The American made Gerber US1 is a quality and functional tool to include in your EDC. It isn’t going to be my first choice for a defensive option due to its smaller length and lightweight, but it is a great backup knife for times when breaking out your automatic defensive blade may be inappropriate or inconvenient. Plus, this knife disappears in your coin pocket – or any pocket for that matter – so you’ll virtually forget that it’s there until you need it.
Here are the quick specs:
- Blade length: 2.6˝
- Overall length: 6.1˝
- Closed length: 3.5˝
- Weight: 1 oz.
The grip is surprisingly good on the handle due to the rubber overmold on the glass-filled nylon handle. The finger notch on the handle is an important feature for me because with the knife being on the small side, it provides better grip and a bit of protection against your hand slipping onto the blade. Speaking of the blade, it is made of 420HC stainless steel with a fine edge. It comes sharp out of the box and held up well to the practical testing that I put it through by cutting various everyday materials.
The addition of thumb grooves on the blade spine is a nice touch for grip and leverage when cutting. A nail nick is present for easier manual opening, and the blade is secured when open by a lock-back safety mechanism. It is a very thin and light knife, but the construction is well-done and feels like it will last through reasonable wear and tear. For the suggested retail price of $21, it would be easy to buy a backup or two if you like the style and want to keep them in various EDC kits. They also come with a limited lifetime warranty.
Overall, I really like this knife. While I prefer a knife that has a bit more weight for my primary, I like the idea of having a lighter backup. For being a roughly 20-dollar knife, the quality and craftsmanship is actually quite good. If you’re looking for an everyday backup, box cutter, or gift – this is a great option.
420HC American steel blade
Lightweight at only 1 oz
Ergonomic handle with prominent finger choil