Knives Out: The Gerber E-Z Out Jr is a Convenient Knife for Any Situation

One of my earliest memories was eating apple slices with my uncle.

“You might not need to cut apple slices away from the kitchen, but I bet dollars to donuts there’s a use for a pocket knife somewhere else in your day. Cutting a loose piece of string, opening a sealed box or envelope, or removing a splinter are all everyday situations where a knife comes in handy.”

I lived next door to him on land that had once been an orchard, and I can still clearly see him reaching into an apple tree and plucking a McIntosh apple with a satisfying snap of the branch. He opened the blade of his trusty pocket knife and held the apple in one hand, slicing through the fruit. He ate a piece, nodded in approval to the taste, and sliced me a piece of my own.

It wasn’t long before he’d pluck an apple, then hand me his pocket knife. I was young, something like four or five, but I understood the gravity of what I was doing. Carefully, deliberately, and under my uncle’s observational guidance, I learned how to cut slices from an apple. The slices he cut for me were good, but the best ones were the ones I cut myself.

You might not ever need to cut apple slices away from the kitchen, but I bet dollars to donuts there’s a use for a pocket knife somewhere else in your day. Cutting a loose piece of string, opening a sealed box or envelope, or removing a splinter are all everyday situations when a handy pocket knife would save the day. Give it a shot, and after a few days of carrying one you’ll wonder how you did without it. But there are a lot of pocket knives to purchase. What’s the best purchase?

My recommendation is the Gerber E-Z Out Jr, a convenient and discrete pocket knife for any situation.

What’s So Good About The E-Z Out Jr?

The Specs

The most important feature of this guy is its size. Crafted by the popular Gerber company headquartered in Portland Oregon, the E-Z Out Jr fits in the palm of your hand with ease, and when it’s in your pocket it’s barely noticeable. It’s a a folding knife, meaning that the blade itself will fold into the handle when not in use. The blade on the E-Z Out Jr opens smoothly and easily, and releasing the lock on the back of the handle allows the blade to be stored safely. It’s even intended for one-handed opening.

Gerber E-Z Out Jr
I’ve got short fingers, but the E-Z Out still fits perfectly in my hand

The half-serrated portion of the blade is designed to cut through material like rope and string, while the straight-edged blade is used for tasks like opening packages or other familiar tasks best suited to a knife. The handle is a polycarbonate material with a texture that maximizes a sure, confidant grip even when wet. The E-Z Out Jr has a convenient pocket clip, making sure it’s easily within reach for when you need it.

It’s also durable, and the blade has an excellent quality high carbon steel composition. The blade is less than 2.5″ (sorry, Rambo fans), making it legal to use in most of the United States (check your local laws to be sure). This E-Z Out Jr is a tool that could easily fit inside of your pocket, briefcase, backpack, or glove compartment.

The Endorsement

Unless it’s a good beer, I try not to give out my seal of approval. For the E-Z Out Jr I’ll make an exception.

This knife has been with me for years of heavy use and abuse. Seriously, I’ve put this thing through hell; it’s been submerged in saltwater, buried in dirt, dropped from a third-story window, and used to cut through everything from burlap to dense plastic to denim, and somehow this knife is still kicking. It keeps a strong blade and is easy to sharpen, and it has never slipped from my grip.

The photographs used in this article were taken during an afternoon gardening (excuse those dirty hands). I used the E-Z Out Jr for cutting twine, slicing plant roots, and sharpening a wooden stake to support my peppers. There’s no better knife to keep in your pocket for everyday uses or even heavy ones, whether it’s your first knife or the latest in a large collection.

The Final Thought

There’s as many choices in a pocket knife as there are uses for one, but now you’ve got an earnest appraisal on why the Gerber E-Z Out Jr is the best choice for a durable, discrete, and just plain smart purchase. It’s an ideal everyday carry selection, and best of all, it’s damn fine at slicing apples.

Gerber E-Z Out Jr
Nary a scratch on that hard-worked blade