We have the ancient Romans to thank for the invention of the folding knife. The tool that now seems timeless was, in that day, an innovation on a par with the smartphone. It took an essential accouterment for living amid a politically turbulent and religiously barbaric culture and made it safer to carry and easy to conceal. By the 16th century, pocket knives were a standard part of a man’s uniform, be he a soldier, sailor, merchant, farmer, or anything in between.
There are those who carry a pocket knife and there are those who carry a Gerber.
Even in this far gentler day and age, the pocket knife is just as essential as it was in antiquity. True, you’re unlikely (not to mention ill-advised) to use your knife as a form of personal defense (for that, we have Twitter). However, while online tech may be the best way to brandish your aggression, it can’t do much to help you sharpen a pencil, open a letter, or tighten a screw. Enabling everything from picking a lock to get out of a train station bathroom (yes, that’s happened to me) to cutting a flower to offer a pretty lady, the pocket knife confers a signature stamp of manliness upon its owner. The man who carries a pocket knife is a man who is ready for anything.
Today, there are those who carry a pocket knife and there are those who carry a Gerber. This American heritage company, which turns 70 years old this year, makes the kind of knives that no one should carry until they’ve ruined a few blades with careless use and learned to respect this small but indispensable element of being a grown-ass man.
Gerber’s latest release, the Fastball, follows in that same proud lineage while boasting a few trend-forward features. This EDC (that’s “everyday carry” for you noobs) folding knife features an aircraft-grade aluminum handle with an oxide-coated S30V Wharncliffe blade that flips open with the flick of a finger. That quick, smooth deployment comes courtesy of Gerber’s trademark B.O.S.S. technology (again for the noobs, that’s “Balls of Stainless Steel”). This unique ball-bearing system reduces frictions for consistent and seamless opening. The three-position pocket clip allows for ambidextrous carry—you can also remove it entirely if stealth is of the essence.
Weighing in at just 2.7 ounces, with a blade length of 3 inches and an overall length of 7.1 inches, the Gerber Fastball can be ordered in three handle colors: green, gray, and black. No matter which you choose, the Fastball will complement your style and keep you ready for whatever life throws your way.
