Gerber Transit.

[Chako]

I like utility knives. I just like the notion that you can replace the blade when it is worn out...meaning that you can use them for all sorts of cutting needs that I wouldn't use a good knife on for fear or ruining the blade.

Today, I want to talk a little about the Gerber Transit. I found this one on-line and it only cost around 10 US dollars.

What attracted me to this was mostly in part, it looks like one of the handles off of a Gerber Groundbreaker. On closer inspection, you can see some differences in handle design, but the colours do match. While I am on this topic, I must add that the Transit feels better than the utility knife that comes as part of one handle of the Groundbreaker. The black rubber insert is very tactile, and it plays well with the textured orange plastic.



The backside features a nice little pocket clip.



My only complaint of the Gerber Transit is the archaic blade changing mechanism. Yes, that is a screw holding that blade. Worst yet, it is slotted! A Phillips would have been a lot more convenient. Better, yet, how about any of the multitude of tool-less designs out there.



As with most Gerber multi-tools, this one is a frame lock design...which is ok with me. The locking is positive and I have no complaints with it.

So where does this leave the Transit. It is a very nice feeling utility knife with excellent grip on those handles...only to be let down with an archaic blade retention system. Gerber really got the handle shape and materials right on this one.

[Grant Lamontagne]

It would be nice if someone could combine the grippiness (and good looks!) of the Transit with the mechanism of the Seber QuickChange.



That is a really neat knife, but not too distinctive looking, and being all aluminum isn't terribly grippy.

Def

[Chako]

That is exactly it. Although I love the shape and feel of the Transit, I would forgo it for something less comfortable simply because I couldn't be bothered to do a big production every time I wanted to flip/change the blade. I suppose the positive here is that the blade lock is very positive with no wiggle, shimmy, or movement. But come on...a screw? There are so many different blade exchange systems out there...and to add insult to injury, they used a slotted screw. 

[Nhoj]

Another example of Gerber having a good idea, and doing something like that screw to ruin it

[Sparky415]

Looks like a good one to me with or without the screw     and loving the orange   

[Nhoj]

Ok I take back saying ruin but it could be improved

[enki_ck]

I don't consider the screw a problem. They have been using it on the EAB for years now and no one considered it a problem. Fancy blade exchange mechanisms add bulk and are prone to problems/breakage. As you said, this way it's very secure and doesn't wiggle. And you can service it with a SAK. Even a small VIC Classic is enough. And most of us have at least a 58mm SAK of some kind on us.

I could see it improved though simply by making a cut out in the scale and replacing the screw with a thumbstud screwed into the hole where the screw is. That way you'd just have to unscrew the thumbstud to replace the blade.

[jerseydevil]

I don't consider the screw a problem. They have been using it on the EAB for years now and no one considered it a problem. Fancy blade exchange mechanisms add bulk and are prone to problems/breakage. As you said, this way it's very secure and doesn't wiggle. And you can service it with a SAK. Even a small VIC Classic is enough. And most of us have at least a 58mm SAK of some kind on us.

Exactly!  I use my EAB hard all the time, and really don't see the screw as an issue.  The small driver on a Vic can opener fits that screw perfectly.  It's not like I need to accomplish a blade flip in seconds at work....  This is one I think I'm going to get my hands on. 

[Gareth]

I really like the look of that one, cheers for the heads-up Dan.

[cbl51]

I don't consider the screw a problem. They have been using it on the EAB for years now and no one considered it a problem. Fancy blade exchange mechanisms add bulk and are prone to problems/breakage. As you said, this way it's very secure and doesn't wiggle. And you can service it with a SAK. Even a small VIC Classic is enough. And most of us have at least a 58mm SAK of some kind on us.

I could see it improved though simply by making a cut out in the scale and replacing the screw with a thumbstud screwed into the hole where the screw is. That way you'd just have to unscrew the thumbstud to replace the blade.

 

I love the screw!! It seems more reliable than some of the flimsy quick change mechanisms I've seen. And a slotted screw is so easy to deal with, even if you don't have a SAK classic on your keying. A dime, butter knife, esge of my old army issue P-38, al will deal with a slotted screw. 

I'll have to pick up one of these!