[overcast_days]

If anyone has this model, be careful, mine failed without warning. I picked up a Gerber Mini-Paraframe about 2 weeks ago. It was used to slice two apples, and to cut a few straws to shorter lengths for a couple of kids at work it did well. Yesterday I tried to use it to cut a piece of leather and the lock busted. The blade slammed down on my hand, cutting my middle finger pretty good. After I stopped the bleeding, I examined the knife. 4 out of 5 tried the blade snapped shut.

I have never had a knife break on me like that before, then again it was my first Gerber. The store, Walmart, won't let me return it. Needless to say I went down the street and picked up a Buck 55.

[ArfinGreebly]

Call Gerber.

I would imagine they'll repair or replace it.

I don't imagine you have pictures of the cut on your finger, do you?

[overcast_days]

I can take some pictures.

[pitsmile]

Call Gerber.
+1. And I wouldn't mind some pics, too.

[ArfinGreebly]

I actually have a Mini Paraframe. I bought it in 2006 or 2007 when I was sent to San Diego for a system install.

At that time, my EDC was a Kershaw Leek, a Gerber Silver Knight, and a Leatherman Wave. That's about $170 worth of hardware. And I was about to fly south.

Being reluctant to risk my good stuff in the hands of luggage handlers (including a Gerber that's no longer in production), I decided to get some "disposable" stuff to stand in for the duration of the trip.

I picked up a Gerber Suspension (stand in for the Wave), a Buck/Mayo Cutback (sub for the Leek), and a Gerber Mini Paraframe (in for the Silver Knight). Total investment: about $60.

Then, over the following week, to my surprise, all three of the "cheap substitutes" performed very well -- better than any expectation I had.

My little Mini Paraframe has never had a lock failure, it was sharp out of the box, and held its edge well. However, given that it's an offshore production piece, there's no telling what the quality control is like. On a piece produced in one batch, everything may be just fine while, in another batch, you might have poorly fitted parts (like the frame on the locking side).


I would imagine the manufacturer will make it good.

I know that, in their shoes, I would. Hell, in their shoes, I'd be offering an upgrade. But that's just me.

[pikid89]

60 bucks worth the "disposable" hardware???

must be nice

[ArfinGreebly]

60 bucks worth the "disposable" hardware???

must be nice

Or I could just sling $170 worth of hardware -- including one that can't be replaced -- into my luggage and hope for the best.

Well, "disposable" was a poor choice of words. Let's use "expendable" instead.

The $60 was my insurance policy. Any time I have to travel by air, those pieces become my traveling gear. They provide adequate quality and function for the work I do, and I won't cry bitterly if I lose one or all of them. Lose the Silver Knight that I've been carrying since 1982, and which isn't made any more? That would suck.

Nowadays I actually carry upwards of $200 in EDC, none of which I consider expendable. Inasmuch as I hate the idea of losing any of my gear, when and if I have to place my property at the mercy of the airlines, whatever travels in luggage must be considered expendable.

No, I'm not happy that I have to think like that.

On the other hand, would you prefer to risk an out-of-production piece having sentimental value and a long personal history, or a $10 substitute piece instead?


Of course, part of the value in the exercise was that I discovered that the Mini Paraframe is a better knife than the price would suggest.

Well, at least mine is.

[RS14]

Thanks for the alert. I'd be very interested to see photos as well.

[BRad704]

I am confused on the physics of being in the act of cutting something, and having the blade slam on your hand... Were you stabbing?

[overcast_days]

BRad704 good catch, I was actually making another hole in my belt.
I'll get those pictures loaded when I get off this afternoon. I don't have the cable with me.

[Sam1911]

Yikes, I'll have to go inspect. That's my 6-year-old's EDC.

[earlthegoat2]

Your 6 year old has an EDC?

Not judging, just wondering if that is what you meant.

[Sam1911]

I meant to say, my older son, who turned six a couple of weeks ago, keeps a mini-paraframe in his pocket daily.

"EDC" in this case was indicating "Every-Day Carry."

[BRad704]

Ah... Now I see. not to be a total cynic, but do you think you twisted against the lock?

I have the same knife and it is one of the stiffest locks I own... I guess you got a bad one...

[REAPER4206969]

People have been cutting leather with slip joints and friction folders for centuries without issue.

If your folder closes on your hand, you're doing something stupid with it.

[HiWayMan]

Well...from the information provided it may be partly based on user error. If putting a new hole in a belt the knife is probably tip down being forced thru the material. The index finger is riding along side the blade for guidance and the thumb is pressed into the side of the knife...right where the lock is. That would place the middle finger in a perfect position to get cut first rather than the index finger. Add in a twisting motion to bore a hole like an awl and all the pieces come together for an accident as described.

Now if it fails a spine whack test, well then maybe it is a manufacturing defect that may be solved by a little filing to the liner area so it engages the blade more fully.

[BRad704]

;)

http://www.amazon.com/The-Leather-Factory-3220-00-All-Purpose/dp/B001685R6W

[overcast_days]

I took the pictures and am trying to load them from my documents. Please be patient they will be loaded.

The knife doesn't stay locked now, it doesn't even need a good whack on the spine. I was using the knife the same way I've used Bucks, Old Timers, and Shrades in the past. With the the type of lock The Gerber had in hindsight it may not have been a good idea, but the knife should not have broke like it did.

I called the company during my lunch hour and was told to send the knife back to them for an exchange. They were easy to deal with on the phone.

[overcast_days]

These were taken today, I was cut Monday. The photos aren't very good. The cut is thin, but it bled a lot.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59883032@N02/with/5472520641/

I am glad to hear no else had the mini-paraframe lock break. I guess I got a bad one it happens.

[hso]

I would have expected Gerber to have wanted the knife back for inspection and replacement. Please include a brief description of how you were using the knife so it helps them determine the failure. I assume it was point into the belt with pressure on the tip and a twisting motion since you were using the knife as an awl to make the hole.

[RONSERESURPLUS]

Hello all

Yes, I'd say Contact Gerber as it was a Lock Falure, and I'm sure as others siad they will want to have ya sewnd it back for inspection and or replacment/Repair? Thatsb kinda standard! AS it won't lock now anyhow why Not send it, but I'd contact them firt and see how they want you to and what address? I know gerber used to be Fiscars, but now maybe on thier own? I know that have always had a Great Warranty Program and I've sent back a few sets of Multi-Pylers in my Military days and they replaced or repiared them 100% each time! Go do a Bing or Google search on Gerber warranty and see whats come up? Thats my Opinion, but one severed by 25 years of doing this mess?

RON

[REAPER4206969]

Gerber's warranty is superb. They will certainly replace it. I recently sent in a 800 Legend and it was promptly replaced.

[451 Detonics]

Don't want to sound like a smart-alec but getting cut in the manner described means a failure to follow simple cutting safety rules. For me rule one is never depend on a lock and rule two is never twist or pry with the blade. The only way for the blade to have slammed closed was because negative pressure was applied to the blade, always a major knife no-no.

I am sure Gerber will replace/repair the knife, at the same time I hope a lesson was learned in proper knife usage. And for the record I have a few scars from lessons knives taught me when I was younger.

[overcast_days]

451 Detonics you don't sound like a smart-alec , I should have thought before using that knife for that job. Although the lock is legitimately busted.

The reason I started this topic was a heads up warning for other people with this particular model to double check the lock. I would hate someone else getting harmed if there is a bad batch out there.

Gerber has agreed to replace the knife when they receive the broken one.

[mole]

Anyone else find it funny that he's showing us pics of his middle finger using a site called "flickr?"

[Sam1911]

Perhaps. I find it funnier that he was asked to show pictures to illustrate the problem, and posted pictures of his injury, rather than the KNIFE. :D

[sxcamaro05]

I cut myself on a Gerber Artifact doing something similar and I needed 6 stitches (that son of a gun is sharp as heck). Geber inspected it and replaced it for free. It came with a different style to it but I really do not care to use it anymore.

[GENTLEMAN OF THE CHARCOAL]

Sorry you cut yourself. See you posted a picture but I'm not interested in looking at your cut finger. Guess all I can really say is to try and be more careful. The only cutting tools I own that have a lock is my 2 Leatherman Super Tools. I haven't cut myself since I was around 13 years old with a Barlow my Dad gave to me. I don't ever think about using caution. If I need a knife I just use it and then wipe it off and put it away. Same thing with my revolvers. I guess it's in my mind somewhere not to cock it and point it at myself and pull the trigger just like I guess it's in my mind somewhere not to get myself in a position as to where I would cut myself with a knife..Send it back to Gerber. They'll send you another one....

[Deltaboy]

Give us a pic of the knife Brother!