PRODUCT CARE

GENERAL PRODUCT CARE

Knife Sharpening
Gerber recommends frequent and light sharpening to ensure your blade is always sharp. A dull blade is more dangerous than a sharp one. Over sharpening can cause premature deterioration of the blade.

To sharpen a serrated knife edge, consider doing so with a round sharpener or a similar style stone.  Lay the diamond shaft in the serration and file up and down in each serration along the entire blade.  When sharpening of a serrated blade is sufficient, a burr can be felt on the flat, or reverse side of the knife blade (you can feel the burr with your fingernail.)  This burr should be removed by rubbing that side of the knife with the Diamond Knife Sharpener with a circular motion.  If no burr appears, then the angle was too small and the work on the grooves must be repeated using a larger angle.

Rust
Gerber products use a 100% high-grade stainless steel.  Stainless steel is not completely resistant to rust but rather is corrosion resistant to rust.  Corrosion can occur in the absence of proper maintenance.  Your Gerber product should be cleaned, dried and re-oiled periodically to inhibit rust and corrosion; this is especially true in a damp or marine environment.  If your Gerber product comes in contact with any substance that you are uncertain about, it is always a good idea to wash your blade off with tap water, dry it and apply a light coat of oil.  

Fishing Gear
If your Gerber product comes into contact with saltwater you must flush it with tap water after each use and coat it with good quality lightweight oil occasionally. Salt water is extremely corrosive and will attack and destroy any type of steel.

Multi-Tools
Use high quality light oil on Multi-Tool implements from time to time. Prior to treatment, be sure to clean the product of debris and moisture.  Your Multi-Plier can be rinsed in clear tap water to help remove most of the debris.  If dirt or grime is found in the groves, handles, etc., use a small soft brush to help loosen the trapped particles.  When the tool is sufficiently clean and dry, apply the oil.  Stained areas can usually be buffed out using a polishing cloth or non-metallic scouring pad.

SAFE USE

Any time you use a knife, always keep safety in mind, and please follow these basic knife safety rules.

• Read all instructions included with your Gerber knife, and pay particular attention to any safety warnings, labels, or instructions addressed in the paperwork
• Know exactly how your Gerber knife works prior to use, and practice safely opening and closing the knife before applying it (as well as before replacing it in its sheath)
• Always keep your Gerber knife sharp: a properly sharpened knife functions better than a dull knife, in addition to being safer to use
• Always keep the blade edge and point of your Gerber knife pointed in a safe direction, ensuring that there is no one in close proximity to the location where you plan to apply it
• Always cut away from your body, or from the body of any other person around which the knife is being applied
• Always keep your Gerber folding knife closed and your fixed blade knife/machete sheathed when not in use
• Never use excess force to replace your Gerber knife or machete within its sheath. If there is resistance during the replacement process and excess force is used, you may risk serious personal injury. Often, forcing the blade back into the sheath is a result of incorrect replacement. Check the position of the blade at the mouth of the sheath and use care to ease the blade into the sheath’s body
• Remember: The Right Tool for the Right Job. Only use your knife to cut. Never use it to hammer, pry, ice-pick, etc
• Never throw your Gerber knife. Contrary to what films and TV depict, knives are not designed to be thrown, and you risk damage to the knife, in addition to serious potential injury to yourself or another person
• If, for any reason, the blade of your folding knife does not lock in the open position, do not attempt to use the knife. Please contact Gerber Consumer Services immediately
• Never place pressure on the blade of a folding knife in a direction that might cause it to close on your fingers
• Never attempt to take apart your Gerber knife. Doing so may make the knife unsafe, and will likely void the Lifetime Limited Warranty. If your knife requires repair, contact Gerber Consumer Services
• Take the time to thoroughly explain knives and knife safety to any children in your household. Teach them that knives are tools, not toys. Their education as responsible knife users and/or future knife owners begins with their being made fully aware as to how to safely handle and care for a knife

You can find additional information regarding knife safety from the American Knife & Tool Institute.