We talked about the Outdoor Edge Slidewinder the other day, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t follow up with a fresh mention of Gerber’s EAB tools. The Gerber EAB, or Exchange-A-Blade, is a compact folding utility knife that’s about a small as a knife like this can get.
Shown above is the Gerber EAB Lite, which features stainless steel construction, a liner lock, and pocket clip that can double as a money clip (according to Gerber).
Advertisement
The Lite has small cut-outs and a different shape than the original.
- 5.10″ length when open
- 2.85″ closed
- 1.5″ blade length
- Accepts “standard” or “contractor” utility knife blades
- Weighs 2.29 oz
Price: ~$12
Buy Now(via Amazon)
There’s also the non-Lite Gerber EAB knife. It’s styled a little differently and costs a little more.
Advertisement
Price: ~$14
Buy Now(via Amazon)
Discussion
I bought a Gerber EAB a while back and have also mentioned them on ToolGuyd, although not for some time.
The original Gerber EAB was recalled a while back (12 years ago), and the redesign seems to have worked because I haven’t heard of any complaints or issues since then.
Blade changes are done with a slotted screwdriver, but some users have reported being able to use a small coin. I suppose a credit card could maybe also be used in a pinch.
The EAB has a pocket clip, but no hole for a keyring or lanyard, but that’s probably for the best.
I’ve seen quite a few compact utility knife designs in recent years, but the Gerber EAB is probably still the best design for most users, given its simplicity and reasonable pricing.
The EAB and EAB Lite are slightly different, and according to specs the EAB has a little more of its blade exposed. I only have the EAB, not the Lite, and so I can’t tell you which is better. I went with the EAB because at the time it was a little less expensive.
Both knives are higher in price now than they were in recent months, but I believe they were “add-on” items for a time, and now they’re not. You can get slightly better pricing at knife dealers, but free shipping thresholds are usually much higher than at Amazon.
If there were an EDC (everyday carry) tool hall of fame, the Gerber EAB would likely be one of the top award-holders. It’s popular, and for good reason.
Now here’s what I’m wondering: Gerber EAB or Swiss Army Knife Classic?
Jared
I have the regular EAB too but, as I mentioned in the other post about the slidewinder, my pocket clip came off. I’ve heard this isn’t terribly unusual for the EAB. Very annoying. Good design otherwise. Doesn’t much look like a knife when folded up – which has some advantages. Reasonably conformable to hold and very small and compact.
Jon
I have both versions. They are okay. I’m not a fan a the screw to hold the blade. I’ve cross threaded it by accident.
I really like the Screwpop utility knife. It’s small, lighter and far more useful to me.
Koko The Talking Ape
That Screwpop knife is interesting. Is the blade lock (the little lever that catches the notches in the blade) spring-loaded?
Jon
No
John
No but it has a magnet that keeps the blade in place.
Nate B
No, but it’s very stiff. You can open it one-handed, but it doesn’t fall open in your pocket.
SubJock
I had the Gerber, got tired of fussing with and dropping the screw, bought the screwpop knifw on a whim and now can’t live without it. I found stainless steel utility blades on American Science and Surplus: https://www.sciplus.com/standard-stainless-steel-10pack-utility-knife-blades-57623-p $1.95 for 10… now I son’t need to worry about the blade rusting from finger oils.
ed stringer
Tractor Supply makes a improved EAB, with better sonstrution on the clip, and no screw
Jon Brown
I have the EAB lite and I like it but I just can’t pull myself away from my Fastback. The nature of my work and home projects lend themselves to a heavier duty knife though.
Jonathan Glenn Travelstead
Wow, these doubled in price! This time last year I bought 6 of them for $7/each.
Koko The Talking Ape
I was poking around and found this guy. It is comparable to the EAB, but you can replace the blade without tools. The customer reviews are good, and seem real. Does anybody have any experience with it?
https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-3-piece-Change-Folding-Utility/dp/B01JRNAQ2W/
David Zeller
I got them a couple of years ago. Gave two away, have since lost mine, but I recall being surprised at the fit and finish. I’d get them again if I were in the market. Definitely a worthy “stash around the house” knife at the very least.
They had a perfect mirror finish, which I thought was surprising, too.
Koko The Talking Ape
Thanks!
Darrin
$10.44 at Walmart.
Stuart
Yes, but only available for in-store pickup.
Dan
I love my Husky. I don’t know where I got it, but it’s been a long time. It has a regular folding knife and on the end a blade that can be changed easly.
Jared
Is it this one? https://www.homedepot.ca/product/husky-2-4-inch-compact-folding-lock-back-utility-knife/1000807253
I have one too. It’s pretty good. Definitely more knife-looking than the Gerber, but has a couple features: tool-free and quick blade changes, deep pocket clip, locks into position – and it was cheap, maybe $5-7 when I bought it.
Londy
I’ve bought the originals at 7$ Home Depot and the black eabs with multi tool for 3$ at tractor supply . Score . I love them
Gordon
I’ve been meaning to pickup a Nitecore NTK05 https://flashlight.nitecore.com/product/ntk05
I love the small blade of my Olfa but the length is often an issue. This little guy uses a scalpel blade which is both sharp and easily replaceable
There is also the larger NTK10 but the cost is a little out of my range and it’s larger than what I’d want to toss in my pocket for an EDC.
David Zeller
I got the 05 and am pleased with it. I had started to use scalpel blades and wanted something portable. The 05 weighs nothing on a keychain. No concerns about accidental opening. The blade cannot come off when fully opened (has to be at specific angle, lined up with a notch, for safety). Changing blades is a skill, as with changing scalpel blades on any blade holder.
A little pricey, but all of the tiny folding ones are.
Wayne R.
After a mean slice changing a scalpel blade with oily fingers, my OR friend said, “Use a hemostat,” which means to the rest of us: That’s what needle nose pliers are for.
David Zeller
“Nurse, needle nose, (hemo)stat!”
I hear this in Alan Alda’s voice from M*A*S*H*.
Dave
After you drop and lose the screw a few times when changing the blade, you give up on these and carry a Milwaukee compact fastback flip and wonder why you ever carried the Gerber in the first place.
Travis
Amen to that. Those Milwaukee Fastback are darned tough to beat for the money. Always have one in my pocket.
Judah
I have and use the Lite EVERY day. Working and at home. I have owned 4 or 5 over the last 8 years. (Never paying more than $9 ) Never cared for the EAB standard, just the Lite.
I use Lennox Gold LENOX Gold 20350-GOLD5C Titanium Edge Utility Knife Blade – 5 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009ENCUW/
They make such great gifts too!
Londy
You should try the serrated blades with that knife
JoeM
Y’know… I usually don’t like Gerber… I often find their designs a little too “Because we think it looks cool” rather than being “Because it works better this way.”
But I gotta say, this idea is pretty nice. Now… if it was wider, and could hold, say, 5+ blades or something… it would make a perfect Blade-Wallet for EDC. You could hold a spare of different kinds of blades in one of these, clipped to a pocket that held the utility knife you want to use (yes, including one of these EAB’s) and you’d never have to fear a dull blade, or having a specific blade for a specific task.
Tiny and minimalist… That can be very handy! Though, with the concern Jared raises with the clip snapping off? Yeah… They gotta fix that before I’d even consider this. I have better utility knives than this. I’m not spending $20 on a blade holder that can’t handle the strain of holding onto a pocket or my belt, when I spent $15 on my knife that CAN. (Converting to Canadian, hence the different numbers.)
But if Gerber can make a really, REALLY, nice version of the EAB designed to double as a Wallet for spare blades? I’d be in on that, using this fold-out design.
Koko The Talking Ape
I liked the idea of the EAB, until I saw that there were at least three alternatives that use the same blades, but allow tool-less blade replacement. That screw holding the EAB’s blade in is literally the most primitive, inconvenient way there is to hold the blade.
And I can suggest another knife, the cheapie snap-off knives they sell at HD and other places. They are longer than the EAB but they weigh nothing. Exposing the blade is quick and easy, and it locks at any blade length. Replacement blades are a little harder to find (I’ve never done it) but they cost a dollar each, so why bother. If you want a nicer, sturdier one, Olfa has a large selection.
JoeM
Totally agree, Koko. But, then again… I don’t like the EAB for the KNIFE aspect. Strangely, I rarely see something as its intended purpose, and I’m always looking at ways to make it “Better”… Sometimes via repurposing, like I see here.
If we remove the screw all together, or at least replace it with a thumb screw, make it wider to hold more blades when it folds closed, then it becomes a far more useful Blade WALLET. Obviously we’d have to strengthen that pocket clip, because… we don’t want it to snap off at the wrong moment, and toss blades everywhere. But, aside from that, the design, both folded and open, are quite pleasing and minimalist in a way as to appeal to an EDC type carry. Just… Not as a KNIFE. The blade wallet idea? Sure. I can see that being worth what they’re asking here. But, as a knife? No… There are lighter, stronger, more reliable knives for less, and by better knife makers, as you’ve said yourself.
The shape, design accents, and enclosed folded design that nearly exactly fits a blade like that? That would be useful to carry spares around for your other knives. Or going from straight edge, to scaloped, to hooked, to carbide, or even to those silly graphite blade pencils. Keeping a selection on you just in case is just a beautiful idea.
Though, it may just be me. I don’t know. Sometimes all I see is potential for something better than it is presented to be. I often overlook any context that may, or may not, make a particular product excell or fail at the job it’s intended for. I suppose you could say I’m a bit like a Blacksmith who shoes Horses all day, but sees nothing but potential for being able to save Zebras with his tools around him. Everyone’s talking about getting their Horses shoed properly, He’s always talking about saving Zebras. Why? Who knows? Maybe he’s a few nuts short of a fruitcake? Maybe he just can’t settle for things as they are, and needs to find improvements and optimizations in everything he does?
I don’t know, honestly. I just see this design scaled a little different, and it resulting in a really handy little side-gadget to better knives.
Stuart
I’d say that the EAB is designed for occasional use, not daily use. I don’t think that having a screw, perhaps one that can be turned with a coin, is a big issue. If someone’s changing the blade on this frequently, it might not be the best tool for them.
I would also add that tool-free utility knives aren’t perfect – I’ve had some jam and others where the blade pulled out. Things like that never happened to my utility knives that must be unscrewed to change a blade. Implementing a tool-free blade change on a tool of this size might be complicated and not as foolproof.
Koko The Talking Ape
I wonder what you would say about this guy. It looks similar, but has tool-less blade changing.
https://www.amazon.com/WORKPRO-3-piece-Change-Folding-Utility/dp/B01JRNAQ2W/
Stuart
Looks interesting, but remember – Workpro is a GreatStar brand, and GreatStar is experienced in making utility knives. Gerber is an outdoors knife and tool company, and so a screw lock is a far safer approach, or at least that’s my assumption. The EAB is also less expensive.
Update: Wait a second, that’s a 3-pack?!! I take back what I said about pricing!
jayne
I have one of these. I like it, not much bigger than the blade. Easy to carry around and quality made…
Eric Heisler
Eab lite are great little knives I looked at screw pops they look cheap stamped metal and you can get screws to hold blade at a hardware store for eab I carry mine all the time always sharp