It's what you'd expect from a short polymer hatchet with a hollow handle for a knife. If you want less fatigue and more production per chop, you get a proper hatchet with a solid handle.
There were so many complaints about the inner knife which was "sorta held in place with a magnet" that there was a recall/update that added a rubber retainer to keep the handle knife from falling out.
Dual purpose is a great thing, but only if a tool can do both properly; this can't.
This axe is very dangerous! The knife fell out while using the axe! It flipped around and hit the top of my hand, where it ripped the tendon to my little finger. I had to get surgery and wear a cast for 5 weeks, and even with training I will never be able to fully close my right hand or lift my right little finger again. Now I can only be thankful that it didn't hit me in the eye, or hit someone else! Please be safe and don't buy this!!
This is my first Gerber product and I was really excited because Gerber Is well known for stupendous craftsmanship.
Well I just assumed it would be exceptionally sharp. No, not sharp at all.
I bought this at a store and have the original packaging and sheath, so I hope they'll just let me return it.
Why are people talking about a recall when I just bought this a week ago?
Frustrating.
I bought the gator axe combo when it was a new product and I have used it for years. It has made thousands of "chops" without a flaw. This is an incredible tool. I have cut down trees, trimmed branches, quartered moose, split firewood, fabricated shelters, you name it. This axe and knife are extremely durable. They stay sharp, the grip is perfect, great feel and weight. I bought 2 more for my kids outdoor gear packs. I love Gerber Tools.
Bought this set and use it while hunting for clearing small limbs. The knife is perfect for cleaning waterfowl and other small game. Company sent me the device to secure the knife in the handle. This too fits neatly in my blind bag.
Great little combo, use it for hanging and maintaining tree stands and blinds. use it also as a camp and survival tool while moose hunting in northern Ontario. Knife is a a great size for cleaning small game and fish, we have used it a lot. great for putting in a pack or bugout bag. I have hand no problem with sharpening both knife and ax . Good buy
Good hatchet, I cut down an 20 inch diameter tree in 5 mins
This combo was only recalled due to older models getting stuck in wood and "users" (sic dumbasses) got themselves cut, due to a lack of preparation while removing said stuck item. As it is a stubby axe the lever action is difficult, so remove the knife and get a dowel rod. Insert it into the axe and then pull. It's kind of a small axe to be using it for large chunks of wood. Other then this does what is intended...
The blade caved in as if chipped on the first 3 hacks into a hog joint in its front leg. Knives can cut through there but a hatchet can't? 2 stars just for the cool design idea.
Bought this for a "pack tool" while hunting. The hatchet was my primary interest, using it mostly to cut bone of downed game. The knife, although a secondary feature for me is a nice sharp fixed blade, good for use as a back up to my Gerber Gator. I honestly don't "trust" the magnet in the axe to hold the knife in so I prefer to carry the axe in my pack instead of on my belt with my Gator blade. The hatchet is solid, and has a good weight to it. Overall, I like my purchase so far, regardless of what others have commented here; I've had no issues yet.
HAHAHA I can't believe you still sell this after the recall.
All I needed was a camp axe for kindling, and the knife is a great plus. But the axe seems dull...i could only get 2inch wood chips from the wood i was trying to chop into kindling. And that seemed to take a lot more effort than if it were sharper. There are even some knicks on the blade now.
im gonnna save up of this epic axe/knife
This looks like a great hatchet, my buddy is getting one and I am deciding between this and a wetterlings
Does anyone know where the knife on this axe is made
sorry for yelling....i feel better now, thank you...i don't know, i was just leaving the concept as an internal advancement opportunity i figured some Gerber employee would reap perks and a sense of company belonging from....
i honestly had no idea it would take this long and i just couldn't stand it anymore...i mean your cold and tired and your going to quarter an elk with one of those freakin boning saws ? forget that, this takes way less energy, way...and it splits the pelvic like a gem, and if you open the cage to cool it quicker on a warm day this is your go to....
so get the combo set up with a gut hook blade, leave some of the flat shadow in link to the predecessor, and i will take mine in Real Tree AP please...
thank you
E.W..Krulgert
i have a very early issue Pre-Combo Gerber Pack Axe...i Love It..crips. it has been part of my field dressing kit since i got it,, and i can't even imagine the merit of a field dress kit sans Pack Axe at all anymore.. it's just gotta be there for me or i would feel ill equipped for the job...
so after all these years i still haven't bought a combo because i am WAITING VERY PATIENTLY for someone at Gerber to say " hey,..why don't we set up the combo with a nice Fixed Gut-hook Blade instead of the Plain Jane? " .....GEE YA THINK?
Handy little combo....until one of our scouts used it and the knife dropped out of the handle into the snow. I was sad that the knife was lost but glad that our scouts didn't find it impaled in his foot. I hope Gerber fixed this issue or it would be a painful discovery for someone.
Yet again, Gerber has pleased my father with their products. He uses it for camping, and hunting. He uses the knife regularly (He made a sheath for it) So he doesn't have to tote around a hatchet all day. But I might have to get one soon too.
I love this axe and its stowaway blade companion ! I've learned to throw the axe and just as I release it I am able to pinch the blade out and end up with it securely in my hand ! But a word of advise, be very careful if trying this as the blade can spin in your fingers back towards the back of your hand and if not holding it tightly it can slip from your fingers and fly back at you ! Please Be Careful !!!
Grip's peeled off every Gator product I've owned. Hope they did a better job putting together the new machete.
The best knife ever had, i can chop bear bone or deer bone no problem, super sharp and easy to pack it in i order another one cos i lost my first axe.
I bought mine the day I got out of the Army in 2004. I just REALLY sharpened it for the first time 3 weeks ago when I was helping my Dad out removing deadfall from a fence. Yes, it's good. I have only used the knife a handful of times, but the axe has been used on overnight trips, weeklong trips, and as a great assistant in helping keep my folks wood stove fed. It's tremendously sharp and seriously can take a beating. I popped a magnet (and thus the knife too) out of the handle about 3 years ago beating it with a sledge to get it out of some knotty log. 2 drops of gorilla glue got it back right as rain, no problems. Being it gets whacked like that often, I don't think anyone's "snapped in half" the first time they used it, unless there's something BIG they left out of the story. My only warning is not a complaint. JUST. BE. CAREFUL. Being that the handle is so short, you are losing a lot of the swing room/leverage you get with a longer handle, so pretty much where your hand goes, this blade will too. If you miss a limb or log, you may put it in your foot or thigh. Otherwise... BUY IT NOW. I'm ordering 3 of the larger ones in a minute... Winter is Coming. :)
I RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS AXE AND KNIFE COMBO. I THINK IT IS A GREAT AXE AND THE BLADE IS THE BEST.
i just bought this axe and found it to be a solid axe and good for chopping wood. the knife is also the best. the best axe ive bought.
Had this gator combo axe for about 5 years. It has done everything I asked it to. Great for hammering tent pegs in the ground. I haven't had to, but I think it would be good for fighting off mountain lions.
I want to buy but I live in Russia
Good until I started making a trail out in the woods and now there is two large chunks out of the blade. The knife is good as far I know. The axe`s blade is hard to sharpen and it dulled pretty fast
Ive had it for over a year and it is surprisingly durable.
This, is a great all around axe. Fits great in my go bag, and the knife is a plus! Preppers look for tools that serve many uses and this axe has it!
ive had mine for about a year now still great and very durable i also really doubt anyones has ever snapped in half
ive had mine for two years now and it is like brand new perfect
This has great balance and is great when your backpacking
Took it backpacking and then camping and the first use camping it snapped in half.
i just got this littl axe and i cant put it down im about to go git the big one wlth the saw nife so illbe properd win im out in the midel of nower
i can't wait to tell him i have a knife/hatchet. to in it an't know Smith & Wesson combo! it is a cool looking partner.
Nice tool I can use this to cut branches for my shop to make Cool things l;ike Canes or Walkinsticks or a thing o use to get fruit out of a tree.
This thing looks pretty cool.
I bought this recently at a Dick's Sporting Goods. The knife fits perfectly in the handle, and it does come with a sheath. Excellent product.
I just got this product itstruelly remarkable. the handle may be small but its okay. the knife inside is super sharp i use it for gutting only. to awser you Yes it does have SHEATH i recamend it.
this looks really sweet but i dont understand why it doesn't have a sheath
