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Should I buy a Gerber or Swiss Army knife?

Q. Hey Gear Guy, I’m debating on whether to buy a Gerber pocketknife or a Swiss Army knife. My friend says Gerber; but I’ve heard Swiss Army my whole life. Which one should I buy?
– Sharp Jake, Mapleton, Utah

A. The answer is: You’re both right. Swiss Army pocketknives are legendary for their quality and usefulness. There are two companies that manufacture Swiss Army knives, Wenger and Victorinox — both make excellent knives. As for Gerber, they are a great knife manufacturer, too. Gerber has been manufacturing knives for the past 70 years, and makes a wide range of knives from standard folders and sheath knives to multitool-type knives like the Gerber Fit ($41; gerbergear.com). Similar to a Swiss Army knife, it’s packed with useful tools, 10 in all, including a fine-edge and serrated knife blade, scissors, tweezers, a few screwdrivers, and a super bright LED flashlight.


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12 Comments on Should I buy a Gerber or Swiss Army knife?

  1. Delta Force // May 21, 2012 at 5:54 pm // Reply

    Swiss Army. But remember there are a lot of good knives out there; better than both you asked about. Buck, PECK, Schrade, Columbia River, Kershaw, Damascus, Cabelas …
    Be a leader; choose for yourself rather than following others on this. Who knows, they might change because of you. :^0

  2. duke of nothingham // May 8, 2012 at 11:27 am // Reply

    buy A small gerber sheath knife it is what I carry and is much more useful (and safer) than any folding knife.

  3. Bear Grylls BSA President // May 6, 2012 at 12:05 pm // Reply

    Swiss Army is the way to go mate.

  4. hscout14 // May 5, 2012 at 6:03 am // Reply

    I personally prefer a good leatherman multitool. They all have locking tools and you can send it back if it ever breaks and they’ll replace it no matter what. They have supergood quality but are a litte expensive.

  5. I use both : swiss army for multiple uses and locking knives for cutting carving etc

  6. Girl Leader // April 22, 2012 at 1:41 pm // Reply

    i really don`t care about that , but your question made me want to know about them .. i`ll chose Gerber .. i don`t know why but i think i like it .. 🙂

  7. The Scouter // April 21, 2012 at 8:33 pm // Reply

    I have a Gerber knife and when I went camping the locking blade made it easy to use. Also, mine came with a serated blade AND a fine blade. I highly recommed it.

  8. I personally prefer Gerber because they are lock blades, but it is better to look at both and decide which one suits your needs better.

  9. I find a small Swiss army knife good for hiking when weight matters thay tend to be lighter than a multitool but for camping and general wilderness use I carry a nice folder or fixed blade. That all have there uses like any tool.

  10. Off-trail monkey // April 17, 2012 at 3:19 pm // Reply

    Swiss Army. But remember there are a lot of good knives out there; better than both you asked about. Buck, PECK, Schrade, Columbia River, Kershaw, Damascus, Cabelas …
    Be a leader; choose for yourself rather than following others on this. Who knows, they might change because of you. :^)

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