I Never Thought I'd Say It...I Found a (Post Fiskars) Gerber That I Like...

J

John_0917

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Apr 15, 2014
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I was afraid to post on this for fear of speaking too soon, but it's been a month now so I think I'm in the clear...About six weeks ago I was at Walmart stocking up on .223 ammo and making use of a $100 gift card I had won in a raffle recently at an even I attended when I made an impulse buy, a Gerber 06 FAST. For reference, here is the knife in question: http://www.gerbergear.com/Tactical/Knives/06-FAST-Knife_31-000216

It is essentially the assisted opening version of the 06 automatic, same general size but different opening mechanism, materials, and is Taiwan made instead of US made. It is also less than half the price (I paid $37). To be honest, I bought it because I liked how it looked and because I was looking for a cheap beater to carry clipped on my pants when I do 3 gun competitions and if it got lost or damaged I wouldn't be upset like I would with a Benchmade or Spyderco.

The version I bought came as a combo edge tanto with a black matte coated 7Cr17 3.6" blade. I assume the coating is probably oxide and 7Cr17 is generally equivalent to 440A, mediocre edge holding and wear resistance, easy to sharpen and good corrosion resistance. Like many others on here, I am no fan of combo edges at all so I decided to have something done about that. Took it to House of Blades when I had some other knives that needed professional sharpening (like my D2 Grip) and asked if they could grind off the serrations. They obliged and made what I can best describe as a tanto point with a small sharply curved belly and a fairly deep recurve. I would post pics but I don't believe I can since I'm not a gold member on here. I also added skateboard tape to the outside of the large tip up clip.

I have been using the knife occasionally now for about a month now and I have to say I'm pretty impressed and very surprised. On the whole, I have little respect for Gerber as a company and the vast majority of their current models are absolute garbage. I think that I was lucky in that the exact knife I got was a 'good one' and that it benefitted from being based of a much better quality and higher build design in the 06 Auto. The assist mechanism fires easy and hard (I can actuate it by pressing the thumbstud with my pointer finger), lockup is solid, G10 texture is aggressive but reasonable for a tactical knife and the overall build just feels solid. After the blade regrind was done, I have to say I am pleased.

Certainly not encouraging people to go and buy Gerbers, but wanted to share my experience with the community.
 
problem I have with it is not USA made, and for the price uses materials that I can't justify it
 
For $37 that knife isn't a horrible deal for a beater. That being said, Gerber disappoints me with their marketing strategy for this specific knife. I'll explain:

The 06 Auto and 06 Manual folder are made in the USA with S30V and other decent materials. Gerber knows that most people cannot legally buy/carry autos, so they market these Chinese/Taiwanese assisted variants with SO LITTLE INFORMATION about country of origin, steel type, handle materials, etc that people unknowingly buy them thinking they are getting the USA one. The key here is that customers ultimately FIND OUT they have been mislead, those that are blissfully ignorant (big box store shoppers) are not going to care either way. Those that feel they were mislead get turned off to Gerber.

I imagine that 90%+ members here have purchased Gerber knives thinking they were USA made quality stuff due to the scope and power of Gerber's marketing dept. I'll admit, I was fooled as a teen and young adult into buying Gerber thinking they were the "Best Knives Ever" because they were the ones that were in the front of the rack in the sporting goods store.

At least Gerber is trying to be honest with their new Order, Decree, and Edict models. Perhaps a turnaround is coming?
 
I purchased the Gerber Order last week and have been carrying it ever since. I really like it as a daily work knife. It has decent materials, is made in the USA, has very good ergonomics including a finger choil, is very light but still has a full size handle, came shaving sharp OOTB (although the edge was uneven), and was $35.
 
EDCanAdamas said:
For $37 that knife isn't a horrible deal for a beater. That being said, Gerber disappoints me with their marketing strategy for this specific knife. I'll explain:

The 06 Auto and 06 Manual folder are made in the USA with S30V and other decent materials. Gerber knows that most people cannot legally buy/carry autos, so they market these Chinese/Taiwanese assisted variants with SO LITTLE INFORMATION about country of origin, steel type, handle materials, etc that people unknowingly buy them thinking they are getting the USA one. The key here is that customers ultimately FIND OUT they have been mislead, those that are blissfully ignorant (big box store shoppers) are not going to care either way. Those that feel they were mislead get turned off to Gerber.

I imagine that 90%+ members here have purchased Gerber knives thinking they were USA made quality stuff due to the scope and power of Gerber's marketing dept. I'll admit, I was fooled as a teen and young adult into buying Gerber thinking they were the "Best Knives Ever" because they were the ones that were in the front of the rack in the sporting goods store.

At least Gerber is trying to be honest with their new Order, Decree, and Edict models. Perhaps a turnaround is coming?
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I can only speak to the lone one I have, but what you said about misleading and lacking information was not the case with mine. The packaging clearly stated that it is assisted opening, uses 7Cr17 steel and is made in Taiwan. I was never under any illusions that it was anything else than what I thought, no one in their right mind should think that Walmart is selling US made auto knives (except NYC authorities who would probably say so), and I knew full well that the 06 Auto is US made, uses S30V and costs over $100.
 
I have the US made Gerber 06 Manual folder and I'm absolutely thrilled with it. The next knife on my list is the Gerber Propel AO with S30V. Gerber can still make good knives, here and overseas as in your case, but I sure wish they'd bring more back here.
 
Gerber still has a few good ones and the potential to make many more. I've had the DMF drop point for a while and it is a solid offering. I've no complaints with it. The S30v performs well and I think GERBER nailed the heat treat too. Holds a wicked edge. I'd recommend a DMF if any were asking about it.
 
By the way I base my comment on the price for the link on the original post. At $37 that does make up for quite a bit. Pretty good deal I think for that money.
 
John_0917 said:
I can only speak to the lone one I have, but what you said about misleading and lacking information was not the case with mine. The packaging clearly stated that it is assisted opening, uses 7Cr17 steel and is made in Taiwan. I was never under any illusions that it was anything else than what I thought, no one in their right mind should think that Walmart is selling US made auto knives (except NYC authorities who would probably say so), and I knew full well that the 06 Auto is US made, uses S30V and costs over $100.
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Fair point on their packaging in stores. Your link however, gives no information other than lengths, the knife's weight, and that the handles are G-10. I am fully aware Wal-Mart does not sell Autos, which benefits Gerber if they are misleading people who can't legally buy automatics into buying these Taiwanese assisted knives.

For example, let's say Joe knows that his friend Tom had the 06 Automatic while in the military and thinks that knife is really cool, but can't have it due to knife laws. Joe goes online to the OP's link and finds that Gerber makes an assisted opener version. Joe orders this knife online thinking the SPECs must be the same because none are provided (it's just the assisted version of the 06 Auto, Right?). Joe gets the knife and compares it with Tom's blade, only to find out he spent $88 for something made overseas that isn't S30V.

If you were Joe, and purchased this knife from Gerber online wouldn't you be displeased? I'd give Gerber more credit if the E-Retailers were the ones not posting the SPECs/info. Gerber's own website has NOTHING useful on this knife. Why? If you don't believe me, check out the links:

OP's Link: http://www.gerbergear.com/Tactical/Knives/06-FAST-Knife_31-000216
06 Auto Link: http://www.gerbergear.com/Military/Knives/06-Automatic-Knife_30-000193

I want to like Gerber, but this stuff frustrates me. :mad:
 
EDCanAdamas said:
Fair point on their packaging in stores. Your link however, gives no information other than lengths, the knife's weight, and that the handles are G-10. I am fully aware Wal-Mart does not sell Autos, which benefits Gerber if they are misleading people who can't legally buy automatics into buying these Taiwanese assisted knives.

For example, let's say Joe knows that his friend Tom had the 06 Automatic while in the military and thinks that knife is really cool, but can't have it due to knife laws. Joe goes online to the OP's link and finds that Gerber makes an assisted opener version. Joe orders this knife online thinking the SPECs must be the same because none are provided (it's just the assisted version of the 06 Auto, Right?). Joe gets the knife and compares it with Tom's blade, only to find out he spent $88 for something made overseas that isn't S30V.

If you were Joe, and purchased this knife from Gerber online wouldn't you be displeased? I'd give Gerber more credit if the E-Retailers were the ones not posting the SPECs/info. Gerber's own website has NOTHING useful on this knife. Why? If you don't believe me, check out the links:

OP's Link: http://www.gerbergear.com/Tactical/Knives/06-FAST-Knife_31-000216
06 Auto Link: http://www.gerbergear.com/Military/Knives/06-Automatic-Knife_30-000193

I want to like Gerber, but this stuff frustrates me. :mad:
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I really don't see how someone is misled, unless...well...they're stupid. Simply reading the packaging and looking at the knives makes it pretty clear which one opens with the press of a button and which one does not. Then again, the average Walmart shopper isn't exactly a Rhodes Scholar either...I just like it for ammo because I'm cheap.

If Joe was dumb enough to make that ill advised purchase and was unhappy then he should simply return it.
 
If Gerber was really being misleading in their advertising, someone would take them to court over it. Most people know that a sub $20 Gerber is going to be garbage. I don't think too many people think they are getting the best knife in the world for $20. And if they really do, you can't blame Gerber for it.
 
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