A quick look at the Gerber Assert folding pocket knife reveals some differences compared to Gerber’s typical designs. We got our hands on one to swap out as our EDC to help you decide whether the changes are worth making or if you should stick to what’s more familiar.
Pros
- Made in the USA
- S30V high-end steel
- Lightweight
- Excellent grip
- Modern clip point blends excellent piercing and slicing
- Adjustable thumb stud
- Multiple options for one-hand opening
- Pivot lock keeps fingers out of the way of the closing blade
- Customizable
Cons
- Out of range of some budgets
Gerber Assert Folding Pocket Knife Blade
Gerber turns to high-quality S30V steel for the blade. One of the first popular super steels, this blend is known for having excellent edge retention and corrosion resistance, though it can be a challenge to sharpen. Shaped into a clip point design with a plain edge, it has the belly you need for slicing with the tip you need for piercing.
The blade deploys with thumb ambidextrous thumb studs, but it’s not your average design. As slot where the studs install gives you the option to loosen them and slide them to the most convenient point for your hand. I found that extending it out a 1/4-inch made for an easier opening experience.
You can even remove the thumb studs and use the slot alone if you prefer.
Notably, the blade is 2.98 inches, so if you live in an area that restricts blade length below 3 inches, you’re legal to carry the Assert. Fully open, the knife is 6.95 inches long.
Gerber Assert Folding Pocket Knife Handle
The handle is glass-filled nylon, making this an incredibly lightweight pocket knife at just 1.87 ounces. Despite the light weight, a honeycomb interior provides structural strength and texture helps you maintain an excellent grip, even when your hands are sweaty.
The closing mechanism strays from the typical liner and frame locks we’re used to, opting for a pivot lock instead. Usable on either side or both together, this lock style does a great job of keeping your fingers out of the way of the blade when you’re closing it. It also promotes a one-hand opening with a flick of your wrist.
The clip is a deep carry design, and it’s left/right reversible in the tip-up orientation. There’s also a lanyard hole just above the clip.
Gerber Assert Folding Pocket Knife Price
Standard versions of the Assert are $175 – $180. This is also a customizable model. Either way, it comes with Gerber’s limited lifetime warranty.
Here are the standard configurations:
- Black with black hardware
- Grey with orange hardware
- Green with teal hardware
Thinking about customization? Here’s what you have to work with:
- Black oxide, stonewash, or satin finish
- Pattern, image, or text blade lasermarks
- Black, foliage green, grey, drab red, or coyote brown handle color
- Satin, stonewash, or black oxide deep carry clip, stonewash or black oxide standard clip (or no clip)
- Barrel spacer color (6 color options)
- Thumbstud color (6 color options)
- Lock cap color (6 color options)
The Bottom Line
The Gerber Assert is a lightweight pocket knife that’s suitable if you’re looking for a small to medium-size EDC that is has good piercing and slicing characteristics. Constructed from quality materials, this customizable Made in the USA folder has a wide range of appeal, though some people may be hesitant to make the shift to a pivot lock if they haven’t used one before. Don’t let the closure and deployment systems stop you, though. The Assert is a great little knife that’s happy in the back country, on the jobsite, and everywhere in between.
