Thanks for the share of these tell tale signs of a forgery. Used to be a tyme when places like this were ... put out of our misery. Now ... I'm pretty sure some of the largest offenders are the biggest importers/suppliers ... just a different label. Thanks Mr Rexu.
Well, copy knives are almost always from bad steel but I have two exceptions. The firs is boker copy by enlan, where boker is made of 440A and enlan from 8cr14mov and enlan has better edge retention and the second is copy of Gerber strongarm. 420HC of strongarm is not so good as Buck's 420HC, I don't know why, probably Buck has better heat treatment. My copy of gerber strongarm is made most likely of 8cr13/8cr14mov but I can't be sure. My point is my copy has little bit better edge retention than original. I certainly don't mean to tell people to buy copies, this is an exception and with a copy you never know what kind of steel it is made of.
@@to_the_wilderness also the theft of intellectual property is also in the mix. Misrepresentation of the product etc. if they want to make knives well that’s good for them but at the end of the day they are stealing business from Buck and if anything bad happens if falls on Buck and not them. That’s the moral of the story. If they make good knives then they should start their own company to do so. As much as possible I want to protect an American company which is providing careers for American families. We should be able to get on board with that?
@@haveaknifeday It is interesting... One can say that the Chinese copies are for kids or that they make the marketing of the original. You can buy for cheap, try out and buy the real thing later. However I must also say that when I bought the big USA made Ontario Chimera I saw bad finish on the blade. Then I saw the grind of the blade was like a tram tract in North Korea. Left-right-left.... Shame on you Ontario! So I paid the extra dosh for shitty quality?!! Had I bought from China, I guess fit and finish would have been better. I bought a K-Bar fighter. Very nice, albeit flimsy knife. I bought a Chinese copy of Extrema Ratio Landing Force. Not 6 mm, but good enough and more sturdy than the K-bar... So the moral of the story? Fat lazy knifemakers like Strider, Ontario and all those BS companies use the "America" brand to sell their low quality products. Buy Italian. They use their REAL experience and REAL quality to give knives a name. You know you will buy quality. Buy Extrema Ratio or FKMD. Look at the difference. Time to make America like in the 80s when people were real Americans like Michael Jackson, Silvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the rest. Now its just lazy old guys sitting on wooden chairs talking brand "America" while the world has gone past them....
Hey man! Not sure how I've missed ur channel so far! I was a foreward observers the 82nd and I'm pretty sure we were attached to third battalion when we went to hang out lol. Love the channel! I've never had a gerber on my channel before, ill have to start taking a look at those. Keep up the great work man!
Thank you for the video !!! I was going to purchase 20 tomorrow to resell I am not a knife guy I am a reseller so the video just saved me a lot of money.
I found that my Strongarm is a fake by watching this video. I bought it on ebay for $28.00+free shipping a month ago. Thanks for the information and God Bless!
Thanks, very informative. It appears that the main knife retention strap on the knockoff is made for a left-handed person while the original Gerber is made for a right handed person.
One more thing you might of said it but might have not. The Gerber logo on the sheath on the legit one will be reflective shiny with certain angles of light. The fake will not do that.
Thanks for the review of both. I just got one from a pawn shop, it was new but no box no papers etc. It was obvious right away that mine was GERBER. thankfully.
Appreciate the video I bought one today and just found out it was fake watching this video. Luckily bought it at a bin store for $10.00 so it will make a great beater knife. Before people say I should have known as it was at a bin store. I have purchased a lot of legitimate outdoor gear from this bin store and just didn't think to dig before I grabbed it. Still at $10.00 was worth it for the experience.
Dude for ten dollars the knock offs are great. They can't match the real thing, but they are pretty strong, sharp , and great beater knives. I've had one for months and beat the hell out of it, except for the handle getting lose once, I tightened it I'm five seconds, its done very well. I have many expensive knives, love them, but if I'm in mud and muck, and running through areas I'll take a chance at breaking or losing it, the knock off is great.
Thanks for the Video! I got mine from Amazon about 6 years ago...likely before the knockoffs appeared. The biggest blade difference I saw in the knockoff was there is a crease where the blade edge curves up towards the handle. The original has a smooth curve. That said, if you only paid $20 to $30 for the knockoff, it might be a good deal for a toolbox knife...just saying.
I would actually buy the knock off it they were super cheap and not branded as gerber. I wouldnt use it or pack it in kit that my life counted on but an edge is an edge it might not hold up to the same abuse but it would still function as a knife
Ah crap.... I purchased a knock off from USA Serendipity. Thanks for the detailed video and explination. Don't think they have a return policy, more fool me. Thanks again
I am so ticked off! I just bought a Strongarm from Walmart online. I know Walmart has been discounting in-store Prodigy models, so the low price on this ( $32) wasn't overly surprising. Rec'd the knife today. Packaged exactly the same way as the fake described in the video. My knife is serrated, as ordered, but serrations are way overground, too pointy, and appear fragile. Black finish on knife is shiny rather than subdued. Only good thing is knife is very sharp . Bought this from Walmart online, thinking Walmart would not be selling fakes ... WRONG!!!! Will be trying to return this. Grrr!!!
I appreciate the effort to help ID the fake versus the authentic. But you gotta stop it with your “it’s just better quality” statements without specifically addressing the evidence which supports that conclusion. At the 10:33 mark, for instance, you note slight cosmetic differences but don’t show HOW the quality is inferior. You just say “it’s just a fact”. Differences aren’t proof enough of inferior quality. Are the Strongarms even still made in the USA? Who would be surprised if Gerber quietly shifted manufacturing overseas and just kept “designed in the USA” on the label. Gerber has been strangely quiet when contacted by people about suspected fakes. Maybe Gerber has been changing specs and lowering QC to retain margins and now can’t tell the fakes from their own product.
Many tests, by many people who all work in the outdoor sector, confirm again and again that the Gerber Strongarm fake only has a few shortcomings, for example the material of the knife holder. The knife itself in particular has no noticeable shortcomings in terms of stability and durability compared to the original. Therefore, a price difference of a good 10% can almost be considered a bargain.
That’s good to know but then there’s the intellectual theft prospect and that should mean something. I’ve worked in China and you should see the conditions people work under and then there’s the loss of income for American workers. So, as much as possible I support American businesses and their employees.
Just found your channel brotha i happily subscribed i just started trying to make videos myself I've tested the strongarm clones from temu on my channel and was honestly surprised how well they held up
How does a company have the equipment to get their product so close to being like a Gerber there's something weird in that right there very precise engineering going on with that knife to be so identical
@@Ray-l2b8c well, America has been investing in China for so long in money and means of production for sinking that they can mimic products. That and they do not have any qualms in intellectual theft.
i bought 2 off TEMU very cheap, and not bad for price being knock offs. I knew they were knock offs and got them for truck knives whatever. They dont have the Gerber markingscexcept for the plastic sheath when you pull it apart you see gerber marking. All this said i want to get the real strongarm for actual carry on my person.
I almost bought a fake one years ago on eBay. I just got a real one from Blade HQ. It's a limited edition Strongarm. It's green and doesn't have the black coating on the blade. Only Blade HQ has this version.
It looks like I was duped but if I remember correctly I bought mine at Dick’s, not an online retailer. Also, the website shows the longer serial number in the product photos?
@@haveaknifeday it looks like i got a legit one. The only tiny little detail i could complain about is a small smudge on the sheath. Thanks for the help!
I bought one of these fakes from Ali for around €18 and I'm absolutely delighted. I don't know how I can push such a sturdy, top-quality knife to its limits. Completely indestructible, in a sector that a human can experience.
It’s just that they shouldn’t be passing it off as another brands work. That’s not to hard to ask? They could call it a Berber Strungyarm and at least it’d be honest.
Okay, the sheath isn't as good but is the knock off knife good or not? Also what's the price difference? You can buy a knock off for pocket change from the Far East
I sent mine back, I will purchased mine directly from Gerber. They sell it for $90 on the Amazon they sell it from 82-89.99. Now, if the knockoffs want to sell a knife they shouldn’t steal the name and misrepresent themselves. If you haven’t noticed I am looking to support American made as much as possible, especially when it comes to knives. I want Americans to keep their jobs.
Thank you for your video. I was about to order a strong arm from Amazon. Ordered from Gerber and they gave me 15% discount. Ended up being cheaper than Amazon.
Natürlich sollte in jedem Fall ein Original immer die erste Wahl sein, und nur in Ausnahmefällen oder für einfachere Tätigkeiten wie Bushcraft ist ein Fake ok, aber wenn im Extremfall das eigene Leben davon abhängen soll, sollte natürlich das Original-Messerwerkzeug des Vertrauens den Job erledigen.
I bought mine at Walmart and they are original with the correct box....82 you say.....1/325 Inf......A Co, 782 Maint Bn and..... 1/ 17 Cav back before Dom Rep and after nam...went to both theaters......20yrs 2weeks and 3days.....C119 and C130's
Bought my first stronghold gerber off ebay for 35 bucks and unfortunately i snatched a fake one :( especially since after i got done throw it at a tree, there was already cracks and chips on the edge of the blade... So i will be purchasing the real deal from gerber themselves Thanks for the video
@@haveaknifeday how sharp was your real strong hold when you first got it? Cause I was reading reviews on the gerber website and people were saying that the sharpness of the blade wasn't too great...
For the copy I payd a bit under 12$ for the original a hair under 90$ (in Switzerland). Sure I agree that it is a bad thing to do an exact copy of an original design and it is just stupid to copy the brand logo. But tell me what makes the original almost 8 times better? What if china just put another name on this product and give it a little different shape? Same for Benchmade, Fällkniven and a lot of other stuff, sorry but price calculation went far off these days! So, guess what my choice will be. I pay for value, not for a brand name. But I understand the costs of development, just don't pay for it a 100'000 times. If your prices in USA are under 40$ for an original Strongarm, I agree.
@@Silver-jk8nb let me ask you this, should I buy a Swiss Army knife from the manufacturer in Switzerland, keeping your people in jobs and supporting your economy. Relying on the time honored quality and tradition of that fine brand or support the intellectual property stealing commies that couldn’t care less about your citizens quality of life? It’s as simple as that. I will pay more for quality and support my countrymen. I’ll save up for it if it comes down to it. Fair weather and blue skies 🫡👍🏼
@@haveaknifeday Well, the swiss have higher prices too that's true. But no fantasy prices. You pay what you get for. In my country that is still true. Equals to... I pay for value. As I said, as long as pricing is realistic, all is good. I would pay 40- 50$ for a Strongarm.
China should make their own knives and stop stealing brands from others. That the hill I die on. Of course I was in the military from the Cold War through the Middle East conflicts. I’ve worked in China for over a month before the early 2K SARS outbreak and have seen their working conditions first hand. It’s akin to slave labor in conditions that our country’s have moved us away from. You have to ask, “at what human price does my good deal cost another?” Just like slave labor during WW2. Is the suffering of another worth your savings?
@@haveaknifeday I respect your experience and in no way wanted to disparage the quality made in the US. I also said that I don't think copies are OK, I'm sure we agree on that. Personally, I'm just a person who pays a lot of attention to quality and price. For me, that doesn't mean that I'll pay any price for quality. It means that if I can get something good for little money, I'm on board. Again, copies are crap, that's what bothers me about China. Otherwise, I'm more than happy with the price/performance ratio in China. I have no influence over their working conditions (by shopping there), am I complicit? Maybe, but ultimately I'm just a consumer who can't afford everything that enriches others. And a lot of things enrich corporations and brand owners, not the workers. That also applies to the United State and of course Switzerland. If you buy directly from China, you gonna find out what you paid for and you might be learning your lessons. If someone knowingly re-sells a copy as the real thing, for me they are the real ass*oles.
Well I got both of them,and yes you can notice some difference,both are made in china😅,both handle a very brutal used so is up to the budget on the user.
I bought mine a few years ago from bass pro. Interesting video for sure. I wouldn't have never known about this if it had not popped into my feed. But as with many things on Amazon its buyer beware. Some things maybe not a big deal, but something like this, rather have the real deal any day.
I've bought a Stongarm from Amazon (Amazon EU S.a.r.L.) a few days ago which just arrived yesterday. It looks exactly like your official one. Even the same serial number. The holster is exactly the same. The instructions paper also looks exactly like yours. It was also packed inside the same way. The only thing different is the packaging. The outer box is black and about the same size as yours, but it has information stuff and a picture of the knife printed on it, on the inside it has a cardboard box which contains everything. It also has a cardboard hanger at the top, so i guess it might be a packaging version for "in person" stores but idk. I guess i got a real one, but im still unsure because of the packaging.
I truly hope so. You deserve to own what you paid for. Of course Amazon should do it’s due diligence to protect its customers. It’s a really good blade. I hope you will enjoy wearing it.
While the china sweat shop fake may look ok you have no way of knowing what the blade steel is nor any of the materials for that matter. It's sure not going to be 420HC and tempered correctly. Many years ago I bought a cheap knock off of the Buck Nighthawk for $10 at a Gun Show. They weren't trying to be sold as the real thing though and came bulk packed with no separate boxes or packaging. This thing is a direct infringement on a Gerber product and should not be allowed in the country in this form.
The work involved in making these knock-offs is practically the same that's put in the original product, the inferior materials and attention to detail is what really makes them undesirable.
Nothing like "Put on your boots, boot, boots and parachutes, chutes, chutes"...I have not heard that song in 20 years. I was in the 82nd for 8 years, Army for 13 before being retired. I buy all of my Gerber's directly from Gerber, only way to know that they are the real deal.
All said and done the Gerber prodigy I got at Walmart for like 40. Has been a better knife than the strong arm. Was twice the price... True story... But if you can, the bk 18 would be a better way to go... But it's not 40 bucks... And if it is, it's probably a knockoff😂..
If you’re a constitutionalist, you value the constitution as our founders envisioned. You believe in limited government and individual rights. You believe that the constitution is a living document that judges can interpret, but only within the meaning of its original intent.
If the copy is just as good as the original, where's the waste of money? Unless this is just an ethics lecture.. I personally bought from the source and recieved the big box. But if you can save a buck and the product is just as good without the name, I mean...so what then. Who do you brag to anyway over a fkn gerber knife? lol
Part of it is ethics. I am looking to support an American company and those people and the families they have. Much has been sacrificed by “saving a buck” in this country. Just as good? The difference in quality when compared showed. We cannot even be sure if the steel used to make their blades. As for bragging? Individual choice dude. But intellectual theft is theft. Have A Knife Day.
Now, if I purchase a knife designed in America but manufactured in China, though I try to keep that as the exception, at least I know who is representing what.
Speaking of wasting money… why would anyone pay $90 for a “ real “ strongarm when you can buy a clone for as little as $10. Apparently you’ve not seen any videos on trying to destroy a clone. The clones perform just as well as the original. I call your type “ fan boys”. Feel free to spend 9 times as much if it makes you feel fuzzy.
YOU SOUND VERY BIAS TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL GERBER. THE KNOCK OFF IS EVERY BIT AS NICE AND AT $10 OR SO,,, A MUCH BETTER VALUE IF YOU ASK ME. BESIDES, THEY ARE PROBABLY BOTH MADE IN THE SAME FACTORY IN CHINA BUT ONE IS ASSEMBLED HERE. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF YOUR "REVIEW" I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY HOW WONDERFUL THE GERBER IS AND HOW JUNK THE KNOCK OFF IS. PUT THEM AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN A TORTURE TEST AND LETS SEE IF THERE IS ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL!! CHINA IS MAKING SOME VERY GOOD HIGH QUALITY KNIVES (KNOCK OFF OR OTHERWISE) THAT ARE $10 TO $25. WHY PAY MORE JUST FOR THE NAME IF THEY BOTH DO EXACTLY THE SAME JOB AND LOOK IDENTICAL!!!!
@@timc2168 first, fyi typing in caps signifies that you are yelling. Second the knife is made in the USA in Portland Oregon and you’d know that if you did your research. So, go and buy both and do the destruction test yourself. Feel free. I am pro-American and American made, served in the US Army as a paratrooper and went to war with them so guess what? I am biased and I have also worked in China, in their factories and seen their working conditions. If your want to support that and them knock yourself out. But you like cheap and I pay extra for the American made and on that Have A Knife Day. Damn, people died for your freedom, you’re welcome.
@@timc2168 also, not to mention the intellectual theft of Gerber’s copyright. China likes to steal from other countries and the people that make a living off of what they created. So, you are ok with that, I know other makers where with China or Pakistan have stolen their intellectual property and sell it as if it was made by the original company. Think about that and what it says. At least it is t happening to you.
I learned that Both knives are made in f....China 😂This is very sad just the Design are made in merica thats fake too and i dont like that maybe Both were made in the same Place mhhhh😒They have to be built in Usa as real American Blades !
i got my strongarm, black, plain edge, just after gerber released them, my serial number is long and ends with a D ,,??? everything else matches you're " real " strongarm to a T ,, so, having a longer serial number does not mean FAKE ????
@haveaknifeday this I already know. I can't remember the packaging, but everything about my knife and sheath looks legit, the slide in lock thing has gerber embossed on 1 side, you didn't show both sides of yours, you just mentioned the gap, I'm 99% positive mine is the real deal, I'm ex army combat engineer, and some " volunteer " CID stuff
You might go to the Gerber knives Facebook page and post a picture. The membership might be able to help there but the rest of the page is just random shit posts and crap unrelated spam videos. I used to be an admin there but I was spending too much time policing the page. If you let me know when you post your knife photos I’ll also take a look 👍🏼
@haveaknifeday I don't do Facebook, but thank you, like I said, I'm pretty sure my knife legit, I don't beat on my knives so I should not have any problems, stay safe brother
Id be interested in testing it and seeing if the fake can stand up to the real thing
They can I've seen videos of them there pretty damn tuff for the money
it's still full tang so it wouldn't be the worst thing around
Thank you! You just saved me from buying a knock off!
I’m very happy to have saved you the time and money 🙏🏼👍🏼
Thanks for the share of these tell tale signs of a forgery. Used to be a tyme when places like this were ... put out of our misery. Now ... I'm pretty sure some of the largest offenders are the biggest importers/suppliers ... just a different label. Thanks Mr Rexu.
Brother, you are very welcome
Fuck I actually got Fuck twice
Well, copy knives are almost always from bad steel but I have two exceptions. The firs is boker copy by enlan, where boker is made of 440A and enlan from 8cr14mov and enlan has better edge retention and the second is copy of Gerber strongarm. 420HC of strongarm is not so good as Buck's 420HC, I don't know why, probably Buck has better heat treatment. My copy of gerber strongarm is made most likely of 8cr13/8cr14mov but I can't be sure. My point is my copy has little bit better edge retention than original.
I certainly don't mean to tell people to buy copies, this is an exception and with a copy you never know what kind of steel it is made of.
@@to_the_wilderness also the theft of intellectual property is also in the mix. Misrepresentation of the product etc.
if they want to make knives well that’s good for them but at the end of the day they are stealing business from Buck and if anything bad happens if falls on Buck and not them. That’s the moral of the story. If they make good knives then they should start their own company to do so. As much as possible I want to protect an American company which is providing careers for American families. We should be able to get on board with that?
I do appreciate your prospective 👍🏼🙏🏼
@@haveaknifeday It is interesting... One can say that the Chinese copies are for kids or that they make the marketing of the original. You can buy for cheap, try out and buy the real thing later. However I must also say that when I bought the big USA made Ontario Chimera I saw bad finish on the blade. Then I saw the grind of the blade was like a tram tract in North Korea. Left-right-left.... Shame on you Ontario! So I paid the extra dosh for shitty quality?!! Had I bought from China, I guess fit and finish would have been better. I bought a K-Bar fighter. Very nice, albeit flimsy knife. I bought a Chinese copy of Extrema Ratio Landing Force. Not 6 mm, but good enough and more sturdy than the K-bar... So the moral of the story? Fat lazy knifemakers like Strider, Ontario and all those BS companies use the "America" brand to sell their low quality products. Buy Italian. They use their REAL experience and REAL quality to give knives a name. You know you will buy quality. Buy Extrema Ratio or FKMD. Look at the difference. Time to make America like in the 80s when people were real Americans like Michael Jackson, Silvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and the rest. Now its just lazy old guys sitting on wooden chairs talking brand "America" while the world has gone past them....
Hey man! Not sure how I've missed ur channel so far! I was a foreward observers the 82nd and I'm pretty sure we were attached to third battalion when we went to hang out lol. Love the channel! I've never had a gerber on my channel before, ill have to start taking a look at those. Keep up the great work man!
That’s fantastic, I was there 89-93
@@haveaknifeday missed ya by 5 years lol, I arrived in 98, 1/319 FAR
Thank you for the video !!! I was going to purchase 20 tomorrow to resell I am not a knife guy I am a reseller so the video just saved me a lot of money.
Happy to be of assistance
I found that my Strongarm is a fake by watching this video. I bought it on ebay for $28.00+free shipping a month ago. Thanks for the information and God Bless!
Brother, you are very welcome.
The Walmart prodigy is better than the strongarm anyway and it'll cost you probably 30 bucks if they still got them..
Thanks, very informative. It appears that the main knife retention strap on the knockoff is made for a left-handed person while the original Gerber is made for a right handed person.
One more thing you might of said it but might have not. The Gerber logo on the sheath on the legit one will be reflective shiny with certain angles of light. The fake will not do that.
mine has no writing at all
@solidshadownomad7936 very interesting. 🤔
Thanks for the review of both. I just got one from a pawn shop, it was new but no box no papers etc. It was obvious right away that mine was GERBER. thankfully.
That is a fantastic score
Appreciate the video I bought one today and just found out it was fake watching this video. Luckily bought it at a bin store for $10.00 so it will make a great beater knife. Before people say I should have known as it was at a bin store. I have purchased a lot of legitimate outdoor gear from this bin store and just didn't think to dig before I grabbed it. Still at $10.00 was worth it for the experience.
Happy I could help 👍🏼
It is so obvious it is a fake at $10
Dude for ten dollars the knock offs are great. They can't match the real thing, but they are pretty strong, sharp , and great beater knives. I've had one for months and beat the hell out of it, except for the handle getting lose once, I tightened it I'm five seconds, its done very well. I have many expensive knives, love them, but if I'm in mud and muck, and running through areas I'll take a chance at breaking or losing it, the knock off is great.
@@yyzz9135 The only thing that's obvious is your lack of reading comprehension
Thanks for sharing this.
Brother, you are very welcome 👍🏼
Thanks k.d good to know stuff . I bought a falkkiven that you couldn't tell the factory showed me the checking was one line short
Thanks for the Video! I got mine from Amazon about 6 years ago...likely before the knockoffs appeared. The biggest blade difference I saw in the knockoff was there is a crease where the blade edge curves up towards the handle. The original has a smooth curve.
That said, if you only paid $20 to $30 for the knockoff, it might be a good deal for a toolbox knife...just saying.
True, but I hate rewarding intellectual theft by the commies. They should, at least not portray it as an actual Gerber knife.
Same exact thing that happened to me ...lots of fakes ....soo glad you focused on this fubar
Wouldn't it be funny if the knock-off was better than the original, lol
Those fakes are pretty damn tuff!
I would actually buy the knock off it they were super cheap and not branded as gerber. I wouldnt use it or pack it in kit that my life counted on but an edge is an edge it might not hold up to the same abuse but it would still function as a knife
Eighty-Second Airplane Gang! "You Call, We Fall!" Hooaah!!
Ah crap.... I purchased a knock off from USA Serendipity. Thanks for the detailed video and explination. Don't think they have a return policy, more fool me. Thanks again
You are welcome. It's a bummer that the proliferation of clones in the market. I wish you luck in getting a refund.
I am so ticked off! I just bought a Strongarm from Walmart online. I know Walmart has been discounting in-store Prodigy models, so the low price on this ( $32) wasn't overly surprising. Rec'd the knife today. Packaged exactly the same way as the fake described in the video. My knife is serrated, as ordered, but serrations are way overground, too pointy, and appear fragile. Black finish on knife is shiny rather than subdued. Only good thing is knife is very sharp . Bought this from Walmart online, thinking Walmart would not be selling fakes ... WRONG!!!! Will be trying to return this. Grrr!!!
Send them back and report it 👍🏼
Dam. I thought buying from Walmart would guarantee that it’s real!!
So technically you won’t know until you get it and look it !
@mooreoutdoor sad to say but that does seem to be the case. No internal audit for the sellers of products through either platform.
I came close af to buying the same one, thinking I found a great deal. Luckily the reviews saved me from buying it
This is bullshit. Walmart gets their knives from approved retailers. This dude is full of it. If you got it from Walmart 100% you got a genuine.
I appreciate the effort to help ID the fake versus the authentic. But you gotta stop it with your “it’s just better quality” statements without specifically addressing the evidence which supports that conclusion. At the 10:33 mark, for instance, you note slight cosmetic differences but don’t show HOW the quality is inferior. You just say “it’s just a fact”. Differences aren’t proof enough of inferior quality. Are the Strongarms even still made in the USA? Who would be surprised if Gerber quietly shifted manufacturing overseas and just kept “designed in the USA” on the label. Gerber has been strangely quiet when contacted by people about suspected fakes. Maybe Gerber has been changing specs and lowering QC to retain margins and now can’t tell the fakes from their own product.
@@blakehornal6129 they are still made in Oregon , “ Portland Oregon” stamped on the blade.
Googled this after seeing $30 strong arms on ebay. It looked suspicious, im glad i checked
@@autodidacticartisan 🫡👍🏼
Thanks for the video!
Greetings from Germany.
You are very welcome and happy to have helped you 👍🏼🫡 hope to go to Solingen someday.
Many tests, by many people who all work in the outdoor sector, confirm again and again that the Gerber Strongarm fake only has a few shortcomings, for example the material of the knife holder. The knife itself in particular has no noticeable shortcomings in terms of stability and durability compared to the original. Therefore, a price difference of a good 10% can almost be considered a bargain.
That’s good to know but then there’s the intellectual theft prospect and that should mean something. I’ve worked in China and you should see the conditions people work under and then there’s the loss of income for American workers. So, as much as possible I support American businesses and their employees.
The address on the back of the fake box is "Portlamd, Oregon". Also clip point is a different profile.
Damnnnnnnn
Thanks for the video! I just returned the Chinese made (even says so on the box!) fake Gerber knife I bought.
You are very welcome. Happy to have been able to help.
Im from the uk and im thinking of buying one from go outdoors is is reputable?
Have you ever heard of the channel called DBK? I do believe they have done torture tests with it.
Give this a watch. ua-cam.com/video/fWHZZWDBDec/v-deo.htmlsi=4rgY8VFMlt4EflEO
Just found your channel brotha i happily subscribed i just started trying to make videos myself I've tested the strongarm clones from temu on my channel and was honestly surprised how well they held up
Welcome to the family. Look forward to seeing your testing.
Man, that's a huge watch you're wearing, what is that? It would be good to see a review of it
I’ll work on that 👍🏼
DAMN IT. I have a knockoff.
Noooooo!!! I cannot understand how Amazon can permit this fraudulent conduct.
I have one coming. I will see if it’s a knockoff.
If you really want to compare original knife and copy, make edge retention test on cardboard or sisal rope.
Just got mine from Walmart, contacted Gerber and also requested a refund but such a pain to send it back, such a waste of time and disappointment.
Completely understandable and a shameful that Walmart allows it.
Looking at the paperwork @3'56" check for spelling mistakes - I can see at least two - that should at least be a giveaway!
Good catch ✋🏼👍🏼
eBay is also flooded with these crappy counterfeits! Especially the LMF II and Bear Grylls designs!
@@ELVendedor5000 sadly, it seems the case.
How does a company have the equipment to get their product so close to being like a Gerber there's something weird in that right there very precise engineering going on with that knife to be so identical
@@Ray-l2b8c well, America has been investing in China for so long in money and means of production for sinking that they can mimic products. That and they do not have any qualms in intellectual theft.
i bought 2 off TEMU very cheap, and not bad for price being knock offs. I knew they were knock offs and got them for truck knives whatever. They dont have the Gerber markingscexcept for the plastic sheath when you pull it apart you see gerber marking. All this said i want to get the real strongarm for actual carry on my person.
I almost bought a fake one years ago on eBay. I just got a real one from Blade HQ. It's a limited edition Strongarm. It's green and doesn't have the black coating on the blade. Only Blade HQ has this version.
That’s pretty cool. I enjoy their limited editions.
I just checked the Walmart website and they are selling the strongarms at 22.00 dollars which tells me these are probably fakes.
Unfortunately it would seem to be the case. It doesn’t seem that there is any accountability from Amazon or Walmart.
It looks like I was duped but if I remember correctly I bought mine at Dick’s, not an online retailer. Also, the website shows the longer serial number in the product photos?
I wonder if Dick’s is also 3rd party selling like Walmart?
Whoever is in charge of their fulfillment isn’t doing their due diligence.
No clue but definitely disappointing. The longer serial number in product photos is weird to me though.
Same bad box? I’ve sent Gerber an email bring up the issue.
Damn, they got me. Haha got it off eBay they did a pretty good job too. I'll just keep it and beat it up. Thanks for the video
🫡🙏🏼
The Gerber Ultimate Fixed Blade I just bought said made in China on the box and the sheath from Walmart. Hmm.
@@oldmiddleclass5982 isn’t that just odd that they are actively selling knockoffs with no worries?
How do you spot the fake ones on Amazon when they all use the exact same stock photos?
At the end of the day it’s just best if we avoid Amazon altogether and stick with well known websites like bladehq, Eknives etc.
Great video. Thank you.
You are very welcome, Have A Knife Day.
I actually have a Strongarm from Amazon on the way. I hope i'll be able to spot if it's real or fake. I will take your video as a reference, thanks!
You are very welcome. Good luck 👍🏼
@@haveaknifeday it looks like i got a legit one. The only tiny little detail i could complain about is a small smudge on the sheath. Thanks for the help!
Hi...they got me...got a fake one..but any how..what's the story with the bloody small hand axe 🪓 in corner on floor 😮...where is the cat.. 🤔
The cat 🐈⬛ is surveying his domain, returning for daily tribute.
I bought one of these fakes from Ali for around €18 and I'm absolutely delighted. I don't know how I can push such a sturdy, top-quality knife to its limits. Completely indestructible, in a sector that a human can experience.
It’s just that they shouldn’t be passing it off as another brands work. That’s not to hard to ask? They could call it a Berber Strungyarm and at least it’d be honest.
Okay, the sheath isn't as good but is the knock off knife good or not? Also what's the price difference? You can buy a knock off for pocket change from the Far East
I sent mine back, I will purchased mine directly from Gerber. They sell it for $90 on the Amazon they sell it from 82-89.99. Now, if the knockoffs want to sell a knife they shouldn’t steal the name and misrepresent themselves. If you haven’t noticed I am looking to support American made as much as possible, especially when it comes to knives. I want Americans to keep their jobs.
can you tell what type of steel do they use on the fake gerber?
No real idea
Thank you for your video. I was about to order a strong arm from Amazon. Ordered from Gerber and they gave me 15% discount. Ended up being cheaper than Amazon.
That’s completely fantastic. Happy to see you getting the real deal 👍🏼
Natürlich sollte in jedem Fall ein Original immer die erste Wahl sein, und nur in Ausnahmefällen oder für einfachere Tätigkeiten wie Bushcraft ist ein Fake ok, aber wenn im Extremfall das eigene Leben davon abhängen soll, sollte natürlich das Original-Messerwerkzeug des Vertrauens den Job erledigen.
Some of the fakes have a hollow grind which is a dead give away.
I also got one of these from Walmart online. They refunded my money asap.
That is fantastic. Keep ‘em honest.
The shorter space from handle to edge sadly is better for cutting and carving this point i like better at the fake but anyway it is a fake
This is why I don’t buy a lot of stuff from Amazon..
I unfortunately just bought the knockoff 😔 thank you so much for this video
Sorry to hear about that Brother. Can you send it back? I sent mine back via Amazon
Good info
I bought mine at Walmart and they are original with the correct box....82 you say.....1/325 Inf......A Co, 782 Maint Bn and..... 1/ 17 Cav back before Dom Rep and after nam...went to both theaters......20yrs 2weeks and 3days.....C119 and C130's
I bought the fake one knowing was a knock off, cost me $20 in a sport shop...just for fun 😂
Gracias, casi compro uno falso 😮
Me alegro de haber ayudado.
Bought my first stronghold gerber off ebay for 35 bucks and unfortunately i snatched a fake one :( especially since after i got done throw it at a tree, there was already cracks and chips on the edge of the blade...
So i will be purchasing the real deal from gerber themselves
Thanks for the video
You are very welcome and I am happy to have been of assistance to you 👍🏼
@@haveaknifeday how sharp was your real strong hold when you first got it?
Cause I was reading reviews on the gerber website and people were saying that the sharpness of the blade wasn't too great...
@petedog1017 paper cutting sharp out of the box
For the copy I payd a bit under 12$ for the original a hair under 90$ (in Switzerland). Sure I agree that it is a bad thing to do an exact copy of an original design and it is just stupid to copy the brand logo. But tell me what makes the original almost 8 times better?
What if china just put another name on this product and give it a little different shape? Same for Benchmade, Fällkniven and a lot of other stuff, sorry but price calculation went far off these days!
So, guess what my choice will be.
I pay for value, not for a brand name. But I understand the costs of development, just don't pay for it a 100'000 times.
If your prices in USA are under 40$ for an original Strongarm, I agree.
@@Silver-jk8nb let me ask you this, should I buy a Swiss Army knife from the manufacturer in Switzerland, keeping your people in jobs and supporting your economy. Relying on the time honored quality and tradition of that fine brand or support the intellectual property stealing commies that couldn’t care less about your citizens quality of life? It’s as simple as that. I will pay more for quality and support my countrymen. I’ll save up for it if it comes down to it. Fair weather and blue skies 🫡👍🏼
@@haveaknifeday Well, the swiss have higher prices too that's true. But no fantasy prices. You pay what you get for. In my country that is still true. Equals to... I pay for value. As I said, as long as pricing is realistic, all is good. I would pay 40- 50$ for a Strongarm.
I feel that the strongarm is reasonably priced for where it’s made with the quality that goes along with it.
China should make their own knives and stop stealing brands from others. That the hill I die on. Of course I was in the military from the Cold War through the Middle East conflicts. I’ve worked in China for over a month before the early 2K SARS outbreak and have seen their working conditions first hand. It’s akin to slave labor in conditions that our country’s have moved us away from. You have to ask, “at what human price does my good deal cost another?” Just like slave labor during WW2. Is the suffering of another worth your savings?
@@haveaknifeday I respect your experience and in no way wanted to disparage the quality made in the US. I also said that I don't think copies are OK, I'm sure we agree on that. Personally, I'm just a person who pays a lot of attention to quality and price. For me, that doesn't mean that I'll pay any price for quality. It means that if I can get something good for little money, I'm on board. Again, copies are crap, that's what bothers me about China. Otherwise, I'm more than happy with the price/performance ratio in China. I have no influence over their working conditions (by shopping there), am I complicit? Maybe, but ultimately I'm just a consumer who can't afford everything that enriches others. And a lot of things enrich corporations and brand owners, not the workers. That also applies to the United State and of course Switzerland.
If you buy directly from China, you gonna find out what you paid for and you might be learning your lessons.
If someone knowingly re-sells a copy as the real thing, for me they are the real ass*oles.
Thanks for this because I almost purchased a knockoff.
You are very welcome. Happy to have been able to help.
I went through this process twice on Amazon and once on Walmart. Usually the sellers have
Completely understandable. Should get your money back and they should get a box of rocks.
Well I got both of them,and yes you can notice some difference,both are made in china😅,both handle a very brutal used so is up to the budget on the user.
Oops I saw the other Gerber review and commented there on the fake
I bought mine a few years ago from bass pro. Interesting video for sure. I wouldn't have never known about this if it had not popped into my feed. But as with many things on Amazon its buyer beware. Some things maybe not a big deal, but something like this, rather have the real deal any day.
I’m right there with you. At least it is misrepresentation.
I've bought a Stongarm from Amazon (Amazon EU S.a.r.L.) a few days ago which just arrived yesterday.
It looks exactly like your official one. Even the same serial number.
The holster is exactly the same.
The instructions paper also looks exactly like yours.
It was also packed inside the same way.
The only thing different is the packaging. The outer box is black and about the same size as yours, but it has information stuff and a picture of the knife printed on it, on the inside it has a cardboard box which contains everything.
It also has a cardboard hanger at the top, so i guess it might be a packaging version for "in person" stores but idk.
I guess i got a real one, but im still unsure because of the packaging.
Maybe you can take a picture and send it to Gerber to authenticate?
@@haveaknifedaythat's probably the best, your video has me convinced though that mine might be a real one, from looking at the knife and sheath.
I truly hope so. You deserve to own what you paid for. Of course Amazon should do it’s due diligence to protect its customers. It’s a really good blade. I hope you will enjoy wearing it.
While the china sweat shop fake may look ok you have no way of knowing what the blade steel is nor any of the materials for that matter. It's sure not going to be 420HC and tempered correctly. Many years ago I bought a cheap knock off of the Buck Nighthawk for $10 at a Gun Show. They weren't trying to be sold as the real thing though and came bulk packed with no separate boxes or packaging. This thing is a direct infringement on a Gerber product and should not be allowed in the country in this form.
@@mrweeby1961 agreed
The work involved in making these knock-offs is practically the same that's put in the original product, the inferior materials and attention to detail is what really makes them undesirable.
Very true.
You go spend 120 dollars will buy a knock off for 10 dollars and be very happy like i did. Have a nice day!!!!!!
my fake has the same exact serial number as yours 😆
@@hellhound2260 why waste time when you want to make money 🤣
Nothing like "Put on your boots, boot, boots and parachutes, chutes, chutes"...I have not heard that song in 20 years. I was in the 82nd for 8 years, Army for 13 before being retired. I buy all of my Gerber's directly from Gerber, only way to know that they are the real deal.
In this day and age you are very correct. Amazon is not worth it.
All said and done the Gerber prodigy I got at Walmart for like 40. Has been a better knife than the strong arm. Was twice the price... True story... But if you can, the bk 18 would be a better way to go... But it's not 40 bucks... And if it is, it's probably a knockoff😂..
I really do like the XL series. Wish I did pick up the 47. But I do have some of the others.
I also a fan of knives design by Mr. Becker.
@@haveaknifeday me too I got the BK-9 bk 18 and I a esee which I'm a big fan of..
Good review and sad that Amazon is pushing Chinese knock-offs on its customers. AATW
Very true. 👍🏼👍🏼
Gerber patriot any one knows?
Amazon is the Wild West. Bandits and outlaws. In the word of actor MK a copy of a copy is not as sharp.
The movie multiplicity comes to mind.
Knowing the features of this/any particular knockoff is not very helpful.
Knowing the features of the genuine article makes spotting the fake(s) easy.
That’s why it’s important to see them side by side so as to see the pointed out differences.
Interesting times these we live in.
There is a flood of information out there but finding the relevant is the mission.
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
Dude, Me and my buddy are taking a bet. Which party do you follow? D or R?
@@parrishinvestigations952 what is your gut feeling? 🤣
@@haveaknifeday I said Democrat
I’m a constitutionalist.
If you’re a constitutionalist, you value the constitution as our founders envisioned. You believe in limited government and individual rights. You believe that the constitution is a living document that judges can interpret, but only within the meaning of its original intent.
@@haveaknifeday There's nothing wrong with that!!
Love the thigh gap lol
Man you have to thank the knock off cause if they copied the legit 100%, then we cannot tell which is legit and not hehehehe...😅🤣😂......
CRAP! I got a knock off!
!!!!!!!!!!
If the copy is just as good as the original, where's the waste of money? Unless this is just an ethics lecture.. I personally bought from the source and recieved the big box. But if you can save a buck and the product is just as good without the name, I mean...so what then. Who do you brag to anyway over a fkn gerber knife? lol
Part of it is ethics. I am looking to support an American company and those people and the families they have. Much has been sacrificed by “saving a buck” in this country. Just as good? The difference in quality when compared showed. We cannot even be sure if the steel used to make their blades.
As for bragging? Individual choice dude. But intellectual theft is theft. Have A Knife Day.
Now, if I purchase a knife designed in America but manufactured in China, though I try to keep that as the exception, at least I know who is representing what.
The steel may not be as good. If they are using same steel then it’s just as good most likely.
Speaking of wasting money… why would anyone pay $90 for a “ real “ strongarm when you can buy a clone for as little as $10. Apparently you’ve not seen any videos on trying to destroy a clone. The clones perform just as well as the original. I call your type “ fan boys”. Feel free to spend 9 times as much if it makes you feel fuzzy.
Probably because I want to support an American company and not a thieving Chinese company. But if that’s lost on you than there you go.
Bro you broke just be quiet
What a douche. Did it make you feel fuzzy to buy cheap clones sourced from an enemy?
YOU SOUND VERY BIAS TOWARDS THE ORIGINAL GERBER. THE KNOCK OFF IS EVERY BIT AS NICE AND AT $10 OR SO,,, A MUCH BETTER VALUE IF YOU ASK ME. BESIDES, THEY ARE PROBABLY BOTH MADE IN THE SAME FACTORY IN CHINA BUT ONE IS ASSEMBLED HERE. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF YOUR "REVIEW" I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY HOW WONDERFUL THE GERBER IS AND HOW JUNK THE KNOCK OFF IS. PUT THEM AGAINST ONE ANOTHER IN A TORTURE TEST AND LETS SEE IF THERE IS ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL!! CHINA IS MAKING SOME VERY GOOD HIGH QUALITY KNIVES (KNOCK OFF OR OTHERWISE) THAT ARE $10 TO $25. WHY PAY MORE JUST FOR THE NAME IF THEY BOTH DO EXACTLY THE SAME JOB AND LOOK IDENTICAL!!!!
@@timc2168 first, fyi typing in caps signifies that you are yelling. Second the knife is made in the USA in Portland Oregon and you’d know that if you did your research. So, go and buy both and do the destruction test yourself. Feel free. I am pro-American and American made, served in the US Army as a paratrooper and went to war with them so guess what? I am biased and I have also worked in China, in their factories and seen their working conditions. If your want to support that and them knock yourself out. But you like cheap and I pay extra for the American made and on that Have A Knife Day. Damn, people died for your freedom, you’re welcome.
@@timc2168 also, not to mention the intellectual theft of Gerber’s copyright. China likes to steal from other countries and the people that make a living off of what they created. So, you are ok with that, I know other makers where with China or Pakistan have stolen their intellectual property and sell it as if it was made by the original company. Think about that and what it says. At least it is t happening to you.
Your helping a thief, and your all-cap post shows un- lettered education.
Exactly 👍🏼
I learned that Both knives are made in f....China 😂This is very sad just the Design are made in merica thats fake too and i dont like that maybe Both were made in the same Place mhhhh😒They have to be built in Usa as real American Blades !
Sweet fake 😂😂😂😂
i got my strongarm, black, plain edge, just after gerber released them, my serial number is long and ends with a D ,,??? everything else matches you're " real " strongarm to a T ,, so, having a longer serial number does not mean FAKE ????
The packaging, when you know the difference is also a big tell along with where the cutting edge stops.
@haveaknifeday this I already know. I can't remember the packaging, but everything about my knife and sheath looks legit, the slide in lock thing has gerber embossed on 1 side, you didn't show both sides of yours, you just mentioned the gap, I'm 99% positive mine is the real deal, I'm ex army combat engineer, and some " volunteer " CID stuff
“Volunteered” of “voluntold”? 🤣
You might go to the Gerber knives Facebook page and post a picture. The membership might be able to help there but the rest of the page is just random shit posts and crap unrelated spam videos. I used to be an admin there but I was spending too much time policing the page. If you let me know when you post your knife photos I’ll also take a look 👍🏼
@haveaknifeday I don't do Facebook, but thank you, like I said, I'm pretty sure my knife legit, I don't beat on my knives so I should not have any problems, stay safe brother