Gerber is no stranger to tougher-than-nails knives that can withstand the punishments dealt out by Mother Nature. Now, the company steps it up quite a few notches with the Terracraft knife, one of the premier knives of its new Reserve Program (more on that later).
This top-quality knife pulls double duty as both a rural aid for all types of bushcraft and survival applications, as well as urban uses for both tactical needs and general-purpose, everyday use. What sets these knives apart from others is that they are created in small batches. That ensures each knife receives individualized attention to overall quality, proper functionality, and small details that may otherwise be overlooked if mass-produced.
I had a chance to take the Terracraft in hand to review its sleek design and characteristics, as well as test the blade under intense real-life situations. Will it incur top marks and reach the top of its class, or is it far more style than substance? The answer lies ahead, but just a hint: Order yours today before they’re gone.
INITIAL IMPRESSION
Simple and solid are two adjectives that came to mind as soon as I picked up the Terracraft knife. With full tang construction and a handle that was absorbed into the contours of my palm, the knife exhibited the perfect extension of my own hand. The 4-inch blade offered just the right amount of cutting length, and looking at the thickness of the blade, I knew this knife could hold up to loads of abuse out in the field. The pommel, upon some pre-test research, boasted hammer-ready effectiveness, and it appeared to be able to back up that claim. Three pre-drilled holes were equally spaced on the handle, no doubt contributing to the well-balanced feel.
This story is from the March-April 2021 edition of Knives Illustrated.
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This story is from the March-April 2021 edition of Knives Illustrated.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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TIP TALK
UNDERSTANDING THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BLADE TIP SHAPES AND WHY IT MATTERS
HOLDING FIRM
GETTING A GRIP ON KNIFE HANDLE BENEFITS, MATERIALS, AND FUNCTIONALITY
EDGE UP
TIPS, TRICKS, AND TECHNIQUES TO SHARP WHEN ADVENTURING FAR FROM HOME
THE COMBAT KITCHEN
SLICE, DICE, CHOP, AND CUT: FOOD PREP WITH BLADES FROM POPULAR TACTICAL KNIFE COMPANIES
MORAKNIV Classics
THESE TIMELESS BUSHCRAFT KNIVES HAVE BEEN UPDATED AND ARE BETTER THAN EVER
ONE FOR THE ROAD
CHOOSING AN “EVERYWHERE KNIFE” CAN BE DIFFICULT DUE TO COMPLICATED KNIFE LAWS
TRAVELING LIGHT
SOMETIMES, INEXPENSIVE UTILITY BLADES YOU PICK UP AT YOUR DESTINATION CAN GET THE JOB DONE
MATCHED PAIR
JB KNIFE WORKS LAYMAN KNIFE AND GAMBIT HATCHET COMBO: ONE PICKS UP WHERE THE OTHER LEAVES OFF
WHEN BIGGER IS BETTER
THE CAS IBERIA CHOP HOUSE IS A MACHETE THAT PROVIDES BIG BLADE CUTTING POWER
KITCHEN KNIVES DON'T HAVE TO BE DULL
I have a confession to make. See if this sounds familiar. I take meticulous care of the knives I use for everyday carry, hunting, and general woods wandering. I wipe them down with an oily cloth after use and I never let them get too dull. Seldom do I have to restore a damaged edge. Most of the time I simply touch up the edges of my pocketknives with a few careful strokes across the rough bottom of a ceramic coffee cup. That’s usually all that’s needed. I don’t use my knives as screwdrivers or pry bars. As a matter of fact, I still have the very first knife I ever owned, an old Boy Scout knife that was handed down from my older brother. The blades have a deep patina that comes with using carbon steel over the years, but the knife is very usable still.
