Gerber’s Refreshingly Affordable New EDC Knife Is Pure Minimalist Magic

Skeletonized and streamlined, the Affirm reminds us the brand can drop a damn good wallet-friendly blade whenever it pleases.

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published May 5, 2025

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Updated May 5, 2025

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A couple of years ago, Gerber launched a premium pocket knife that was so meticulously machined, beautifully balanced and laudably lightweight, we could not help but include it in the GP100.

Dubbed the Assert, this $200 flex proved Gerber could hang with the high-end honchos when it felt like it.

gerber affirm in hand — At just $43, the Affirm overdelivers on both form and function.

Still, the brand’s bread and butter remains more affordable knives, multi-tools and camp-friendly culinary gear, which it does better than just about anybody.

Toward that end, the brand’s latest pocket knife carries similar nomenclature and functionality but at a much more wallet-friendly price. Say hello to the Affirm.

Slim reaper

Though it costs less than a quarter of the price of the Assert, the Affirm still boasts plenty of compelling features.

Let’s start with the generous 3.5-inch clip-point blade.

gerber affirm box cutting — Jimping on the blade (covered by the index finger above) makes every close cut just a bit easier.

It’s made of 7Cr17Mov stainless steel, which offers dependable strength, durability and edge retention for its price.

(It’s no S30V, like you get with the Assert, but then $43 isn’t $200, is it?)

Said blade deploys smoothly via ambidextrous thumb studs, held in place by a mechanism typically found in higher-end knives — a frame lock.

gerber affirm urban blue — Skeletonized handles (in Green or Urban Blue, above) simultaneously lighten the knife and add some visual flair.

Skeletonized steel handles not only add to the Affirm’s sleek and streamlined vibe, they also help keep the weight to a manageable 3.2 ounces.

Uniquely Gerber

Improving the safety, speed and ergonomics is a rare proprietary Gerber feature found on just a few other knives: a pinch plate.

You can read all about this innovation in an excellent breakdown by GP’s own Sean Tirman.

gerber affirm off side folded — The grippy pinch plate is yet another feature that makes this knife safer and easier to use.

Adding to the overall user-friendliness is a bit of jimping on the spine, which improves grip during detail work.

Meanwhile, a pocket clip and lanyard hole make it easy to keep close at hand.

All these qualities add up to a knife that is perfectly capable of tackling everyday cutting, slicing, whittling and chopping tasks.

gerber affirm whittling — Everyday tasks like pencil sharpening should be no problem for the blade’s 7Cr17Mov steel.

In other words, not only good looking and super affordable, but highly functional and, yes, wonderfully on brand for Gerber.

Availability and pricing

The Gerber Affirm is available now in Green and Urban Blue for $43.

Gerber Affirm

$43 at Gerber

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.