Nick Shabazz visits Gerber Gear: A Travelogue and Discussion
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2019
- Today, I’ll talk a bit about my visit to Gerber Gear in Portland, Oregon, and show some fun factory clips. Executive Summary: They’ve got a great team, and although their work to turn things around is only now starting to show (and they know it), I’m really impressed and heartened by the perspective and self-awareness of the leadership team, and their clear passion for returning Gerber to where it once was.
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I needed a size comparison of those feet to the Spyderco Delica
Nick, awesome video! On a side note, "Holy crap this things cool!" should be on one of your t-shirts in your merch shop 🤣 (6:40)
I just heard that and I thought it was hilarious. It's like when your inner child geeks out after you finally achieve some lifelong goal even if it was a small one.
I grew up using Gerber knives and nothing would please me more than to see
an American made company come
back into the spotlight with
new benchmark 🔪 designs👀.
Thx Nick & Gerber for starting a new trend👍🏻 of clarity!
Honestly, Gerber has always had a lot of really cool designs, their troubles come from materials and execution.
Ya nailed it.
Very excited to hear this turn in their attention to the products and knife community! Glad you are able to meet with them and measure their sincerity. Fun having you visit Portland and look forward to seeing you up here more often! I can see a Traveling with Nick Series on the horizon!
23 minutes of 25 looking at your socks...... Thank goodness I've stopped going to night-clubs or I'd have missed this...
You can watch it anytime.
Please tell me that you walked over to a stack of teflon, pointed at it, and said, in a firm tone, "NO. Bad Gerber."
But seriously though, I'm so ready for the day that I can buy a Gerber and be proud of it like my grandfather did.
Nick, imagine going back in time and talking to yourself right after your very first TH-cam knife video and saying, “Keep up the good work! One day a knife company is going to fly you to a different state, pay for your hotel, and give you a tour of their facility.”
I don't believe it even now!
I love my fastball. It’s the only Gerber I own but I will be watching Gerber because of it. Thanks Nick..for all you do for the community..!!
My very first pocket knife that I bought for myself was a Gerber LST (1984?) I got it at the post Exchange on Ft. Lewis in Washington state. Good little knife.
Great video. Thank you for making it. Always nice to see how a knife is made on a large scale. My first Gerber was a Gerber MK2 fixed blade i bought around 1979 when I was in the military. Great knife, and I still have it. They were also my first "modern" folder with the EZ Out in ATS 34. Still a lock back, but had that great thumb hole opening like a Spyderco. Then I stopped following them for many years, and only recently started noticing them trying to come back. I'm rooting for them, as they have made excellent knives before, & they are an American company.
I think my first Gerber was the Guardian
This is super great to hear! I can’t wait to see what Gerber puts out in the future!
Will-am-met. The Willamette river, most pronunciations round here are difficult for the visitors. Its how we spot the tourists 😂👍🏼
"It's Will-AM-ett, dammit!"
Tomato tomoto we’ll just call it all good😉👍🏼
Sorry Nick, I just didn't have the heart to correct you on this irl. Even though I graduated from Willamette freakin' University.
Hey, know what they call a beautifull woman around the Willamette river:. A Tourist.
Lol or how people pronounce tualatin etc
Thanks for video I am pulling for Gerber hope they make it back big
Good to see that much s30v at Gerber..
Great review Thanks Nicko
Shop tour videos with Nick Shabazz... words cannot describe how much I would love this!!
Nick, you should arrange to come back to the area at the beginning of December and tour the Kershaw factory; your tour/visit would also then coincide with the annual warehouse sale they hold for factory seconds... great idea for you to either find some seconds you can encourage towards personal gems, or use towards some of your amazing charitable causes.
"Yadidadida talking about the factory yadi...that's a calendar in case you weren't aware...dadida talking about the factory."
Like, you didn't have to point that out, but chose to do it anyway, and it was glorious!
Was the lamp in your room as hidious as the base suggests?
I am very entertained by the display of Nick’s socks.
I have some older Gerber knives that are really good. I have a large two bladed slip joint hunting knife from the late 70’s that is beautifully made. So at one time they knew what they were doing. Interesting video because I live just 108 miles away. Thanks ✌🏼
Thanks for sharing!!! Go Gerber!!
Hi Nick! To be real a moment, my first knife (other than camp-style Victorinox boy scout knives) was a Gerber EZ-Out serrated clip point I bought in 2000. It was my first actual EDC knife, the one I took to work every day. I have it to this day, and I gave it to my wife recently, because it was reliable for me.
I have recently acquired a different Gerber knife, and this video gives me hope that the new one will be as nice. I ordered the Gerber Swagger (Non-auto) because I live in one of 2 States where you need a license for automatic knives.
Keep in mind they also are the leading supplier of tools to the US military. The mass volume of stuff they make in comparison to say benchmade or Spyderco is something a lot of people don’t seem to understand. They are dealing with a much larger bull of a fan base as a hole than your enthusiasts just in the sheer volume of stuff they make. Much more than the competition. People don’t understand how hard it is to make 100 knives perfect, compared to benchmade that makes 15 knives at a time, cause they sell them at a slower rate. And even still benchmade screws up. So I think this was a good move for Gerber to show people who don’t know the process and how difficult it can be. Awesome video man
Thanks again Nick for being a great voice
Im early! Fun vid Nick. I like to see this kind of stuff from you! Have a nice day!
I bought a nice Gerber pocketknife (Made in USA) way back in the early 90`s , cant remember the model, but as far as I remember it was 440 steel, that was the reason I bought it back then, Im still carring that knife every now and then. Together with my other Benchmade and the R2D2 (My favourite EDC) . Maybe its time to look at Gerber again, good video Nick :)
Makes one realize just how challenging it is to produce any consistently good product.
This is great. I am also rooting for them. My first knife was a Gerber, and I am a fan of the new designs. I am not enough of a collector to get them all, but I look forward to giving them some more money soon.
Glad to hear they know the issues and have a plan to resolve them. Now the most important part, follow through and execute the plan. I hope they do. 🇺🇲👍
I really hope Gerber will be as good as it was in the past. I have a recent tanto liner lock...it is my worst knife. The lock is so late, it goes all the way to the other side of the blade, so unsafe!
After watching your review of the fastball my hopes are up! Thanks for the video Nick!
Too bad Leatherman doesn't give factory tours anymore. I went back in 2013 and it was really cool!
I took a tour in 2015 at Leatherman.
I tend to think Spyderco has the best strategy. If you locate your entire production base in the US, a quality knife producer of any size leaves itself open to being dominated by a union as Benchmade has happened. Spyderco has spread it's production so world wide that they can respond to union gangsterism by cutting back US production, and moving more offshore. Anyone who wonders why Benchmade quality has declined, it's harder to keep quality up and prices down once a union has it's boot on your neck.
Happy to see this video, I've been frustrated with Gerber and quality of my multi tool I bought, broke 2 things on it in light use the first day I had it. I know it's under warranty but I NEED a multi tool for work and my complaints about the tool were things that should have been correct in the beginning ie wire cutters that don't break cutting copper wire. That night bought a cheaper Leatherman and love it so much more. In fact so much so that I never made my warranty claim with Gerber.
Wow really amazing video!!! :D
Part of being a good reviewer is being able to separate yourself from conflicts of interest. I like that you always disclose free knives to everyone and that you disclosed that this was a paid for trip by Gerber. Hopefully they don’t pressure you too much with “free” stuff like this because I’m sure it’s going to get harder and harder to stay honest. I have seen so many TH-cam reviewers turn all out shills for brands that pamper them and turn into haters of brands that don’t give them free stuff, stay strong Nick, and stay unbiased.
I’m doing my best to be fair all around, but I appreciate the comment!
Tory cough nutnfancy cough 😂 very true man
Drives me nuts when factories free -hand sharpen. Their edges are fine but it would be nice to have consistent 17 degree and 20 degree edges in the market place so that our sharpening kits will work without having to re-profile the edge.
Right? All that money tied into technology and material and at the end its some pissed off underpaid worker putting the icing on the cake. And he /she ruins it.
I know people always say that you can reprofile the knife. That's like getting a brand new car with the wheels out of alignment. Sure it can be realigned, but should I need to?
I used to live a mile from Gerber, even worked there for two months in '92.
Thanks for making this
Nice to see a turn to quality at Gerber. Most folks are happy about USA Made gear and all that logo means. Economic factors aside, it's nice to see you acting as an ambassador for us consumers. Your reputation as a fair and honest reviewer got you to this place. Now instead of becoming the Ralph Nader of the knife world, get busy on designing knives for others in the business. Or at least be involved in the specifications and features. Consulting in knife design. ..would that be like work for you? Think on it.👍
I do lots of stealth reviews for different makers already. But thanks :)
Nick, I tend to think that changing people's thinking about a brand's reputation is a difficult thing. Both to the upside and downside. Gerber would be better off keeping the Gerber name as a lower priced brand. And coming up with a new brand name for a more upmarket product. This is the traditional strategy. That way, they retain the market share they have under the Gerber name. And they can add to it with a new brand name. Their current course has failure written all over it. Years ago VW wanted to move upmarket. They came out with a higher priced/higher quality product called the Phaeton. It flopped. No luxery buyer wanted to be seen in a VW.
If the product is new, even revolutionary like Spyderco did when it barged into the market, you can take market share. But if the new product is lukewarm, it will do nothing to change people's thinking about the Gerber brand. Gerber is not going to change hearts and minds with mild product changes.
Would love to see you review the Gerber propel downrange a/o.
You keep wondering why they brought you out there, Nick, but I'd say they inspired you enough to make a 25 min sock video and to mention their brand 150 times or so. That's why :))
Their PR person understood this is the best way to befriend you and maybe, down the line, get a G-B-U review. They'll soon send knives your way and you'll probably feel compelled, because you're a nice guy, to make a couple of honest reviews of their top knives, which would be great for their reputation. Good job on their part! About 7,000 potential buyers already watched this video... I'm not blaming you or Gerber here, I think it's good and honest influencer management. But you know all that because you're a smart man.
Keep up the good work!! There aren't other knives lovers we trust as much as we trust you.
I carried an LST for decades. A weightless knife you can't tell is in your pocket. I lost it along the line somewhere and wanted something similar, but the current model just felt flimsy and cheaper than the one I had, so I got a ZDP-189 ladybug which even at the price I got it at was ridiculous. $37. $50 retail which is insane. Honestly, it's a nice scary sharp little knife that I don't really like that much. It's very functional. I just don't like the humpback/hole in the blade trademark style of Spyderco. I'd rather have a equal quality Gerber. The problem is there is no such thing. Gerbers knife quality simply isn't good anymore. At least not anything I've had in my hand in the last 10 years. I'll tell you what I want. A flipper as light as the ladybug, well made with a rust free steel, and a liner lock or frame lock. Sub 1 ounce. Comon Gerber. Make another classic.
Wow nice to know that they are trying to up their game-(Strongarm in s30v) (Gerber Order in black blade plain edge and s30v)(Gerber MP600 154cm replaceable cutter as as option to the carbide cutter) use 154cm in a new EZ out with g10 handle,also try 14c28n on some of your knives this stuff is the best.I got a few more upgrades they could do but this will keep you busy for a while
That sounds like an interesting day. I recently started a channel and just uploaded a Gerber rant video a few days ago. It's all about the Kettlebell, which I feel is a great design. I really hope this crew will get Gerber back on track. We need more quality US makers to compete with the amazing overseas stuff these days. I feel the community will welcome Gerber back with open arms, if they start giving a damn about QC. I hope they don't waste anymore great designs with terrible execution.
Bravo...a very interesting video. By the way, are those socks made of Marino wool?
I grew up thinking Gerber=America. I would love to see them back in the game competing with Benchmade and Spyderco. Good luck Gerber
If they bring the Paul knife back with m390 steel. I will buy it in a heart beat.
I have a Paul knife from back in the 80’s. Neat little knife.
Interesting video 👍😀
Gerber needs more 14c28n, 154cm, n690, 12c27 in their budget lineup. And more s30v, s35vn and m390 in the premium line, as pocket knives should be.
I recently purchased a Bamboo Quandrant from Bass Pro, and a tortoise shell Jukebox from BladeHQ. Like both. Only bad was the edge on the Quandrant was sharpened by a Gonk droid.🤦♂️
So when will we be seeing the new "Gerber Gem" designed with cooperation of Nick Shabazz? Let us know when we can put in our orders! : )
Geez, did you choose the hotel or did they? Really nice...
I hope they can come back. They were my favorite knife company back in the 1980s before they became a knife industry joke.
I see a Gerber Nick Shabazz knife coming soon.
Nope. Remember, I’m a knife critic, not a knife designer.
@@NickShabazz I understand but maybe in the future it would be nice to see like a limited edition knife coming from you as a collection item from one of our favorite youtuber. Just an idea. Have a great day and keep up the good work.
I might do like a screen printed thing in the future, but in terms of ground-up design, that's not currently in the plans.
Was that red thread locker you used to assemble your fast ball?!
Honestly, I would have loved the Gerber Bear Grylls grandfather knife if only they could have reshaped the backspring so that it didn't contact the blade every time you close the knife.
For a "traditional" to have a Philips (albeit a 2.5D head) and a nail file was very unique.
I would love to see Gerber start making knives using Magnacut Steel.
Hopefully they know that the knife community is rooting for them. Just my opinion.
I think Gerber should continue to keep making cheap knives for those with low income, BUT, they should make better versions of those blades in better steels like 3v and Magnacut as well. They could call it their "PRO" series so people have options between buying that knife in a cheaper steel like 420HC, or something more premium. My 2 cents.
Well good for Gerber and good for Us in the long run too should things pan out for the better. I do own a fist-full of Gerber products though they tend to be years between in the purchasing - I am open to increasing that frequency going forward. And hey they don't have to stop presenting value knives on the budget friendly end but they Could start telling me what the steel is right on the package. We know what range we're in at 20 bucks and we're ok with that, so let us have the info! Have a rad day.
Night Squats most packages I’ve handled that are Gerbers in the sub 30$ range always tell me the steel
Nick ! You actually went to Gerber buddy thats good thanks for Video BTW a lot of your Geber Videos you don’t like a lot of their knives ?
I've bought 5 Gerber knives in the last 2mos. and all of them have build quality issue. Metal tearing, detents are bad (looking at you fastball) and one (well all of them are new but..) of them was NIB and zip-tie was broken somehow and scales had chips in the pain. I have no idea how this happened. It was bought from BladeHQ and seals were not cut. So it left the factory this way. Very disappointed. I hope they turn around.. but I don't know if I am going to spend any more of my money to find out, sad to see with all the other quality knife makers here in the PNW.
Wow. That’s a wide window sill.
Haven't even watched the full video yet but I feel like this is exactly what happened to Tommy at the end of Goodfellas...
You know it's going to be a serious video when Nick wears matching socks .
Purely a strange accident, rest assured!
@@NickShabazz who was it , who said , there are no accidents.
We are lucky he is wearing pants
@@thomash4578 Good point .
I'm interested in what's outside the window.
A pair of Batman socks would have been perfect
Did I just watch a 25 minute video of some guys feet? Yes I did and I loved it
What watch are you wearing in this video?
Casio Oceanus OCW-S5000C-1AJF
Such a shame after watching this to see a new release like the gerber sumo...
Red locktite on one side of the pivot.
7CR17MOV steel.
Yet nice design, and axis lock is smooth once lubed and loosened.
But again with the CR steels? Stuck pivot screw?... I mean come on gerber.
He says he told them what he wants in knives, hmm how about a Gerber Shabazz
A budget knife can have terrific quality. The Gerber company that innovated, cared about quality, and fought for it's reputation is called Spyderco now right??
Taking the fast buck in business, no matter what industry you're in, makes your future very uncertain. It's the kiss of death. So to Gerber I say adios, sayonara, goodbye, can't say I'll miss ya....!!!!!
(A knife company run by scissor execs, now that's funny)
I would like to see Gerber come around with some more quality materials and craftmanship..the labor force is a mess so hopefully they can find passionate workers or use some quality machines to make it happen
The RED locktight ahhhhhhh
I had no other option 😫
@@NickShabazz THE RED DEVIL!!! No Loctite is an option :P
Friends don't let friends use red locktite
Oh man! I thought this was a video about the baby food people! Freaking knaf nerds!!!!
You should visit a mirror factory next
😂”Red wedding style”
You mean the prettiest view without a mirror.
shits good
When you were trying to center the blade, you could tell the guy behind you was like... c'mon Nick, good enough - my guy would have done 6 knives in that time...
I also noticed you cut out the part where they yelled at you for using up two months' supply of lubricant on one knife...
LOL. Nobody said I've got skill here.
Nick come on man, show us your Bruce Wayne man, that's your mug! Lol
Nick Shabazz foot reveal!!
I stopped using anything gerber when the steel started getting really soft and crappy, they need to start with the working end of the problem. I see great designs like the quadrant and jukebox and started thinking maybe I'll give gerber a try again......then i see that its crap blade steel, so i guess ill wait another model year. How many potential sales had the same reaction
Nice socks 👍
Gerber designs were not the problem the materials and the quality of the products were sub par which is why I quit buying there knives
They didn't Strongarm your way out of the factory then?
How many people did u see OD. Watch out for all the used needles left out on the ground.
9:56 And this is the part of the process where they screw up the grind.
are those costco wool socks?
Of course!
@@NickShabazz they are the best bang for the buck, hands down.
Berber. Sinking ship. Quick get nick to patch the hole.
This whole video reminded me of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood. That makes it a gem.
Try the Gerber Kettlebell. It's like the crkt squid on steroid's
Once you fix the awful grind...
@@CNYKnifeNerd true
Nick- Its Willa-met, not William-et
Nickkk hows ya day going?
I like the line they are releasing right now. I went and bought the 2 JukeBox options and a Wingtip. Ohh also ordered a Square. I dont care about chinese. I have better chinese made knives than USA made.
I love my Gerber Strongarm. I hate Bear Grylls, god-bothering, hotel-slouching, fake SAS wanker. Good on you Nick, keep them honest.
And BTW, nice socks.