Help Me Choose a Pocket Knife?

I would go with the Gerber too. I used to sell them through a licensed dealer and they are probably one of the best blades you can buy, with excellent warranties and customer service. Their steel is the highest quality -- we never had a warranty return on a Gerber in all the years I sold them, They make the knives for US Special Forces, so that should be a good indication. All they do is knives, and S & W just brands them as a sideline. I don't think S & W makes them themselves, but subcontracts them out.