Open main menu

Gerber EVO Jr.

rated 4.0 of 5 stars
photo: Gerber EVO Jr. folding knife

This is a simple, light, straightforward blade. A decent knife, it is fine most most hiking and backpacking needs.

Pros

  • Simple
  • Inexpensive
  • Light
  • Compact design

Cons

  • Blade can loosen in handle over time
  • Does not hold a superb edge
  • Can be a little hard to close

For the money, I have been very happy with this knife. It is a good, reliable blade that I feel comfortable taking deep into the woods, but it is inexpensive enough, that if I lost it, I would not be out a ton of money. I believe that this knife has struck a nice balance of cost to quality.

The knife is the model of simplicity. It is easy to open. The thumb stud and a wrist flick open it one handed. I have never had to work my knives hard, but the knife has been consistent warm or cold.

The knife is 440 steel, and the handle is aluminum. It comes in at 1.8 ounces. The blade is 2.75" long. The open frame design keeps the weight down. The knife includes a pocket clip. The open length runs just bit over 6".

This knife is not designed to be a survival knife. It is not over built. It is not designed to be. But one of the most frustrating parts of using this knife is that it can be hard to close. I have not mastered closing it easily with one hand, because the locking mechanism is stiff to use. Under hard use, the knife can flex. But, like I said, I haven't really had to use it hard.

I have used this knife for the last two years snowshoeing, hiking, and backpacking. I has been a good choice for my daily knife. Its low cost, solid design, and simple-to-use features make this a good piece of gear. For the $20 price tag and solid performance, I would get this knife all over again.

Source: received it as a personal gift

Overall a very good pocket knife that I carry with me when I am not wearing a multi-tool. There are a couple of draw backs too it, including posts on the side that uncomfortably rub in the pocket.

Pros

  • Easy open
  • Light weight
  • Compact
  • Holds it edge

Cons

  • Posts built onto the sides rub in the pocket
  • Black finish doesn't hold up

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $15

This is a pretty decent blade for the price point. It's nice and compact (perhaps a bit too small) and fits easily in the pocket.

Pros

  • Easy to open
  • Inexpensive
  • Decent quality

Cons

  • Blade loses its edge
  • Pretty small

Ease of Use: Opens and closes easy enough, and does the job as long as the job isn't too big.

Features: Locking mechanism is a bit flimsy, but the knife is really made to do big jobs.  

Construction & Durability: It's actually pretty solid for the price, but it does tend to lose its edge after a while and as I stated earlier, the locking mechanism is a bit flimsy.

Conditions: I went camping with it a couple of times and my kids have used it for whittling.  

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $15.99

Half decent knife that won't break the bank.

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Good pocket clip
  • Flipper works great

Cons

  • Steel doesn't hold an edge

I picked up my mini Evo on sale at K Mart. I paid a whopping $10 for it. The knife has gone on 5 backpacking trips with me over the past 2 years.

The flipper works great — a little flick with my index finger along with a little wrist opens it right up. My knife locks solidly. I can also easily close it one handed, as well.

The steel does not hold an edge forever. I listed that as a con, but that could be a pro, depending on your point of view. My knife has never dulled on me while in the field. When i get home, sharpening it is easy — a few passes on my Arkansas stone, and she's ready.

For $10, you can't beat it.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $10

This is a great every day carry and camp knife. I keep one on me at all times. It will hold an edge like a razor and, makes skinning a breeze.

The handle is made to be light and it is. I did have to adjust the pivot point so it would open easy for me. Fast easy deployment is a must.

Over all, the knife is well balanced and throws like a dream. I can get full blade penetration in a regular target from 3 to 4 foot away.

The blade lock it amazing. It can be a little hard to close some times but, I will take that over a lock that fails any day.

You can’t beat it for the price.

I own 3 now.

Price Paid: $26.99

Accessible, rugged protection.

Pros

  • Steel pocket clip
  • Flips open with thumb
  • Closes with one hand
  • Strong blade

Cons

  • Not U.S.-made
  • Blade dulls somewhat quickly

The reason I bought this knife is the pocket clip, which makes the knife easily and readily accessible when I experience drunks or hostile people or dogs while riding my bicycle. I clip it either onto the loop of my shoulder strap on my daypack, or onto the front pocket of my sport shirt while riding.

Actually, I take it with me when walking, too, because you never know what kind of people/dogs you are going to encounter. It beats carrying a handgun, which I would rather avoid.

This is a rugged knife: Mine got run over by a car when I dropped and lost it on a street parking space and left it out all winter and found it the next spring, in a pile of sand/dirt. The handle was caved in just a bit, but that did not affect the functionality of the knife. The blade is rather stout and strong, so you can use it to dig, pry, scrape and gouge with. The Evo Jr. is small, though, and black: Take care not to lose it.

I might replace mine with the larger Gerber Freeman Guide, at least for personal protection, and use the Evo Jr. in the garden.

Source: bought it new
Price Paid: $18

I received this as a Christmas gift 2 years ago. I have the non-serrated edge version.

The most important part of any knife is the blade. This knife holds an edge well, and sharpens easily. The locking device is secure and sure. And the clip attaches and holds in any pocket. I usually have it clipped in a cargo pocket, and I have never lost it.

it is the perfect size for a pocket knife, large enough to be functional, but not too bulky and heavy.

Price Paid: Gift

It's a decent knife but I wouldn't trust my life on it. It doesn't retain an edge for very long, after extensive cutting but it can be easily resharpened.

My biggest disappointment is that the locking mechanism isn't thick enough, so no stabbing anything.

On two instances, I almost cut myself badly. For around the same price, a Spyderco Byrd Cara Cara 2 is a great alternative.

I got the EVO Jr. and the EVO in a 2-pack for Xmas of 2009. I keep the Jr. around my house and EVO in my pack on day hikes/backpacking. Has a good strong clip, nice blade, strong lock, sharpens well. I like the look of it and I like that's not heavy and bulky, yet it's still a strong knife.

Price Paid: Gift

Great knife, good blade, good clip.

All around good knife

5 Stars!!

Price Paid: $5 Used

Your Review

Where to Buy

Help support this site by making your next gear purchase through one of the links above. Click a link, buy what you need, and the seller will contribute a portion of the purchase price to support Trailspace's independent gear reviews.

You May Like

Specs

Price MSRP: $20.00
Current Retail: $24.99
Historic Range: $13.93-$29.93
Reviewers Paid: $5.00-$26.99
Product Details from Gerber »

Recently on Trailspace

Black Diamond FineLine Stretch Rain Shell Review