
The Gerber 06 FAST has been a hit with the military crowd for years. Gerber 06 FAST (Scott Murdock) What we like about the Gerber 06 FAST Sand that worked its way into the knife’s handle didn’t impede the lock or opening mechanism, but seeing that amount of edge wear so quickly was unfortunate. Upon closer examination under a light, I could see the edge folding and rounding in places. After about a dozen thrusts and some digging into packed earth, the blade’s leading edge was noticeably dull. Stabbing into the sandbag was no problem (as expected), but the sand took a toll on the blade’s forward-facing edge. The biggest surprise came when I tested the 06’s durability against our old enemy, the sandbag. In a combat zone, I suppose it’s good to have one knife that’s more versatile. Around the house, that’s a luxury I can afford. The partially serrated edge made things a little tricky at times every now and then I would have preferred an edge that was either all serrated or all plain. In fact, the 06 FAST stuck about a quarter-inch deeper into my test plank than blades with other types of points. This style of knife is definitely overkill for EDC duty, but that’s pretty apparent from its size.Ĭutting rope and wood was no problem.
#Gerber automatic knife zip#
I also used it for mundane tasks like cutting zip ties and opening packages. I gave the Gerber 06 FAST the usual rundown of cutting rope, dropping it onto concrete, and daily carry. Gerber 06 FAST (Scott Murdock) How we tested the Gerber 06 FAST Edge retention isn’t ideal but corrosion resistance is better than average. Though not quite up to snuff with the S30V stainless steel used in the 06 Auto, 7Cr17MoV is certainly capable of serving as a working blade. It’s popular among survivalists and budget-minded buyers for its resilience and ease of sharpening. This Chinese-made alloy is considered mid-range steel that’s not too different from Japanese AUS8.

The 3.8-inch tanto blade is partially serrated and built from 7Cr17MoV steel. The base features a glass-breaker - a nice touch on a knife in this segment. This material is popular among knife manufacturers and I’m a fan, as well. Since the handle is made from G10 fiberglass laminate, it should hold up to extreme weather and remain grippy in wet conditions. Combat functionality is increased by the integrated hilt, which keeps the hand from sliding forward when thrusting into a target.
#Gerber automatic knife portable#
The knife’s closed length of 4.8 inches is portable enough to take anywhere cammies are worn, but the 8.6-inch open length is large enough to serve as a utility tool or fighting knife when called upon. The only parts of the knife that aren’t matte black are the exposed steel edge, gray branding, and red dot on the safety switch. The blacked-out blade, handle, and pocket clip are bound to be a hit with anyone concerned about avoiding reflective gear. I know better than to judge a book by its cover, but if appearances were all that mattered the 06 FAST would score high marks. There’s a tendency to view the past through rose-colored glasses, though, so I decided to revisit the old Gerber to see if it’s as good as I remember.īlade length: 3.8 inrnrnWeight: 5.7 ozrnrnMaterial: 7Cr17MoV steel (blade), G10 (handle) Unboxing Snappy deployment makes it easy to access with one hand, and the tanto point is strong enough to take a beating. The folding blade is just large enough to make it a viable hand-to-hand backup to your primary weapon and sidearm.

What makes the Gerber appealing is the battlefield functionality that led to its popularity among U.S. It still fits the bill as a tactical knife that’s easy to carry, tough enough for field use, and quick to open with a single gloved hand.Įditor’s note: the Gerber 06 FAST also made Task & Purpose’s list of the best folding knives of the year.Īt that price, there are several other options from brands like Ka-Bar, Benchmade, and Spyderco to consider. The Gerber 06 FAST (which stands for “forward action spring technology”) is available for purchase for less than $70 if you catch the sales at the right time. The 06 also comes in a spring-assisted configuration that’s easier on the wallet and available to the public. The same multitool is affordable and can be found everywhere, whereas the $170 automatic Gerber is now much harder to obtain.įortunately for me - and active-duty personnel on a budget - there’s another option. I had the opportunity to score one for myself, but (like an idiot) I took a multitool instead because I already had my deployment knife. The all-black Gerber 06 Auto looked mean as hell, with a partially serrated blade, tanto point, and push-button automatic opening mechanism. One item I noticed fairly often was a tricked-out folding knife. When I was on active duty, I noticed that supply Marines always had the best gear. We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs.
