A durable and robust pocket knife is an essential tool, especially when you venture outdoors for fishing or camping. A Geber pocket knife can make all the difference between a stress-free and problematic out-of-doors experience.
However, choosing the best Geber knife isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve come up with a detailed review of the most reliable and efficient Geber knives on the market. Additionally, we’ve come up with a guide detailing the factors you should consider when buying a knife.
| Model | Blade Edge | Dimensions (inches) | Blade Length (inches) | Weight (ounces) |
| Gerber Gear Swagger | Partially serrated | 7.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 | 3.25 | 3 |
| GERBER StrongArm | Fine | 3 x 5.5 x 16 | 4.8 | 3.5 |
| Gerber Gear FAST | Partially Serrated | 8.6 x 0.5 x 0.5 | 3.75 | 5.7 |
| GERBER Covert | Plain/Serrated | 5 x 5 x 5 | 3.7 | 3.52 |
| Gerber Gear Remix Tactical | Partially serrated | 7.86 x 1.8 x 0.8 | 3 | 4.6 |
| Gerber Freeman Guide | Plain | 5 x 5.5 x 5 | 4 | 3.52 |
| Gerber Gear Flatiron | Plain | 7.6 x 1.5 x 1.5 | 3.8 | 6.1 |
The 7 Best Gerber Knives for 2022
Without further delay, let’s now delve into the best Gerber knives and dig into why they stand out from the rest.
1. Gerber Gear Swagger – Best Overall
Are you passionate about hard, durable, military-grade knives? If so, Gerber Gear Swagger is a must-buy for you. The Swagger is designed for tough use and is ideal for preparedness, survival, and general outdoor activities.
Moreover, the knife comes with a reliable, tested, and proven Assisted Opening technology that enables you to deploy it quickly using one hand. However, the knife may be somehow too hard to open.
And the in-built state-of-the-art plunge lock ensures your safety by keeping the blade fixed to its position. Nonetheless, the thumb posts are somehow smaller, and the opening mechanism is sometimes stiffer.
Pros:
- Quick and easy to deploy
- Easy-to sharpen drop point edge
- Versatile blade
- Safe and reliable plunge lock
- G-10 textured handle for a firm grip
- Easy to carry in the pocket or attach to the belt
Cons:
- The thumb posts are somehow small and sharp
- The opening mechanism can be stiff
Our Verdict
If you need a rugged knife for survival purposes, the Gerber Gear Swagger is the right tool for you. Its ease of use, fair price, sturdy construction, and ease of carrying make it our favorite option.
2. Gerber StrongArm – Most Durable
As its name suggests, Gerber StrongArm is a solid and durable military-grade knife. The knife features a classic fixed blade, giving it unparalleled strength. In addition, the StrongArm comes with a uniquely designed sheath that can be mounted in various ways.
This knife is optimized for survival through a carefully thought-out design. The StrongArm features a full tang 420HC steel blade with a ceramic coating. Furthermore, the exclusive design incorporates a diamond-texture rubberized handle for a solid grip in every condition.
The shortcoming of this knife is its single-sided cutting edge, roughness, and bulkiness. However, the knife is an excellent survival tool despite its flaws.
Pros:
- Durable
- Rubberized diamond-texture grip
- Ceramic blade coating
- Striking pommel for breaking hard surfaces
- Four mounting pieces
Cons:
- Single-sided cutting edge
- Somewhat bulky
- Feels rigid during heavy use
Our Verdict
If you want a dependable, multi-purpose knife, you should grab the Gerber StrongArm. This knife will perform about every task imaginable. Despite looking like a combat tool, it also performs excellently in non-combat applications.
3. Gerber Gear FAST – Most Compact
This masterpiece tool is the easiest to carry in your pocket. The knife weighs 5.7 ounces with an 8.6 inches blade when opened. The ideal blade length makes the Gerber Gear FAST pocketable.
Additionally, the knife comes with a one-of-its-kind forward-action spring technology, commonly referred to as FAST. The Gerber Gear FAST is the best for picking, thrusting, ripping, and cutting with a fine and serrated blade edge despite some challenges in sharpening the blade. However, the lock may be stiff to open quickly.
Pros:
- Partially serrated steel blade for smooth cutting
- Easy to carry
- Secure pocket clip
- Forward action spring technology for picking, thrusting, ripping, and cutting
- Textured G-10 handle
Cons:
- Lock stiff
- Challenging to sharpen the serrated blade
Our Verdict
If you are an outdoor adventurer, the Gerber Gear FAST is the knife for you. The half-serrated edge can cut everything except metals. Moreover, this knife is reliable for self-defense, thanks to its super-fast deployment.
4. Gerber Covert – Best for Quick Deployment
The Gerber Covert knife has the definitive Applegate-Fairbairn style with the agility and easiness of forward-action spring technology. In addition, the knife’s design features a one-hand opening for the titanium-coated steel blade’s super fast and confident deployment.
Moreover, the Gerber Covert features a G-10 handle for a tacky and confident grip in any situation. The plain and serrated blade edge makes the knife a good tool for chopping, sawing, carving, and slicing. However, the knife is a bit rough while working and may also have a poor lock design.
Pros:
- Forward action spring technology
- Swift and confident deployment
- Titanium-coated blade
Cons:
- Feels a bit rough and loose
- Not the best lock design
Our Verdict
The Gerber covert is one of the cheapest, easy-to-deploy knives. So, if you’re looking for a simple, swift, and versatile Applegate-Fairbairn design, the Gerber Covert is the tool for you.
5. Gerber Gear Remix Tactical – Most Stable
The Gerber Gear Remix Tactical knife combines a three-inch serrated blade with the Remix handle design. It’s a classy and tactically inspired pocket carrier. The knife also features a uniquely designed thumb lift that gives it unmatched stability when sawing, chopping, or even carving.
Furthermore, this knife comes with a slim, light handle that’s easy to open with one hand. And the lightweight and minimal design make the Remix Tactical comfortable to carry around. However, the locks are stiffer, making it hard to deploy the blade fast. Also, the Torx fasteners are a bit rigid.
Pros:
- Extremely strong
- Great stability when working
- Light
- Tight grip
- Corrosion-resistant tanto blade
Cons:
- Stiff opening on the blade
- Torx fasteners are tight
Our Verdict
Undoubtedly, the Gerber Gear Remix Tactical is a robust and durable knife with incredible capability. Moreover, the grip, thumb hole, and super sharp blade make the knife more stable while working, so it’s a good value for money.
6. Gerber Freeman Guide – Best for Hunters
This knife is fashioned with the needs of hunters in mind. The full tang design adds extra strength to the 4-inch steel blade, while the moderately sized finger grooves provide a stable and confident grip all day long. Additionally, the TacHide offers a tight grip in both dry and wet conditions.
If you love hunting, the Gerber Freeman is your go-to knife. After all, it’s easy to carry around for a whole day, thanks to its minimalist, lightweight design. However, The Freeman Guide may have a blunt tip and a dull edge. Nonetheless, it’s a good knife for long working hours.
Pros:
- Lightweight Handle
- Easy to carry
- TacHide Onlay for a tacky grip
- Large, comfortable Finger Grooves
- Wear-resistant nylon sheath
Cons:
- Dull factory edge
- Blunt tip
Our Verdict
If you’re looking for a budget fixed blade knife for hunting or skinning carcasses, go for Gerber Freeman Guide Fixed Blade. The knife’s design is for one principal purpose: hunting.
7. Gerber Gear Flatiron- Best Knife for Precision
The Gerber Gear Flatiron is a budget pocket knife with a reverse curvature that can chop and cut with delicate precision. This knife also features a convenient design for use with a cleaver blade in a folding application.
Moreover, it has a robust construction with a textured G-10 composite handle for a firmer and confident grip. The trend-forward and bold cleaver blade is the most outstanding feature of the Flatiron design.
Additionally, the smooth thumb-hole provides an effortless one-hand engagement during operation, but this knife sometimes has a blunt edge and reduced versatility due to a sharp factory edge.
Pros:
- Bold cleaver blade
- Textured G-10 handle for a firm grip
- Concealed pocket clip
- Large finger coil for secure one-hand control
- Fine cutting precision
Cons:
- Blunt factory edge
- Reduced versatility due to lack of a point
Our Verdict
The Gerber Gear Flatiron is still a worthwhile knife. Though lacking in versatility, its sturdy cleaver blade is the best for acute slicing, cutting, and chopping.
How to Pick the Best Gerber Knife
Choosing the best Gerber knife to suit your needs can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve come up with key factors to consider when shopping for a knife. So, continue reading to learn what makes a superb survival or tactical knife.
Size
Size matters depending on the purpose of the knife. On the one hand, small knives are simple in construction and are best suited for easy tasks like cutting ropes or opening boxes. On the other hand, larger knives are more robust in design and are intended for challenging jobs like skinning animals, carving, or chopping through bushes.
However, the ideal blade range should be between three to seven inches long. This way, you’ll get a lightweight, hardier knife on the shorter side. And on the longer side, you’ll get a quality knife fit for complex tasks like batoning wood.
Grip
The grip is also an essential factor to consider depending on the intended purpose of the knife. For example, a survival or tactical knife must have a firm, comfortable, and confident grip. The grip should fill your hand and ought to be made from a textured material to avoid slipping while on the job.
However, the textured grip should not sacrifice comfort. An aggressively textured grip may injure your hands after many hours of using the knife.
Blade Quality
There is quite a vast difference between stainless steel and carbon steel in steel blades, but both are strong. However, stainless is more corrosion-resistant, easier to sharpen, and requires minimal overall maintenance. Therefore, this type of blade is the best for mariners.
Otherwise, carbon steel blades are more rigid, making the edge hard to dull. Moreover, they’re incredibly sharp and are the best for survival purposes. But owing to their hardness, carbon steel blades are tough to sharpen compared to their stainless steel counterparts.
Fixed Vs. Folder
A fixed blade is the best option if you need a Gerber knife for outdoor use or survival purposes. More complicated tasks, such as hammering, digging, and prying, require a robust and rock-solid tool, which you get when buying a fixed blade knife.
However, a folder is more suited for day-to-day jobs. So, if you’re a city dweller, a cop, or a firefighter, a folder is the best option. Folding knives are made for urban jobs or lighter tasks, including opening envelopes and slicing through car seat belts.
Extras
Gerber knives come with accessories like clips to hook the knife to your pocket or belt. Others also include fire-starters in the package. When choosing the best knife for your needs, it’s necessary to consider the extras you need to get value for your money.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does it Take To Get My Order?
Typically, it takes 12-15 days to process an order. However, the process may take longer depending on your chosen shipping method or location.
Once you’ve placed an order, the company sends you a confirmation email. You can also track your order online or call the company’s sales team.
Will My Custom Order Be Similar to the One on My Computer Screen?
Yes, the company’s experienced team of designers ensures that your tool looks exactly like the one on your computer screen. But owing to slight variations to the material and variations in your device, the knife may have an insignificant difference.
How Do I Know if My Gerber Knife Is Genuine?
First, don’t buy your knife from an unauthorized Gerber dealer to avoid ending up with a counterfeit product. Through Gerber’s website, you can verify the authenticity of your knife. Key in the product name, blade type, style, and part number, among other details.
Final Thoughts
Whether you live in a city flat or rural cottage, you’ll probably need a good knife for one task or another.
For one, the Gerber Gear Swagger is a solid knife for survival purposes. As for the Gerber StrongArm, it’s arguably unmatched in sturdiness and can cut through tough surfaces. Finally, the Gerber Gear FAST is an excellent knife for your pocket, and it features forward-action spring technology.
See also: