*Republished with permission from Hooks & Ammo
The Gerber Paraframe knife has been my current everyday carry knife for a few months now. I like the features of the knife and at the price point, the knife is a great deal. Gerber is a respected name and their products have always been well made and have lasted through all the abuse I have thrown at them.
For the specs on this knife see below.
- Overall Length: 7.01″
- Blade Length: 3.01″
- Closed Length: 4.11″
- Weight: 2.6 oz.
- Lock Mechanism: Frame-lock
- Blade Style: Clip Point
- Blade Material: High Carbon Stainless
- Blade Type: Serrated
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Opening Style: One-handed opening
- Titanium nitrade-coated blade
I like the cheaper Gerber folding knives because they last until I lose them. I usually can hold onto knives for years but inevitably I will at some point end up dropping in on a trail, lose it fishing or just put it down somewhere “for just a second” and walk away. This knife can be found via Amazon prime for 22.78 shipped which to me is a sweet deal. The link to the knife is below.
Although on the cheaper side compared to some higher end knives on the market they are not cheaply made. The edge on the knife seems like it will last and I have been successful in sharping previous Gerber’s when they do go dull. The edge from the factory is sharp – but I ended up touching it up a little to get it razor sharp to the point of shaving hair. As a utility knife, it is a great knife. And let’s be honest the most use the vast majority of people get out of a pocket knife is as a box cutter/package opener and it does that well.
With the frame of the knife cut out the way it is, it does save some weight and makes it easy to clean – however it also makes it really easy to get dirt, lint, and other junk into the pivot point for the blade. I have had to blow it out with brake clean before in order to get some grit out that was irritating me when opening the knife. I could feel the grit in the mechanism ever time I opened and closed it. Not a huge deal but it is a downside to the handle design, although thats not to say knives without the holes don’t also get grimed up – this knife just has more access for dirt to penetrate. Now I just hit it with some compressed air occasionally and that seems to have taken care of any issues.
The thumb screw is helpful in opening the knife one handed and mine from the factory was very tight and it took some effort to get it open. I prefer the ability to start it with my thumb and then snap my wrist to get it open and locked. I played with the screw backing it out just a hair and added some locktite and got it to where I wanted it. I am willing to bet the factory tightness would have gone away with use but I just adjusted it to what I like.
Although not really a selling point for me because I don’t necessarily care about color, I do like the titanium finish that this knife has. It’s not flashy and bright like a stainless knife and so far it has held up to being in my pocket with keys rubbing against it, or buried in a bag during backpacking trips rubbing against anything and everything. The blade is still holding the titanium coloring as well even with use so that is a testament to its longevity and toughness.
The pocket clip is well made. I have bent clips before when they get caught on things – or smashed them when I was pressed up against a railing when fishing. This one is solid and has a ton of strength to hold the knife where ever you store it. It will stay in your pocket, pushed through molle webbing or even just through a strap on a hydration pack or fishing bag. I really like the clip and how robust it is.
If I was to buy it again the only thing I would do differently is skip the serrated edge. I don’t ever really have a use for it and it is a pain in the butt to sharpen correctly. It’s a preference thing more than any other. The rest of the knife is fantastic and I am happy with it. If you end up buying one, or a few, I think you will enjoy the quality and get more than your moneys worth out of it.
*Review courtesy of Hooks & Ammo