The Gerber EAB (Exchange-A-Blade) Utility Folding Knife
Utility knives. I love utility knives – particularly the folding knife variations – ever since receiving my first SuperKnife several years ago. Just recently I purchased the Gerber EAB. I was looking for a good backup EDC knife that was small enough to carry everyday yet still functioned like a full-size folding knife.
I was not disappointed.
Size comparison: Gerber EAB and Gerber ClutchThe first thing you’ll notice about the EAB is the small, sleek design. Measuring only 2.4 inches closed, the EAB is a small but full-size utility knife. It has all the same features and design other folding utility knives have but what Gerber did was cut down as much of the size as possible to make it a stylish, lightweight folding knife.
Product specifications:
· Overall Length: 4.1"
· Blade Length: 1.7"
· Closed Length: 2.4"
· Weight: 2.2 oz.
· Blade Style: Contractor grade utility blade (replaceable)
· Blade Material: High carbon K5
· Blade Type: Fine
· Handle Material: Stainless Steel
· Colour: Silver (Satin Finish)
· Opening Style: Nail nick for easy opening
· Packaging: Sealed plastic clamshell
Stock photoOnce opened, the EAB has a simple, very minimalistic look. In fact, the knife looks dangerously bare with its simple design but rest assured, it is safe to handle. The grip is comfortable for small to medium-sized hands and the satin finish compliments the knife very nicely. In the open position, the knife handle exhibits a curved grip that comfortably fits your middle and ring finger while your index finger wraps around the contoured blade guard. Positioning your index finger below the blade guard is also a comfortable and secure grip.
When closed, the EAB has a very smooth and stylish look and resembles a sleek cigarette lighter or compact cigar cutter. (In fact, I have a vintage razor blade cigar cutter/utility knife from the 1960’s that resembles the EAB.) As an alternative, the fixed, non-removable belt clip can even function as a money clip.
Another plus for the EAB is the weight. Weighing in at only 2.2 ounces, this knife is perfect for super-lightweight EDC on your belt or pocket. You can carry it all day long and not even notice or remember that it’s there.
Size comparison; from top to bottom: Gerber EAB, SuperKnife, SuperKnife 2 (SK2)
Easy to replace bladesFor those who don’t know, “EAB” stands for “Exchange-A-Blade” and that’s the key feature of this knife. Marketed as a utility folding knife, the EAB uses removable contractor utility blades that you can buy at any hardware store. Like the original SuperKnife, the blade is held in place with a small screw so when your blade becomes dull, simply remove the screw and swap the old blade out with a new one.
Despite being an excellent knife, the EAB still has some negative points. First, there’s no jimping anywhere on the knife handle so the smooth satin finish may provide a slippery, uneasy feel when you’re holding it. Again, if you have large hands, this knife may feel a bit small for you but those with small to medium-sized hands should be able to hold it quite comfortably.
Also functions as a money clipFor quick, one-handed access, the EAB doesn’t open very well but crafty owners could swap out the blade screw with a taller one to serve as a make shift thumb stud for quick deployment. It is possible to open the knife with one hand but the small “nail nick” feels awkward. A larger thumb stud screw would easily correct this. (NOTE: The knife doesn't include any additional blade screws so you would have to search for one that fits the knife perfectly or contact Gerber for replacement screws should you lose the original.) On a positive note, the knife does swing open smoothly with very little force. If you do use one hand to open it, it may be awkward at first but you’ll be accustomed to it soon.
HOWEVER, unless you change to a larger blade screw/thumb stud, I would not rely on - or recommend - this knife in an emergency situation as the smooth satin finish and lack of a proper thumb stud and jimping may give you "butter fingers" as you try to deploy it quickly.
Also, because of the specific design of this knife and the non-removeable belt clip, this knife is strictly for right-handed users. Southpaws are out of luck.
If the pivot is too loose or tight to your liking, the tension can be adjusted with a spanner tool. The downside however, is that the knife doesn’t include one and it may be hard finding one that is the correct size for the EAB.
Once deployed, the blade is secured with a liner lock. Though a liner lock on such a small knife would seem unreliable and weak, this liner lock is actually quite sturdy and holds up extremely well. I haven’t subjected my EAB to extremely rigorous testing yet but it does feel strong enough to hold up against a lot of stress.
Photo comparison: Original faulty EAB vs new corrected versionThe original EAB model was deemed rather faulty in design and left the blade exposed by the guard support near your fingers. As a result, accidental or improper positioning of your hand while the knife is deployed (or if the blade becomes loose) could slice your fingers wide open. Realizing this dangerous oversight, Gerber recalled close to 160,000 units of the original EAB in August 2007 and quickly released a corrected version that housed the blade in a new grooved finger guard. This – coupled with the blade screw – provides a more secure setup for the blade.
If you still own the original EAB model, I believe Gerber will offer to replace it with the newer version. You can contact them at
www.gerbergear.com.
The original MSRP on Gerber’s website is $16 USD but many places will usually sell this for around $10-$15 USD. In Canada, Canadian Tire sells it regularly for $16.99 CDN ($13.99 USD) but I purchased mine on sale for $8.49 CDN ($6.99 USD).
Overall, the Gerber EAB is a great knife to have for EDC and the low price even sweetens the deal. Gerber could've added and tweaked a few things to further improve the knife design but I have a feeling they wanted a smooth, modern and sleek executive look with this knife. (ie: More classy, less tactical and rugged.) While a larger utility knife would be fine for your toolbox or desk drawer, the small stature of this Gerber super-lightweight makes it purely EDC and whether you’re going camping, at work or just want to be like James Bond with a stylish money clip with a razor edge surprise, the Gerber EAB is a good knife.
Pros:· Uses standard contractor-grade utility blades
· Small and light weight
· Can be used as a money clip
· Perfect for backup EDC and personal safety
· Low price
Cons:· Small “thumb stud”
· Inefficient and slightly awkward one-handed opening
· Too small for big hands
· No jimping for a more secure grip
· No spanner tool to adjust pivot tension
· Only good for right-handed users. Southpaws are out of luck.
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