For $39 you just saved a bunch of money without switching to GEICO to spend on other stuff, er kit; really mundane and unromantic items like sleeping bags and a box of matches. Stuff, er kit that may very well mean the difference in a survival situation the fanciest knife cannot influence. Surgical Steel is an old advertising ploy. There is no such animal.Medical instruments are made of various finely grained stainless steels. The finer the grain, obviously less nooks and crannies for pathogens to take up residence and make evicting more difficult in an autoclave unit.This translates to what the mills have that works and costs the least.It's one of the 440 series of steels, AKA in Europe as ROSTFREI with it's own advertising schtick of metallurgy Sigfried would want for killing a dragon and bathing in it's blood.It's not the best for initial sharpening until you cut through the factory edge and get it set up. If you don't know how, get some help. And for another shameless plug for a trusted dealer, buy some inexpensive Moras from www.ragweedforge.com to practise on first.

I am certainly no expert, but I've bought and used knives for decades. My opinion is that I get the best value for my dollar with Gerber knives. There are more expensive better ones, but I have bought more Gerber knives than any other brand because I find that value/dollar ratio hasn't been beat when I've sprung for more expensive better knives and certainly not for cheaper knives.

Take care of it and keep it sharp; it will serve you for years or till you lust after something else, whichever first occurs.

"...I am currently waiting for a Randall 25 6"..."

Great choice. I would love to have a Randall 25, but my choice would be the 5" (just looks better to my eye). I have a Model 5 5", and a Model 8 4". I would almost be willing to trade both of them for one Trapper. Calm down guys, I said almost...

The Gerber Big Rock knife will NOT work as a survival knife ...



... unless you have it with you when you need it.
Enjoy your knife!

Welcome to the forum!

You don't need expensive items for a decent kit. Doug's Personal Survival Pak is a great example. For just $25 you'll find yourself the proud owner of some really high quality gear.

Have fun gathering your gear. Read lots. The folks on this forum bring an incredible wealth of information and talent.

Yep, that fits my philosophy. Learn to use what you carry, and always carry something worth using.

It used to be that Gerber was made in the USA but becareful now there are gerbers out ther made in Taiwan, and China amd they are inferior to the USA made knives.

FYI. that Gerber (Gerber Scientific) is a totally different company, no connection whatsoever with the knife company named Gerber Legendary Blades.

Welcome new guy.



The good ones, yes. The key question is are they enough better for what you paid for them, based on your needs. None of the knives currently in my collection would cost over a hundred dollars to replace, and only a few would be more than fifty dollars.

Same goes for Benchmade. Their bottom of the line blades are made in China...my ERT-1 was made in China.

Oops, I stand corrected.

-Blast