But There Is A Catch! Gerber Scout

[@Lochlann13]

Gerber is taking a leaf out of CRKT's book. Great, innovative, exciting designs, with absolutely terrible steel, execution, and pricing. At this price, AUS10 or 154CM would be ideal, D2 or 14C28N would be okay, 440C or 8CR13MoV would be bearable...but _440A?_ Are you kidding me?

[@The4cp]

You stole my comment

[@daveyboy6985]

I would put 14c28n up there with 154cm and Aus10. Just my opinion.

[@mdubb4855]

Isn’t 1.4116 similar in formula to 440A? Or I am confusing it with 420HC?

[@realbroggo]

@@mdubb4855 From a formula perspective 1.4116 & 420HC are close. 1.4116 having an added drop of Molybdenum & Vanadium. 440A typically has more carbon & chromium that both 1.4116 & 420HC. But let's not get excited here. (Assuming perfect heat treat) Despite this, the performance of 1.4116 & 440A is similar while 420HC has greater toughness. But remember, all these steels are on the bottom end of the performance scale. Have a great day.

[@clintwestwood3539]

@@mdubb4855 It’s a steel that is been used for being tough and highly polishable (almost rustproof because of this), that’s why Victorinox uses it.

[@ProfligateGhost]

You've convinced me to buy this. Cuz I've been looking at some of the comments and I can already tell you that I'm not that knowledgeable about knife steels at all. However if the knife is good and is pretty useful, and also easy to sharpen I could care less what steel is in there. And so far I'm digging this knife.

[@Sherrodja]

My Benchmades, Cold Steel, Ganzo Firebirds, and Gerber Sedulo, and dozens of knives riding on bearings, I fine-tuned, and they all lock up like a bank vault but have excellent action. I'm a retired master mechanic and sometimes imperceptible adjustment makes all the difference. It takes a little patience and experience but side to side play can be adjusted out, without adversely effecting the action. Whether phosphorbronze or bearings, it makes no difference. And blue Loctite is your friend.

[@DarkFire515]

Such a shame. 440A is an obsolete blade steel now. Give us something like S30V and bump the price to $100 - given how good it is otherwise that would still be 100% worth the money.

[@acid6urns]

gerber already has quite a few $100+ knives in s30v

[@Random-ed2xf]

It was obsolete when I was little and I'm 40.

[@Logan2070]

Never underestimate the ability of Gerber/Fiskers to mess up a design by going with substandard steel.

[@edwardwnewland]

Thats because for some stupid reason they've decided their market isn't "knife people" but the regular joe who knows nothing about knife steels and will buy something just for how it looks.

[@hunterglaspell]

@@edwardwnewland it’s not decided, it’s reality. A solid portion of knife sales are from the non-knife group. Kershaw has gone on record to say their biggest money makers are their budget stuff, and that they could shut down ZT tomorrow and not care (paraphrasing). The “knife community” still really only makes up a very vocal, but very small part of the market. Most people don’t know about 20cv, and even if they did wouldn’t care, because 99% of people in todays world don’t need it. 440a can open Amazon boxes just as well as magnacut

[@handcoding]

I came here to say this. 💯

[@Steel_addiction71]

@@edwardwnewland people who genuinely like knife steel by Spyderco and not Gerber. Steels are really surprising when you get into the upper end production/midtech knives that are small batches. I have CPM-154 in a Strider that I’d rather have over Chinese produced Bohler M390

[@sweetmeatnc1504]

​@@Rakx10theyre being greedy though, for the price theyre selling these for, d2 should be the bare minimum, 70 dollars for 440c is nothing but pure greed snd taking advantage of those that dont know better.

[@umakako]

According to Knifesteelnerds chart 440a has better edge retention than 14c28n, aeb-l, 8cr13mov, lc200n, nitro-v. I would still prefer d2 tho

[@chadslagle1662]

I have to say I think the 440a was a great idea. I have made many post about the fact that I think the budget steels that are easier to sharpen are the best way to go. These knives typically that have that kind of Steel are the knives that we will actually use. The ones that have the higher grades the ones that we paid too much for them and are afraid to use because they cost too much. Also I have to say sharpening a budget steel is much much easier and less time-consuming than having the other steel get dull and having to try to put an edge back on it overtime. I don't mind taking a few swaps across the sharpener after I use it and it takes no effort and I have a super sharp blade for the next time I use it. At the same time I'm not afraid to use it cuz I haven't put every dime I've got into something. I just think budget steels make more sense. And again for most of the things that most of us use our knives for like opening a box or taken it camping 440 is going to do a fine job. I would say about 90% of the people that are buying a pocket knife want one that they are going to use as a beater and could care less about a lot of the things us knife snobs tend to care about. I think Gerber is using common sense.

[@puskelm]

Great comment. 🤜🤛 I totally agree with you. In fact, the edge holding of 440A is the same as the CTS-BD1 and better as 14C28N, AEB-L, LC200N, Nitro-V. This statement of mine is based on Larrin's objecive measurements. Comparing differently shaped blades from two different manufacturers is like comparing apples and oranges. :-)

[@Dracomies]

Totally agree here. I feel like Gerber has some of the most beautiful designs and have great designers but poor materials. On the flipside, Benchmade has poor designs, ugly colors, cheap looking shells but excellent steel and excellent ergonomics and action. Cold Steel is sort of the opposite too, tacticool designs but excellent steel. If Gerber designers melded with the 'people who know knives' at Benchmade it would be a really great knife.

[@acid6urns]

benchmade is ridiculous in terms of overpricing. $180 for a bugout made of literal plastic and super super thin s30v is absolutely insane when hogue makes the deka in g10 and 20cv for $20 less, and one in magnacut and plastic for $40 less.

[@lelandfishing5311]

​@acid6urns right now you can get a Spyderco manix 2 LW in S110V for the price of a base bugout.

[@bernardweaver2416]

I was super excited about this knife until the end. Even 440c would be a better steel. That said I 100% agree that the design with another steel would be amazing.

[@codyparker4742]

I felt the same way but picked one up anyway and trust me it doesn't seem like 440a. Holds a better edge than any of my more expensive knives except maybe s35vn and up

[@dlrmon1]

Well done Gerber! I really like the design...hopefully it’s popular enough for an upgraded version in the future...

[@razorbackss]

Thoroughly impressed with this one given the price tag. On a side note, I've never understood why people hate on 440a,420hc ect. These cheap stainless steels are leagues ahead of just about any carbon steel in terms of edge retention, toughness and the obvious corrosion resistance. If this knife was released in 14c28n, AEB-L or Nitro-V people would be doing backflips, even though CATRA and knifesteel nerds measurements rate all 3 of those steels lower than 440a in terms of edge retention. I guarantee if I gave someone a 440a knife and told them it was 14C28N and they actually used it they would'nt know the difference. It has to be the name...

[@joshpulliam]

The last two Gerber blades you have reviewed are the first Gerbers to really catch my eye. But in our world of super steels it should at the very least have D2.

I totally agree with you, 14c28n, 440c/aus10 or even 9cr18mov would have been a better choice for the same price. For a little more, maybe 154cm or Nitro-v could be a good choice...I don't understand Gerber. I see what Civivi/Sencut, Cjrb and more are doing and that's the right way for me... Cheers from Italy.

[@acid6urns]

dude 14c28n or 154cm would literally make this knife a contender with WAY more expensive knives. those steels despite being ingot steels instead of PM are borderline lower end premium steels imo. i mean, if pro-tech is willing to use 154cm on 200+ dollar knives that should tell you something. even vg10 would’ve been a decent choice.

[@Ashton.everydaycarry]

I must admit gerber has been making some nice knives compared to 5-10 years ago. But with great materials on the rest of the knife, the steel is kind of a bummer. I appreciate the hard use test you did. A very practical example to test the blades.

[@martinhafner2201]

It's really the same as always for Gerber. Except for a few of their premium knives, they consistently use underwhelming steel. Cool handle design, fun lock, mediocre steel. They often make it hard to even find out what the alloy really is. So I stick with the few exceptions like the Gator Folding Drop Point in 154CM. Most of the other Gator models are 420HC or less. They make one premium version of the Gator fixed blade that is a good steel, but charge a lot more for it. In the Strongarm and Prodigy models, they make the 420HC work well as a tough beater knife, partially by having a really good heat treat in a U.S. factory that also fulfills the very similar military LMF2 knife. Not so much on the Chinese produced folding knives. I'm pleasantly surprised to see Kershaw succeed with a Chinese D2 on the Heist. That shows Kershaw's ability to maintain quality and consistency in China. Taiwan generally has the best cost-effective D2.

[@troyspurling1910]

Great demonstration and video Aaron! You nailed it. I hope Gerber listens to you

[@charlescollier7217]

Thanks for the review, Aaron. Disappointment, it is said, is the distance between expectation and reality. Therefore, I am not disappointed. I EXPECT Gerber to ruin a great knife design with 💩steel. This, unfortunately, is completely on-brand.

[@realbroggo]

Yep I was excited when Aaron mentioned the blade was made from steel but it was all downhill from there.

[@charlescollier7217]

@@realbroggo 😂😂😂

[@Bethany415]

About the only knives I know in 440A anymore are Rough Ryder. And those are like $12. Go up to $17, and even they will sell you VG10. I feel sorry for the folk that know the name Gerber, and trust them to be selling decent equipment.

[@natethekidd9355]

I completely agree about the bronze washer part. I’ve been looking for a dedicated work knife with a good-looking and robust design at a low price that doesn’t run on bearings. I work around pools, so I’m constantly ripping open bags of material and scraping things, so I couldn’t care less about the steel. I really like the look of this one. Thanks for helping me find the one!

[@BassMaster.454]

I guess you could look at these Gerber, great price and design on some of them. You could also look at buck, very well built and made in America for not too much.

[@jeffreyfinney6930]

I'll gladly take anything over D2 what is most important to me in a edc is the steel's ability to be serviced stropping, sharping and how hard is it to get chips rolls out of it.

[@jspeedadventures]

I picked up one of these at Bass Pro on a recent business trip, it's a great budget EDC that I don't mind abusing slightly. It's also very easy to sharpen so I don't mind too much if it goes dull after some hard use. Plus, if I damage or lose it I'm only out $60. Gerber has always used their proprietary 440 steels and they've always been pretty good. If it was D2 or S35VN...or even 14C28N would it be better? Sure, but it would almost certainly add cost.

[@My_Bow_L.Y.F]

Function should be one of the priorities for any pocket edc knife. All edc knives should have bronze washers. Made properly they will all have a superior functionality.

[@gideonstactical]

Total agree

[@bladesandedc]

A over built knife that can't hold a edge makes no sense.

[@Stucknthe80z]

That is Gerber for you, two steps forward, and one gigantic leap backwards…..

[@FreedomFox1]

Hard use will annihilate any steel edge… may as well be an inexpensive steel that’s easy to maintain. That’s why 1095 is still so popular for big outdoorsy fixed blades.

[@nikolajc7617]

An.

[@realbroggo]

In the knife community we call this the 'Gerber Paradox'. For another example of the paradox look at the Gerber Sumo. Have a great day.

[@realbroggo]

@@FreedomFox1 No offence but this is not true. There are many steels that will hold up exceptionally well to hard use/abuse - yes they cost more but they work hard & actually hold an edge. Also 1095 continues to be use in fixed blades because its easy to work with, its tough and, yes, its price point. 1095 is an option where the need for toughness far exceeds the need for edge retention eg. choppers. Ease of maintenance is a plus. Have a great day.

[@Dynotop1a]

This looks like one of a good number of great budget knives and designs out there that would be hard to beat with a simple steel upgrade. Or maybe some other singular modification. Gerber, CRKT, Kershaw, SOG, and even Spyderco, etc.

[@GuardianMT]

I speak with the utmost hesitance, but at least they are moving in the right direction finally, albeit slowly. This is one of the few Gerber's I've ever seen with the blade steel even marked on the knife. Here in a year IF THEY ARE LISTENING TO THE KNIFE COMMUNITY, they will do runs in d2 at least and then s35 or 20cv.

[@acid6urns]

gerber does already make knives in s30v. their fastball, down range auto, and 06 auto all use it but are over $100

[@GuardianMT]

@@acid6urns your right and I actually dig the 06 auto, I was speaking generally about them. A lot of Gerber's still go unmarked on the blade steel and offer truly subpar steels.

[@lombro1262]

Hey Aaron, here's a pro tip. If you replace one of those bronze washers with a nylon one you can take out all of the lateral play by preloading the pivot slightly because nylon will compress and still give you that slick swinging action. As for blade steel on a daily working tool I prefer something that is easy to touch up and keep razor sharp with a strop and some polishing compound. Super steel is a pain to maintain like this, I honestly prefer good old 440C or high carbon like on my Mora's for a working knife. Greetings from NZ!

[@jusme8060]

I've never tried 440a but my steel snob days are long gone. I've done plenty of my own testing using actual real world uses rather than just cutting a single material like rope or cardboard and I can't tell any difference between any steel I have tried so far. Maybe s30v and k390 come to mind as being a but better but barely noticeable. Plus the simple steels sharpen quickly and effortlessly which I'll need to do no matter what steel I bring to work.

[@dougbotimer8005]

Thanks for stating what I was thinking. Nobody, except those making the knives, payed attention to the steel when I started carrying a knife 60 years ago. We relied on the reputation and price of the knife, and were use to doing daily maintenance on our tools, knife, chisel, saw, shovel…. It didn’t look to me like the D2 was that much better, and I have a Kershaw Iridium, D2. Lots of “knife people” on KZbin criticizing D2 also.

[@kevinengstrom1316]

Thanks for the review. Just ordered one . Looks like a good deal. I don’t put much into blade steel anymore. I’ve had Benchmades with S30V that aren’t worth crap and dull easy. Decent budget folders are where I look nowadays.

[@deving3370]

I finally ordered one of these, Fathers Day sale from Gerber for $45. I personally like good budget steels, easy to sharpen and hold an edge just long enough.

[@thefishinglor6931]

Sometimes you can’t find your perfect knife because it hasn’t been made yet. I waited about 10 years until I found my perfect belt knife: the bark river bravo LT in magnacut and the ext1 LT also magnacut too both light enough to make me indifferent about my folders 👍

[@jayr526]

Pete would be proud.

[@realbroggo]

Yeah, I'm waiting to see if there's a copyright infringement!! (Sarcasm alert)

[@hunterglaspell]

I personally think most people who say they “need a better steel than 440a” really don’t, and are more than likely the people who buy knives to fidget with them and open the occasional amazon package. I have knives in 20cv and have owned spydercos in s110v and still use budget knives with steel like this happily. In addition, I also work on a farm and use my knife all the time and can confidently say that you don’t need a super steel to get the job done. With that said, I think the money went more into the handle with this knife, and if they did offer it in d2 for even a few bucks more, would please a lot more people.

[@daveouterspace]

Simple steels will always have a place and budget steels are great but 440 a is for spoons not knives

[@mschroeder17]

Oh man, I was hoping more for this knife. However training a bunch of Boy Scouts that is this could be a knife that teaches them the meaning of good Steel and taking care of a proper knife. Thank you for the review. I hope they come out with the 2.0 version

[@slademan2468]

Excellent folder I purchased one this last Christmas it’s now my EDC anytime I go out!!

[@DinoNucci]

Hair goes IN the hat

[@Edgekeeper747]

The thing that I don’t like about large handles in crossbar locks is if you hit the bottom of the knife on anything it’s coming down and cutting your finger. The smaller or medium size handles disappear in the hand and don’t have this issue. So I look for medium to smaller handles on cross bar lock knives

[@DevDog67]

Cmon Gerber. Havent heard of d2? Aus 10? Vg10? 154cm? Any of the sandovik steels? All of those are solid budget steels. Please pair your excellent knife designs with a matching quality steel. It doesn't have to be some fancy supersteel, just something that's better than gas station knockoff knives quality steel.

[@jayr526]

One of my current EDC's is in k-390. Another one is in magna cut. They have cut a lot of cardboard and plastic and have not lost their edge. My H8CRs are in group therapy now. They sit around and talk about being victimized I never seeing the dark of pocket.

[@gideonstactical]

Hahahaha 😂

[@rnkmode1876]

Gerber is one of many Big known companies that don't really listen to consumers regarding suggestions or what we want, maybe they're too Big... because companies like Work Tuff are Killin it. Imo Gerber, Sog, and Cold Steel need to listen to people and figure it out if they care about growth in sales and reputation. Just my opinion of course. There's reputable small companies coming up and getting Bigger.

[@chrisjosekuehl]

I think cold steel does a pretty good job. Their aus10 blades are well done and I’ve had great results from their s35vn.

[@rnkmode1876]

@chrisjosekuehl yeah, but they used to do an excellent job, with everything. Like how about making the Trail Master, SRK, Recon Scout available in AUS8 or AUS10A, along with other blades...

[@realbroggo]

Sad reality is that Gerber makes most of its sales via large retailers where many of the customers know nothing about knives or steels. In essence they sell to suckers. That's why they're not really listening to knife collectors/enthusiasts. Sad but true. Have a great day.

[@andygould2575]

I wanna know who the guy is, sitting in his office cubicle, that thought that 440a was a good choice for this knife! It’s such a let down!! I was so excited for his but now I just don’t know. Thank you for such a quality review!

[@chrisjosekuehl]

I just got this knife today and I agree with chive said, I’m a huge comfort and micarta guy and I love the way it feels in the hand. I’m disappointed in the steel choice but I guess the ceo of gerber doesn’t want to give up his millions a year bonus, the only comfort is that I bet it strops back super easy, I’m planning on taking the coating off of the grinds and do as close to mirror polish as I can and put a convex in it. Ever since I put a mirror polish on one of my knives it’s such a better cutter. I use stones and then the Dutch bushcraft knives mirror polish compound on a strip am d and the .25 micron for the final edge, that compound they made is seriously the easiest way to out a mirror edge or even a mirror grind on a knife.

[@denver4denver]

Would be interesting to see it in satin or mirror. Please share the look once satisfied. And if that’s still in plans, have you considered a slight stonewash to begin with?

[@ergofoxxxy]

The biggest offender of this is southern grind. Awesome knives but cheap blade steel. I know they're a charity organization practically, so it seems to be for a good cause, but they really need to step up their materials. Emerson knives is the same thing. 154CM since the 1990's and very fragile titanium liners

[@idiot_RC]

For a work knife, I care more about how easy/quick it is to put an edge back on it than I do about edge retention, and I care even more about how the knife is designed. Every knife dulls, it just depends on how quickly, and while I don't mind occasionally taking time out of a rainy day to run it through the stones and put a factory edge back on it, most of the time I'm taking 60 seconds to run a few passes on a rod that I keep in the glovebox and getting back to work. What I've found in real-world use is, as long as they are durable (no edge rolling, chipping, etc), cheaper steels are better for people who actually use their knives...more expensive steels are great for people who like showing their knives to their buddies or opening their new 'EDC' trinkets from Amazon. Now, I'm not in disagreement that D2 would be subjectively "better," but at the price-point, I'm fine with 440a....D2 would probably add another $10-15 onto the cost, and from the other knives in the price range that I have personal experience with, this is the best DESIGNED knife at this price-point. A $50-60 knife is priced there for a reason...that's the price people who work for a living are willing to pay for something that's probably eventually gonna get lost or damaged or just worn from use. You won't find many people with calloused hands carrying a $100+ knife on a job site. Knives like this are designed to be used, and part of that use is being able to put an edge back on it in the field.

[@denver4denver]

That’s a sharp perspective. You have my utmost respect, pal.

[@hagninety4116]

That’s an excellent design. I can tell I would like this one. Thanks for the video. 440A is ok with me. Gerber had served me with with my other models.

[@FancyPrimate]

I'd say for average edc use the 440a is perfectly fine. I might not use it for a real working knife but I don't mind sharpening it more often if it's nice to use.

[@gideonstactical]

Thanks for watching! And glad to here it!

[@longrider42]

If it holds an edge, and is easy to sharpen, and it works. Whats the problem?

[@codyparker4742]

I just don't know why they decided on 440A instead or 8Cr. I love mine though, micarta could be grippier but I love the multiple opening options, the ergonomics are amazing as it feels like part if your hand instead of something in your hand, and the blade actually holds up better than any other 440 blade I've ever had

[@gideonstactical]

That’s good 👍

[@codyparker4742]

Almost 2 months later and I love this damn knife. Hate that I have to sharpen it every other day but other than the steel it's perfect. I wish they would do a D2 version, maybe a premium version in a super steel with carbon fiber handle scales.

[@MasterK9Trainer]

This a major redesign of the Scout because I have the old grey and orange model sold under the Bear Grylls line. I have been using it daily and carrying it around for over 10 years. I do have other knives from Kershaw and CRKT like the Leek, the Hammond, and one of the custom Buck 110's, but it's light, just long enough for a full grip and I can quickly strop the knife and sharpen it up and it stays sharp enough to break down boxes, cut cordage and open packages. I have fixed blades too, my folders are just so I can carry knives, so I don't require super tough, high dollar folders. I shy away from many of their newer models because in the last 5 years maybe, I have noticed the trend to use 5Cr17MoV steel and I think 8Cr18MoV is good as well as AUS 7, but why pay the same prices for softer steels. I'd love to have another scout, but more durable and more of the goodness of the original.

[@steeltrident]

That’s too bad, it seems Gerber has some really good designs but cripples them with mediocre steel.

[@mdubb4855]

It would be more interesting to compare this Gerber 440A against Spyderco or Byrd 8Cr13, since for China sourced knives that’s a real common entry level steel and I trust Spyderco’s supply line integrity (if they say it’s 8Cr13, it is). I’ve had good results with CS 4116, which is comparable in terms of availability and I believe cost.

[@EDCandLace]

I could actually do this test with byrd/spyderco China line both being done by Sanrenmu do a cut test with them vs both gerber 7cr17mov and 440a. I have did the Tenacious 8cr and a gerber sumo in 7cr already with results on my IG. I could redo the test on YT using half inch sisal rope. Based off the spydie 8cr vs the sumo 7cr being about 40% more card board cut while maintaining a clean paper slicing edge i would assume on rope and 8cr vs 440a would be roughly the same. The 8cr HT protocol sanrenmu is using for spyderco and Byrd knives is putting out significantly better then average 8cr.

[@mdubb4855]

@@EDCandLace I'm thinking comparing the Gerber 440A to D2 simply doesn't give us any useful information except to confirm that D2 is semi premium if we can accept less stain resistance. It doesn't tell us anything about steels in other value knives

[@deadpoollee9497]

It's a lifted truck with 13in rims. Why just why? D2 or 154cm should have been used

[@bravo_the_broken4003]

Man I ain't gonna lie. You sold me on this, but that steel 😫😫😫😫 I'm not a huge Gerber fan but I own a ton of their USA made stuff. I would pay an extra $60-$80 for at least some cpm154 like kershaw offers in their launch series. It's not impossible, but I'm hoping Gerber makes a version with better steel and I would buy one so quick.

[@Tn3809]

MacGyver got away with it using a victorinox. Proof that super steel isn't necessary. It depends how you use it.

[@panagiotissoufliotis6558]

C mon now Gerber! Why ?? Just get this blade with sandvik 14c28n, to deliver a seller product. As for me Sandvik is preferred than D2. Easier to sharpen, more corrosion resistance, and tougher, doesn't chip so easy. Great review Aaron!

[@nick_t7467]

440a isn't really outdated, in that it wasn't considered good in the past either. Even back then, 440c was the "good steel". At least 440b is somewhat analogous to aus8.

[@billclancy4913]

As a knifemaker, I'm a bit surprised at the steel choice. So many better choices, without the financial burden of modern super steels.

[@videotampa]

I don't see why they can't do this in D2. They use D2 on their new Slimsada folder which I have. Great knife!

[@BrentonCarr]

Why, Why, Why? Such a well designed and implemented knife with washers and..... 440a?

[@GrandmasterBBC]

Worse. It's 440a.

[@gideonstactical]

Ya it is really sad. Hopefully we will get a version 2.0

[@Hawkings74]

So how many cuts of rope is good enough for your needs ?

[@Arto257]

It's like a lot of knives I see coming out today.. I just wish it was made _anywhere_ else out of _anything_ else.

[@fireemblemistrash75]

I gotta be honest Ive beaten the crap out of crappier knives with pot steel and made it work (hated them however). 440a for me and a nice design seems worthwhile for me but 440c seems to me it would have been better, d2 even, etc. tons of other knives cheaper at better value but this seems like a nice edc knife imo. Wish it was better steel. Gerber can do good and we’ve seen it before. We need to push them to do so again. That bear grylls era is far behind now.

[@gconstancio33]

There are way too many other knife companies making great knives with better materials at the same price point. Why bother? That should be the ad. GERBER: "WHY BOTHER?" Gerber is what you get because you don't know any better. That's another good tag line. GERBER: "BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW ANY BETTER".

[@clintwestwood3539]

Nah man. Kizer can offer 154cm at 50$, s35vn at 100$. Manly s90v at 90$. Civivi does nitro v (aebl basically) at 60$. Petrified fish offers 14c28n or k110 at 50$. Artisan does AR RPM9 which outperforms 420hc. For me it’s a f no. It’s unacceptable to have a steel so underperforming, especially because every single company I mentioned does the same things construction wise.

[@kejadventures241]

obviously only uses his knives to cut tape paper etc. You would be better off with a razor knife

[@hunterglaspell]

All those companies you mentioned are china owned and operated. This may have been made in china, but the money is going to a US company with several hundred employees (I know because I’ve been there) who are paid better and have benefits that the companies you mentioned most certainly don’t have. The margins are much more difficult to manage for a US based company, and many moving parts that are not a thorn in the side of china based companies. The moment people finally realize this and stop comparing US companies to china companies in price will be the day I eat my hat. The reason the kershaw has d2 is because they cheapened out on the handle material to meet margins.

[@clintwestwood3539]

@@hunterglaspell Manly is Slavic first of all. And this Gerber is also from China, that’s why I talked about mostly Chinese products. Don’t twist facts.

[@clintwestwood3539]

@@kejadventures241 every steel I talked about is better at cutting, corrosion resistance, toughness and vibrational absorption. I guess you were talking about you tho. It’d make more sense out of the context of your message. You enjoy your razor blades, I’m gonna enjoy quality made products.

[@janreineke7275]

Nice review, 440a is definitely a no-go. You might wanna check out the new Böker Kihon with crossbar lock - similar diesign, but with D2 and also fairly cheap.

[@edgblades]

This had great potential to bring them back to their former front runner brand status.

[@RamonMarais-k2k]

I carry and daily use 3 knives at the moment. A no name fixed blade with a no name stainless steel blade, keeps a fair edge. A 40 plus year old Shefield made stockman, carbon blades, holds its edge well. A Honeybadger, D2 blade. D2 is D2. They work hard, from EDC, veggie gardening and farming through to gutting and skinning small and large animals. Sure I sharpen twice a month and hone regular, but they are all good enough for government work. Don't see the point of buying a single knife that costs more than all three mine together just because I can get a bit more performance out of it. Maybe I am just old fashioned, but I did grow up a knife user and not an enthusiast.

[@Rascal77s]

I really like that design. I agree with you about the 14c28n. If gerber used it and sold the knife for $70 id buy it.

[@denver4denver]

With all due respect to the commenters, one simply cannot claim that a particular steel, made of the same components in slightly different proportions, is obsolete. There are trade-offs, not superiority, between 440A, S30V, and D2. Both D2 and S30V hold an edge longer because they have high hardness, thanks to the slightly more carbon doze. However, that hardness also makes them easier to chip and harder to sharpen. On the other hand, 440A is much faster and easier to sharpen and is less prone to chipping. Additionally, 440A has slightly more chromium, which means better corrosion resistance. In my opinion, there’s a good reason to have a softer steel for a field knife. You don’t always have access to a set of diamond stones, and maintaining the correct angle while sharpening can be challenging without experience. If you never resharpen your knives yourself, go for S110V, S90V, or M390, Maxamet, Elmax. These highest HRC steels hold their edge the longest. However, they are not ideal for heavy use unless you live near a professional sharpening service.

[@4673962]

After the 50 cuts each knife, which one was the more comfortable one?

[@gideonstactical]

The Gerber the ergos are Better for hard use.

[@4673962]

@@gideonstactical oh ok. 👍

[@tmutant]

Even 440C or 420HC would be acceptable with a good heat treat. You can get knives at this price that have Nitro V, 14C28N, and 154CM.

[@william3588]

Which folding knife would you recommend then?

[@gideonstactical]

At this price the Kershaw Duralock series.

[@william3588]

@@gideonstactical and for a 200+ (USD) budget?

[@steffrouen]

Good morning. some say that the steel of this blade in 440 is the worst steel so the knife is bad. what do you think please?

[@gideonstactical]

It’s not great compared to what else is out there.

[@steffrouen]

@@gideonstactical it's not a great knife. is that what you mean?

[@jonathanyoung7763]

On the flip side, maybe 440a is good for in the field because it gets sharper and is quick and easy to resharpen in the field? I just got a scout and I’m LOVING it. Favorite knife I’ve ever owned so far(it’s only been one day LOL but I’m really loving it for all the reasons you mentioned lol).

[@Doc.Holiday]

The thing is these companies are in the business of making Fidget Toys for people who don’t use the edge for anything other than open an occasional Amazon box. The Fidget Toy buyers just don’t seem to care about edge retention and companies, CIvivi chief among them, rake in the highest margin they can get. You are an honest reviewer. Most others (KK) just want to be in the Fidget Toy Club.

[@stevesager4032]

I just heard that blue ridge knives will still produce Ontario knife company in the USA

[@aliendoomsyndrome]

I was thinking at least 440c ... 440a is crazy.

[@Curly_Maple]

I think ive read that 440A is actually closer to AUS6 (as opposed to AUS8). I owned an AUS6 blade, and though i liked the knife's functional design, I had to find something else to carry. It just lost its edge SO quickly. So the 440A would keep me away from this.

[@johanesgo8096]

Yes 440A is very close to aus6 steel 440B-aus8 440c-aus10

[@noonespecial9840]

Just a thought,,, the knife ISN'T overbuilt if it can't hold an edge. Once I realizied there were knife makers out there that used good steel,, I'd be happy to pay 10x what that Gerber cost to NOT have to sharpen my knife every 15 minutes. And yes, I still might have to sharpen M390/20cv every day, but not 4-5 times an hour like Every CRKT I've owned. There are times when money isn't everything.

[@taylorfishman823]

Honestly I think it’s a fine steel for people who treat their knives like they treat their screwdrivers, who beat them up and don’t think of them as fine cutting tools. Guys like that (not me lol but I know many) don’t even know what a sharp edge really is but they are very hard on their knives. You hand them a truly sharp knife and they will probably just slice their finger open. And like it or not, considering Gerber mainly sells on the shelves of big box sporting goods stores, those guys are their primary market. I don’t like it any more than you do, but I think that’s the explanation for their thinking on this. As for me, 440A is fine on my Rough Ryders because I always have one in my back pocket, and I’m not too demanding on those for performance; I just need them as a backup just in case, a loaner, something that can ride in my pocket forever and I don’t have to worry about it rusting or breaking. But I wouldn’t want it on my primary knife. I sure would like to see this knife with a 154CM blade. You can keep your D2 though-I live in the hot humid south and I don’t need a knife that rusts within a couple of hours in my pocket while just taking a walk around the neighborhood lol.

[@mmiller73]

440A?!! What a shame. It really is a great looking knife but I have zero interest in EDC-ing 440A. Come on Gerber! What are you thinking?!

[@gideonstactical]

Ya it is really sad. Hopefully we will get a version 2.0

[@Seancmccormick]

I don’t have an issue with the steel if the heat treat is right. Wish it were in the twenty dollar range though. Nothing is cheap anymore though. You’re spot on with the steel upgrade. Hope they’re listening. ATB Sean

[@rvangilz2978]

My opinion is that there are too many uninteresting discussions about steel hardness and about using knives as tools. As if it is a disaster that you have to run your knife along a stone after x number of cuts. Heat treatment is about as important as the type of steel, and 440A steel was good in the 90's, and like a lot of movies and music, it is still good! Let's not get as snobby about steel types as some people do about wine... It is about how solid a knife is, whether you can work with it, and what it looks like. Nine times out of ten you cut a box with it, and sometimes you cut a rope, that's it!

[@benjamindanielsen5204]

I love overbuilt crossbars, but $60+ for 440 steel is a bit disappointing. However, if they can consistently heat-treat it well and everything else about this knife is as good as you say, I may give it a chance, albeit those Kershaw Duralocks have been tempting as well.

[@TheGamerGuy1981]

$60 for 440A????!?! I nearly shit steel seeing that!

[@steffrouen]

what is the screw for please?

[@gideonstactical]

Adjusting the pivot and taking the knife apart

[@steffrouen]

@@gideonstactical thank you!

[@twatmunro]

It's a $50 knife. The steel is fine. You want supersteel? Buy a different knife.

[@unfi6798]

Cheers for the updates.

[@juanjauregui1553]

I see them releasing a s30v or s35vn version if it sells well. Hope it does. Looks like a winner.

[@radicalcoyote3772]

I honestly like this blade and I don’t care I can handle the 440 steel because of ease of sharpening. I handled this and the heist in my local Cabelas and I love the feeling of this blade better than the heist.

[@jonathancamps9853]

I agree with everything you said. Money talks, so if we want it to change, nobody should buy it.

[@bobinmontana777]

Yes, the steel is inferior, I could mention Buck, CRKT, Kizer, and even Demko (20.5’s) and other manufacturers still use cheaper steel in many of their knives, why? MORE PROFIT! Stop buying from them and they will either close their doors like Ontario or step up and meet consumer demand.

[@taylorfishman823]

So much of the design is so good imo, but it kinda bugs me that they put traction milling on the scales and it’s ONLY under where the clip lands. Lol I mean that’s exactly where I *don’t* want extra traction! However those studs on the crossbar look so awesome I may have to buy it just to experience those. 😂

[@gideonstactical]

They area amazing!

[@Hudson4426]

I bought one cuz I liked the design and I can beat it up and save my nicer knives

[@Rvanwinkle]

Looks great!

[@jonathancupp3686]

If it wasn’t for the poverty level 440 steel, I might have been tempted to break my twenty year boycott on Gerber, but it looks like they are still up to their same old deficiencies on quality. I can’t say I’m surprised, when considering their track record. Too bad, I thought they were trying to improve.

[@izora81]

День добрый. Подскажи, что за часы на руке. Спасибо

[@SuperSteelSteve]

This Gideon guy knows absolutely zero about steel lol I'm a knife maker. I can tell you 100% 12c27/Aebl will perform exactly the same as 440a if both RC are the same or even close. Let's say that 440A is 57 (the middle of the range) nearly all12c27 is ran 58-59. The Rockwell scale is logarithmic, so the jump from 57 to 58 or even 59 isn't the same as say 62 to 63. 440a does however have much better toughness and corrosion resistance which.... being that the gerber is literally marketed as a outdoor hard use knife.... would be appropriate.

[@gideonstactical]

Hey, super steel Steve, thanks for the comment and detailed breakdown. I never claim to be a metallurgist, just a user. And as you see in the video, the D2 steel Kershaw, held its edge longer then 440A, at the end the day for most people 440a just doesn’t cut it particular for the price compared to what else is available. Gerber should have offered this in Sanvik 14c28n and Rockwilder 58 to 60, Or aus10, or 154 CM. Or just stuck with the competition and done D2.

[@SuperSteelSteve]

@gideonstactical did you make sure both knives had the same edge angle?? Because edge angle has a massive impact on edge retention for starters. Secondly, stop with the red herring... I never said d2 doesn't out cut 440A. You said, that they should go with 12c27 over 440A . What I Said was, that 12c27 WILL NOT out cut 440A if the Rockwell hardness is similar. Period. If your not comfortable with metallurgy then don't make recommendations to a knife company about what steel to use 🤣 If your gonna make recommendations to your followers, then invest some time in understanding the basics and give good recommendations. You can't crap all over the steel and then when challenged go "I'm not a metallurgist " lol. No wonder companies like gerber keep using steel like 440A... because the loudest voices like yourself make recommendations that don't make sense and they think we're all stupid.

[@razorbackss]

Amen SSS and I'd also include 14c28n on that list. People spend too much time flicking knives and not enough time using them. The number 4 scares supposed steel snobs for some reason..

[@steffrouen]

I can’t find it in France.

[@sheltermonkey6065]

Patience, it's a new model.

[@steffrouen]

@@sheltermonkey6065 🤞🏼

[@mewithknives3481]

Sadly Gerber has been using 440A it was the Chinese version aka 7CR17 and I agreed with your assessment of the Gerber Sumo. Why Gerber? Great Engineering and Really Bad Execution.

[@cfltitan]

I keep my Spyderco’s action just a hair loose as well for smooth and lightning fast opening and free fall closing. I prefer that over a rock solid but very stiff action. What a shame that such a REALLY nice looking knife has auch just junk steel. Jesus with the mountains and mountains of awesome steels out there now days there’s zero excuse. Hell now days even S30V is considered ho hum and barely anything to get excited over. We’re definitely living in the Golden days of knife steels.

[@cintage]

Gerber has somewhat of a tradition of using underperforming steel in their knives, look at the Sumo with its 7Cr.