[B yond]

I just picked up a Gerber Fast Draw with a 3" semi-serrated blade. So far I'm impressed with the sturdiness, quickness-to-open, and light weight.

I am a bit concerned about how it will hold up to abuse. The locking mechanism appears to rely on a thin cross-bolt to lock the knife open and closed. Anyone had any experience with this locking mechanism or this knife?

http://media.rei.com/media/460794.jpg

[ArfinGreebly]

Sorry, no.

However if nobody else has first-hand data to contribute, perhaps you would be so good as to keep us apprised of your experiences with it.

[B yond]

Wilco!

[lions]

I bought that knife about a year ago and it has been in my pocket every day since. I don't have any complaints about it, I like the weight and how fast I can open it too.

I guess there is one thing I'm not really to keen on but it really isn't a problem. The button that operates the locking system also serves to lock the blade closed. Sometimes when I pull something out of my pocket it will engage the lock and the next time I try to use my knife it is locked shut. That really only happened for a little while then I guess I unconsciously learned not to bump the switch when I take things out of my pocket.

I haven't had any problems with durability but I don't really abuse my knifes. I don't baby it but I don't use it as a pry bar or a chisel either. It has held up under normal use and doesn't show any signs of giving out. I'm tempted to buy one and give it to my brother for a thorough torture test. (On that note, my next knife will probably be a kershaw. My brother has had his for a year and a half and he has broken a crow bar in less time than that. My brother is a landscaper and uses his as a knife/spade/hatchet/pry bar and it has held up incredibly well.)

[Grizfire]

I have had one for a month or two and really like it. At first the lock switch was a bit difficult to release when the blade was open, however, it has since smoothed out a bit. I can now open, and close this knife with one hand. I have used this knife daily at work and also for fishing and camping. The serrations worked well at cutting a switch for hot dogs/marshmallows.

[KC8UPG]

I had one for about a month when the "assisted opening" mechanism broke inside the knife. Now the blade moves freely. I used to be a big fan of Gerber products, but their stuff has really gone downhill since they moved most of their manufacturing to China and Taiwan. I think SOG and Kershaw make better knives.

[B yond]

perhaps you would be so good as to keep us apprised of your experiences with it.

Well, I've been carrying/using it for about a week now. I've found that the more I open it the faster it opens. I've been making an effort to play with it so I can break in the mechanism and get used to closing it with one hand (which is manageable with large hands, but I could see it being difficult for some.)

The edge is holding up well, although it hasn't seen any real abuse. I've been using it to open packages and cut plastic zip ties. The finish on the blade still looks brand new. I'm a little concerned about pocket lint building up in the mechanism and preventing it from opening some day.

Over all I'm very happy with it so far. I'll report back once I've used it for a while longer.

[mfcmb]

I carried this for about a year and was ultimately dissatisfied with it. I replaced it with a Benchmade Griptilian (addmittedly at twice the cost) have have been quite happy with it.

Regarding the Fast Draw:

o The handle is slippery. I always felt that if I had to stab someone it would slide right back into my hand and cut me: particularly if it was wet (e.g. with blood) as it would be if I was ever in a knife fight.

o The blade is a bit wobbly when locked open. Probably not enough to affect its function, but doesn't instill confidence.

o The blade was not all that sharp, and wasn't that easy to sharpen.

o As noted by lions above, the locking button would slide back and forth in my pocket, so I could never be sure how it would behave upon taking it out. Not what you want in a self-defense knife. I fixed this by disassembling the knife and modifying it so that the button locks reliably in each position, but I shouldn't have had to do this.

By contrast the Griptilian:

o Feels very secure in my hand.

o Locks open solidly with no wiggle.

o Arrived razor sharp!

o But is harder/slower to flick open than the Fast Draw.

HTH

[Omaha-BeenGlockin]

3 words: Benchmade Axis Lock

[B yond]

perhaps you would be so good as to keep us apprised of your experiences with it.

Well, I've been carrying and using this knife for a couple of months now, and I'm still satisfied with it. I haven't had to sharpen it, and the mechanism still feels the same as the day I bought it. I've had no problems with the grip being slippery, and that includes using it with my hands covered in slimy algae and cold water. One problem I commonly run into with inexpensive folders is a poorly designed pocket clip that begins to move around or falls off, but I haven't had any problems with this one.

I like it so much that I just picked up the Mini Fast Draw for $20 at Kmart for those occasions when I want a smaller knife (I'm sure I'll come up with some eventually). The smaller one is cute, but doesn't feel as well made and wasn't nearly as sharp. The 'safety' feels downright flimsy on the mini, but is durable and positive on the full size.

I'd definitely recommend the full size fast draw to anyone looking for an inexpensive assisted opener. I'll report back once I've used the mini fast draw a little with my opinions on it.

[modifiedbrowning]

I have a Gerber Valloton that uses the same assisted opening and locking mechanism. I agree that the button can go into the locked position in you pocket. Also, if you ever drop the knife the blade will open easily.

[B yond]

I agree that the button can go into the locked position in you pocket.

See, that's the thing. I agree with that statement for the mini fast draw, but the full size one (at least the one I have) has a very positive 'click' into the off-safe position that seems relatively sturdy. I can't say it would never go to the safe position in a pocket, but I wouldn't expect it to as I would with the mini.

[B yond]

Photo for size comparison

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