Gerber Paraframe 1
by Coy Starnes
http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/275
The Gerber Paraframe 1 features a 3 in clip point blade made of high grade surgical stainless steel. In fact, the whole knife is made of stainless steel. I am testing the fine edge but it is also available in a serrated edge. The blade is made of 400 Series stainless steel and the handle is cut from 314 grade stainless steel. I say cut because the handle has portions removed to reduce weight. The knife weighs only 2.6 oz which is light for a 3 inch folding knife.
The Paraframe 1 features a unique locking mechanism called the Frame Lock (not to be confused with a Liner Lock). Other features are the dual thumb studs for easy opening with either hand and a pocket clip. The pocket clip is not reversible but it is very sturdy. In fact the whole knife is very sturdy. After marveling at the sharpness I grabbed the blade and did what I call a wiggle test. The blade barely moves when pulled sideways and also back and forth in the open and close motion. In other words the Frame Lock hold the blade in the open position very securely.
What I really like about this knife is the size and weight. A 3 inch blade is a nice working sized blade but still small enough that it can be easily carried. In fact, I have already carried the knife on a pair of gym shorts without pockets by just clipping it on the waist band and had no trouble with it pulling down on my shorts.
Another thing I really like is the price of this knife. The suggested retail is $32 but I did a quick google search and found it for around $20 on several sites but even better, I also saw the same knife in Wal-Mart for $18. The reason I like this is, I find I fell better using a knife for rough stuff when I don’t have so much invested in the knife. But I still want a knife that won’t close when pushed from the back side like so many of the cheap liner lock knives do.
And now for the knife review. I’ve only had the knife for a week but I have already used it quite a bit. In other words, enough that I feel I can make a solid evaluation. First is the blade sharpness. All I’ll say is it shaves the hairs on my arm like nobody’s business.
Next is easy of deployment. The pocket clip is positioned so that when I put the knife on my right side, either in my pocket or on my gym shorts, and with the pocket clip facing away from my body, the knife comes out in my right hand in the position I would normally hold a knife to open it with the thumb stud. However, if placed on my left side I need to put the clip on the inside (facing my body) to get the same results. This isgood for me since I am right handed. I also prefer the right side carry with the knife on the inside because all that is showing outside my pocket is the clip.
I have noticed the knife is not all that easy to open but still very manageable one handed. I could loosen the tension on the blade but then the blade would have more play so I am happy with the tension as is. BTW, the center torx screw on the pocket clip is also the screw that allows the blade tension to be adjusted and if loosened it will also loosen the pocket clip slightly. In fact, I could also remove the pocket clip and leave it off if I prefer. However, the pocket clip is so handy for times when I don’t have a pocket so I don’t plan to do this.
Closing the knife is a two handed job. The Frame Lock just does not lend itself to one handed closing. However, this is true with liner lock and regular lockback knives. And since this is not really a tactical knife I don’t see this as a drawback. And speaking of the Frame Lock, I don’t know quite haw to describe it but suffice it to say, the handle is cut in such a way the part of it moves over behind the butt end of the blade and locks in in place upon opening.
I’ve already mentioned it but I think it is worth repeating just how much I am impressed with just how sturdy this locking machanism is. I took the knife and opened it and tried to force it closed (keeping my hand in a safe position in case it did). I could not get it to even hint that it might close accidentally. I then took the knife and struck it pretty hard on the back side of the blade and again it remains locked firmly in place. The reason I am so impressed is I have several cheap liner lock knives that I have been able to close without mashing the lock bar over. In other words, they would close when not meant too.
Summary
There are a lot of good knives out there and Gerber is one of them. In fact, I own several myself including my favorite, the Gerber Gator. However, the Gator is too big for EDC (every day carry). I think the Parafram 1 knife hits the sweet spot in quality, aforadability and is also an ideal size for EDC. The blade is very sharp and the locking mechanism is fool proof. The cut out handle might even make the knife easier to clean but it does help reduce the weight of the knife.
Gerber Paraframe 1 closed
The
Gerber Paraframe 1 features a 3 in clip point blade made of high grade surgical stainless steel. In fact, the whole knife is made of stainless steel. I am testing the fine edge but it is also available in a serrated edge. The blade is made of 400 Series stainless steel and the handle is cut from 314 grade stainless steel. I say cut because the handle has portions removed to reduce weight. The knife weighs only 2.6 oz which is light for a 3 inch folding knife.
The Paraframe 1 features a unique locking mechanism called the Frame Lock (not to be confused with a Liner Lock). Other features are the dual thumb studs for easy opening with either hand and a pocket clip. The pocket clip is not reversible but it is very sturdy. In fact the whole knife is very sturdy.
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