Gerber Jukebox Folding Knife 18

Knife was sharp out of the box - smart piece of kit. Disappointed to find it was made in China! Excellent service by Heinnie.

This is probably a 'Marmite' knife - love it or hate it. I really like the look of it, even if it has a couple of small issues that result in having a star knocked off the rating. More on them in a moment. Obviously not UK carry friendly, but not overtly threatening in appearance due to the flat blade end although I still wouldn't carry it in public, to be on the safe side. Fit and finish are to a very good standard:- blade is centered, moderately sharp from the box, nicely equal hollow grind, liner lock is positive, the tortoiseshell scales add a bit of 'pizazz' and the odd mix of looking rather like a friction folder while really being a lock knife makes it......different. Pocket carry is tip down and deep, thanks to a decently robust clip and the knife would be easily overlooked if not for the opening extension on the back end of the blade, which is visible above the pocket. The missing star is because:- Opening the blade is neither smooth or effortless, so one-handed opening is do-able, but not the easiest way to deploy it. However, since it won't be part of my EDC, I won't worry too much. Closing it requires comment, too. The blade pivot feels less than smooth despite lubrication and I hope it will become smoother with time and use. The lock release doesn't suit me. It's thin and stiff and needs to be pressed from the 'fully forward' position to be sure of getting it to let go on the first try. As is the way with knives, it needs to be used, sharpened and carried for domestic jobs to form a better opinion because I've only had the Jukebox for a few days. Is it worth the money? I'm still deciding.

Heinnie Haynes managed to order one of these in for me over a year ago. It is one of my favourite pocket knives of all time.