Gerber Vital Pocket Folder EAB

I am on a constant journey to minimise the gear I carry when hunting. I have just taken another step along that path. My meat processing backpack kit has just been significantly reduced with the acquisition of a Gerber Vital Pocket Folder EAB.

The two knives and sharpening tools I formerly carried will now reside in the vehicle for when I can get the car to a carcass. When on foot and faced with butchering a kill in rough terrain and packing out the meat, I will now rely on the Gerber Vital. My small bag of meat processing gear simply holds the Gerber, a pack of spare blades, hanging hook, zip-lock bag of disposable gloves and another zip-lock bag of plastic meat bags.

Over the past couple of decades, I have noted that a few of the professional hunters I know use Gerber changeable scalpel blade knives for butchering and caping. The interchangeable scalpel-style blades are super sharp and glide through meat and skin. There is no need to swap knives and sharpen blades while in use.

Changing blades on the Gerber is safe, quick and easy. It is a fantastic way to always ensure the sharpest possible blades and avoid time spent sharpening knives. There are other interchangeable blade knives available, but I chose the Gerber on its merits. Although, I must admit to a long-term liking for Gerber knives and tools. The first pocketknife I had as a kid was a Gerber and along the way I acquired a few of my dad and uncles’ well-worn Gerber pocketknives that are now over 100 years old.

The Gerber Vital EAB is fitted with a #60 industry-standard razor blade and comes with six #60 replaceable blades. Additional packs of blades can be bought as needed. Point to note – this is not a heavy-duty knife and should not be used as one. If you are hacking and chopping your carcasses, then you are doing it all wrong.

With its ultrasharp blade, the Gerber Vital will disassemble a large deer in no time, simply by following obvious muscle lines and sliding through sinews and connective tissue. The shorter 55mm of exposed blade is big enough to make sweeping cuts. All metalwork is stainless steel.

The Gerber Vital weighs only 37g and is 175mm long, making it more manoeuvrable than larger conventional hunting knives when field butchering. The rubberised grip is comfortable and non-slip. Orange inserts in the handle make the knife easy to spot when you drop it in the grass. There is a hole for fitting a lanyard. The Vital pocketknife, true to its name, has a sturdy stainless-steel clip and is comfortable carry in your pocket.

Gunshops and trade supply stores stock Gerber gear and are worth visiting to browse. Alternatively, visit
gerbergear.com.au where you’ll find the knife for the excellent price of $59.95.