SHOT Show 2018 Gerber Intro’s New EDC Empower Auto-Opener for Carry Consumers Industry News January 26, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More 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. Black with Black Oxide, left, and Urban Blue with Black Oxide on the right. 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. Empower Series in Grey with Black Oxide Blade. 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. The Center-Drive fully opened and on display. Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
