Trying out different blades for the Gerber EAB

[AimlessWanderer]

I have both a Gerber EAB and EAB Lite, and figured it would be nice to try out some different blades for it. Rather than just going for the standard utility blades, I tracked down three different types of blades by Jewel Blade, which is part of Swann Morton the scalpel manufacturer, right here in Sheffield. The blades actually took a bit of tracking down, and I ended up waiting for a while before any of the outlets had any of the convex blades in stock

[AimlessWanderer]

Unfortunately, none of the blades were suitable for the EAB straight out of the pack 

The concave blade at the top didn't seat far enough back in the knife for the retaining screw to pass through the front slot. If you slid the blade forwards a little to use the rear slot, the tip of the blade protruded past the end of the handle when closed, and rocked unsafely from not being seated along the back angled face.

The hooked blade in the middle was a complete non starter, as although it sat well enough in terms of the slot, the only support underneath would have been the very tip of the rear seated hook.

The rather illusive (but I tracked the buggers down eventually) convex blades, were actually slightly worse than the first concave ones. Instead of the blade not going back enough by about 1.0-1.5mm, these wouldn't sit back far enough by around 2.5-3.0mm, plus the slot was fractionally too shallow to get the screw through.

[AimlessWanderer]

With a little work, I got the convex and concave blades to fit. It didn't take too much time or effort, but having to grind up blades to get them to fit, kind of defeats the purpose of having disposable blades. You might as well use a "proper" knife, and sharpen it up when needed

[Kampfer]

 

[AimlessWanderer]

All I did was grind a little off the back, trying to maintain as much of the original back angle as possible for stability. I also just tickled a little bit out of the forward slot on the convex blade.

I haven't put them to full use yet, but they seem secure, and the tips of both blades stow safely away in the handles without protruding.

[AimlessWanderer]

I don't think either looks aesthetically pleasing due to the peaked cap look from the overhanging blade groove. However, that too is modifyable via grinding  I might try these out for a while and see if they offer any significant benefit over using standard Stanley/Irwin/Jewel blades, and make my decision from there....




.... or I might think "that's bloody ridiculous" and just go back to standard blades  that's a decision for later though. Right now I have to decide between Red Stripe lager or a bottle of Strawberry and Lime flavoured cider 

[enki_ck]

I have a pack of the hook ones I use with tge EAB. GREAT for clamshell packages, cutting carpet or similar. Never saw the others before though, bu now i must have them.

[AimlessWanderer]

I have a pack of the hook ones I use with tge EAB. GREAT for clamshell packages, cutting carpet or similar. Never saw the others before though, bu now i must have them.

The middle ones on my first pic, that I ruled out for me using?

[enki_ck]

I have a pack of the hook ones I use with tge EAB. GREAT for clamshell packages, cutting carpet or similar. Never saw the others before though, bu now i must have them.

The middle ones on my first pic, that I ruled out for me using?

Yes, but I think my sit better. I had a few so I better not play with sharps so I'll check tomorrow.

[AimlessWanderer]

 

Well, do allow for the fact I'd just sat than on top, so it's not a true reflection of the fit of the blade. Another reason I'll not be using those blades in the EABs, is that I now tend to hold them in a kind of pinched grip, which means that the tip of my forefinger and thumb would be right where the second hook is 

[AimlessWanderer]

I appear to be unable to get a half decent pic of that right now Nikola  but I'll try to get a pic or two another time so it makes more sense

[WWW]

I've only seen the carpet double hook ones. It is really nice to have more options, it just makes the EAB more awesome!!!

[Demel]

These are good ideas. I just picked up a eab lite to pair up with my 400. Never crossed my mind to try different blades. Hopefully you find a few that will work without modding.

[Gerhard Gerber]

Hi

I think you just touched on the (minor) downfall of the EAB, maybe Gerber just missed a trick by not selling replacements.
Or is there something I don't know.....?

You can get the standard carpet knife blades just about anywhere locally, but it took some time and a lot of searching to get the bigger size the EAB uses, and the quality was nowhere near that of the original.

[Corwyn]

Nanana Batmaaan!

[AimlessWanderer]

(Image removed from quote.)

Nanana Batmaaan!

 

[AimlessWanderer]

These are good ideas. I just picked up a eab lite to pair up with my 400. Never crossed my mind to try different blades. Hopefully you find a few that will work without modding.

As I'd usually just be handling packaging and other lighter materials rather than flooring, this still might work out a viable option as the bkades will be in for a while.

Hi

I think you just touched on the (minor) downfall of the EAB, maybe Gerber just missed a trick by not selling replacements.
Or is there something I don't know.....?

You can get the standard carpet knife blades just about anywhere locally, but it took some time and a lot of searching to get the bigger size the EAB uses, and the quality was nowhere near that of the original.

I've no problem getting hold of the standard blades, just wanted to try something different 

[ToolJoe]

I've had no problem with the Irwin blades with the blue stripe. Also, I use serrated blades (can't recall the name of the brand).

[David]

Good idea 50!

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks David 

[enki_ck]

Finally found time to take some pics.

Yeah, my hook blades also sit the way yours do, but in use I never found that to be an issue.

[zoidberg]

I keep a plain blade in the EAB and have multiple other utility knives with the hook blades.

Wasn't impressed with the concave blades when opening packages or cutting zip ties so they don't get much use.

[enki_ck]

And while browsing a bit I found these



Probably too long for a EAB but nice to know these bill hook blades are out there.



Also:



and

[WWW]

Some that were not mentioned are differetn martirial ones, they might not offer much as the shape is the same but are a different option (ceramic, carbide, TiCN coated and graphite). There are also serrated ones and others:

http://www.amazon.com/Olympia-Tools-33-032-5-Piece-Serrated/dp/B008BF1V2W
http://www.speedtac.com/xlr-utility-blade/
http://www.texastooltraders.com/Crayons-Pencils/Accutrax-Pencil-Blade-Utility-Knife-Lead-Blade-Pencil-Inserts-3-Per-Pack/

[AimlessWanderer]

Some really interesting stuff there guys 

[Smashie]

Al, is this the blades being badly made or the EAB not being designed to take anything other than a regular blade?

[AimlessWanderer]

Correct! 




I have no idea  i haven't tried the blades in a different format knife to see if there's any issues. Come to think of it, I don't even know if I own a "standard" Stanley knife....

I usually reach for a fixed blade 

[ToolJoe]

I just put in a gold plated titanium blade from Lowes and it cuts like a charm.