Whenever I’m hiking or backpacking, I always include a knife in my 10 Essentials Kit. My knife has come in handy many times, whether I’m cutting a piece of fruit, trimming some medical adhesive tape, cutting and trimming broken gear, and providing peace of mind in case of an emergency.
Recently I started taking along the Gerber Crucial, a pocket tool that has a knife of course, as well as several other useful tools. What is really impressive is the secure locking capability of the tool, as well as how compact it is!
Gerber knives are known for their durability, and my testing has proven that it can survive even Hiking Lady’s abuse! The knife is a 2.5 inch blade, with both a straight edge as well as serrated section.
Gerber Crucial - Serrated and Straight Edge Knife
It is on the heavy side, so I do not take this along on backpacking trips, just day hikes. It is great for everyday use, and it is compact enough to keep in a pocket or purse.
The Pros:
- Ultra Compact. The Gerber Crucial folds down to just 3.5 inches long and less than 1.5 inches wide.
- Useful tools. Pliers, wire cutters, philips head screwdriver, straight edge screwdriver, a bottle opener, and a mini carabiner!
The Cons:
- Weight. For backpacking, a knife is all that I take along. The pliers, screwdrivers, wirecutter, and other features are nice, but not worth the extra weight if you want to travel light like me!
I really like your page and reviews, but it would be nice if you put more prices on the stuff you review. Otherwise, great job and thanks!
Thanks for reading, Greg. Great point! For what it’s worth, the Gerber Crucial goes for $24-28 at various stores online.