GerberGear Folding Pocket Knife

The Gerber Gator Drop Point has to be one of the best values in a US-made folding knife. Kershaw has some outstanding affordable US knives, like the Skyline, & there’s great traditional makers like Buck, Case & Utica, but typically you have to spend significantly more for an American-made knife. (Knives & tools made overseas are often great, but given the chance, I like to support US labor, & companies whose workforce has some rights & protections. )As a longtime outdoorsman & tradesman, I have a few really nice knives, from Benchmade, GEC, Kershaw, even a Busse & a Garcia Skookum Bush Tool.I got the Gator as a lightweight knife for hiking, not expecting much. It’s a well made knife; mine has no gaps, flashing or flaws. The factory edge was nice and shallow & sharp. I was surprised how much I love it.•The main reason is the handle. Slim, flat knives are great in your pocket, but never comfortable to use for extended time. Like a Stanley 99, a hunting, Bushcraft knife or a decent kitchen knife, the Gator has an ovoid shaped handle that is fairly thick. Small hands may find it uncomfortable, but most will find it perfect.Some people will complain about the lack of a pocket clip; any clip would ruin the ergonomics of the handle. The knife is a bit wide for carrying in most jeans anyway. (If you love the knife but need a clip, you could easily install one. I use some EZ-lock threaded inserts.)The handle is covered with Santoprene, (like a fine PB Swiss Grip screwdriver.) normally I don’t care for rubberized handles, but this works well. If you don’t use the sheath, it keeps it in place in a pocket or pack, provides decent purchase if your hands are wet & great purchase if they’re cold.Santoprene is also pretty durable, if my PB screwdrivers are any indication.I thought the finger cutout might be annoying, but it’s not. The handle has a fairly neutral grip, suitable for a variety of grips, replicating a good hunting knife as was intended.•The 154cm drop point blade is great. The shape is so versatile, it is equally at home for hunting, cooking, camp tasks or use on a job site. It doesn’t have the ideal grind or steel for Bushcraft, but with the comfortable handle, it’s a pretty good choice, especially for $50.154cm steel at this price is a bargain. I’m sure some steel nerds believe it’s obsolete, but they’re wrong. For a hunting knife, it was a great choice. For the tasks it’s likely to be used for, it’ll perform very well. A more expensive steel wouldn’t improve this knife. (The knife industry is a bit detached from reality; the trend in steels is completely opposite all the data on blade performance. “Super steels” are essentially micro-serrations in brittle metal.)The heat treatment seems good; perhaps a touch softer than a Benchmade 154cm, but I’m not really sure. It certainly sharpens & polishes as well as any 154cm I’ve used, and the edge retention is very good.Making the edge retention seem even better is the geometry; this thing is a slicing machine.The blade isn’t too thick, and the width and full flat grind leads to a fairly thin edge, (excellent for a $50 factory knife.) The factory grind was shallow, and mildly polished, which is perfect for hunters & most users. If you’re picky, for general use, you may want more polish.The bead blasted finish helps keep the cost down, & isn’t the best for preventing corrosion or reducing friction, but it’s fine at this price. A few minutes with Flitz or a buffer & it’ll be a nice semi-polished blade.•The lockup is very good, not exactly a Triad Lock, but certainly good enough for most tasks. I feel comfortable using it for anything a folder is suited for.Despite the lack of thumb studs or hole, I can easily open it one handed, as the blade is wide & the spring isn’t overwhelming. You can also “shake” it open quite easily.• Size & weight are great: the 3 3/4” blade is long enough to be used a general belt knife without being too big when folded. 5.4 oz isn’t featherweight for UL hikers, but considering the versatility, ergonomics & sturdiness of the Gator, I think it’s quick good. You’re not getting a comfortable handle & blade this size in a lighter weight, at any price.•Maintenance is easy; all the materials are corrosion resistant, so just keep it clean, don’t put it away wet, sharpen & lubricate when needed.When I consider the price & design intent of the Gator, I have 0 complaints about it.I bought it as a kid on a budget, without great. expectations. All these years later, it’s become a trusted companion.

This knife is underrated. It is the best for the money.

Several reviewers only gave this knife 4 stars because it is "too big". I'd like to strongly disagree on this point. IMHO, I believe this is a feature that sets it apart from other folding knives. The Gerber Gator has a rubberized handle that is the same sized handle found on fixed blade knives. This makes it extremely comfortable in the hand. If you need to carve notches into branches for hanging a pot over a fire, or setting up a snare, or whatever then it is perfect. The same applies to feathering some wood for making a fire, and the knife is even heavy enough for some minor chopping or batoning wood (although a fixed knife would be better). If you want a knife for opening your Amazon packages then go for a small, light weight, thin handle thing. If your looking for something you can carry on you for every day carry whether at home or in the woods then this thing is great. It is about the size of a folding buck knife, so its fine for the pocket or worn on the belt with the included sheath. Its a great knife.

Although, I really like the knife, it's handle and the 154cm steel...The knife came with a very poor uneven grind. The front of the bevel and rear are completely different and looks haphazard AF.So tired of hearing how much better American knife Co's are - that must only be when you drop a grand.

It's a truly outstanding product, much better than the new Gator Premium. At this price it's an unbelievable bargain. I'm afraid Gerber will cease the production because at onle ten dollar difference between the basic and this one I can't see how they can justify the expense.Had it for 20 years, back then in the ATS-34 steel, best geberal purpose folding knife ever, great blade, great handle, excelent easy opening (flick of the wrist or just press the thumb against the blade and push it) and a solid lock. Got bunch of them over the years for presents to my friends. Seeing where the things are headed with the knives now, will order another one just in case Gerber decides to succumb to the common fashion and stops the production. The new Gator Premium, although with an even better steel, is heavier (5 oz vs. 4 because if the metal insert), with a tighter joint and more flashy (mirror vs matte) - feels like a conversation starter vs the real working tool.Dear Gerber, please give me an S30V blade in the original Gator handle and matte finush, price it acvirdingly, don't stop the production!