I took a look at the Gerber axes in Cabelas. I was rather disgusted with their handles. Hollow plastic handles that aren't even covered on the end. Can get dirt, moisture, and other things in them with no way to clean it out. It also would transmit vibrations right through your hands and tear them up. I generally avoid Gerber products. They tend to copy other brands and, while sometimes being quality in their own right, are generally inferior to the original(s) in some significant way.
OK, so you made a judgment based on a short fondle?...
The Gerber axe handle is made of
PolyamideT. (Nylon) It is very tough, and
dampens vibration very well.
If you do get any dirt or moisture in your handle, you can blast it out with air or water. This is a non-issue.
Your anti-Gerber bias doesn't really help the OP.
I have owned and used the same Gerber Camp Axe for 10 years.
It's seen deep Michigan winters, backcountry trips in the Adirondacks, the Berkshires, the deep forests of Kentucky, and splitting kindling in the backyard.
Its been dropped, thrown, flexed, hammered with, and used as a wedge.
Its solid, and easy to sharpen. I value mine so much, I'm amazed when people dismiss it so quickly.