Warning: Don't Abuse Cheap Gerbers

[Gman1128]

Well, I recently bought this Gerber Big Rock Camp Knife for one of my friends for his birthday. It is made of 440A and was only $40 at my local sporting goods store, so I certainly wasn’t expecting Busse quality but still, Gerber usually makes good knives for the money, and I handled one in the display case and it felt like a stout, sturdy knife so I figured it would be ok.
http://www.gerbergear.com/product.php?model=1589

A couple weeks ago, my friend finally got to use the knife while camping and it failed miserably. He first used it to baton some wood for a fire. It worked fine for this. Then he stabbed it about an inch into soft pinewood and pulled(unnecessary but usually fun). He says that the pull he gave it was very weak and not nearly his full strength. It flexed to about 15 or 20 degrees and then the last ¼ inch of the tip snapped off.

This surprised both of us quite a bit, Gerbers are usually better than that. Oh well, Gerber has a lifetime warranty so we will see if they will come through or if their warranty is as bad as their cheaper knives are :(

[Noss]

This sucks. Gerber does not have a good reputation at the moment from what I have seen. The LMF II is a good tough functional knife made with good steel. They need some more like it.

[amen74]

Noss. Due to your destruction test of the LMF II, I went ahead and bought one. It's nice.

I'm a little leary to try out other Gerbers, although I have owned quite a few.

Just lately I haven't heard good things, so I'm real cautious with Gerber right now.

[Noss]

I have some older Gerber knives and they aren't that great. I'm just referring to the ones I have an not all Gerber knives. I though they were good at one time. Now since I have bought some new knives. My old Gerber blade are just collecting dust now.

[Gman1128]

When I first got into knives Gerber was my favorite brand as well but their moving toward the bottom of the list now. I think lately gerber has been trying to make cheap knives and not really care about quality.

[Noss]

I have a few other Gerber products like an axe and the NATO Spade. They both work well.

[amen74]

I do like the Gerber Axes with the high impact handles. They do work good.

[The Cameraman]

The truth of the matter is....you shouldn't abuse ANY knives. It doesn't matter what brand they are. If one thing that truly enlightened Blade Forums members like guyon, Rat Finklestein, and owner Schlossburg have taught me is that you need to use the right tool for the job. This means, you use the knife only for what it was designed for, Noss!! So, let me be the first to announce that KnifeTests.com will start airing videos of knives sitting on shelves, locked in safes, and mounted on walls, the way the manufacturers INTENDED them to be used

AND FURTHERMORE!!!,
This site is an abomination and a travesty, and it needs to take responsibility for the suffering it has inflicted to those members of Blade Forums whose everyday lives are marred with the traumatic pain and suffering that few will ever know and for those who do, know no bounds. These individuals battle the symptoms of extreme vaginitis and their suffering is not something to be joked about or mocked with your completely unscientific "testing" methods. Your actions have consequences, Noss, and it is about time that you take responsibility for the lives that you have ruined.

And, in order to help you, Noss, I have started to compile a new list of items you need to take with you on camping trips. Here is just a rough draft, many more items need to be added so that you can truly use "the right tool for the job". And, the three forementioned individuals are just the tools you need when seeking an authority on the subject.

NOSS' NEW CAMPING LIST
a large fixed blade
a small fixed blade
a large folder
a mid sized folder
a small folder
disposable razors
a full sized axe
a mid sized axe
a hatchet
a large shovel
a small shovel
a shovel for hard packed dirt
a shovel for less then hard packed dirt
a screwdriver set
an allen key set
a large hammer
a small hammer
a rubber mallet
a steel mallet
a generator
a heated footbath
an inflatable mattress
a space heater
a dehumidifier
a humidifier
a canopy tent that not only serves barrier for mosquitos but also blocks uv rays
a portable bread maker
crystal flatware
Midol
medicated cream for when you are feeling...not so fresh
a portable rotisserie
a shower
a beard trimmer
a nose trimmer (and no, you cannot use the beard triimmer to trim your nose hairs...USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB, PEOPLE!!

mmmm, I know that there is more to add to this list...forum members, feel free to add your thoughts. And, Noss, I think I speak for EVERYONE when I say, we're waiting for your apology....guyon, rat, schlossburg, turn off American Idol for a minute because Noss has something to say to you.

Noss, we're waiting...


YOUR FRIENDLY, NEIGHBORHOOD MOTHER EFFIN CAMERAMAN

[Gman1128]

Ha ha ha ha!!!
LMAO, thats just hilarious :D

On a more serious note, in order to avoid offending anyone in the future Noss, you will need to send all the knives that you haven't destroyed to me for proper use. I am feeling so generous that I won't even charge you for my services!
:D

And be sure to add a mid sized fixed blade knife and a shovel for extra soft dirt to the camping list

[eatingmuchface]

On a more serious note, in order to avoid offending anyone in the future Noss, you will need to send all the knives that you haven't destroyed to me for proper use. I am feeling so generous that I won't even charge you for my services!


if you think you're going to get anything out of that deal you're sadly mistaken.
:D

[Sharp]

http://www.smileyhut.com/laughing/rofl.gif

Oh man that's great.

But,hey, Gman,

Gerber is owned by Fiskars so that pretty much explains everything. What does a company that makes scissors now about making knives?

Much of their stuff is now being made in China. However, the knifes that are still being made in OR still have some legit quality.

I've heard good things about the axes and the LMF.

Currently I'm interested in purchasing the Sport Axe.

I had one of their FAST Draws and it was quite a good knife. It could throw it with no problems what so ever. It had decent edge holding abilities, and little blade play.... but that was before Gerber was bought by Fiskars.

[Noss]

The truth of the matter is....you shouldn't abuse ANY knives. It doesn't matter what brand they are. If one thing that truly enlightened Blade Forums members like guyon, Rat Finklestein, and owner Schlossburg have taught me is that you need to use the right tool for the job. This means, you use the knife only for what it was designed for, Noss!! So, let me be the first to announce that KnifeTests.com will start airing videos of knives sitting on shelves, locked in safes, and mounted on walls, the way the manufacturers INTENDED them to be used

AND FURTHERMORE!!!,
This site is an abomination and a travesty, and it needs to take responsibility for the suffering it has inflicted to those members of Blade Forums whose everyday lives are marred with the traumatic pain and suffering that few will ever know and for those who do, know no bounds. These individuals battle the symptoms of extreme vaginitis and their suffering is not something to be joked about or mocked with your completely unscientific "testing" methods. Your actions have consequences, Noss, and it is about time that you take responsibility for the lives that you have ruined.

And, in order to help you, Noss, I have started to compile a new list of items you need to take with you on camping trips. Here is just a rough draft, many more items need to be added so that you can truly use "the right tool for the job". And, the three forementioned individuals are just the tools you need when seeking an authority on the subject.

NOSS' NEW CAMPING LIST
a large fixed blade
a small fixed blade
a large folder
a mid sized folder
a small folder
disposable razors
a full sized axe
a mid sized axe
a hatchet
a large shovel
a small shovel
a shovel for hard packed dirt
a shovel for less then hard packed dirt
a screwdriver set
an allen key set
a large hammer
a small hammer
a rubber mallet
a steel mallet
a generator
a heated footbath
an inflatable mattress
a space heater
a dehumidifier
a humidifier
a canopy tent that not only serves barrier for mosquitos but also blocks uv rays
a portable bread maker
crystal flatware
Midol
medicated cream for when you are feeling...not so fresh
a portable rotisserie
a shower
a beard trimmer
a nose trimmer (and no, you cannot use the beard triimmer to trim your nose hairs...USE THE RIGHT TOOL FOR THE JOB, PEOPLE!!

mmmm, I know that there is more to add to this list...forum members, feel free to add your thoughts. And, Noss, I think I speak for EVERYONE when I say, we're waiting for your apology....guyon, rat, schlossburg, turn off American Idol for a minute because Noss has something to say to you.

Noss, we're waiting...


YOUR FRIENDLY, NEIGHBORHOOD MOTHER EFFIN CAMERAMAN


My new pack to carry all of this

http://www.archinect.com/images/uploads/060526-Backpack02.jpg

[Gman1128]

Noss, are you sure you can fit everything into that pack? You may want one a size bigger just to make sure. :D

Sharp, yeah Gerber is really ruining their once good name. I got a Gerber Evo folder last Christmas and it doesn't hold an edge well at all. It dulled quite a bit after being used to help open everyone else's gifts and there weren't all that many (blame all that childproof packaging!!). Its really easy to sharpen though.

[Noss]

I couldn't find one bigger :D

[The Cameraman]

just tie two of em together:D

[Noss]

If I survive. :D

[ronmageddon]

I don't know what to say guys,
cuz a while back one of my bro's in Iraq sent me 2 Applegate folders, and I also have 1 of the ATS-34 covert folders.
Both lock up pretty solid, no blade play at all, and considering that at least one of them was used to settle a "disagreement" with our Iraqi "friends" I can't complain about edge holding.

I agree that some of Gerber's stuff has been pretty suspect as of late, but when I called for a replacement liner (one knife was disassembled) and some screws they sent both within 2 days free of charge.Their customer service is still top notch as far as I'm concerned. Their products are hit and miss.

[LoganSackett]

The last Gerber I owned was a Mark II from 1972. I loved it. They recently reintroduced that beauty---but in 420 HC.

Yuck.

[trib trekker]

I'm gettin kinda warm and fuzzy over this one, (speaking of axes). It has the same head as the Firestone belt axe, which I also like. But I can have more fun with the "tommy." http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-16363.html

[Paul The Brit]

http://www.smileyhut.com/laughing/rofl.gif

Oh man that's great.

But,hey, Gman,

Gerber is owned by Fiskars so that pretty much explains everything. What does a company that makes scissors now about making knives?

Much of their stuff is now being made in China. However, the knifes that are still being made in OR still have some legit quality.

I've heard good things about the axes and the LMF.

Currently I'm interested in purchasing the Sport Axe.

I had one of their FAST Draws and it was quite a good knife. It could throw it with no problems what so ever. It had decent edge holding abilities, and little blade play.... but that was before Gerber was bought by Fiskars.

Fiskars know bloody little about anything.. They bought Wilkinson Sword a world famous sword and knife business (that also made crappy razor blades too) and bang within a year the 200 year old sword and knife business is closed down.. The name still continues on Fiskars garden tools sold as Wilkinson Sword over here and the crappy razor blades. They should be ashamed... Bad luck they got Gerber too!