Gerber EZ-Out

C

Confederate

Joined
Sep 5, 2005
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I found a number of these knives in my collection, all new, but I can't find out much about them. They seem light, but I have no idea how good or bad they are, what kind of stainless they employ or how strong the lockup is. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with this knife? (I'm not a Gerber fan, so my expectations aren't very high.)

Thanks in advance!


Confed
 
I have one which uses ATS-34 steel (it cost an extra $10, I don't know what they used in the cheaper model), bought in 1998. I find that this knife takes and holds a good edge that will easily shave hair or push cut cash register receipts. The locking mechanism wobbles and doesn't inspire confidence. That said, it has survived 7+ years and quite a bit of use on packing materials, food, wood, etc. No heavy duty prying or stabbing. I end up using this knife alot because I don't like it as much as my "better" knives.
 
I've had several over the years and have been really happy with all of them. I believe the steel is 400 series stainless {except for the ats34} and for some reason i think it was 440c. As long as you treat it like any other plastic handled knife without liners i think it will work just fine. I never did like how the clip fit because it always seem to work lose then you had to tighten it. other than that i'd say a good knife. later, ahgar
 
I had a junior model & the lock buckled & it cut me good. Threw it out. Won't buy Gerber again.
 
fishface5 said:
I had a junior model & the lock buckled & it cut me good. Threw it out. Won't buy Gerber again.
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I don't blame you. I really liked the look of the EZ-out. (Especially the fact that it was designed for tip-down carry). Handled a couple of them, but never bought one! The lock on each one that I tried out was flimsy as Hell. I've handled el-cheapos that locked up better! Basically,:thumbdn:

I wouldn't trust my fingers to that model!
 
I had a first production EZ out for several years and I liked it. It somehow found it's way out of my pocket one night though. The only knife I ever lost. I never had a problem with it and thought it was a decent EDC. If you don't want them, you could send one my way to replace the one I lost;).
 
None of the ones I have state the steel on the packaging. The current specs on websites say "400-series" (which means they can use anything from 410 upwards). I've also sent Gerber an e-mail asking for a brief history of the steels in that knife; however, I'm not waiting by my computer.

Thanks, again.

Confed
 
Curious as to just how flimsy the locking mechanism on my ATS-34 EZ-Out is, I have just given it 6 sharp spine whacks against my kitchen cutting board. Nothing happened, blade stayed open, it still works just fine, and it still wobbles about the same amount and doesn't inspire confidence.
 
When it was made is ATS-34, was it advertised as such? Sometimes these companies just switch their specs and don't let anyone know. (I've got Cold Steel Nightshade (plastic) knives that will cut better than the current Gerber Paraframe! What a loser!)

The thing about this Gerber is for some strange reason I rather like it. Maybe it's because it's useful without actually being desirable, I don't know....
 
I have also an EZ-out in ATS-34. Its my beater at work. I hate it! Mostly because there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. The handle is solid as far as FRN goes, it locks up solid with no bladeplay and the ATS-34 blade takes and holds a very good edge and the pivot is screw construction which can be a benefit at times, never had to adjust it though. Used to be quite a steal......its just so ......BORING. It wasted also quite a bit of edgelength with that funny choil which isn't really a finger choil. Helps with sharpening though. Yes it was advertised as ATS-34 and also stamped on the blade
 
Mine has all the cut-outs on top and isn't stamped, which means it's probably a 440A. It's a nice, light knife. You're right about the finger choil. Is your serrated of straight edge? Mine's straight and I like it like that. It's always looked to be a ten-dollar knife. Nothing fancy about it.

GER0006.jpg


The serrated version.
 
Confederate said:
Mine has all the cut-outs on top and isn't stamped, which means it's probably a 440A. It's a nice, light knife. You're right about the finger choil. Is your serrated of straight edge? Mine's straight and I like it like that. It's always looked to be a ten-dollar knife. Nothing fancy about it.
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I thought you were talking about the earlier models, the ones that had the single, sideways, kidney-shaped hole.
 
Monocrom said:
I thought you were talking about the earlier models, the ones that had the single, sideways, kidney-shaped hole.
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Yep, that's how mine looks like. Plain edge for me.
 
I've got a serrated edge EZ out that has only one cut out on the blade.

I've had it for a long time and my father has had it even longer for simple EDC use.

It's held up very well, I've used it many times to open up cans of food while camping and cut some small caliber wire.

I find the locking system on the one I own to be rather sturdy. I've seen other knives topping a 100$ that didn't seem as sturdy in my hand.

I also have tried numerous times to get the blade to close while simulating holding the knife.
 
I have a partially serrated mystery steel model and an ATS 34 model. I have heaped more abuse on these two knives than any other in my collection except possibly my Endura and they have held up surprisingly well. Not as flimsy as might be expected.
 
I like them ok, they are worth (to me at least) probably $20, but SMKW has a large rubber flashlight and SE EZ out for $11, the only reson I havn't gotten one of those sets is the SE I like PE much much better.
 
I have two EZ-outs. One I got about 7-8 years ago. 400 steel (or at least not ATS). Combo edge. Oval cutout. No problems with the lock. Used it a lot for EDC. Got real sharp with not much work. But needed to resharpen often. Decent knife for cheap.

I liked the combo edge enough that I bought a plain edge last year. Multiple cutouts. Quality was not as good as the first one. Sharp edges on plastic. Bad grind marks on the edge. The grind marks were deep enough that they caused the edge to crumble as I was sharpening it the first time. Had to re-edge it. Seems to dull faster than the original as well. Still no problems with the lock. I would not buy another. Too many better deals.

I've read a number of comments about Gerber quality decreasing since the Fiskars buyout. My experiences with the two EZ-outs fit the reported pattern.
 
I got one in 97. ats 34 on the blade. it wasn't like the one pictured above. it only had 1 hole to open like a spidie. it lasted me 5 or so years.lost it. Took a wicked edge and held it decently. I tested the lock by putting on leather gloves and putting it on wood or on a tree and trying to close it. It could close pretty easily. But I got it at walmart for around 20 bucks back then. So I guess it was a good cuter for 20$.better than a box cutter I guess.
 
sharp. I like it a lot. It's ultra light which makes it the best choice when I'm wearing light gym or running shorts. With an elastic waistband, a heavier knife doesn't work out as well. It's not a crowbar, but perfect for certain applications where brute strength isn't called for.
 
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