gerber lariat knife problem's

[mr dazzler]

I got me one of them there lariat knifes a little while ago, and have mixed feelings about it.
The steel takes a shaving edge with diamond file and diamond strop, and keeps it reasoably well, even stripping bark off pole's up to 6 inch diam and splitting kinderling (dry oak) for the woodburner, I find the steel as good as opinel steel. But in use the blade (which was a bit loose at first) is now very loose (about a 1/4 inch movement of the tip) Is that normal with a gerbr knife? Also are there fake gerbers out thee, have I been had? Part of the plastic handle has already come away. I used a 2 inch square beech batton to rive the kinderling I dont recall battoning the handle only the blade. My overall impression is its a sort of OK knife but a bit disapointing. Has anyone else ever used a gerber lariat? And is there a way to get rid of the slackness in the blade (or just get me a fixed blade instead )
cheers Jonathan

 

[bushwacker bob]

fixed blade.
You have descovered one of the reasons most people dont use a folder as their principle tool.

 

[loz.]

I got me one of them there lariat knifes a little while ago, and have mixed feelings about it.
The steel takes a shaving edge with diamond file and diamond strop, and keeps it reasoably well, even stripping bark off pole's up to 6 inch diam and splitting kinderling (dry oak) for the woodburner, I find the steel as good as opinel steel. But in use the blade (which was a bit loose at first) is now very loose (about a 1/4 inch movement of the tip) Is that normal with a gerbr knife? Also are there fake gerbers out thee, have I been had? Part of the plastic handle has already come away. I used a 2 inch square beech batton to rive the kinderling I dont recall battoning the handle only the blade. My overall impression is its a sort of OK knife but a bit disapointing. Has anyone else ever used a gerber lariat? And is there a way to get rid of the slackness in the blade (or just get me a fixed blade instead )
cheers Jonathan

I have a gerber gator from when i knew nothing about tools - this has plenty of play around the handle / blade pivot also. The lock mechanism has a will of its own and can unlock when it wants.

fake gerbers ? why - gerbers are cheap enough anyhow. I recall paying not many dollars in the BX for mine.

 

[Dingo]

i think we need to remember that a gerber gator or folding knife, is not designed to do heavy work, they are simple folders at the lower end of the cost bracket, i think they provide good value for money, i work outdoors and use my gator daily, it serves its purpose for cutting ropes and string, small wood alterations, whittling etc, and then it folds away in my pocket.
the fixed blade is not always an option as you are strolling around suburbia going about your business!
my knife is about four years old and is still in perfect working order and nice and tight, i can only assume as was previously stated that you need to get a more suitable tool for some of your tasks.

 

[pothunter]

I think you have had you money's worth from Gerber time to look for a replacement, fixed blade as previously suggested.

A regular finger count might be a good idea.

Pothunter.

 

[mr dazzler]

Thank you for your help and advice gents.
I should point out when I was riving the oak kinderling it was only to reduce 10 or 12 inch long 1 or 1 1/2 inch laths to smaller 1/2 or 1/4 inch ones, I wasnt starting out with big logs, just small scale activity on the hearthstone's
The comment about its tendency for the locking mechanism failing is enough really to make me want to stop using the knife. Maybe just get a second lighter billhook? Or a svord peasant knife?
The axe has always been my principle wood cutting tool, although oflate I have made much more use of the billhook than previously. It has a shallow "S" shaped blade (French normandy style) the convex section of the blade nearest the handle is actually better then the axe for trimming up large surface's of cleft log's
PS loz what is BX? I always thought where theres a known brand namesomeone will sooner or ater try to copy there products
cheers Jonathan

 

[loz.]

PS loz what is BX? :

Sorry - Base Exchange - Spam version of our Naafi shop ( obviously bigger ! ) Got mine while on detachment in incerlik,turkey