Kingcreek
Member
These have just become available and I haven't seen much for online review so I'll post one here.
Specs can be found here:
https://www.gerbergear.com/Knives/Automatic/Empower-Urban-Blue_30-001319
First, I have never been a big fan of Gerber/Fiskars but I will admit that their reputation for reasonable value and workmanship is solid. When I saw this available with the premium S30V steel, I got a lot more interested. I chose the blue/black but is available in a couple different color options.
I have recently decided to start carrying a large auto for utility and defensive use, either in addition to my concealed handgun or for those times and places where I am unable to carry the sidearm. I have carried many different knives over the years but am moving away from carrying an expensive custom that I hesitate to use or fear losing. The street price of $125 is within my comfort zone for a knife that might get scratched or lost.
The empower is a large knife but carries well as the reversible clip rides deep. Large blades need a lot of energy to deploy fast and this one does with the simple and proven plunge lock. Recoil is substantial and I prefer to let it drag over my fingertips when opening unless I really needed it in a hurry. There is enough spring that full opening is never an issue. The S30V came reasonably sharp but a few licks on my ceramic sharpmaker took it to shaving sharp. The false double edge is said to aid in piercing but I suspect another reason is to lighten the blade for faster action. I would usually prefer a full drop point over a false DE but this one is deep enough and works for me. The blade pivot is excellent, smooth with no slop, but the plunge release was very gritty out of the box. A drop of lube and a few firings improved it significantly. I might eventually take it apart and polish surfaces but since it's still improving I'm not doing anything yet. (I admit to being biased as I will forever compare everything to the Larry Chew DA Spitfire I once owned (and regret selling). I also know it's not fair to compare a $150 production knife to a $650 custom.)
The aluminum handle and laser cut insert and jimping cuts in the thumb ramp and bottom frame are smooth enough to not tear up your hand or clothing. They don't offer a lot of traction but do help index by feel. This is the first auto I have owned with a safety that locks either open or closed. My first thought was its unnecessary and I'll never use it but I find myself liking it more as I get used to it.
The knife fits my intended purpose well and offers premium blade steel and solid workmanship at a reasonable value.
Specs can be found here:
https://www.gerbergear.com/Knives/Automatic/Empower-Urban-Blue_30-001319
First, I have never been a big fan of Gerber/Fiskars but I will admit that their reputation for reasonable value and workmanship is solid. When I saw this available with the premium S30V steel, I got a lot more interested. I chose the blue/black but is available in a couple different color options.
I have recently decided to start carrying a large auto for utility and defensive use, either in addition to my concealed handgun or for those times and places where I am unable to carry the sidearm. I have carried many different knives over the years but am moving away from carrying an expensive custom that I hesitate to use or fear losing. The street price of $125 is within my comfort zone for a knife that might get scratched or lost.
The empower is a large knife but carries well as the reversible clip rides deep. Large blades need a lot of energy to deploy fast and this one does with the simple and proven plunge lock. Recoil is substantial and I prefer to let it drag over my fingertips when opening unless I really needed it in a hurry. There is enough spring that full opening is never an issue. The S30V came reasonably sharp but a few licks on my ceramic sharpmaker took it to shaving sharp. The false double edge is said to aid in piercing but I suspect another reason is to lighten the blade for faster action. I would usually prefer a full drop point over a false DE but this one is deep enough and works for me. The blade pivot is excellent, smooth with no slop, but the plunge release was very gritty out of the box. A drop of lube and a few firings improved it significantly. I might eventually take it apart and polish surfaces but since it's still improving I'm not doing anything yet. (I admit to being biased as I will forever compare everything to the Larry Chew DA Spitfire I once owned (and regret selling). I also know it's not fair to compare a $150 production knife to a $650 custom.)
The aluminum handle and laser cut insert and jimping cuts in the thumb ramp and bottom frame are smooth enough to not tear up your hand or clothing. They don't offer a lot of traction but do help index by feel. This is the first auto I have owned with a safety that locks either open or closed. My first thought was its unnecessary and I'll never use it but I find myself liking it more as I get used to it.
The knife fits my intended purpose well and offers premium blade steel and solid workmanship at a reasonable value.
