Gerber Ultralight LST or SRM GR5-605?

I’ve been wanting to get a couple small and simple folding knives for basic home and office use.

The Gerber Ultralight LST and the SRM GR5-605 look like they’re about the size I’m looking for.

Are these two comparable in quality?

I might be a little biased because I own the SRM, but not the Gerber.

SRM has:

  1. Finger choil on the blade for a possibly better grip
  2. Thumbstud
  3. Liner lock
  4. Adjustable pivot screw
  5. Less expensive
  6. Pocket clip

http://www.fasttech.com/products/1901/10001877/1150900-sanrenmu-gr5-605-folding-pocket-knife

http://www.gerbergear.com/Essentials/Knives/Ultralight-LST-Knife_46050

I would rather get the SRM than the Gerber. Gerber quality has gone out the window

How’s the blade on the SRM?

I’m not concerned much about the other features, and I can get the Gerber for less than $10 so price isn’t as much of a factor as it may seem. I’m mostly interested in them for their size and am interested in knowing whether the blades can hold an edge.

Is that just in general or are you talking specifically about the Ultralight LST.

Blade on the SRM. I may have sharpened the blade when I first got the knife, but I don’t use it enough to talk about edge retention. However, the blade material is supposed to be 8Cr14MoV (hardness:57HRC+), which is the same material as the SRM 710 knife.

http://www.exduct.com/chinese-folding-knives/srm-folding-knives/srm-folding-knife2013-05-31-11-34-30684912297.html

Edit:
Information found here on edge retention:
http://www.bladehq.com/cat—Steel-Types—332

I am just talking in general. I am not a big fan of lock backs, but most of the liner locks I have handled in the past few years were less than adequate

I have the SanRenMu GR5-605. It’s a good small knife and very good value for money, I also have the GV-604, exactly the same size but it’s a tanto and the blade is chisel ground.
If it’s only light cutting that you’re going to be doing then both the above are well up to the task, if you want a stronger knife then the SanRenMu LB-753 is a slightly larger Axis lock knife and a little bit stronger

As for the Gerbers, look at the Ganzo knives, they make the some of the Gerber knives and (I think) better and cheaper.

Ganzo G706 or Gerber Mini Remix - the Ganzo has one serrated blade and one plain edge.

Ganzo G708 or Gerber Remix.

Personally I don’t like the Gerber knives, I think they’re relying on a good reputation in the past to sell knives of a hit and miss quality, I owned a Gerber for a day, sent it back, it wasn’t the quality that I remembered them selling a few years ago.

I have a couple of Ganzos and they are a good knife, outstanding value as are the SanRenMu knives.

The Gerber blade in the OP is supposed to be made of 400 series stainless steel. Sadly, they don’t say which 400 series steel.

If it’s 420 steel:
http://www.bladehq.com/cat—Steel-Types—332

Please note that I may be guilty of finding quotes to support my bias. :slight_smile: Quasi counterpoint here:

I have a lot of knives in 8Cr13MoV, a couple in Krupp 4116 and a few in 440C.

For what I use them for, general around the house tasks, cutting paracording, opening letters and parcels, plastic clamshell packing - just general stuff - 8Cr13MoV is a great choice, sharpens easily and keeps an edge reasonably well, it certainly doesn’t put me off buying a knife - if that knife is in the “budget” end of the price range.

The better Chinese factories have plenty of experience in using the steel and heat treat it very well, that’s a big part of determining the durability of a steel and they get it right.