Big fan for the knife for it design , and function. Yet the sheath really needs an overhaul. The sheath needs better knife retention and another molle loop.
I really love this knife, but attaching it to molle and it being stable is impossible. It would work better if there were 2 molle loops, one on each end instead of just the one in the middle. Other than that, it is an excellent knife.
WHY IS THE MILITARY VERSION MORE PRICEY THAN THE OTHER?
I LOVE this knife. Feel and handles great. Sheath however is awful. I even removed the secondary lock and lightly filed the retaining sections but still requires tremendous effort to unsheath knife. Please gerber offer a new sheath that is easier to use and belt carry!
Knife-5 stars
Sheath-0 stars
REALLY PERFECT KNİFE, I HAVE MANY OTHER BRANDS BUT THIS ONES MUCH BETTER THAN ALL OF THEM
REALLY 7 STARS KNIFE FOR ME
The knife is GREAT, holds edge well, handle has terrific grip.
The sheath has annoyed me since I pulled this knife out of the packaging. Perhaps my sheath is the exception but it takes a ton of effort to pull this blade out, yes the secondary retention lock is loose.
I've tried pulling the knife out with and without the lock in place and it takes about the same amount of force. In order to unsheath the knife I have to have a good grip on the sheath and pull with both hands. I cannot fasten the knife to my kit or belt bc of how much force it takes to pull the knife out.
I have not experienced "unrestrained deployment" ever with this knife.
Disappointed. Only the serrations were sharp on my de facto...the plain edge was as dull as the M7 bayonet I was issued during desert storm (the mass produced meant only for stabbing not to cut)
Don't know if I've been spoiled by spyderco, zero tolerance and benchmade, but this knife was not as sharp as it should and could be...with cpm s30v it should have a wicked edge.
I would NOT give this to my son, let alone a stranger if they were going to battle.
2 of 5 stars, 2 just for finally getting in the game and using a decent steel like s30v.
Great Knife. Sheath needs work.
THE KNIFE: The grip is a rubber with grooves and a water/sweat/blood drain in the middle of the handle and leathery texture. Its not to hard but soft enough to be very grippy. Sharp out of the box, the serrations go about half way up and are consistently sized and don't chip. Strong and sturdy. Seems like it would be a knife that is a good fighting knife but i wouldn't know because i have no training or experience. Tough, rigid, robust, reliable, you can get an accurate expectation of what you're getting from the picture. Good size comfortable to hold (and I have big hands).
THE SHEATH: The sheath attaches to stuff with a malice clip on the underside. It's a great set up to attach to plate carrier, chest rig, or back pack. You can put this on your belt but it has a VERY tight retention lock. On most flex/friction/retention locks the knife slips out with out pulling your pants off. This sheath shouldn't have a safety because it gets in the way for one, doesn't work for two, and the knife is not going anywhere without the safety. It doesn't slip or softly pop out.
The De Facto is a solid knife with a positive grip thanks to innovative design, and the sheath is ingenius with a manual lock in addition to a friction lock... BUT the sheath only has one point of attachment (design flaw), using a single plastic MOLLE binder. An additional point of attachment is needed to secure the knife to prevent it from flopping around and to ensure release of blade when you yank it.
I just got my De Facto knife in the mail. The knife is a 5-Star product. The Sheath is also excellent. The positive locking engagement is excellent. Very secure. There is, however, a big problem with mounting the sheath to your gear. It only comes with attachment for molle/pals gear, which bothers some people. While I would prefer more attachment options, I'm fine with that. The problem is in the routing of the included malice clip. The way it mounts doesn't allow for a secure attachment to molle/pals webbing and it still moves around a lot. Design flaw. I contacted Gerber and they don't have a fix yet. You can tell many of the reviewers online haven't tried to actually mount the sheath to something. Fix the sheath mounting and I'd give it an A+.
Love the knife I wasn't surprised that Gerber came out with another quality knife such as the De Facto I feel this will be there in case of an emergency.
I am the proud owner of the DEFACTO and like my other(The patriot,Boot knife point in middle and tanto edge and so on.....first thing i try is keeping my coating ok en there has not been a spot since i have it(2 months) use in the woods,fal in the water wich resulted in a tiny damage on the edge but take it a few rides with a ceramic rod and its just like new...This is my EDC!!!!Thanks Gerber
the knife is good as an Edc or boot knife but not as a survival knife so i think it would be better with little to no serrationd.
Of I had it I know I would love it.
the knife is ok the sheath is horrible and whats up with that malice clip? I liked my mark 1 so much better. due to its lack of a proper clip and its difficulty unsheathing it this knife was a waste of money and its just been laying around since I bought it. it looks neat but I wouldn't recommend it. this was a step in the wrong direction
knife is great. would rather have one side with no serrations.
sheath is ok i guess just really hard to pull out or even get in. its really stiff and the extra retention (on mine at least) doesnt do anything but get in the way i push it in on accident just goin to grab it.
the clip is horrible better quality plastic on a G.I. Joe needs a metal clip at least as an option or mayb have to buy it extra i dont care anything is better than that crap. even it i want to wear it with a belt there is to much extra slack in the loop, that combined with the stiff sheath means i almost pull my pants off before the blade releases
Sheath is piss poor. What is the point of a lock when it takes so much to get knife out. I would be afraid to rapidly deploy knife from hip or anywhere besides holding knife out in front of me. This thing will gut you since you need to pull so agressively to deploy. I find it troubling that this is what passes as acceptable these days. The knife is ok. I am pissed because mine is not cut the same on both sides and has this funky uneven look. Causes knife to rattle in sheath when installed " gerber up " but no rattle when "S30V" is up. A larger verion in a fuctional sheath would be a proper combat tool. This is a tactical letter opener at best.
The case is a poor design it is not easy to use if the sheath lock was improved I would not have any complaints
Was disappointed in the De Facto. I carried a Mark I and Guardian II during my active duty time. I thought the De Facto would be an upgrade/improvement on the Mark I. I like that it is made of S30V and the rubberized grip. Takes too much to get out of the sheath. The grip feels good, but I don't think the guard would stop another knife like the Mark I aluminum guard would. Here's my suggestions -- BTW I make knives -- Make the blade 1/2" longer and the grip 1/2" shorter, if you have to. Otherwise, simply make the blade 1/2 to 1" longer. Take off the serrations on one side of the blade -- make it full length sharp. Make it black. Make the sheath lock easier to use and supply a belt clip in addition to the Mole loop. I know it can be used that way, but a metal clip would also allow it to be used as a boot knife or without a belt.
Serrations are only good if your spending all day in a rope factory. Lose the serrations and you will have a excellent knife.
Standing by patiently for the non-serrated version....Or at least one side non-serrated. Serrations are a nightmare to maintain in the field, and a plain edge is so much easier for opening MRE's!
Cool design, loose the serrations......Like the original mk 2- it is only made for one thing and you don't need serrations for that.....should be black as well....
Love the De Facto It's light weight will penetrate soft tissue real easy with little or no effort. I do have an issue with the sheath it's real hard to pull out. But I imagine if the "Soup Is On" you wouldn't even know it was difficult. Would I suggest it to others hell yes I would Gerber puts allot of love in their gear and they know the troops out there rely on quality NOT quantity. If your looking for a great product that will save your bacon when needed this is defiantly a winner.
I carried a Randall in Nam in '65 and broke it their. I could have really used this one, and that's a De Facto.....
Would be nice if this would come with only one side serrated. Other than that, the size/weight are perfect.
Wonderful! 100% amazing! I just want it in black or a grey please!!!!?
Looks great! Exactly what I have been looking for in a tactical back-up knife; compact, yet functional length.
Tried to order it, but now on the second 2-3 week back-order delay through Amazon & George Sports. Still eagerly waiting patiently in a remote part of Afghanistan.
Amazing knife. Extremely sharp and everything, but because it has a double edge it's concidered a dagger and is illegal to carry in Pennsylvania. Also the lock on the sheath would not work for me
this is exactly what ive been waiting for since i saw an earlier picture in an ad . i need this knife . how can i purchase this
Excellent Knife , and Great Sheath , but the Lock needs some work . knife can out while doing jumping jacks : Luckly it landed on grass not blacktop
I am one of the lucky few to already own one of these bad boys... I love it, its tough and badass.
vivement sa sortie. j' ai hate qu' il soit importé en france.
looks like a nice solid knife ,full tang ,partially serrated nice piece
Woulda been nice to have in Helmand. Whens this bad boy come out?
let it be in OD please let it be in OD
If this knife is half as nice as it looks or anywhere near the caliber of the LMF, I'm going to love it. When does it come out and whats the price?
Nice knife. I agree with several others; a version in black would be beneficial.
i had this in Iraq! man would have been nice while moving street to street in mosul. serrations are good for cutting through webbing. this isn't for fishing
Over all not bad. I would like to see an option for serrations on one side and no serrations at all.
does it come in black? not everybody works in the sand.
For a dagger, a full tang would be better, with some jimpings on the sides for thumb grip.
Textured G10 scales are the best (instead of this rubberized handle)
I hope the steel used will be a CPM one.
Serrations are useless IMO, and a pain in the ass to re-sharpen. Only one blade side is enough.
The waiting is killing me, whats the price.
Great Knife,perfect design,size I'prefer 5,5 better,and not bad maked in future an version color black.
I Just Wanna know the Price!!! Can't wait till they realeese it.
