Gerber 06 F.A.S.T. (FAST) vs. 06 Auto

I'm comparing the USA made Gerber 06 Auto with the newer Chinese made 06 Assisted Opening "FAST" model. The FAST is an OK knife - but it is a far cry from its American Auto counterpart. I would like to see Gerber make an Assisted Opening version of the USA 06 Auto - using the same quality components and materials.

I do like the FAST knife - it will be a decent EDC beater. The G10 handles are very comfortable (I actually prefer them to the USA model Aluminum scales, but forgot to mention it in the video). This knife is a bit slimmer in profile and has a slightly thinner blade. The enclosed backstrap is nice - you don't have to worry about car keys or coins dinging up your blade through the open backstrap like the USA version. The lock is weak on the Chinese model, the lock switch is garbage as well. The pivot is small on the Chinese version. I'd like to see a drop point version of this knife as well, for a more "utility" function. I will note that the more I use the FAST, the more put off I am by the fact that the "safety" is backwards / reversed as compared to the Auto. As someone who carries a knife while working in law enforcement, the muscle memory issues is important to me - carrying a knife off duty which functions the opposite of my duty knife is annoying.

The 06 Auto is a great knife. I would like to see a plain edge version - all current versions are part serrated combos. One thing to be aware of is that if you keep the plunger/button depressed while closing the blade, you can over-close the blade and ding your edge on the frame - which is more of a problem on the tanto blade version. Otherwise, the Auto is top notch. G10 grip scales would be nice, but that is a minor point.

Both are nice knives - both will serve you well as an EDC.

Looks like I'll just have to move to Arizona so that I can carry these guys without breaking some archaic knife law!

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Gerber
• 06
• FAST
• F.A.S.T.
• Auto
• Switch
• Blade
• Assited
• Opening
• Assist

[penguinparker7]

Many of you are asking why military personal,cops,firemen etc... Get to handle auto blades and guns and civilians don't. Well for one thing law enforcement do things that require having these tools civilians dont. A good example is in the middle east if a soldier has just a single fire gun how will he/she even stand a chance against AK-47s. Civilians aren't usually up to automatic assault rifles so they don't need automatics. Also if you want an automatic blade just get assisted opening there j

[dicemansr77]

@penguinparker7 I agree with some of your argument, although a "switchblade" versus an "auto assist" with one being legal and the other not is a ridiculous distinction. Its an absurdity in the law that defies logic.

[daffydsteroidhead]

can you do a comparison video? of the knives in ths video and some flick knives.

[CPLBSS88]

i like the design of the FAST but its a major let down...i wish they atleast used AUS8 blade steel and i wish it opened faster...overall I dont think its worth the cash, i will go with the SOG Trident.

[zacthebold]

@dicemansr77 Well I've given my two cents, I think we can agree to disagree.

[damianfloyd1129]

This video is popular on El Salvador

[dicemansr77]

@zacthebold Also, I am opposed to any restriction on switchblade knives - public servants or not - same as you.

[dicemansr77]

@zacthebold I'm sure that it isn't the "norm," but some smaller departments in rural areas only have a small handful of LEOs in the community (or even the entire county). Years back (locally) there was a jail break - dispatch called (via cell phone) all off duty and reserve LEOs to assist in the search. In a handful of minutes there were a dozen armed off duty cops crawling all over the surrounding blocks and found the inmate hiding under a parked vehicle. Anecdotal story, but an example.

[zacthebold]

@dicemansr77 Hmm... never heard of an off duty cop being called in when he is totally off duty, only when he is "On call". That could constitute as being on duty. Why would they be anymore likely to find themselves in a dangerous situation (off duty) than a civilian? If a cop goes in a bank that happens to get robbed he can hit the floor like the rest of us. If we have to be helpless so should he. Even if what you say is true it only applies to LE and not military, EMS, and firefighters.

[dicemansr77]

@zacthebold Yes, they are "special" when they are off duty. I don't know what your experience in or with law enforcement consists of, but given the frequency that off duty cops are called on to assist on duty officers or are found in positions requiring action despite being off duty, I see nothing wrong with some statutory exceptions in favor of these individuals. And, with you on switchblades, not on auto firearms...

[zacthebold]

@dicemansr77 They aren't special when they are off duty. They have a job, they aren't a special class of entitled people. At least I don't think they should be. Driving fast and handling automatic weapons on the job is fine and makes sense, but it should be left at work. I also think switchblades should be 100% legal, so should full auto firearms. But exempting a special group isn't relaxing the law, it's empowering it. The law is too big already. Two wrongs don't make a right.

[dicemansr77]

@zacthebold Special? What are you getting at? I'm neither Military nor Law Enforcement any more - but my boys and girls in green and blue ARE "special," and some of the "perks" include driving fast, handling automatic weapons, killing people lawfully, and getting shot at. I don't know if this is what you're getting at or not... Personally, I find switchblade laws to be ridiculous across the board - but at a minimum, public servants, military, and CC permit holders should be exempt.

[zacthebold]

Yeah I think the switchblade laws are stupid, but exactly why do you think you deserve to be exempt just because you are military? How does that make you special? I'm not picking on you, I don't think cops, EMS, or firefighters should be exempt from any laws either. Cops should have to get CC permits just like anyone else if they are off duty. Nor should they get any special privileges when it comes to class III weapons.

[fearmehnoobs]

i have the 06 fast, and the safety on the 06 fast seems better than the 06 auto's, i mean, backwards for hot and forwards for safety? seems counter-intuitive.

[ianlolsatyou]

If you think that your local knife laws are bad, check out English knife laws.

[ibesteadymobbin92]

@czarjam Technically when you do that it's a gravity knife, in other words, still a switchblade. They just need to get rid Of the stupid law in general, it's outdated

[dicemansr77]

@Jimmy46E Thanks Jimmy! And, I agree with you re: the ruggedness. I'm no longer working in law enforcement and am now out of the military - even so, this is a great utility knife and I use mine often for this, that and the other.

[Jimmy46E]

Thats Rancid in the background off their newest album. Verdict: You do good work. I carry the military version, USMC and all. It does good work. Heavy, but insanely rugged. 

[czarjam]

Pull the spring out of one of your 06s and you can just flip it open when you press the button. I pulled my springs for shipping back from Afghanistan. Makes it legal to use whats familiar...put them back in when you redeploy. I got my second one from a Hadji shop at Alamo for $20.

[dicemansr77]

@PsychoReptar Never took mine apart...

[dicemansr77]

@MarkTyler84 Shady seller, the best I can figure.

[dicemansr77]

@mrlaserguy2 Not that I'm aware of, although I wish they did.

[dicemansr77]

@imachku Its more substantial - a bit thicker - but overall length is the same.