Customer Reviews

Gerber 22-41022 Obsidian Serrated Edge Knife With Screwdriver and Bottle Opener

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After some shopping around for a pocket knife with the "essential" tools, I decided to go for the Gerber Obsidian. The full-blown multi-tools have more than I really need; a knife with both Philips and flat screwdrivers covers 90% of my on-the-go tool needs. I think a tool that's a knife first also results in better overall ergonomics.

Pros:
1. Sturdy, well made. Everything from the knife to the screwdrivers to the pocket clip is beefy and solid. I don't expect it to break. If it does, it's covered by Gerber's lifetime warranty.

2. Ambidextrous, mostly. I'm left-handed and have no trouble with quick one-handed opening and closing of the blade with either hand using the thumb stud. I said "mostly" because the pocket clip, plunger, and safety slide are really positioned for the right-handed person. If you want to operate the blade quickly out of your left pocket, it's not going to work because the pocket clip won't orient it properly on your left side. It's perfectly oriented for that kind of access from the right pocket.

3. I like the plunger lock better than the liner lock on the comparable Leatherman models. With a liner lock, you have to put your thumb in the path of the closing blade which would seem to make one-handed closing tenuous at best. With the plunger lock, I can safely close the blade with one hand, left or right.

4. Speaking of the comparable Leatherman models, the Obsidian feels rather thin in comparison. I don't have the thickness of the Leatherman, but having handled one in a store it just felt too thick. The Obsidian is about 5/8" at the thickest part, not including the pocket clip.

5. It feels pretty light in my pocket.

6. The safety slide is a pretty good idea. It just prevents depressing the plunger and accidentally releasing the blade onto your hand. That can happen with a normal grip. I already had one occasion where I inadvertently pressed the plunger. Nothing bad happened, but I think I'll use the safety. Maybe. :)

7. Obviously, I like the mix of tools. There's also a file on the side of the Philips screwdriver and a bottle opener on the flat screwdriver.

Cons:
1. The nylon part of the handle is too smooth. Fortunately the ergonomics of the handle shape provide a good grip, but a deeper waffle pattern would be an improvement.

2. Careful, the screwdrivers don't lock. It'd probably add weight to add that, and then I'd probably say it's too heavy. :)

3. The knife isn't as sharp as I expected. I have a Gerber Ultralight LST, and it's awesome sharp. I'm sure the Obsidian will sharpen to that level, but I really think it should have come that way. To be fair, the serrated edge is really sharp. I can't comment on how well it will hold its edge. (See the update below.)

I'm happy with my choice of a knife over a multi-tool, and with the Obsidian. I have no problem recommending it.

Update: I've had this knife for a few weeks now and want to note that I haven't been able to sharpen the blade to anywhere near as sharp as my little Gerber Ultralight (which I've never even needed to sharpen). And after I sharpen it (with a diamond sharpener block), the edge seems to dull quickly. Now I'm not a sharpening expert, so maybe I'm doing a poor job at it, but it should have come from the factory a lot sharper than it did. So I'll just keep trying to sharpen this one until the steel is gone. Maybe by then there will be an alternative besides the comparable Leatherman knives (with the scary liner lock and the uncomfortably oversized width) that do not interest me at all.

This is a well-built Gerber knife. The knife is wider and heavier than I expected. It has a double lock for the main blade. The slider lock (with the red dot behind) can be used to either lock the blade in the open position, or to lock in the closed position. Its use is optional. There is also a pushbutton lock that automatically locks the knife in the open position. The finish on the knife is very good, but with the knife clip, it's a bit thick for my tastes. I removed the clip, and it's better, but still not a small knife. Built-in phillips and straight screwdrivers, plus a bottle opener and holes for a lanyard. Highly rated for its size.

Let me start off by saying that I like this knife so much that I own two of them. The blade opens smoothly, is sharp enough for my needs, and the plunger lock is superb.

The tools, however, really need a locking mechanism. I actually had a need to use the phillips head screwdriver blade recently and I was disappointed.

If I tried to put any amount of torque on the screw - the blade became wobbly in the handle and threatened to close while in use. Oh well, they'll do in a pinch.

First off--I am a woman and I never thought that having and wearing a pocket knife would be so important to me, but this knife made itself so useful that I now consider it part of my everyday wardrobe. Initially, I bought it just to wear while I was at home doing some repair work but I got into such a habit of reaching for it that I started wearing it all the time. I work in a professional office environment so at first I got some odd looks and comments from my co-workers when they noticed it clipped on my belt, but now, I have become the "go-to" person because I'm the only one in the building with a screw driver and sharp knife.

One night I forgot where I put it when I took it off and so I tried several other replacement knives that were a little dressier and more feminine looking but none of them were as handy or dependable as this Gerber knife. What I figured out was that the other knives that looked "nicer" did not have trustworthy locks and the blades were not as sturdy so I found myself being careful with them. The Gerber knife is indestructible and I completely trust it's locking device so I can use it without worrying about it.

The other big selling point about the Gerber knife is it's easy to use and flexible belt clip that works with all my belt sizes--narrow for dress attire and thick for everyday belts with Levis. It has just the right amount of tension so it stays securely in place but it is still easy enough to slide on and off that it only requires one hand and I can do it without looking at it. I have been in some really strange positions--like upside down in a closet with a flashlight in my mouth chasing electrical wires --as long as one of my hands can get to my Gerber knife I can get it off my belt and open for use or I can blindly slide it back on my belt so I don't lose it. And, NONE of the other knives had good belt clips!

I have tried to think of a negative aspect of this knife and the only thing that comes to mind is that at the first glance it seems a little bulky, but I can't imagine a way to streamline it without losing some of it's sturdiness. Actually, I just realized that the bottle opener is useless to me and I'd get rid of it to cut down on the weight and bulk of the knife.

If you put this sturdy "little" knife on your belt it will find ways to be useful and it will make its self indispensable.

knife does not come as sharp as would be expected. bottle opener does not work as well as it should.

very disappointing in the end.

I got this for my son to supplement his Gerber Multi-Tool (which he really likes), so he could have a basic carry knife that also had the most-used tools from his multi (except the plyer) with a more useful blade. This serves that need pretty well, and he's pretty happy with it.

Dad's more picky, however, and I did pass on getting one for me. I've got a bit of a love/meh relatonship going with Gerber: Love their fixed blades, mixed on their folders, and this is a good example: The blade is a bit thinnish and has some play in it. The lock can be a bit stubborn (but solid), and the opening is less than smooth. The tools don't lock open (same deal with your average Swiss Army knife, so no biggy). Blocky handle. Needs jimping.

So he gives it four stars. I'd give it three...

I have several knives and got this one for the added screwdrivers included on the knife. The main improvement that could be made is
that they would lock in place. If you are careful with using them
there is no problem. Over all it is working very well.

This is a pretty good knife. Blade locks securely. The tools aren't for heavy duty use, but even if you don't use them, they might help you avoid a 'carrying concealed weapon' arrest.