I realize this thread hasn't been front page in awhile, but I thought some of you may appreciate this. As a little preface, I carry a knife every day of the year and use it for everything around my job, around the house, cutting up an apple at lunch, etc. My knives get some abuse but I also keep them sharp and bolts tight as long as I catch them before they fall out (rare occurrence but has happened).
I had both of these knives - the Evo Jr and the other one (I forget what it's called at the moment) sitting in a drawer until about two weeks ago. the Evo Jr had play in the blade pretty much the entire year used it (bought in 2010/11ish), with the exception being the first month or two (not side by side play, close/open play) so I gave up on it. I called it a loss and purchase the second knife. Had that knife for a solid 1.5-2 years and really like it, good size, low profile clip, serrated blade. I considered it a step up from my Evo Jr - but it too also had play in the blade nearly the entire time I owned it. At that point I said fuck it because I was pissed with all of these shitty Gerber knives but continued to carry it because I didn't want to spend anymore money. Well I used it for anything and everything and it finally reached its deathbed after the winter I used it selling christmas trees. between cutting garland, twine, and once a couple small branches for a delivery tree, that knife was used every 20-30 minutes on busy days. It got a lot of use and one day toward the end of the season I noticed the clip was loose, I had lost two bolts holding the sides together, and of course the blade still had play. I threw it in the drawer with the Evo Jr and forgot about them.
Fast forward to two weeks ago. I have since purchased two Kershaw open assists that I enjoy very much (each has their own purpose in regards to where I am working on a given day) and I was impressed with the lifetime warranty (including the convenience of mailing you the spare parts you need no questions asked - except for blades, understandably) as well. I have sent in one of the Kershaws on the same day I sent in these two knives and for the same reason, has play in the blade. I may sound picky but I spend double on that Kershaw that I did for both Gerbers and I see no reason why they can't seem to handle daily use (I haven't sold christmas trees since that Gerber got destroyed! And I don't use my knives for prying, stupid shit, etc).
Anyways - I remembered my old Gerber knives in the drawer, looked online/saw they had a lifetime warranty as well, and decided to fill out the warranty form for each knife and send them to Gerber. On monday (about 10 days later) I received two packages in the mail - one with a brand new Evo Jr (in package) and the other with a brand new knife (same model as the one I sent in that was in really rough shape). I honestly expected a phone call saying it would cost me a couple bucks, or even for my knives to be sent back (especially the really rough one) but instead I received 2 brand new knives!
Despite my initial distaste with every Gerber I have ever owned (because they all have play in the blade after little to no time) I was very impressed and honestly have nothing but praise for Gerber. No questions asked they supplied me with two brand new knives when I honestly wasn't expecting much more than my own knives shipped back to me. If anyone has any questions on buying a lower-mid range knife I wouldn't hesitate to recommend a Gerber product at all, especially with their (timely) warranty department. Only downside is that they aren't made in the United States. As for now we will see how long it takes for Kershaw to either get back to me, or mod my knife (I suggested it to prevent play in the blade if it was easier) and ship it back.
Sorry for the book, but I felt a backstory needed rather than: TL;DR i had two shitty knives and i got 2 new ones for free