Gerber - Major Problems

[ugaarguy]

I picked up the new Gerber Kettlebell because it looked very similar to the CRKT Pilar which I like, but with a more pointed tip. It's a good design, but the manufacturing is horrible, and their customer service is non-existent. I'll never buy another Gerber product -

 

[bikerdoc]

my experience also. We dont do business with them anymore.

 

[GEM]

Got a Gerber machete once at Home Depot for yard work. It wouldn't even cut open a plastic bag of mulch. Dull - you guessed it. Supposed to be 'razor' sharp.

 

[Valkman]

That's too bad and it's sad to see a good knife maker go downhill. I have a Gerber I got from work as a anniversary present in '89 and it was a great knife.

 

[.455_Hunter]

The USA and Euro manufactured Gerber stuff is still good.

 

[RA40]

Disappointing. My take on most these wallet friendly lines is that if there is a problem I'll have to fix it if inclined. The recent releases I'll be more mindful of staying away. Picked up this Gerber many years ago from Target for $20. Has done well. I don't carry it because serrated edges aren't my blade preferences. The only mod was to grind down the thumb stud a bit so that it didn't protrude as much.

 

[AZAndy]

I like this one-- it hasn't let me down yet and seems to be pretty well put together:



I use it a couple of times a day, and nothing has loosened up on it yet. Blade was sharp out of the box. Maybe I got lucky. It does say USA on it, so maybe that makes a difference.

 

[ugaarguy]

After Knife Center themselves couldn't even get ahold of Gerber today they made an exception and are taking the knife back.

The USA and Euro manufactured Gerber stuff is still good.

That may be true, but after this experience with Gerber's CS I'll never find out. You can't even pick up a phone, I'm not spending my money on your products.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Was once a great American company. Still make some great stuff but I stay away from them after seeing too many stories like this.

 

[The Evangelist Cowboy]

Gerber was a great company sorry to hear about your issue, KOA has been messing up for me to .

 

[bannockburn]

I still have a bunch of older Gerbers that have held up very well over the years. Too bad to hear that not only are the new ones below par in terms of their fit, finish, and function, but that the company's customer service is totally non-existent.

 

[Kingcreek]

Sorry to hear. I have a USA made Empower, did a review here awhile back. Its been fine, no issues.

 

[Speedo66]

I bought a Gerber EDC type a few years ago, was disappointed with it. Gave it away and replaced it with a Kershaw Leek, very happy with the better build quality and superior blade steel.

Gerber is on my no fly list.

 

[ugaarguy]

Thanks for the comments folks. CRKT has put out some really good Chinese made knives in the past few years, as has Kershaw. Even the Chinese made Ganzos are actually really good. Cold Steel has some great Taiwanese made economy folders too.

I thought that maybe Gerber was finally turning their quality around with the Kettlebell and some of their other new designs. It's a roughly $25 knife, so I wasn't expecting ZT quality, but I was hoping for at least CRKT quality. What's even more frustrating is the totally non-existent customer service.