Gerber has been releasing some really interesting knife designs lately, such as the Quadrant that we’re about to talk about in this review. But let’s rewind to the first new Gerber Knife that really caught my eye…The Fastball that I’ve talked about over on my Instagram.
I bring up the Fastball because I feel like Gerber is coming back onto the radar for a lot of knife collectors, myself included. They’re making some great steps as a company by bringing a lot of their manufacturing back to Portland, Oregon. And, in the case of the Gerber Quadrant, they’re producing some really interesting Chinese Knives again too.
Gerber Quadrant Review
Since the Gerber Quadrant is brand new and not even being sold in most places yet, here are some specs:
- Bamboo Handle (also offered in a white g10 composite handle)
- Frame Lock
- 7Cr17Mov Blade Steel
- 2.7″ Blade Length
- Straight Edge Sheepsfoot Blade
- Flipper Opening
- Deep Carry Pocket Clip
- Black Textured Frame
- Made in China (Designed in Oregon)
- Price: Around $30
This is certainly a great option for someone who wants a classy looking gentleman’s folder that won’t break the bank. But, let’s dig a little further into the knife’s performance since I’ve been carrying it.
Gerber Quadrant Blade Shape
The blade shape is one of the most unique parts about the Gerber Quadrant and quite honestly the thing that appealed to me the most. However, it is also the one thing that takes the most getting used to when using the knife. Since the blade does not have a pronounced spear-point type of tip, you’ll find yourself using the blade in a different way than most other pocket knives.
It works great for scoring types of cuts like you would do with a box cutter. You can also utilize the far end of the blade edge for precise cuts. Overall, I really enjoy the blade shape as a fun change-up from the status quo.
Gentleman’s Knife
Never have I owned a knife that screams “Gentleman’s Knife” more than the Gerber Quadrant. This knife has so much appeal and gets so much attention because of its classic design. It’s quite simply a beautiful knife and an instant classic in my collection.
Gerber Quadrant Deep Carry Clip
Speaking of getting attention…We’re going to talk about the exact opposite with the Quadrant’s deep-carry clip. The deep-carry clip totally buries the Quadrant into your pocket and hides it fully. The silver finish of the clip also works very well with light colored pants, if you want to be as inconspicuous as possible.
I have not once had an issue with this clip snagging on anything or allowing the knife to slip away from my pocket either. Gerber did a really fantastic job with this clip.
Gerber Quadrant Performance Review
Cutting Ability: The Gerber Quadrant has been a great performer so far and I have sharpened it a bit as well (more on that in a second). I have cut through a ton of stuff with great results so far: Paracord, packing tape, jute twine, scraps of leather, paper backdrops here in my photography studio…You name it. I’ve even done a bit of food prep with this knife and it works great for cutting up veggies.
Sharpening: As with most of these budget-friendly blade steels, the 7Cr17MoV blade steel will need some sharpening a bit sooner than higher end/harder steels…That’s just a part of the game on these affordable knives. With that said, it is a very easy knife to resharpen in all regards. I’m able to get it back to shaving like a razor with my Work Sharp Field Sharpener in a matter of minutes (using the fine ceramic stone & strop loaded with green compound).
Gerber Quadrant Lockup & Action
The lockup on the Gerber Quadrant is around 100% of the frame lock. I have not been able to make it engage any further than that and it has always been really easy to unlock. The action on the Gerber Quadrant is really smooth with a slight flick of your wrist.
Gerber Quadrant Fit & Finish
The overall fit & finish on the Quadrant is nice. Especially given its sub $30 price. Here are some quick points about the fit & finish as I’m holding it and writing this review:
- All of the edges are very smooth and have no hot-spots.
- The bamboo handle is a classy touch.
- All of the screws fit nice and flush.
- I love the grind lines on the satin portion of the blade.
- The factory bevels and edge arrived shaving sharp.
- However, The Quadrant’s actual cutting edge is not 100% straight. As you can see below, the edge sort of curves a little bit. I want to say this is on purpose to give it a more authentic look like a straight razor, but I’m not sure. With that said, this doesn’t affect performance or cutting abilities, but it’s something I noticed right away.
Overall Thoughts
I have been carrying the Gerber Quadrant exclusively since it arrived and I’m really enjoying it. Gerber managed to pack a lot of style and performance into this knife for $30. And it definitely has a permanent home in my collection now.
Who would like the Gerber Quadrant: EDC enthusiasts, knife collectors, someone looking for a good budget knife or giving it as a nice gift.
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Ethics Statement: Gerber sent the Quadrant over to me with no request of a full review…I just happened to like the knife so much that I wanted to share it with you all. Gerber has not previously proof-read or influenced this article in any way. All opinions, statements, and content are my own.
