Gerber’s Fan-Favorite EDC Knife Just Got a Huge Blade Steel Upgrade

The beloved brand significantly boosted one of its bestselling folders without obnoxiously jacking up the price.

Published June 2, 2025

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Years ago, Gerber tweaked its popular, customizable Fastball in a surprising way, swapping its modified Wharncliffe blade for a cleaver-shaped one.

The result, while delightful, was more aesthetic than functional; it’s not like a three-inch blade can be used as an actual cleaver, after all.

gerber fastball magnacut full — The new Fastball looks quite similar to the original, but its what’s inside (the blade) that counts.

The latest blade swap for this highly capable USA-made EDC knife, however, takes the opposite opposite, as the fresh steel looks virtually identical but promises a hefty performance boost.

That’s right, this new Fastball edition trades in its reliable S30VN blade steel for the hottest metal of the moment, MagnaCut.

Short for, no joke, Balls of Stainless Steel, B.O.S.S. Tech is a caged ring of steel bearings that reduces friction for a seamlessly smooth flick every time.

Mercifully, the accompanying price increase is less punishing than you might think.

A knife less ordinary

Thanks to its striking 3-inch modified Wharncliffe blade, aircraft-grade aluminum handle and delightfully snappy rear flipper tab, the Fastball is already a winner.

Its unique features just get even more compelling with the addition of MagnaCut steel.

gerber fastball magnacut offside folded — This Fastball proudly advertises its birthplace and its super steel right on the blade. (The little graphic next to the words, by the way, reflects the caged ball bearing system.)

Developed by metallurgist Dr. Larrin Thomas, this very trendy super steel offers an as-yet unbeatable balance of strength, corrosion resistance and edge retention.

As great as it is, it should prove extra exciting with the Fastball, which happens to offer an incredibly satisfying shuh-CHUNK when deployed.

The key is what Gerber calls B.O.S.S. Tech. Short for, no joke, Balls of Stainless Steel, it’s essentially a caged ring of steel bearings that reduces friction for a seamlessly smooth flick every time.

gerber fastball magnacut offside — The pocket clip can be positioned as shown, in the same place on the other side of the handle, or on the other end, using those two little holes next to the pivot.

Working in tandem with it is a highly tensioned liner lock that forcefully springs into position and holds steady when the blade is deployed.

Another cool unique feature of the Fastball is that the pocket clip can be place in three different positions: either side of the bottom of the handle for a tip-up carry but also at the top of the handle on the offside if you prefer a tip-down carry.

Raising quality, not price (too much)

As for pricing, the new MagnaCut edition is not in fact the priciest one on the menu.

The most affordable Fastball currently available from Gerber is the original style in Urban Grey or Flat Sage for $135.

If you want it with a black handle or even a purple one, you’ll be shelling out $140 and $150, respectively.

gerber fastball magnacut folded — The generous, ridged-for-your-pleasure flipper tab is truly one of the snappiest in the business.

Those numbers make the MagnaCut edition feel fairly priced (relatively speaking) at $160.

The most expensive Fastball you can get, meanwhile, is the Cleaver, which starts at $180.

In fairness, its blade steel is 20CV, which most would argue is a marked step up from S30VN in its own right.

Availability and pricing

The Gerber Fastball MagnaCut is available now for $160.

Gerber Fastball MagnaCut

$160 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.