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

  1. get a swiss army knife

  2. kid knife expert // June 11, 2013 at 11:20 am // Reply

    i personnaly like gerber but swiss i realy good t but not there hiking boots i am trying to find a realy nice gerber and i want a fixed blade

  3. I have a swiss camper and a buck two blade for folding blades. I carry both all the time. If you are a NCIS fan. remember Gibs rule 9, “never leave home without a knife.” I also live by the rule two is one, and one is none

  4. Really depends on what you are going to DO with the knife. I did a lot with ropes and pioneering so I carried a rigging knife, plus one of those new German or Swiss army knives, the ones with the saw blade. Cant say how often I needed to use that saw. But carrying two knives on my belt. made me have to wear suspenders!

  5. Check out the swiss army knife “hiker”. It replaces the corkscrew with a Phillips screwdriver and has a fantastic saw (its an amazing saw). I use this knife many times each day. If I lost all my worldly possessions, this would be my very first purchase!

  6. Swiss Army. They come with extra tools too that can be very useful.

  7. swiss army. theyr’e genuine with some helpful tools.

  8. Go for a Leatherman. Buy the best that you can get and you’ll have it for life. If you buy something inferior you will end up spending more money in the long run replacing it. Besides, Swiss Army knives are less safe as they don’t lock. If you ever had a knife fold on your fingers you wouldn’t use a non-locking knife again.

    • SwissArmy Fan // March 16, 2013 at 12:07 pm // Reply

      Except in the UK Eric, where locking tools with a blade of any size are illegal and possession carries a potential jail sentence!

      • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // April 17, 2013 at 2:18 pm //

        That is because the United Kingdom of Great Britain gives little or no freedom to bear arms. It is silly that you are not allowed to carry a locking knife.

    • I agree i have the Ieatherman Wingman cuz the wave was way too much money definetly recommend a leatherman

  9. Victorinox Hunter + Mora for me

  10. a swiss arymy knife

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