" folding knives I have ever used. The 06 is Made in the USA, and should be considered by anyone wanting a larger EDC/hard use folder.

I would have preferred the fine edge version, but they are quite hard to come by. I simply cannot tell you how thrilled I am with this knife. The fit and finish, quality of materials, ergonomics, etc. are all top notch. This goes to show you, Gerber is a great knife company, but their bean counters choose to market and produce the majority of their knives overseas.

The handle is formed with milled out steel liners overlapped by Aluminum scales. The locking system is a plunge lock. After using the plunge lock on the 06, I would choose this system over any other folding knife locking system. Other pluses that can be mentioned is the pommel at the end of the knife made with solid steel, deep carry pocket clip, a fantastic blade shape, and a great price tag for what you're getting. The blade is 3.6 inches and is made out of S30V steel.

TO GERBER: YOU HAVE SHOWN ME YOU CAN STILL MAKE QUALITY KNIVES, MADE IN THE USA, AT A GREAT PRICE. YOU ALSO HAVE SHOWN ME YOU HAVE A SKILLED LABOR FORCE, UP TO DATE MACHINERY, AND GOOD DESIGNS. WHY NOT PUT THESE ALL TO USE? BRING MORE PRODUCTION CAPACITY TO YOUR OREGON FACILITY, AND LESSEN THE PRODUCTION OF CHINESE MADE KNIVES! THAT GREAT AMERICAN COMPANY IS STILL THERE, WAITING TO BE UNLEASED AGAIN!

 

[collim1]

I remember growing up and receiving a Gerber as a gift. Gerber was thought very highly of at the time.

 

[RedLynx]

They still make some good ones... a shame the plain edge is so rare though. Good on em for making the pocket clip reversible to left carry.

 

[zingo156]

That does look like a fine knife. I might have to look for a straight edge version.

 

[NYOutdoors]

Nice write-up and pictures - good to see Gerber putting out a nice looking and functional design with good materials. Never used that locking mechanism myself.

I agree - I'd like to see them put some more USA made products out!

 

[dozer2025]

I'll say one thing about Gerber's S30V when used on their American made knives...

I own a Decree, and while it is not perfect it has the sharpest S30v blade out of box I have ever seen! They obviously went with a very fine grit when sharpening it-The thing practically had a mirror polish!

 

[bradytx]

I'll say one thing about Gerber's S30V when used on their American made knives...

I own a Decree, and while it is not perfect it has the sharpest S30v blade out of box I have ever seen! They obviously went with a very fine grit when sharpening it-The thing practically had a mirror polish!

I can second this. The blade on the Decree was the sharpest knife out of box I have ever owned. The guys doing the sharpening at the US Gerber plant are top notch.

 

[mqqn]

Looks pretty nice!

Thanks for the pictures -

best

mqqn

 

[jfk1110]

Gerber still has the potential to make some great stuff. I have the DMF AUTO and its an impressive offering. The S30v blade gets laser sharp and the g10 handle feels great in hand. I also like the ramped button on the axis type lock. I'm liking the clip point a lot. Great knife at a great price. I've had a gator.for 20+ yrs, and its still holding its own and performance all those tasks I don't want to use other knives on. I'd recommend these.

 

[dano]

Is it still being made?

Also, I wonder if it will accept an auto spring, as their is an auto model available that looks identical.

 

[bradytx]

Is it still being made?

Also, I wonder if it will accept an auto spring, as their is an auto model available that looks identical.

It is a current model and still being produced.


I'm not sure on the spring front.

 

[MatthewSB]

Who designed that knife? It looks like a Harsey designed Green Beret handle, with the double guards and first two finger notches.

How does the plunge lock work? Could it be considered a gravity knife, as in if you hit the button while the knife is closed will the blade fall out with gravity or a flick?

 

[bradytx]

Who designed that knife? It looks like a Harsey designed Green Beret handle, with the double guards and first two finger notches.

How does the plunge lock work? Could it be considered a gravity knife, as in if you hit the button while the knife is closed will the blade fall out with gravity or a flick?

I'm not sure who designed the 06.

Their is a circular cutout on the blade where the plungelock fits in the groove thus locking the blade. When the plunge lock is pressed the lock moves over and the blade can be released.

The 06 can be a gravity knife, but I tightened the pivot on mine.

Honestly, I'd take this Gerber over any ZT or Emerson.

 

[Hiro-kun]

Who designed that knife? It looks like a Harsey designed Green Beret handle, with the double guards and first two finger notches.

How does the plunge lock work? Could it be considered a gravity knife, as in if you hit the button while the knife is closed will the blade fall out with gravity or a flick?

I seem to recall that Gerber's staff designer, Jeff Freeman, designed the 06, but Gerber's product description does not mention him. I can find a few web sites that mention Freeman alongside the knife. Bill Harsey and Chris Reeve have collaborated with Gerber before, so it's not surprising to see some of their influence in Gerber's other designs.

I wish that Gerber would make the G-10 auto tanto version with a fine edge, drop point blade and manual deployment.

 

[Blue Sky]

...Good on em for making the pocket clip reversible to left carry.

Can only wonder why, the lock button is decidedly right hand only. That makes it a no-go for me. Too bad.

 

[EChoil]

Gotta admit, looks and sounds pretty nice. Congrats on finding a knife you like so much.

 

[jstrange]

Can only wonder why, the lock button is decidedly right hand only. That makes it a no-go for me. Too bad.

If its anything like the lock on the Hogue EX-03 then it can still be operated fairly easily left handed by using the left index finger instead of the thumb.

 

[oXObsidianXo]

Honestly, I'd take this Gerber over any ZT or Emerson.

I sense a bit of biased here. I'm sorry, even if Gerber makes a half-decent knife (which I am skeptical enough about) I seriously doubt that any Gerber is on par with a ZT (0560, 0562, 0392, 0454, 0620). This Gerber is only comparable to ZT or Emerson in terms of raw materials. I think Emerson would win in the ergonomics department, and KAI/ZT would win in the F&F and materials department.

Now, yes I'm not a Gerber fan. But to compare this knife to some of the top production knife companies in the industry saying this is better than them, is just lunacy. Believe it or not, there is a reason Gerber has built up such a bad reputation for themselves over the years.

Edit: I am aware that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so don't crucify me for disagreeing.

 

[co556guy]

Looks like a step in the right direction...but not ~$100ish.

I'm glad to see that they are putting an eye towards improving their quality, but not when I can get a 0200 for $20 more.

They still have a little way to go. The design is about 10 years outdated even if it is made with good materials. Looks a bit clunky and kind of pocket-hoggy.

Fix some of that, refine the design, make the plain edge version accessible. Drop the price to about $60-70 so that people will buy them and review them.

Part of why ZT can get the prices they ask is that they've maintained their reputation. Buy a ZT and you know it's going to be put together right, using high quality materials and high tolerances. Gerber doesn't have that reputation, and as such, buying a knife from them carries an inherent risk and low resale value.

 

[Hiro-kun]

I sense a bit of biased here. I'm sorry, even if Gerber makes a half-decent knife (which I am skeptical enough about) I seriously doubt that any Gerber is on par with a ZT (0560, 0562, 0392, 0454, 0620). This Gerber is only comparable to ZT or Emerson in terms of raw materials. I think Emerson would win in the ergonomics department, and KAI/ZT would win in the F&F and materials department.

Now, yes I'm not a Gerber fan. But to compare this knife to some of the top production knife companies in the industry saying this is better than them, is just lunacy. Believe it or not, there is a reason Gerber has built up such a bad reputation for themselves over the years.

Edit: I am aware that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, so don't crucify me for disagreeing.

Gerber only seems to have a bad reputation within the knife enthusiast community. Gerber is a major supplier to the US military, so it is those users who have the most exposure to their products. I haven't seen any evidence that Gerber's military products are poor quality in general. Their top-end designs are primarily for the military, which aren't necessarily designs that you or I would favour in a knife. You may be right about Emerson and ZT, but can they maintain that quality and supply enough knives to meet military demand? There's a reason Gerber continues to maintain their military contracts.