Knives, knives, knives

I have one of the Gerber Rivermates.  I think it is a quality knife but it is hard to get out of the sheath.  In fact, with it clipped on my pfd it is all but impossible to unsheath which renders it pretty useless.  Going to see about fixing that problem right now.

For years I carried a Spyderco folding kife with a serrated blade.  Was easily opened with one hand, held up well in the saltwater environment, but I seemed to always be snagging the belt clip on something which ultimatley led to its current resting place on the bottom of Mobile Bay.

I have one of the Gerber Rivermates.  I think it is a quality knife but it is hard to get out of the sheath.  In fact, with it clipped on my pfd it is all but impossible to unsheath which renders it pretty useless.

I wouldn't go say far as to say all but impossible or useless. You just have to use two hands to take it out. No bigs in my book.

Z

Ok, I'll say there is no doubt about the retention capabilities of the sheath

I spent about 10 minutes this afternoon just inserting and removing the knife from the sheath in the hopes of loosening it up.  Works much better now. 

As for quality, build, and finish of the knife: definitely top notch. 

Found this on a knife forum, from June 2008:

"I emailed Gerber about the "rivermate" knife and told them my wife can not pull the knife out of the sheath. They said they had redesigned the sheath because they had a problem with it falling out and now that they redesigned it people were having trouble getting it out at all. They said they were redesigning the sheath again and she would send me two when they had them finished. I'm happy with the knife, it's a great knife, super sharp!!"

You might want to contact Gerber and perhaps they will send you a new, redesigned, redesigned sheath.

How long ago was this redesign?  The new ones I played with a two different stores both had retention issues (worked too well); this is why I am holding out for the NRS knife.  The NRS has a great little system worked out for their sheath.

the re-redesigned is due in mid May.

How long ago was this redesign?  The new ones I played with a two different stores both had retention issues (worked too well); this is why I am holding out for the NRS knife.  The NRS has a great little system worked out for their sheath.

Beware of that knife. A friend of mine had that and it rusted pretty fast.

Z

Rust issues brings up a good point on material of the knife. As a chef I would recomend any filet knife or steaking knife (scimitar) made from high carbon stainless. The best metal for a knife is high carbon, but rust way to fast almost beforeyour eyes, then the started to mix alloys and add a chromium attribute to them to help them from rusting. They still get blemishes but like Allen said you can buf them out. In the kitchen the last knife you want is anything that is made from surgical steel, why? because it is way to hard, it may keep an edge for a longer bit of time but when is does lose its edge they are very hard to get it back. Also a good tool to have is a nice steel. A steel does not sharpen the blade but re-aligns the edge. a good steel should be magnetic. so when buying one if you can't pick up a paper clip with it then look for a different one. Also a good stone to sharpen with. I know that REI used to sell a 3 headed stone with an oil bath. use mineral oil.
Just something to think about.

... Also a good tool to have is a nice steel. A steel does not sharpen the blade but re-aligns the edge. a good steel should be magnetic. so when buying one if you can't pick up a paper clip with it then look for a different one. Also a good stone to sharpen with. I know that REI used to sell a 3 headed stone with an oil bath. use mineral oil.
Just something to think about.

I have a fetish about sharp knives and use a steel, a diamond rod, and stones to keep everything sharp.  What is the point of a dull knife?

For years I have wondered about the EdgePro sharpening system:

http://www.edgeproinc.com/

And the RazorEdge system:

http://beast.voltztech.com/~razoredge/product_info.php?products_id=33&osCsid=1bed2fd258c008eeba91305a4356a97d

Any experience or comments?

You know those systems like edge pro are nice products, but imo a person should learn to do it by hand first instead of using a jig. Kind of like learning a compass and map before a gps. the one thing that I have is electric wet wheel, only because at times I have a lot of knives to do. Its always good to learn to steel a knife by hand, like a butcher, so much faster then having to put it in a jig.
JMO

i have had the gerber riverrunner (i think its the one with the pointy tip)  its not coming out of the sheath but it is easily removed with one hand...putting it back in usually requires 2 hands though...haven't seen any rust yet but i have only had it for about 4 or 5 months now

people have mixed opinions about pointy knives...i just thought i might need to kill something with it

people have mixed opinions about pointy knives...i just thought i might need to kill something with it

Talking about killing something, ... in the old days (1960s) when fisherman caught dogfish, they would kill them or cut them up for bait.  Still?

people have mixed opinions about pointy knives...i just thought i might need to kill something with it

Talking about killing something, ... in the old days (1960s) when fisherman caught dogfish, they would kill them or cut them up for bait.  Still?

Against the law to mutilate ...

-Allen

You know I read a article a while back about some gov agency wanting to change the comercial name of dog fish to cape shark and try to push there sport harvest of them, touting that they are good to eat. I may let you know later how they taste.

people have mixed opinions about pointy knives...i just thought i might need to kill something with it

Talking about killing something, ... in the old days (1960s) when fisherman caught dogfish, they would kill them or cut them up for bait.  Still?

Against the law to mutilate ...

-Allen

And REALLY bad karma too.

Z