Gerber Paralite Pocket Knife Overview

Backside Line

One of many first issues you could discover concerning the Gerber Paralite is the skeletal body. This design makes an attempt to decrease the burden and improve the knife’s portability (plus, it seems to be cool). Regardless of the trimmed-out body, it stays sturdy and fairly sturdy underneath the stresses of on a regular basis use. 

The blade’s efficiency could be very common. It’s sharp out of the field, however it could actually uninteresting rapidly, requiring extra frequent upkeep. One characteristic distinctive to the Gerber Paralite is the ambidextrous twin thumb studs that make it straightforward to open and a body lock for one-handed closure. There’s loads to love concerning the Paralite knife, however do not forget that it’s made like many different funds knives and is finest for easy makes use of. If you need extra choices, see our information to one of the best pocket knives to search out your superb folding knife.

Construct High quality

The Gerber Paralite is an reasonably priced but well-constructed knife. It has a skeletal body, chopping some weight (nonetheless comparatively heavy for the scale), but it surely stays sturdy and reliable. The blade is constituted of 5Cr13 chrome steel, which holds an edge properly and is straightforward to sharpen. The blade is kind of sturdy, however it may be susceptible to chipping and cracking if used outdoors regular use instances. 

Whereas not constant, the blade could make contact with the deal with pin, main to wreck over time. The body permits for some adjustability, however concentrate on unfastened screws that might compromise efficiency. For the worth, the development is dependable and versatile as an EDC knife.

Blade Retention & Stability

Out of the field, we observed that the blade was sharp and able to use. Some customers have complained concerning the knife being uninteresting, so we had been involved about this immediately. The blade is tightly secured into the body, and it could actually take a while to interrupt in or loosen up for easy operation. 

The blade retains its edge properly, however with constant or rigorous use, it could require frequent honing. Fortunately, such a blade is straightforward to sharpen and preserve. For the worth, the standard of the knife supplies is kind of balanced and ought to be long-lasting if well-maintained.

Ergonomics & Grip

The skeletal deal with of this knife doesn’t appear to intrude in any respect with consolation throughout use. The deal with is skinny however a reasonably common measurement for a pocket knife (4.1 in). The deal with measurement might impression your grip when you have bigger fingers, however we discovered it comfy for most elementary makes use of. The shaping of the deal with enhances consolation whereas holding it as there’s a dip to relaxation your pointer/center fingers and one other small bump on the butt of the knife to relaxation your pinky on or stop slipping.

Corrosion Resistance

The 5Cr13 chrome steel holds up properly underneath regular use however requires common cleansing and upkeep to keep away from rusting or corrosion. This materials comprises round 13% chromium, which varieties a protecting oxide layer on the floor. This layer prevents moisture and oxygen from penetrating the supplies, which is often the first reason for corrosion. 

As extra of a funds blade, the corrosion resistance on this knife was stunning. It appears that evidently the principle downfall of those supplies can be an absence of upkeep. So, bear in mind to scrub your blade and don’t depart it out within the rain, and you need to be simply high quality.

Locking Mechanism

The Gerber Paralite makes use of a basic body lock mechanism. A body lock is built-in into the knife’s deal with, and when the blade is opened, a part of that deal with strikes into place to press towards the backbone of the blade. To shut the knife, you need to push the body lock away from the blade to permit it to return into the deal with. This body lock can work with one hand, however this one is a bit bit tight, so we used two fingers for security. 

Body locks are commonplace amongst pocket knives, and this one did present sufficient safety for primary duties and stress. Watch out to not use the blade till the knife is absolutely locked, as we discovered once you initially flip the blade up and listen to a faint click on, the lock might not but be engaged. This poses some risks for customers in the event that they don’t verify to verify the blade is definitely within the locked place. Our main concern with that facet of the lock is that if it would put on over time and result in locking failures underneath extra excessive pressures. 

We skilled no points utilizing the knife so long as the lock was absolutely engaged. It’s a very simple design that matches seamlessly into the skeletal body.

Weight

The Gerber Paralite isn’t the lightest knife out there. It weighs round 3.4 ozand feels a bit heavy in your hand for its measurement and skeletal body. Nevertheless, it’s nonetheless a reasonably light-weight knife, and the complete metal building ought to contribute to its total sturdiness and lifespan. 

The deal with appears to contribute probably the most to the burden of the knife as a result of the blade itself isn’t essentially that burly. The burden of the deal with contributes considerably to the management and luxury of the knife whereas it’s in use, so the burden of the knife for the efficiency feels sufficient.

Ought to You Purchase the Gerber Paralite?

The Gerber Paralite is a sturdy pocket knife that any common outside fanatic will discover helpful and appropriate for his or her wants. It’s compact and reasonably priced, and the ambidextrous opening makes the knife barely extra accessible. The knife is pretty primary, and the distinctive body construction is straightforward to maintain clear. 

A premium choice could also be finest for those who’re in search of a knife with extra blade management and requires much less upkeep to maintain an edge. For budget-conscious buyers, although, the Gerber Paralite gives wonderful worth for mild every day duties.

What Different Pocket Knives Ought to You Think about?

Kershaw Leek Overview: The Kershaw Leek pocket knife is a extra exact choice than the Gerber Paralite. The first options that distinguish the Leek from the Paralite embrace an assisted opening mechanism and a safe tip-lock system. Whereas the Paralite offers an ambidextrous opening design, it’s harder to open and lacks the added security characteristic of the tip-lock system. Although barely pricier, the efficiency and ease of use might justify the funding for a lot of customers.

Benchmade Bugout 535 Overview: If you happen to’re in search of an ultralight choice with superior edge retention, the Benchmade Bugout 535 could be the correct selection. Weighing only one.9 ounces, this knife is extremely transportable and excellent for backpacking or as a backup knife. The drop-point blade is flexible and sturdy, good for a wide range of duties. Though it’s dearer than the Paralite, its high-quality supplies and building provide long-term worth. 

Opinel No. 8 Overview: The Opinel No. 8 is a pocket knife you’ll be able to be ok with shopping for on a whim. It is among the most cost-effective knives we’ve reviewed, and it solely weighs 1.5 ounces. Whereas it’s extremely reasonably priced, it performs like a funds knife would, however with the added allure of a wood deal with. The basic design has a collar lock, which requires two fingers to open however remains to be efficient. This knife is finest for these searching for an inexpensive knife and recognize a easy, conventional pocket knife design.