Gerber Intro’s New EDC Empower Auto-Opener for Carry Consumers

By Jacki Billings

Gerber brings a new automatic knife to the carry community, introducing the Empower Automatic Knife series.

Built on the company’s Propel chassis, the Empower pairs new colors and materials to offer appealing motifs. Themes include: Urban Blue with Black Oxide Blade, Grey with Black Oxide, Black with Black Oxide, and the Black with Stonewash Blade. We tried our hand at both the Urban Blue with Black Oxide Blade and the Grey with Black Oxide Blade and both provided a pretty cool vibe.

The folding knife includes a false edge spear Gerber reps told us makes for some decent piercing capabilities while an oversized plunge lock and safety slide prevent the knife from folding up onto unsuspecting hands during use. Gerber fits the Empower with an Armored Grip for tighter control during operation. Our take? It feels pretty good in the hand — lightweight yet sturdy.

Don’t go running to stores yet. Gerber told us the new Empower series won’t hit the streets until early May, but when it does it will come at a retail price of $125.

While the Empower was the focus on the EDC line, the company also provided details on a new multi-tool with a focus on weapons maintenance. The Center-Drive Black comes with standard multi-tool applications like spring-loaded need nose pliers, wire cutters and strippers that rotate, 3.25-inch blade, bottle opener, and serrated edge (among others).

While all these are great for utility purposes, the Center-Drive takes it a step further shipping with a M4 bit set. Gerber told RECOIL that the one thumb opener has a low-profile clip and lanyard to accommodate user preference in carry. The Center-Drive also adds a fabric sheath for good measure if you’re tossing it in a bag.

The Center-Drive keeps to Gerber’s sleek theme, dressing in all black. The Center-Drive Black retails for $109.