Customer Reviews

Gerber 22-47162 Fast Draw Spring Assisted Opening Stainless Steel Fine Edge Knife

5 star:		(37)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I'm a designer, and I compulsively get caught up in the design details of products. I'm not a knife collector, or even an expert. My previous knife is a 40 year old folding Buck knife. I love that Buck, but it's so heavy and awkward to carry. In researching a new knife to buy, I looked for one that was large and sturdy enough to be a good survival knife while on the hiking trail. I also looked for a knife that, was light, had a trim profile, and could be opened with one hand. I found all these in the Gerber "Fast Draw". it's surprisingly sturdy for it's light weight. the spring-assist opening mechanism makes it very easy to open quickly with one hand, and snaps to a solid locked-open position. Like I said, I'm not a knife expert, just someone who appreciates good tools and well designed product--but I would enthusiastically recommend this knife to anyone. Unless you really hate serrated blades, get the serrated version. it's half-serrated, allowing for carving with the front half of the blade, but the serrated section cuts through even the toughest lines with ease.

I have carried a blade just about everyday of my adult life. The whole "feel naked without it thing". I have tried large blades, small blades, fixed blades, switch blades, "butterfly" blades....I even carried a.....well I'd rather not get into that one. I have a fairly large plastic case that I have filled with retired knives over the years. Knives that were too bulky, too slow, too dangerous, too weak, even too ugly. Well, I will not be adding too many knives to that box now. The Gerber Fast Draw is THE FINEST knife I have ever carried. It is the most comfortable, most discreet, fastest opening, safest to carry, easiest to sharpen, best looking, easiest to close, and the easiest to forget it is in your pocket of any knife I have ever carried. I have always been loyal to Gerber over the years, but this is the first time I ever stocked up (bought 2 more) knives to hold for the future when this knife, as all others, is sadly discontinued. I expect a good long time of this knife in my pocket.

The Gerber F.A.S.T. (Forward Action Spring Technology) Draw knife is a pleasure to open and requires nothing more than a nudge on the thumb stud, or a simple push from your index finger on the knifes back to snap into action, and locking the blade in place. It has an excellent 3" 440A High Carbon Stainless blade (that is half serrated) is extremely sharp, and holds an edge for a long time between sharpenings! To close the blade you must slide a small, conveniently located button under your thumb forward and fold. The body of the knife is a very grippable, solid feeling glass-filled nylon, that feels great in your hand.
I love knives and have several Kershaws, Bucks, SOGs and Spyderco knives. I consider myself a knife junkie and enjoy all of my blades. But this knife is often the one I carry with me everyday! I really like the integrated "steel" pocket clip, it is easy to carry in the pocket and releases only when you want! I have recommended this knife to many of my friends and have given them as gifts to knife newbies frequently!

i really like gerber knives, i have many others also.
you need to get used to it, but once you do it's cool.
it's very safe (will not open in pocket, and it's not scary), a stable locking mechanism, can be opened slowly or quickly depending upon how you manipulate the knife, again easy after some initial practice. it is not nearly fast as an auto, not even close, but you get the idea, and its legal, and can use one hand. my Spyderco Delica is still my first choice pocket knife, which can be opened at same speed with less practice, but still a very fun, cool, functional knife.

Updated review: I lowered the star ranking on this because it is hard to stay sharp. I have shapened this knofe three times already and it is dull again. I'm a moderate to light user, around the house type of uses. It still opens fast and is in fact faster than since i bought it.

I was a little disappointed about the sharpness out of the box. A couple of swipes on a sharpening steel changed all that. Like I said, this is not the prettiest knife I've ever owned but it just shouts efficient tool. If you're right handed. I am and everything is right where it should be. With a little practice, the time from pocket to use is a matter of a second.
The blade is substantial and sturdy, I've used mine for anything from chipping ice to slicing up pork ribs.
Steve

I bought the Mini quick draw first and was so impressed with it's feel and function that I bought it's big brother and I can say that I was not disappointed.

Gerber sends excellently sharpened blades from the factory. With only minor honing and polishing, this knife takes a truly frighteningly sharp edge and holds it for a very long time. The workings are a bit slower than the Mini due to the greater mass in the Quick Draw (Sr.) blade.

One of the complaints I've consistently read for both models of these knives is that they "can open in your pocket." I believe this to be Liberalistic Chicken Little'ism rather than any factual based experience.

Both blades must be opened approximately 30 degrees before they'll spring and there is a distinct CLICK in the locking mechanism JUST before this point is reached.

Certainly, one must be cautious with such an implement, but we do not need to create the impression of danger where there is none and only nominal "common sense" is required for safe function.

This is a nice nife and the spring assist works great. My only concern is that the metal that the clip is made of looses its tension quickly and it will loosen its grip on your pocket.

I've owned many Gerber over the years and this is my last one. My last two Gerber like this one were made in China, and neither have lasted as long as my old EZ-Out 450 I was given used. The lock feels cheap, and has failed to fully lock several times. It has the typical hardened resin handle, nothing magical but has a good feel when its clean. There is noticeable flex in the handle. I prefer the handle of my cheaper Leatherman Crater. The blade is similar to other Gerber knives, and holds an edge. Definitely not for prying. It stinks using left-handed because the lock rests on the side. Compared to a Kershaw Blur the assist is hesitant and gives an impression of rough assembly. If you have a knife flying open in your pocket you have problems, but if a company needs to put a "safety" on it there's something wrong with the knife. The opening is quick and strong, but folding gives a grinding feeling. I love the clip design. This knife comes very dull, and will require a good sharpening before use. If you're considering this knife, consider the Kershaw Blur. The Blur is larger, but the silvered blade is comparable in price, and in my opinion of much better quality.

Excellent blade. Keeps it edge nicely, been using for yard work and has stood up well. Quick opening is a feature I really like. Being left handed, is easy to open one handed. Closes okay for lefty, easier for right handed folks.

I'm on my third Fast Draw knife now. I like them but they don't last like they should which is surprising for anything from Gerber. I have other tools from them that are excellent. And this knife is great for about 2 years. After that the opening mechanism gets gritty and noisy and I start to wonder just how secure it is. I have had these knives open in my pocket many times also. That's not a good feeling especially if it's new and sharp. Speaking of new and sharp I can keep these knives very sharp for about a year then they start to go downhill. After about 18 months they get to where it's hard to make them sharp and by 2 years they will barely cut a plastic bag. And I don't abuse my knives. I never cut anything that I shouldn't be cutting.

For the price it's not too bad to just replace these knives after a while. Overall I've been pleased with them but I do wish they were more durable. I'm looking for another knife now and I'll probably try something different this time. I'm tired of having to buy a new one every two years not so much because of the money but more because of the hassle of having it not be sharp for a while and having the mechanism not work so well after a while.