Gerber knives are renowned for their versatility, functionality, and ability to cover you in almost any situation. We’ll help you choose the best Gerber knife for your needs and budget. You’ll find something that gives you what you’re looking for and can be a reliable companion that stays with you for years.
We’ve weeded out the knives that don’t match their claims. These knives are well-balanced and thoughtfully crafted with you in mind. There’s a lot to look at when you’re thinking of getting a Gerber – we’ll break down the process and make it as simple as possible. Let’s jump in!
Top 7 Best Gerber Knife Reviews in 2023
We’ve gone through loads of options available on the market to bring you what we think are the 7 best Gerber knives. They strike a fantastic balance between features, price, functionality, build quality, performance, and more. Our goal is to show you what stands out as unique and what impressed us about each of the knives.
You’ll get a good idea of what you can expect at different price points and what type of Gerber would be best for you. We’ll finish each review with what we did and didn’t like about each knife – so that you know what to expect in terms of their raw and real-world performance. Let’s dive into our best Gerber knife review!
Gerber Dime Mini-Multi Tool
Let’s kick it off with one of the most versatile and portable Gerber’s. If you’ve never owned a multi-functional pocket knife before, this is the perfect place to start. Its lightweight build and sleek profile make it more portable than most other Gerber knives. This is done without sacrificing its solid and hefty feel. You’re getting 10 tools packed into a smaller body.
Despite this, it doesn’t feel crowded. The tools are relatively easy and very safe to pull out and use. You’re not going to worry about jerky movements that put your fingers at risk. You’ll find the tools and their positions to be carefully places and complementary. They work well together and give you quick access to any tool in a few short seconds.
We loved the silky smoothness of the butterfly opening, with just enough friction to keep your fingers safe. There’s a well-placed lanyard hole that lets you string a ball chain in for easier carrying. When it’s folded up, this is one of the most compact and easy to carry options out there. It’s one of our favorite picks for the best Gerber knife at this price.
- Compact and sleek while maintaining a slightly hefty feel
- Super-versatile for a mini-knife
- Smooth and safe butterfly opening
- Great edge retention on the knife and scissors
- Box cutter tool is a bit unnecessary on a mini-knife
- Tools have a little too much resistance when being opened
Gerber Suspension Multi-Plier Tool Knife
Here’s a slightly heavier and larger knife that brings you the versatility of 12-tools in a sleek and easy to use profile. The open-frame design is stunning and functional. It gives you plenty of grip strength and feels comfortable when used in either hand.
You have both a straight-edge and a serrated-edge knife that cover you for both fine-tuned and rough cutting work. The pliers are easily accessible, though a little on the weak side. You should avoid heavy work. We loved the tool locking system. It’s extremely safe and very beginner-friendly.
Once the tools are open, they’re locked up tight and aren’t given any wiggle room. Other than the slightly fragile pliers, this knife is super-robust. It’ll handle general utility work outdoor use with ease. You won’t need to worry much about rusting or excessive wearing either.
While it’s a little more expensive than many of the knives on this list, we think it’s worth it. You’ll get a ballistic nylon pouch that’s tough. Unfortunately, the Velcro strap cover wears quite easily. Overall, this is one of the best Gerber knife options if you want a good balance between utility and robustness.
- Cutting tools are extremely sharp and effective
- The open frame design is easy to hold and lightweight
- The excellent and safe tool locking mechanism
- Comes with a ballistic nylon sheath
- Velcro strap on the nylon sheath doesn’t work great after a couple of months
- Pliers are a little fragile
Gerber EAB Utility Blade Pocket Knife
If you’re looking for something basic and effective at cutting, without needing to deal with a flurry of tools being packed into a small body, this EAB might be perfect for you. You’ll get an impeccably durable and lightweight stainless steel body that houses a utility blade.
These can easily be changed out once they’ve had their run. While you’re not getting all the tools and features (like with the previous two knives), it’s balanced out by the staggering cutting power and ergonomic grip. There a smooth cutout that fits your index finger well and doesn’t get in the way.
You’ll have no trouble getting stuck into boxes and doing heavy cutting work. The blade is secured by a high-quality linear lock that ensures your safety and enhances the overall effectiveness of the utility blade. It’s an excellent heavy-duty best Gerber knife and a durable utility knife to keep on you at all times.
- Stainless steel body and blade
- Resistant to rusting and doesn’t scratch easily
- Utility blades can be changed out hassle-free
- Fantastic ergonomic handle design
- It’s quite small and inherently easier to cut yourself
- Doesn’t come with a pouch or sheath
Gerber Paraframe I Knife
If you’re a fan of bare-bone EDC knives, the Paraframe knives might be perfect for you. There are no bells and whistles with this knife. It’s a simple open-frame design with an exceptionally sharp blade and a partially serrated edge. Due to the open frame build, it’s lightweight and easy to hold.
The spine of the handle has a gradual curve that helps the knife fit more comfortably into your hand. You’re getting a simple and effective EDC knife. It’ll slip into your pocket or clip to your belt quickly and often go unnoticed. At just over 3”, the blade is the perfect length for general utility work and has a powerful tip for cutting and piercing.
Edge retention is decent and you might need to give the blade a quick touch up and sharpening on arrival. You’re getting all this performance and longevity at an incredibly affordable price. The blade is treated and coated to resist rusting and it wears well over time. It’s one of the best Gerber knife options for a sturdy and simple efficiency.
- Lightweight and sturdy
- Very sharp edge
- Resistant to rusting and corrosion
- Well-designed and ergonomic handle
- Edge retention could be a little better
- The coating on the blade can be scratched off with careless use
Gerber Flatiron Cleaver Pocket Knife
The most prominent feature of this knife is the cleaver style blade. It’s exceptionally sharp and sturdy, packing the power of a larger knife. While it’s a little more expensive, you’re getting what you pay for. It’s been well-crafted to be durable and comfortable to use. Our favorite feature is the excellent quality G10 handle.
Other than looking fantastic, it’s anti-slip and one of the most rugged and easy to hold handles on any Gerber knife. You’ll be able to carry this knife daily as the pocket clip has been tailored to allow low-profile carrying. It’s a subtle knife and doesn’t have an intimidating appearance.
You’d be able to use it in a more professional setting without drawing much attention. The handle has a bit of a lip on the blade side to make sure your finger sits in the right position and doesn’t slip onto the blade. Overall, you’re getting a top best Gerber knife and class-leading performance, durability, and usability.
- An exquisitely sharp blade with great edge retention
- One of the strongest and sturdiest Gerber knives
- Large blade while keeping a small and slim profile
- Excellent pocket clip and subtle profile
- Not the most versatile or practical knife
- Blade’s tip is a little on the fragile side
Gerber Quadrant Edge Flipper Knife
This knife has style! It’s a gorgeous and compact flipper knife that doesn’t lose much practicality to achieve its handsome appearance. It comes super-sharp right out the box and can be put to immediate use. Sharpening the blade isn’t nearly as challenging as some other Gerber knives.
Make sure you have a decent quality whetstone and a little experience – you’ll be able to get a razor’s edge on this knife. If you want to open the knife quickly with a snap, you’ll need to keep the pivot slightly loosened and well-oiled. Although it’s a flipper knife, you’ll be better of keeping everything tight and opening it ordinarily.
The pocket clip is a little small and slightly redundant, but it can be replaced quite easily. When in its closed position, this knife is compact and fits into your pocket well. It’s not bulky or weighty, so it’s great to use as an EDC knife.
- Some sharp and ready to use
- Unique and attractive design
- Sturdy overall build and design
- A high-quality blade that’s easy to sharpen
- Flipper opening doesn’t work well
- The pocket clip is a little too small
Gerber US1 Pocket Knife
Our final knife is an awesome value for money option if you want a compact knife that’s capable and user-friendly. There’s a neatly placed finger mold for your index. It’s in the perfect spot to make sure you’re holding the knife right and keeps your finger from slipping onto the blade.
We loved the rugged thumb ridge on the spine of the blade for the extra grip and stability it provides. You’re getting a very simple knife and a sleek, easy-to-carry profile. The coated high-carbon steel blade is highly resistant to corrosion and looks fantastic. It’s sharp and versatile enough to handle most general use cutting work.
We think this knife is slightly better suited to beginners or for your first knife. It’s very easy to use and the handle guides your hand into the right grip position. There’s an anti-slip textured surface to help your grip strength and let you work more strain-free. To sum it up, you’re getting one of our favorite cheap Gerber knives that are fantastic for beginners and first-time EDC knife owners.
- Great value for money
- Easy to use with an anti-slip grip
- Low maintenance and resistance to corrosion
- Easy to sharpen
- Doesn’t have the greatest edge retention
- The black coating can be scratched off relatively easily
Is a Gerber Knife Right for You?
The pocket and folding knife market have more options and choices than ever before. This means that you’re flooded with hundreds of knives that look and perform very similar.
If you want to get a knife that’s got great value for money and right for you then you need to pay careful attention to what each brand/product range does right. Once you know their strengths, you can match those up with your requirements to get the perfect knife for you. Let’s take a look.
Value for Money
While most of Gerber’s knives don’t offer jaw-dropping and exquisite performance, they’re fantastic mid-range choices. If you’re on a budget and don’t need a class-leading knife then Gerber might be the right choice for you. They have a broad selection and great choices across different price points.
Versatility
Firstly, Gerber has a massive range of knives on offer. You can find anything from outdoor and tactical knives to classier gentlemen’s knives and EDC options. If you’re on the market for a new knife, but want to select a brand that can cater to a wide range of needs – then Gerber is a great choice.
Along with a versatile product range, Gerber knives are also great all-rounders. They have well-designed bodies and blades that don’t over-cater to one specific use at the expense of general functionality.
Lightweight and Mobile
Gerber knives are generally lighter and more mobile than many other brands’ knives that use the same steel. Their scales are often slightly slimmer and the overall weight of the knives is lower. Unfortunately, this means you’ll take a slight hit to durability (as reflected by the lower price point).
This isn’t a big deal though, as you shouldn’t be getting Gerber knives if you need extremely durable knives with premium performance. The durability and ruggedness are right where they should be for what Gerber knives are made for.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What Are Gerber Knives Known for?
A: Gerber knives are widely known for creating some of the most versatile and functional knives and multi-tool knives. It’s their mission to make knives that can cover you in almost any situation. They make excellent multi-tool knives that last for ages. Some of their more affordable single-blade folding knives are insanely popular among utility knife users.
Q: How Do I Stop a Gerber Knife From Corroding or Rusting?
A: Keep the knife clean and stored somewhere that isn’t wet or humid. Wiping down and drying your blade after every use will go a long way to making sure it doesn’t corrode.
Q: How Do I Sharpen the Serrated Portion of a Gerber Knife?
A: Use a tapered sharpening rod and long smooth motions. Do this for each of the serrated teeth and on both sides of the blade for best results.
Final Thoughts
Well done for taking the time to make sure you get the best value for your money. We’ve looked at 7 of the most awesome and reliable Gerber knives on the market. All that’s left is for you to make your choice. Take another look over the knives you’re interested in and take the plunge. With the best Gerber knife, you’ll ready and able to handle almost any situation you come across – good luck!