Gerber Mansfield … surprisingly good!
Gerber’s Mansfield represents a fantastic bargain, especially at the current price. D2 steel forms the blade, and although mine from HH is only a recent part of a modest collection, it has made an impressive debut. Comments from some users online have complained about their Mansfield’s edge chipping when used for wood carving tasks. Mine has displayed no such tendency. So, reading between the lines, it would seem to me that such users have attempted to pry a stubborn piece of wood from a whittled corner. Sideways pressure may feel like a harmless way to get wood fragments out of a corner. But if the primary cuts and stop cuts are not cleanly made, then, yes, a small recalcitrant crumb of hardwood will remain in a tight corner. To attempt to pry that last speck of wood from an inside corner will result in a chipped edge. Almost guaranteed. Yup. Found this out the hard way over the years. The edge on the thin D2 blade of the Mansfield is indeed very fine, and therefore susceptible to breaking off a tiny chunk of steel in a most annoying fashion - IF - one is somewhat inexperienced when it comes to whittling. Cuts in any wood must be completed so that the very thin cutting edge is not subjected to any lateral pressure. This is quite basic knowledge; yet, as noted, some catalogs of personal experience are only developed through self discovery. A reflective “Hmmm. Perhaps I won’t do that again …” makes for a lesson learned. The hard way. As a useful pocket tool, a Gerber Mansfield performs food prep duties, cardboard breakdown chores, in fact, any amount of myriad daily tasks that a folding knife will encounter, with willing aplomb. The blade geometry resembles a typical Scandi grind, but with hollow ground, not flat, sloping surfaces that meet to form a shallow, thin edge. Some finesse, rather than brute force, is required to coax the best from this capable cutter. The thin design of the Micarta scales means that this model is slim, flat, and more or less unobtrusive in a pocket. The pocket clip does not get in the way, for me at least. Even if the blade is rather thin, the firm strong action negates any impression of undue delicacy. Clearly, this knife is designed for real use. I’m not normally a fan of any swayback pattern that ends in a corner at the base of the handle. A rounded bottom end is more comfortable in use, and lessens any tendency to create “hot spots” in one’s grip. Yet the Mansfield offers a comfortable handful without annoying digs into digits or palm. The back spring is firm; five on a scale of one to five, on my example. The lanyard hole is a nice provision. Once or twice over the years, a lanyard has prevented a dropped knife for me, so although it is not a feature that I often use, the option is appreciated. At first the double sided fuller (the long groove on both sides) seemed more like a gimmick. However, it really increases the efficiency of pulling the blade open. It is not necessary to use a thumbnail to manipulate the blade; a pinch grip easily gives a positive purchase, which is in my opinion better than a nail nick, especially on a pocket knife with such a firm back spring. Two hands are definitely needed with this one. Stropping truly brings out the best in a plain, non - serrated edge, and the D2 eagerly responds. Time and actual use will, I trust, only reinforce the initial impression: that this pocket knife is a very good choice, and a stellar bargain. Well done, Gerber; and many thanks yet again, HH!
