Gerber Loveless

F

Falcenberg

Joined
Mar 29, 1999
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330
Does someone have informations, pictures or the like about this knife?

Perhaps it is me I am not up-to-date. In this case, please excuse me.

Falcenberg
 
I think they are using Swedish 12C7 or something (don't remember the exact name). That stainless steel is quite tough, but it doesn't hold an edge well at all. And in a hunting knife, that's the most important thing, really. If it was made of 154-CM, 440V or 52100, it would be far better. I know cost is a concern, but 12C7 is one of the worst choices I can think of for a hunting knife. Correct me if I am wrong.
 
Originally posted by Andrew Lynch
I think they are using Swedish 12C7 or something (don't remember the exact name). That stainless steel is quite tough, but it doesn't hold an edge well at all. And in a hunting knife, that's the most important thing, really. If it was made of 154-CM, 440V or 52100, it would be far better. I know cost is a concern, but 12C7 is one of the worst choices I can think of for a hunting knife. Correct me if I am wrong.
Click to expand...

Andrew:

Gerber tells me that the steel is forged 440 stainless. I think that you are probably right and it is a Sandvik steel. They wanted to forge the knife, in fact that was the only way to complete the project at a cost that would work. There are only 2001 of these and the collectors will not leave enough for the hunters. I think that the price is $240, at least that will be our catalog price, members of the Knife Collectors Club, and E-Members (those who have given us their email address and permission to send a weekly message) will have a slighty smaller price.

All the best, A. G.
 
It's my understanding that Sandvik 12C27 steel is one of the few steels that were established just for cutlery. I think that 12C27 will hold a fairly good edge and is also quite tough. The 21st Century Ka-Bar knives I think are made from the 12C27 steel also.

FWIW :cool:
 
I handled an example at the Blade Show in June. The fit and finish were excellent and it had green micarta scales much like that used by Loveless. I have to commend Gerber for attempting an integral design too. Gary at the Gerber booth told me that the steel was 12C27. Since all I did was handle the knife I couldn't say how well it will perform. Falcenberg you will be happy to know that it is being manufactured in Italy (if you didn't already know that).

Though 2001 are being produced that is not really a very limited number. There should be plenty to go around for the knife knuts that want one, since the price should discourage the average knife buyer.

Paul
 
Hold on, folks. Just got some info from one of my distributors on the new Loveless Skinner by Beretta: 8 1/8" OAL. 3 3/4" ATS-34 stainless blade. Full tang. Sambar stag handles with nickel silver bolster and lanyard hole. Brown leather belt sheath. $419.95 retail.
Now that's something to shout about!!

Contact me off line if you want one!

Regards,

Barry Haugen
 
I don't understand that at all. I admit, I'm not really a collector...I use my knives. I think it's great that they're making it...an awesome idea...but isn't $420 just a little rediculous?

I apologise that I sound so critical and negative in this thread
:( ...I just wish I knew why these companies made the decisions they did.
 
Back to the Gerber Loveless... it should hold an edge reasonably well if they take 12c27 up to Rc59 or better. Just like Buck's 420HC, not a super steel, but does fine if hard and with right edge profile.

I don't know what top end hardness is for 12c27... it may top out at Rc58.

The point is:
1. somewhat limited
2. Loveless design, down to green micarta
3. INTEGRAL, which I think is pretty cool myself.
 
I recently spent a few hours looking at knives on the web site of the European company Courty et Fils. They have a wide variety of knives from all over Europe. Some custom, as well as many manufactured.

Of those that I looked at, Sandvik 12C27 was far and away the most commonly used steel. Even in higher end knives. Was surprised to see more of it than 440A which in the past has seemed to be THE steel used by many European knife manufacturers.

The only knife I own which has that steel is my OE Impulse. I can say that it takes a very good edge. Can't say anything about holding it, unfortunately. But, I have heard/read that Darrel Ralph uses it in some of his customs. Given his reputation, I truly doubt he's using anything like 420J2.
 
I hate to ask a dumb question, but here goes. The Gerber is described as an INTEGRAL. What is meant by INTEGRAL in knife terms?
 
Fudo,

Thanks for asking, and as a relative knife "newcomer" I hope I can help answer your question.

On fixed blade knives, not counting those "Made from one piece of steel" knives like Chris Reeve knives, most blades are made from a single piece of steel that is either ground down (the stock removal method), or forged and hammered, then ground to finish (the heat and beat method).

Either of these methods, regardless of blade grind or tang taper, still (generally) have the handle material and hilt added as seperate items.

The tang is the steel part of the knife that is in your hand, regardless of any material that may cover it.

Some knives have a reduced tang, (shorter than full knife length), or a tang that is soldered on after the blade is made. There is a school of thought that these types of knives are not as strong as a knife in which the blade and tang are one piece of steel, tip to tail.

The integral, whether stock removed or forged, has the blade, hilt, and tang (sometimes the pommel too) made from one piece of steel, and is turned down, (relieved, material removed) to fit the handle material.

In theory, this is the second stongest knife configuration available, (second to the one piece designs), but is most desireable due to the inherent strength and customization available due to various handle materials and configurations available.

Robert Loveless was one of the first "Major players" to use this expensive, time consuming method, which has been furthered by his protege Steve Johnson, and now by Steve's Protege Ricaro Velarde.

When you hold your first clean, "slick" integral, the light is gonna go "pow" in your head, just like the old flashbulbs did in the movies.

It's an epiphany of sorts...the usual response is "WOW"

Are they going to have any real "value" over time? Probably not. I mean look at the 3 configurations of Randall Made Knives mini's for example. They were limited to 1000 on the first model, and 1500 on the next two...

The 1st ones, the mini #25's listed for $260 5 years ago, and now sell for $900-$1000 per. The mini #1's listed for $280 3 years ago, and now sell for $650-$800. The newest, the mini #3's, still being delivered, originally listed at $310, are selling for between $550 and $700.

Is this a good investment on your money? Probably not, being that the NASDAQ is doing so good... What, the NASDAQ is blowing chunks? Oh, ok, I retract my former statement and give the new Gerber/Loveless Integrals a firm qualified "maybe" :rolleyes:

I for one have earmarked a few...(Thanks A.G.!)

It's your call there dude, but if statistical trend analysis means anything to ya, ya just want to give the G/L integrals a serious thought...

(Then again, ya may not...) ;)
 
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