Description:
The Gerber E-Z Out knife (at right, partially-closed) is a lock-back folding knife which may be easily opened with one hand. Gerber makes several models in the E-Z Out line, differing in blade length and style, including partially- or fully-serrated blades. My knife is the full-size model, with a partially-serrated 3.25 in (83 mm) blade.
The blade is made of stainless steel, and features two distinct edges: the front 1.25 in (32 mm) is a standard bevelled-edge blade, which is easily sharpened and can hold a keen edge. The rear 1.5 in (38 mm) is deeply serrated. This combination blade lets me do fine cutting or carving with the front, and still cuts quickly through rope, seat belts, tent walls, etc., with the back edge.
The handle is made of reinforced fiberglass, and Gerber claims that it is indestructible with normal use. The handle features an ergonomic design that nicely fits in my hand, and two 'SoftGrip' inserts along the inside edge which provide a soft, sticky grip. There is a removable clip on the right side of the knife which lets me clip it to a belt or inside a pocket for easy access. This clip can only be attached to the right-hand side, such that if you are holding the knife in your right hand, the clip is against your palm.
The blade locks firmly into position when opened, and there is a thumb-operated lock release button on the back of the handle. The release button is recessed, and it would be difficult to unintentionally release the blade.
In Use:
The Gerber E-Z Out certainly lives up to its name. With 1/2 in (12.5 mm) of the body of the blade exposed when the knife is closed, I find it very easy to grip the blade and swing it open one-handed. while holding the knife handle. The blade features an oval hole to provide a grip for opening, but I find it just as easy to open without touching the hole. Holding the knife handle in my hand, I grasp the blade with my thumb and middle finger, slide the blade open about half way, then finish opening the blade with just my thumb. The blade locks open with an audible 'snick.' The knife can be opened this way with either hand (it took me some practice to do this with my left hand, but I suspect a left-handed person would pick it up a little more quickly).
Closing the knife is also a simple operation. I hold the knife in my right hand, with my thumb on the lock release, hold down the release and press the back of the knife blade gently into my leg until it starts to close. Then I get all my fingers out of the way (very important) and push the knife closed against my leg. I can open and close the knife with one hand without looking at it -- a useful skill under certain conditions.
I have been carrying the E-Z Out for about nine years, on hiking and canoeing trips, at work, and around the house as a general utility knife. The knife has been used to slice food, cut rope and parachute cord, open boxes, cut tape, open cans (not recommended), dig out tent stakes (really not recommended), whittle bark from a homemade hiking staff, and just about any other purpose to which one can put a knife. Other than a few scratches on the blade, the knife might as well be brand new. The E-Z Out is very light at 3 oz (85 g) for such a large pocket knife, but its strength and durability have proven outstanding in my experience.
When hiking, I usually carry the E-Z Out in a small nylon pouch attached to the hip belt of my backpack. It's accessible, but secure enough that I won't lose it. In camp, I carry the knife in my pocket, using the belt clip, or in my small waist pack.
Only the front part of the blade can be sharpened with a common sharpening stone or steel. The serrated edge can't be sharpened by normal means. (However, the serrated edge really doesn't need to be sharpened -- it can still cut quickly through rope, boxes, etc., even after nine years of heavy use.) Like other very hard stainless steel knives, the E-Z Out's regular blade can be hard to sharpen, but holds an edge for a long time. I don't think I've had to sharpen it more than a few times since I've owned it.
