CampingGearReview » 2008 » January

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This is the standard folder I carry in my belt BOB. It stays there, and comes out when cooking on all the camping trips. I have had this knife for about 10 years, and still love it. Knife enthusiasts have said that old-school Gerber steel is much better than the new stuff. I don’t know, and will not argue with them. The steel of this knife is good. It is stainless steel of some sort, sharpens easy, and holds the edge well enough. A few years back on one of my camping trips I thought I lost this knife, and replaced it with a Gerber AR 3.00 from Wal Mart. Then, after about 3 months, while cleaning my car, I found the Gator. Hooray! Both knives have their strengths and weaknesses, and the Gator would come out on top, in my opinion.  The clip-point blade seems to be better in old-school Gerber knives like this one. The Gator has a lock-back mechanism, and a “handle made of a hard inner core of glass filled polypropylene, with Santoprene rubber molded and chemically bonded around it.” The grip is exceptional, even when hands are wet. This knife requires both hands for operation. I have tried flicking it open numerous times, and it just will not happen.

I purchased the Gerber AR 3.00 folder after a camping trip to Red River Gorge, when I thought I lost my Gerber Gator. I later found the Gator, but the AR 3.00 stayed with me because I like the pocket clip for every day carry. The blade action is incredibly smooth, and it has a satisfying “click” when locked into place. This is thanks to two Teflon washers on either side of the blade. Opening it with one hand is a breeze for me, thanks to the two thumb-studs. I have seen knives with better studs; some were simply larger, some had checkering to increase friction. I got the black non-reflective blade version from Wal Mart for about $30. The handle is not as comfortable as the Gerber Gator, but fits my hand well enough. I have used this knife on more than one occasion at work to cut fruit, bread, and meats, and it has retained the edge very well. Some purists may say that Gerber knives are not what they used to be, but for the price, AR 3.00 is a good purchase.  This model sports a drop-point blade without serrations.

Gerber AR 3.00 knife Gerber AR 3.00 pocket clip Gerber AR 3.00 open Gerber AR 3.00 liner lock
Gerber AR 3.00 thumb studs Gerber AR 3.00 and Gator 625 Gerber AR 3.00 and Gator right Gerber AR 3.00 and Gator open

Three of the Aquamira Frontier Filters arrived earlier this week. I bought them as a backup, and to put one each in our BOBs. Here is an exert from Aquamira’s web site:

The Frontier Emergency Water Filter System is ideal for hiking, travel, and emergency preparedness. It is the perfect addition to your 72 hour emergency kit. One unit will filter up to 20 gallons (75L) of water. Tests indicate that the Frontier Filter will remove 99.9% of Cryptosporidium and Giardia. The Frontier Emergency Water Filter System is also easy to operate, just attach and expand the straw, submerge the filter end into the water source, and drink through the straw.

Ultra light and compact, the Aquamira Frontier Emergency Filter System weighs less than one ounce and easily slips into a day pack, shirt pocket or travel luggage and is always ready when you need it. The Frontier Filter is the ideal alternative to heavy, bulky and expensive pump filtration units when space and weight are primary factors. Activated carbon helps reduce waterborne chemicals and improves water taste. Use the Frontier Emergency Water Filter System to drink from any bottle, cup or directly from water sources.

I have not used this yet, and don’t intend to unless an true emergency comes up. I do not like to use, then store, then reuse water filters. Especially something as small as this. Back of the packaging states this filter will remove pathogens and contaminants up to 3 microns. This is not very good considering Giardia and Cryptosporidium are smaller than that. The Katadyn Vario filter can filter something as small as 0.3 microns. In an emergency I will take whatever is available, and for it’s size and ease of use the Aquamira Frontier “straw filter” cannot be beat.

Another great tool in anyone’s arsenal. The full size KA-BAR knife feels great in my hand. It’s well balanced, the stacked leather handle feels great in the hand. I got the half-serrated version on a whim, but it may serve some purpose in the future. Some people say that the leather handle gets slippery when wet, and may rot in humid climates. Let’s face it, I am not going to be in those extreme climates to see the handle rot and fall of the knife. My buddy has a full size KA-BAR, with the rubber/nylon handle, and it just does not feel the same in my hand. KA-BAR and Ontario knife company were the two original knife makers for soldiers in WW2 and after, so you can’t go wrong with either one. The 1095 steel is pretty standard for cutlery. It has .95% carbon, and holds the edge very well. It’s not as tough as 1055 steel, which is tougher, but does not hold it’s edge as well. The Cold Steel GI Tanto on my belt BOB has 1055 carbon steel for better durability.

Cold Steel has been in the knife business for as long as I have been using knives as tools while camping. I purchased the GI Tanto a few years back as an inexpensive all purpose camp knife. For $30 it has done a great job. I have cut small trees and branches to make forks for roasting sausages and marshmallows. It’s sharp enough to cut rope and cloth. I have not tried chopping anything large with it, because I believe there is a right tool for every job. For chopping either a hatchet or an axe should be used. To be really effective a hand saw is best. Anyway… this is a cheap instrument I am not afraid to dull, break or loose, and in a real survival situation it can be attached to a makeshift spear to hunt. It does not seem to hold an edge as well as some other knives I have used. The USMC KA-BAR seems to have better (1095 carbon) steel.