Gerber’s First All-New Knife of the Year Is Small, Light, Cheap and Awesome

The frisky little folder checks critical boxes with its streamlined size, high utility and unbeatable price.

Close-up of a green textured knife handle with a black blade partially visible and a metal button near screws.

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By Steve Mazzucchi

Published April 30, 2026

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Updated April 30, 2026

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Hailing from the American knife mecca that is Portland, Oregon, Gerber consistently releases a compelling mix of pitch-perfect multi-tools and all-business folders.

While the 87-year-old brand had been somewhat quiet with regard to the latter category, its latest blade is starting to make noise.

Folding pocket knife with black blade and textured green handle featuring a thumb hole and locking mechanism. — Smaller and cheaper, the Nectar looks like a pretty charming little brother to the award-winning Assert.

Dubbed the Nectar, it’s Gerber’s latest proof you don’t need to be big, flashy or pricey to make an impact.

Sweet treat

Super-affordable at just $35, this knife overflows with streamlined style and reliable everyday functionality.

Green-handled folding knife with black blade cutting a piece of twine. — While the blade steel is anything but flashy, it’ll get most everyday jobs done without fuss.

After all, it’s a trickle-down beneficiary of the Assert, a 2023 GP100 honoree that remains Gerber’s finest folder today.

On the business end, the Nectar features a 2.5-inch drop-point plain-edge blade complete with a generous thumb slot for easy one-handed deployment.

Green textured folding knife handle with bronze clip labeled "GERBER" and partially visible black blade. — The textured GFN handle and pivot lock are the two coolest traits to trickle down from higher-end Gerber knives.

Though the 440A blade steel is nothing to write home about, it effortlessly tackles everyday box opening, twine cutting, stick whittling and fruit slicing tasks while playing a big role in the knife’s affordability.

Where the Nectar really takes cues from the Assert is in its ambidextrous pivot lock, a rare feature in a knife at this price that makes one-handed retraction of the blade quick and easy.

Green textured folding knife with black clip held in a hand. — Though a bit big for a keychain, the Nectar is perfectly sized for the hand and pocket.

The Assert’s influence also carries over to the Nectar’s handle scales, measuring 3.29 inches, made of tough glass-filled nylon and textured to enhance grip.

Those scales, available in both Baltic and Mint hues, play a role in the relatively light weight of 2.33 ounces.

Folding Gerber knife with black blade and light green textured handle on green fabric. — If the Baltic colorway shown on most of this page isn’t your jam, why not freshen up with a Mint?

Rounding things out are a lanyard for attaching to a bag or pack and a tip-up clip for easy pocket carry, becoming almost invisible till you reach for it … often.

Availability and pricing

The Gerber Nectar is available now in Baltic and Mint for $35.

Green textured knife handle with black screws and a partially visible black blade with a cutout near the base.

Gerber Nectar

$35 at Gerber
$26 at REI

$35 (26% off)

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.

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