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

  1. My experience on Gerber products isn’t that great. They do make good knife, but if you are looking for a dedicated folding knife, checkout Spyderco, certain model of CRKT and Kershaw instead. Benchmades make great knives too but their knives are a little pricey. However, if you are looking for multitool with plier, get Leatherman. If you dont need plier, Victorinox is the way to go!

  2. trekkerboss // July 28, 2015 at 5:41 am // Reply

    I have the gerber paraframe tanto-its really great quality-thae military used it. gerber is my #1, swiss army is my #2

  3. GERBER IS CRAP! Iv had a fiew and they all stink. If any boy scout will have a knife, have A COMPANION FOR LIFE! VICTORINOX SWISS ARMY!

  4. They are both great brands but look into buying a leatherma. Great brand! You can find them at any Gander Mountian, Cabeles, Bass Pro, and almost any outdoor store. They will never fail you!

  5. i think they are both nice but i like a gerber better

  6. I prefer Swiss army knives

  7. Leatherman buy one 60 bucks at Bass Pro I have the Wingman best multi tool I have ever had. Also look at Brownng knifes they are tough!!!!!!!!!! If you need a really strong locking blade get the bear grills knifes they work vey well.

  8. The kershaw burst is cool.

  9. swiss army knives are more durable and have much more to offer.

  10. I don’t know but i wold go with swis army

  11. outdoorsman // August 16, 2013 at 3:44 pm // Reply

    i found a knife on a hike and it has scratches all over the blade. what should i do to fix it?

  12. Gerber’s are no longer made in America. I know Swiss army knives aren’t either, but Switzerland beats Chinese junk any day.

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // August 23, 2013 at 2:34 pm // Reply

      Gerber still makes their very best knives in Portland, Oregon. My Gerber LMF has PORTLAND,OR USA proudly displayed on the blade.

  13. as for multi tools i prefer a sog or a claus.

  14. If you need to minimize cost then go with the multi-purpose Swiss Army. But these knives aren’t the most robust. A locking, single blade folding knife is the most preferred design of an Every Day Carry (EDC) knife. Kershaw, CRKT, Buck as well as Gerber are popular and inexpensive. Many carry a separate multi-function tool, like a Leatherman, SOG or Gerber to complement an EDC. Lots of choices at reasonable prices if you shop around.

  15. camoscout NM // July 2, 2013 at 12:50 pm // Reply

    I have both a Gerber and a Swiss Army and the both work very well. Either would be a good buy. Good luck

  16. well, get a lock-back like a leatherman or another brand. then, you are less likely to cut yourself.

  17. well, i’d say to just go to the scout store and get an eagle scout lock-back stainless steel, just like mine. it is very safe and is meant to last a lifetime…

  18. you should get the kershaw volt 2 or relly any kershaw assisted opening knive.
    I have a assisted opening knife (the volt 2) and love kershaw assisted opening
    knives.

  19. id say listen to who you trust but id choose gerber

  20. 11th doctor // June 16, 2013 at 5:01 pm // Reply

    both victorinox and gerber are good knives but if you are looking for something versatile then go for the swiss. but if you want a multi tool, go for a leatherman. I own one, it is the best multi tool I’ve ever used. mine was about the same price as a good victorinox.

  21. get a swiss army knife

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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!

  25. 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!

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

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

  28. 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

  29. Victorinox Hunter + Mora for me

  30. a swiss arymy knife

  31. swiss

  32. blind duchess // September 4, 2012 at 4:36 pm // Reply

    I would go for the ka-bar (marine combat knife)

  33. I have a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife with a magnifying glass. I’m saving up for a Leatherman but I don’t think any of them have a magnifying glass.

  34. swiss army

  35. gamemaster24 // June 5, 2012 at 11:33 am // Reply

    You should buy a Smith and Wesson knife. They are really good quatlity and they lock.

  36. i personly dont like gerber but the spyderco tenaicious $30 (amazon) & the victorinox swisstool any model $80 – $120 (amazon) you can also get the swiss tool with BSA logo on it too

  37. neither, look at geting a case. they are made in the Usa and have been in buisness sinse 1883

    • Knife Xpert 157 (aka Chad 101) // June 10, 2012 at 7:25 pm // Reply

      CASE makes good old-fashioned folding knifes but I would take Swiss army or Gerber over case. Case is GREAT for classic stag handled knives but they dont have the best

  38. The master of pocket knife decisions // May 26, 2012 at 7:13 pm // Reply

    I have a gerber that i use for camping. but if you’re going for multi tool, go for swiss army. my simple gerber takes care of all my needs and its lightweight, but its up to you.

  39. _________________ // May 26, 2012 at 3:00 pm // Reply

    I personally think you should get a Swiss army knife. The reason is I have 3

  40. Gerber does make some product in the US. You just have to keep an eye out.

  41. 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

  42. 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.

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

    Swiss Army is the way to go mate.

  44. 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.

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

  46. 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 .. 🙂

  47. 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.

  48. 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.

  49. 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.

  50. 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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