Settling on the best Gerber knife for you is not an impossible task, but it will definitely be a tough one. That’s partly because of the fact that Gerber Legendary Gear is pretty much just that - legendary gear - here in the United States. It would be impossible to determine one single ‘best Gerber knife’ of all to begin with, not only because there might not be one single best knife, but because there are just so many great ones.

That being said, the place to start is to determine what you’re looking for in a knife. Usually, the first hurdle to clear is whether you want a fixed or a folding knife. We’ll also have to go through what you want to use the knife for, but we’ll cover that in each model explored. Here are some great picks in folding knives.

Gerber Airfoil
This knife is a really light, sleek option for EDC or for general utility that packs a lot of features you'll grow to love into one slim and attractive package. Its blade is just shy of 3 inches which for some people who carry every day is just about the sweet spot for a whole lot of different chores you can knock out with a knife. Its drop point is so fine and so symmetrical it might even be called a spear point - might be. Whatever you call it, it’s great for piercing and just fine for cutting tasks as well. That blade is paired nicely with a smooth anodized aluminum handle that is tough and lightweight. Most importantly, however, it can be either clipped to or dropped in a pocket with equal comfort.

Gerber Flatiron
This is a folder with a really unique, nearly squared point of which you won’t find too many imitations on the market. Somewhat in the style of a folding cleaver, the Flatiron has been enjoying a lot of popularity with hunters and knife owners because it places an emphasis on cutting rather than penetration. There are a few situations where it can be beneficial to have a razor-sharp edge but to keep the risk of penetration cuts to a minimum. Just like the airfoil, clip it to a pocket or drop it in and forget it’s there till you need it.

Gerber Gator G6064 (Black Kraton Handle and Plain Edge)
The Gator, in multiple stylistic options, is one of the most popular and effective Gerber designs ever released. Perhaps some of the fixed versions are more popular, but there are many hunters and other outdoorsmen out there with one or two in their pockets. This particular Gator is one of their lockback folders with a deep choil, a sturdy drop point, and a straight edge. It’s simple and easy to clean design is great for hunters and other outdoorsmen who will use the knife heavily.

There are times when you really just need to rely on the strength of a fixed blade. If you are more interested in the structural integrity of a fixed blade, then Gerber offers even more to love. Here are some excellent designs you’ll find with the Gerber mark on them, some new and some classic.

Gerber Tri-Tip Mini Cleaver
This is another one of Gerber’s more interesting and fairly recent designs, somewhat similar to the Flatiron but with a fixed configuration. This knife was designed with hunters and camp cooks in mind, and the knife’s beefy edge and compact dimensions make it great for jobs that normally be reserved for a larger, fuller cleaver. You can keep it in camp for quartering game and then preparing the meat for the pot just as easily as you can just use it to dice up vegetables for the stew. Hunters and campers alike will appreciate the fact that it allows for many carry options.

Gerber Strongarm
The Gerber Strongarm is another one of Gerber’s iconic fixed blades. Although it's useful in tactical situations, hunters and bushcrafters can make great use of it too. It has a stout blade that can split, chop and cut with ease, but it offers a suite of other benefits as well.

Practical outdoorsmen will love the fact that the grip offers about the best traction you can find out there and that the pommel is exposed to make it easy to break or crack through obstructions while reserving the blade for finer work.

Gerber LMF II Infantry Combo Edge
This is arguably Gerber’s most recognizable fixed blade. Like the former entry, it will excel as a tactical knife, but it offers a suite of functional design features over the Strongarm. Its grips are stouter, its pommel is beefier, and the combo edge gives the user the best of both worlds. You can saw through rope or dress a deer with equal ease with this knife. It’s a rock-solid dependable knife that’s well known amongst users for its ability to buck abuse and keep an edge.

Even if you’re looking for some different features in what you might call the “best Gerber knife,” and you aren’t specifically drawn to these highlights, you can find many more Gerbers where they came from right here on our site. Check our page of Gerber Gear to find the best Gerber knife for you, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to reach out to us at WhiteMountainKnives@gmail.com.