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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Gerber Fans
- Thread starter blueridgemountain
- Start date
JPD1998
Gold Member
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- Oct 18, 2004
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It is a Swamprat Ratmandu, in Moss Green finish, and the "custom" black and orange handles. Here's a better picture:
I really like that.... I've been thinking about getting something like that , the scales make it a home run. :thumbup:
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I absolutely recommend them. I actually have multiple fixed blades from my collection for sale as a result of this knife. There are also a lot of variations available if you custom order. I'm considering a Rodent 9, in that arctic white finish, along with the blue and black scales. Won't be cheap, but it will be amazing.
On topic, in the spirit of this thread, when I get home later tonight, I'll get my Gerbers together that I have (and still love), and share them as you did yours. Maybe the right answer here is "Want a Gerber of excellent quality? GET AN OLDER ONE!!" :thumbup:
Thank you, brother. I saw this color combo on one of the "Show your Bussekin!" threads and knew I had to have that in my life.
chiral.grolim
Universal Kydex Sheath Extension
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- Dec 2, 2008
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He's right, it was knocked off for years. Gerber disco'd the pear-wood model (it was a stout knife, well made, and the one I handled came razor-sharp), the new one has textured-rubber scales and 5Cr15MoV (listed right on the package) and is indeed made in China:
- Joined
- May 14, 2014
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Ooooohhhh no, a one-response new guy is trying to put us all in our place.
Gerbers are trash, get over it.
Actually, I'm not new. I left these forums a while ago, because of elitist dicks that can't get over themselves and let people have discussions about knives they like.
Everyone is so quick to start talking trash, instead of just skipping the thread.
Not everyone can afford, or hell...even likes, all the Chris Reeve/Hinderer/Strider/Busse out there.
MAYBE, just maybe, certain people have different taste than you. HOLY $#!+ RIGHT?
You're being elitist about sharpened slabs of metal... get over yourself.
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- Oct 11, 2013
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I'm sorry, what's that? You left? More likely, you got kicked to the curb for running your mouth. Can't wait until you get banned again! :thumbup:
Play nice or I'd imagine your stay this time be quite short with how quick you are with the whole trash talking.
As for gerbers, don't like them. I own a Gerber Evo Jr and the lock up is 100% from day one and you can flex the liner lock by applying moderate pressure to the back of the blade so it doesn't inspire confidence in terms of lock strength which isn't too much of a big deal to me considering I prefer my slip joints. But the ergonomics is bad on that knife as well, the materials they chose to use along with the poor ergonomics make it difficult to hold in your hand. Only plus sides I can think of is deep pocket carry and it's small and lightweight and will disappear till you need it, otherwise it's your basic $5 knife you pick up at the gas station which I regret paying around $15-20 for.
Heard Gerber used to be good in the past but now I hear that what I experienced is quite typical with their sub-par quality.
JPD1998
Gold Member
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- Oct 18, 2004
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- 3,551
Hey it's Friday! Lets be lighthearted and have some fun.
Here's a Gerber knife I bought back in the early 80's. Its significant to me for a few reasons.
It was the first knife that I saw in a catalog and couldn't afford. Heck it was a whopping $30.00. And secondly is was a departure for me from classic styled knives, made with steel and organic scales, to modern materials . I saved up and bought it on sale for $25.00.
Here's a Gerber knife I bought back in the early 80's. Its significant to me for a few reasons.
It was the first knife that I saw in a catalog and couldn't afford. Heck it was a whopping $30.00. And secondly is was a departure for me from classic styled knives, made with steel and organic scales, to modern materials . I saved up and bought it on sale for $25.00.
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- Oct 11, 2013
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Hey it's Friday! Lets be lighthearted and have some fun.
Here's a Gerber knife I bought back in the early 80's. Its significant to me for a few reasons.
It was the first knife that I saw in a catalog and couldn't afford. Heck it was a whopping $30.00. And secondly is was a departure for me from classic styled knives, made with steel and organic scales, to modern materials . I saved up and bought it on sale for $25.00.
You are quite right. I'll stop feeding the troll.
See, that picture makes me sad. That is an EXCELLENT knife (to the best of my memory anyway). I had one, and gifted it to a friend while I was in the Boy Scouts all those years ago. My friend didn't have a knife, his parents couldn't afford it, so I gave him this one. That was really Gerber's heyday. Sadly, I got home late last night, so I didn't get my few Gerbers together for a couple pics. I'll do it this weekend.
Do you remember that one Gerber folder that had the sheathe so you could put it in folded, or with the blade deployed? The lock was some super strong design so it was supposed to be used as a survival/woods knife. It had a black handle, and a similar lock to the one pictured here. I for the life of me cannot remember it.
JPD1998
Gold Member
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- Oct 18, 2004
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Maybe the Parabellum? I remember that being a beefier version of the Bolt Action Knife.
Back around the same time Gerber made a boot dagger that I lusted over. They were selling for around $75 back then!
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YES. That's the knife. A friend of mine at the time had one of those, and I was pretty envious of it. I have occasionally looked online for one, but they go for significant cha-ching, and that's on those rare instances they hit the 'Bay. One day, it's going to line up, I'll find one, and have the $250+ in hand, and then I'll own one.
One day!
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2013
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- 191
Oh, Gerber...
I have a 154CM Gator that I actually like a fair amount. I haven't had a chance to really put it through some really hard paces, but it seems solid for what use it has seen (breaking down boxes, garden work). Also, many of their American-made models, particularly their fixed blades, seem to be highly regarded. I don't have much interest in their USA folder lineup, however, as they tend to be on the larger/bulkier side and/or serrated.
I also have a Gerber Remix Fine Edge that I picked up out of curiosity. I hate it. Loose lockup, pocket clip digs into my hand while opening it (The massive pivot and poor washers make it the slowest opening one-handed-opening knife I've ever seen) and 7Cr17 steel. In my opinion, the Chinese Gerbers are outclassed in every respect by Kershaws. Sit down with a Gerber EVO Jr. and and a Kershaw Chill, two slim, inexpensive manual flippers. Roughly the same price, the EVO is actually a couple dollars cheaper. The Chill has 8Cr13MoV, compared to 7Cr17 - generally considered an upgrade, but, hey, it was a bit more expensive. G-10 vs Aluminum, about the same weight overall, I'd go for the G-10, but it's mostly personal preference.
Now flip them open. The Evo just can't do it without a good wrist flick. The Chill rockets out. At the rock-bottom, $20 and below price point, Kershaw can make an amazingly smooth and fast flipper. So, why can't Gerber manage it, even with less money spent on the materials?
...Anyways, this is really long-winded way for me to say: I'm a fan of the Gator, and respect the American-made models. But it doesn't surprise me that the much more visible Chinese models have generated significant hate from the knife community.
I have a 154CM Gator that I actually like a fair amount. I haven't had a chance to really put it through some really hard paces, but it seems solid for what use it has seen (breaking down boxes, garden work). Also, many of their American-made models, particularly their fixed blades, seem to be highly regarded. I don't have much interest in their USA folder lineup, however, as they tend to be on the larger/bulkier side and/or serrated.
I also have a Gerber Remix Fine Edge that I picked up out of curiosity. I hate it. Loose lockup, pocket clip digs into my hand while opening it (The massive pivot and poor washers make it the slowest opening one-handed-opening knife I've ever seen) and 7Cr17 steel. In my opinion, the Chinese Gerbers are outclassed in every respect by Kershaws. Sit down with a Gerber EVO Jr. and and a Kershaw Chill, two slim, inexpensive manual flippers. Roughly the same price, the EVO is actually a couple dollars cheaper. The Chill has 8Cr13MoV, compared to 7Cr17 - generally considered an upgrade, but, hey, it was a bit more expensive. G-10 vs Aluminum, about the same weight overall, I'd go for the G-10, but it's mostly personal preference.
Now flip them open. The Evo just can't do it without a good wrist flick. The Chill rockets out. At the rock-bottom, $20 and below price point, Kershaw can make an amazingly smooth and fast flipper. So, why can't Gerber manage it, even with less money spent on the materials?
...Anyways, this is really long-winded way for me to say: I'm a fan of the Gator, and respect the American-made models. But it doesn't surprise me that the much more visible Chinese models have generated significant hate from the knife community.
+1 for the Gator line.
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- Apr 7, 2014
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I have been reading folks thoughts on Gerber and appreciate them all. I have been comparing some of my Kershaws and Bucks to my Gerbers. I still really like and enjoy my Gerbers but I will say some folks have some valid points. Thank you for sharing.
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- Apr 3, 2014
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I used a gerber instant I was given as a gift all winter as my work knife in a warehouse. I wear gloves 90% of the time and the button lock and the big thumb stud were great for leather work gloves.
Older picture. Almost all the black is worn off by now.
Older picture. Almost all the black is worn off by now.
Here's three of my favorite Gerbers. My BMF,TAC II (that I fondle while watching "Big trouble in little China") and my Parabellum.
Now here's a pretty recent Gerber I have that I like. The Silver Trident. Very comfortable handle with very nice grinds,clearly identified steel and a very classy coating. IMO
Here the way I see Gerber. They've broadened their line up so much you have to do a little digging but they do put out a pretty decent knife occasionally. I grew up lusting over the older Gerber knives and I still have a soft spot for them. Nothing to get sore over though, if you like them you do,if you don't you don't.
Now here's a pretty recent Gerber I have that I like. The Silver Trident. Very comfortable handle with very nice grinds,clearly identified steel and a very classy coating. IMO
Here the way I see Gerber. They've broadened their line up so much you have to do a little digging but they do put out a pretty decent knife occasionally. I grew up lusting over the older Gerber knives and I still have a soft spot for them. Nothing to get sore over though, if you like them you do,if you don't you don't.
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- May 7, 2013
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I can't disagree with that. I have a mini Gerber multi-tool called the Shortcut that I carry most of the time (the scissors and nail file come in very handy). It has been in my pocket for many, many years and is still as functional as it was the day I bought it. A bit weathered and has been sharpened a few times, but still fully functional.
No other post-merger Gerber has impressed me.
I was given a Gerber BG Parang as a gift. I had used it successfully to cut softer vegetation, but when I hit a small, live, baby scrub oak, less than 1/2" dia., the edge folded right over. So I reworked the edge and threw it in the storage bldg for use on green vegetation only. Meanwhile my $8.95 no-name machete goes right through those baby scrub oaks with no problems. Junk. Found a Gerber Myth. Also junk.
That said, back in the early '80s I purchased a fairly heavy duty Gerber folder that was one of my all-time favorite knives. Sheath carry and a bit different design than most folders in that era, I used that knife often until it was stolen in an automobile break-in. I wish that I could recall the name of that knife so I could try to find one on the secondary market.
So, more power to anyone who likes/wants to own current Gerber. I won't be one.
Was browsing BladeHQ today and randomly stumbled on the new Gerber Edict. I glanced at it thinking to myself, "lol more 440A junk." however, I then looked at the specs. 154CM steel, and made in Portland, OR. $47 shipped online. Is this a return to form? I can only imagine Gerber is losing customers daily to the higher value offerings from ESEE, Ontario, cold steel, Kershaw, Spyderco, etc. Maybe they are finally realizing they need to actually deliver a high quality product to stay afloat.