Gerber E.A.B. Lite Review (EDC Utility Knife)

Utility knives might seem a little ordinary and boring when compared to folding and survival knives, but they are in fact the most useful ones for regular, every day tasks that require a sharp blade. Gerber has been offering quality utility knives to its customers for many years, and the Gerber 31-000345 E.A.B. Lite folding EDC utility knife is one of the latest additions to their collection and our current blade up for review.

If you love carrying a knife with you and have been considering getting hold of one of these beauties, there are a few things you might want to consider before investing your money (though for only $10 the E.A.B Lite cost, it’s no big risk). In order to ensure your getting a good utility knife, we have outlined some valuable information below.

What should you look for?

1. The Knife Handle – The handle of the utility knife you are planning to buy must fit your hand perfectly. If the handle is too large for your hand, it’s unlikely you will be able to hold it properly for a secure grip while cutting anything. On the other hand, if it is too small, it will prevent you from having proper control over the blade. The cutter must not be slippery, especially when your hand is wet. You would definitely want to prevent your hand from sliding onto the blade, wouldn’t you?
2. The Blade – A utility knife’s blade should preferably be replaceable and made of stainless steel, which will enable it to avoid corrosion and rust.

E.A.B. Lite Description

It is an incredibly comfortable knife in the hand. The Gerber E.A.B. Lite comes with a utility blade that is easily replaceable. It can be replaced with either the standard-sized utility blade or a 2.25 inch contractor grade blade. This particular model is ideal for a number of tasks, from slicing tough and moderately thick rope to opening boxes. The pocket-sized cutter has a plethora of features to offer.

Presenting a comparatively conical shape with curved edges, this utility knife has deep, excellent grooves that enable secure grip. While the deep finger groove gives it a sure grip, the threaded fastener firmly supports the blade of the cutter. It is extremely easy to hold. This razor sharp knife is contractor-grade featuring a safe liner lock and tapered shape. Whether you need to scrape, cute or score, this pocket utility knife is ideal for the job. The stainless steel handle is another feature that makes the Gerber E.A.B Lite not only an ideal utility knife, but it can also double as a money or pocket clip. The lock is pretty strong, but not too stiff. A steal for only $10.

Dimensions

The Gerber E.A.B Lite has a 2.25 inch replaceable utility blade (held in place by a solid screw mechanism that provides less blade play than other quick release type blade systems) and measure about 5.1 inches when open, and 2.85 inches closed, which is a comfortable and ideal size for a utility knife.

Weight

It is a nice light-weighted cutter that weighs in around 2.5 ounces.

Warranty

The Gerber 31-000345 E.A.B Lite comes with a lifetime warranty.

Design

The design of this extra-ordinary utility knife is nearly perfect and shows a noticeable improvement over the original E.A.B. from Gerber. The stainless steel handle and great finish gives it a sleek, contemporary appearance. It can easily clip onto your pocket. Whether you use it as a pocket clip or money clip, its light weight makes it incredibly easy for you to carry it around and makes for a solid EDC utility blade. You can store it virtually anywhere, whether in a small tackle box, pocket or your purse. The sharp blade remains entirely protected and enclosed to avoid injuries. Blade deployment is smooth and can be done one handed if you use the screw which holds the blade in place to flip it open, or do like I did and grab some skateboard tape and apply it to the blade holder for better traction. This makes it much easier to flip open one handed. Blade lockup is very tight, with no up and down or side to side blade play.

One drawback of the E.A.B. Lite is the pocket clip. It is built into the handle and can’t be moved from the original position or repositioned for left handed users and can only be carried in the tip up position, though that would be the preferred setup for the majority of knife users.

Durability

E.A.B Lite is remarkably sturdy and durable, since it is made from stainless steel. It can endure all sorts of harsh environmental conditions. Should you use E.A.B Lite in a wet, humid environment the only thing that might rust is the blade, which is easily replaceable for very little cost.

Are you finding it difficult to find something strong enough to cut thick cardboard or anything robust that requires extensive pressure? This utility knife is the ultimate solution to your problem. With solid grip and sharp blade, you can use it for cutting virtually anything!

Final Thoughts On The Gerber E.A.B. Lite

The Lite is a large improvement over the original if you just take into account the improved handle with finger grooves that provide a much more secure and safer grip. The handle was adjusted on the Lite so that the blade no longer makes contact and scrapes on the handle when closed, which was a problem with the original. The finger guard (guess you could call it a choil) is also bigger and juts out near the end, so you have less chance of your hand slipping and being cut as your finger slides down the blade. Overall, the Gerber E.A.B. Lite is a great little utility pocket knife that is ideal for EDC or as a secondary blade for small task where you wouldn’t want to dull your more substantial (and expensive) knives.

BetterPocketKnife.com Rating:

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Important Tips

Since your E.A.B Lite utility knife is going to be used for cutting different materials and has a exchangeable blade, you must ensure the blade is not dull and ready for cutting. If the edge is starting to lose its sharpness, replace it immediately. Knicks and dings on the edge of the blade might cause it to make untidy cuts. The edge of the blade might even break, resulting in an unwanted hindrance in the cutting motion. Moreover, a damaged knife blade might cause the cutter to slip away during the cutting action, presenting a serious safety hazard.