Fats Little Fastened Blade: Gerber Stowe Compact Knife Overview

Practicality leads the best way in Gerber’s utilitarian, on a regular basis carry knife.

I’ve reviewed a veritable library of knives for GearJunkie, so this confession ought to shock completely nobody: I actually like small fastened blades. Their sturdy building, versatile nature, and nimble profiles enable them to carry out all method of superb element duties that giant knives shouldn’t or can’t.

So, when Gerber’s social media people started dropping photos of a brand new Stowe mannequin, I used to be instantly intrigued. A light-weight, sensible device supposed to vanish on the belt? It’s like they’re talking my language.

Gerber despatched over a pattern for testing and, with a 5-day tenting journey on the horizon, the timing couldn’t have been higher. Learn on to see why the Stowe, after a full 2 weeks of service, managed to sneak its manner into the “Greatest Fastened Blades Underneath $50” dialog.

Briefly: The Gerber Stowe is a compact, inexpensive, well-designed fastened blade with a flexible form and strong grip. Its snug trip and light-weight nature make it a wonderful companion for out of doors journey, although the sheath itself has some flaws.

Gerber Stowe Knife: Overview

Design and Pricing

At simply over 3 ounces and 6 inches, the Stowe is a decidedly compact device. Its 2.5-inch edge makes it barely shorter than favorites just like the Uinta Hunter V2 or ESEE Izula-II, whereas stretching a half-inch longer than the Candiru.

However with a retail worth of $47 (or $40 at KnifeCenter), the Stowe is considerably cheaper than the opposite standouts in its class.

I notably benefit from the leaf-shaped blade, which is harking back to a Spyderco Dragonfly 2 or Native 5. The taller natures of those designs are typically regular below stress, with the additional slope permitting for higher management of the sting.

It needs to be famous that the Stowe isn’t precisely an solely youngster. Its sister providing, the Dibs, options the identical metal and profile.

The Dibs eschews the micarta, aiming for an much more light-weight expertise. I just like the micarta and customarily choose some width in my grip, so the Stowe was the simple selection for overview.

However when you’re a fan of the skeletonized look, the parents at Gerber have you ever coated.

Efficiency and Journey

For the primary week of its keep, the Stowe was relegated to around-the-house duties. It put in respectable service as a vegetable chopper, and it sliced mushrooms with stunning aplomb.

It additionally tackled packaging, cardboard, and quite a few comparable foes within the storage.

However clearly, it is a knife supposed for the outside. With this in thoughts, I hitched the Stowe onto my belt and hit the woods.

Over a span of 5 days, it sliced cheese, trimmed a number of bandages, and even helped with some fundamental whittling. The chamfered edges of the blade’s shoulders gained’t draw sparks from a fireplace metal, however the knife is greater than able to shaving tinder from dry wooden.

Can it baton? Sure, however why? Any stick sufficiently small for the two.5-inch blade to hammer by way of is already nearly kindling measurement.

Nonetheless, when you should, the Stowe’s full tang will maintain as much as the punishment.

The sting, nevertheless, may not. See, 440A is ok as a finances stainless-steel, but it surely’s not as powerful as among the high-carbon variants present in, say, an ESEE.

My fast batoning experiments put a number of dings within the edge, so it’s not a observe I’d encourage.

Drawbacks

Maybe the weakest level of the bundle isn’t the knife, however the sheath. It’s mild and cozy, and it rides nearly effortlessly at your aspect. However between the folded belt loop and the slot for the blade, there’s a skinny, unreinforced space that seems to be weak to put on.

And the close by strap that holds the knife in place sits in a clumsy place. When drawing, you must undo the snap and tuck your fingers between the strap and the deal with. In any other case, the heel of the blade will dig into the leather-based.

Now, this isn’t a dealbreaker. The Stowe might be simply drawn with one hand, after a minute or two of observe.

However changing the blade at your aspect could require some further consideration.

The Gerber Stowe: Conclusion

Regardless of my qualms with its carriage, I’m a particular fan of the Stowe. It served me effectively by way of 2 full weeks of testing, each in and outdoor.

It’s a brief knife with a really tall edge, making it maneuverable and protected below grip. I’d advocate the Stowe to anybody in search of a compact, light-weight knife for tenting, gardening, and even wilderness meals prep.

Nonetheless, I’d prefer to see Gerber come out with one other sheath choice, particularly a Kydex or comparable variant. One thing like what ESEE does with the Izula-II’s black molded affair — now, that will be fairly candy.

However as it’s, the Stowe is a welcome addition to the corporate’s lineup, and one among my high small fastened blades of 2022.

Examine Value at GerberExamine Value at KnifeCenter