Gerber Applegate Combat Folder thoughts?

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User93

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Sep 15, 2016
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I am taking a look into this knife and I was wondering if anyone owned this knife and could tell me what they think of it? I have read some complaints about the thumb studs and that the knife isn't very sharp but I love the looks of it.


Thanks in advance!
 
What complaints are you hearing about thumbstuds and do you think those complaints would be an issue for you?

As for it being not sharp...you can sharpen it.
 
User93 said:
I am taking a look into this knife and I was wondering if anyone owned this knife and could tell me what they think of it? I have read some complaints about the thumb studs and that the knife isn't very sharp but I love the looks of it.


Thanks in advance!
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Go check out the thread, Gerber?, under the automatic/switchblade Subject Line...even though it refers to the autos...a member who owns them gives a good insight on the model and materials etc. It may help you out.
 
I picked up the anniversary edition a couple years ago, in S30V and green Micarta. Sharp as anything I have gotten before, plus the serrations make quick work of anything that tries to resist.

I was very pleased with this version, and it has gone on a few camping trips with me, as I mainly reserve it for potential emergencies (e.g. canoeing use, rope cutting, etc.).

It's not an ideal EDC knife, with it's thick spear-point grind, but it is quick to deploy, and I have no beef with the thumb studs. It is built more than adequately, and the materials in mine were top notch.

I like how substantial it feels in-hand, and the ergos are above average. For a Self Defense knife, e.g. for deployment, or Law enforcement, or even Firefighting, it would be a very capable and appropriate knife.

I believe there were some versions out in either ATS-34 or 154CM, if you can find them. The anniversary version was limited in run, but relatively recent, so may be available for a small premium. May be worth it for the S30V.
 
The neat thing about the design, if you intend it for SD, or actual combat, it that the back edge can safely be sharpened, as it is completely contained in the handle when closed.
 
I have a user I'm selling right now. I had both sides sharpened at Razors Edge so, yeah, it's sharp. It's the manual with the thumbstud and I think it opens fine. I prefer big blades and originally got it because it had a 4.5" blade, but it doesn't have a pocketclip, just the velcro pouch, and it's just much easier for me to grab a ZT or Benchmade and go rather than fiddle with redoing my belt. I was considering getting the auto version in all black, but I think I've moved on...

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/s...r-both-edges-sharpened-60?highlight=applegate
 
Dagger are hardly ever sharp out of the box, so take the claims of out of the box "sharpness" with a large grain of salt, and rely more on those who complain about it being dull...

Daggers (since this is basically a folding dagger) are also particularly hard to sharpen neatly and symmetrically: I would consider it par for course to sent this to RazorEdgeKnives. Most daggers, especially the flat ground ones, are in my opinion unsharpenable by hand to any meaningful level (the Gerber Guardian II being one of the few exceptions, because it has essentially a zero edge).

In fact, in a video by a professional sharpener that I saw, he had a couple of folding Applegates waiting on his bench...

The blade is reasonably wide yet pointy enough, so it is a very sound versatile design. I have handled one, and the plastic handle feels cheap, like most plastics, but otherwise the low price is not an indication of poor quality. If you can make it sharp, it is a bit of a sleeper quality wise: large, light and uniquely functional in design. It doesn't look like anything else, and that is a plus.

Gaston
 
I used to love it, until I took it apart and was unable to assemble it by myself as the pivot is not a pivot... It's a hubcap that is glued and fit pressed! Shame shame shame...
I recently posted about this here, with a horror movie picture in it.

Sharpening it was a breeze, it is quite a soft steel so it is not difficult to get a good double edge, and the shape of the handles makes it safe to carry even when double edged.
I had really good results with sharpening, only tricky part was to keep the tip sharp as it is indeed asymmetrical.

That being said, this knife is mechanically garbage unless you have a good smith friend that can machine up something adequate...
 
One of the best knives Gerber ever made. Good materials, good construction. A classic that hasn't been recognized as a classic yet, Own several with all varieties of steel. If you can find one with ATS-34. go for it. The Anniversary edition with the micarta handle is great, but hard to justify as an EDC, as I probably paid too much to get it and they bring a premium now. Perfect for a pack or BOB. And it is a tribute to a couple of real men, Applegate and Fairbairn
 
I've never had one, but a buddy has the manual version, and during his military service, he used it through multiple deployments to South America, 8 months in Bosnia and a total of 3 1/2 years in Iraq, and it's still going.....looks like hell, but still working.
 
I have a First Production Run purchased so long ago I can't remember when. Got it out of the Cutlery Shoppe mail order catalog if that's an indication. Gets a lot of looks and inquiries. Never really used it for anything other than to show it off, but it sure looks cool on my ruck strap. The sheath with the thumb break makes it look like it means business too!
 
I have had a Gerber Applegate Fairbairn Covert since they were first introduced, I liked it so much I replaced it when I finally abused it to death, I picked up the full size Combat a few years ago and like it very much. I find the Combat very pocketable for such a large knife. The grips is extremely comfortable in my hand and the controls fit me to a "T" ymmv. The things I do not care for are the serrations, never been a fan of serrations except for a bread knife, and lack of a clip on the Combat but grasping the fob that dangles out of pocket works pretty well. I sharpened the top swedge on my Combat and I'm contemplating supplementing them with the Mini and the fixed blade. As for being sharp, it took some work for me to get it shaving sharp, but out of the box it is not what one would call scary sharp, but it is sharp enough for its intended purpose, the design is not for carving or slicing, it is made for piercing flesh as it is a true fighting knife.

IMG_1892v01.jpg
 
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Had the fixed blade version from Boker and loved it. Loved it so much I eventually sold it off... :confused:

So I got one of these. It was awesome. I didn't think the handles felt cheap at all... that's just Gaston, who never owned one, offgassing.

Loved it so much I eventually gave it away. Was working on the docks at the time, and wanted something more utilitarian.

I'd get another one if a deal presented itself.... provided the owner hasn't sharpened both edges. (Sorry RS.... I'm in Washington State)
 
I had one of the original Combats. Liked the thing but finally decided to carry a much more practical knife.
My daughter's Sunday School Class was filling gift shoeboxes for soldiers in Afghanistan and I dropped the Gerber in one.
I hope some warrior somewhere got some use out of it.
 
User93 said:
I am taking a look into this knife and I was wondering if anyone owned this knife and could tell me what they think of it? I have read some complaints about the thumb studs and that the knife isn't very sharp but I love the looks of it.


Thanks in advance!
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Are you looking into this in addition to the Code 4 and the SOG for a "tactical" folder? I had an Applegate a while ago, best Gerber i've had (which hasn't been many). Honestly though, you need to start getting your hands on some of these knives, that's really the only way you're going to figure out which knife works for you.
 
I had the 154cm version. First one had lock issues, the replacement for it had stripped out pocket screw holes; both problems were straight out of the box. I requested a Gerber Propel in S30v as a replacement from the dealer...had HORRIBLE vertical play. All were plenty sharp. I keep going back to Gerber and I keep getting burned :/
 
I bought one back in 2001, and it was one of my first one-hand opening knives. Purchasing that knife was/is also one of my biggest knife regrets.

The lock would disengage with very slight pressure on the blade. And the handle was slippery (as if that matters when the lock is useless).

For a so-called "combat" knife, such a weak lock didn't inspire much confidence.

I ended up throwing the knife into the trash. It was too dangerous to keep for any reason or to give away.

Other peoples experiences may differ.
 
User93 said:
.. the knife isn't very sharp but I love the looks of it.
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That's about a good enough reason for wanting to buy anything like a knife.
An early covert model had served me well.
If there was any short comings
I certainly didn't see it
Or was I just blinded by its slick looks ?
It's a keeper and a must have if you ask me.
Go for it!
 
FullMetalJackass said:
I used to love it, until I took it apart and was unable to assemble it by myself as the pivot is not a pivot... It's a hubcap that is glued and fit pressed! Shame shame shame...
I recently posted about this here, with a horror movie picture in it.

Sharpening it was a breeze, it is quite a soft steel so it is not difficult to get a good double edge, and the shape of the handles makes it safe to carry even when double edged.
I had really good results with sharpening, only tricky part was to keep the tip sharp as it is indeed asymmetrical.

That being said, this knife is mechanically garbage unless you have a good smith friend that can machine up something adequate...
Click to expand...


Thanks for this: I did not know this. This is the kind of substantive post that blows all the hot air to oblivion... The fact that they pretend the axis is a screw pivot -complete with fake screw hole- and it actually isn't something you can tighten or disassemble, is a joke... This is an absolutely key issue for long term quality, and Gerber actually fakes it like some Chinese knock-off... Hum, no... Correction: Chinese knock-offs have actual real hardened screws... So something beneath Chinese knock-offs, with an additional layer of dishonesty and misrepresentation... This is exactly why Gerber has been the butt of jokes for decades now...

And as far as the purpose of the knife goes, self-defense designs don't benefit from dullness, dagger-types least of all...


Gaston
 
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