[Spey]

The first production of the full sized "Combat" Folder was 1995, followed some time later by the "Covert" (3/4 sized version). Knife write-up (and cover photos) in Tactical Knives magazine issue Winter 1995. Designed by William (Bill) Harsey, Jr. In 1996 voted best-of-class among folding tactical knives (article 1996 Blade Magazine). Early batches ATS34, then later in 154CM, also produced in "mystery" steel.

This knife was introduced while Rex Applegate was still alive (believe he died a few years later in '98). Here?s a bit of background on origination.

The original Gerber ?Combat? Folder is based on designs of by Colonel Rex Applegate and William E. Fairbairn (the Applegate Fairbairn Fighting Knife), which is based on previous designs (the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife).

The Gerber ?Covert Combat? was the slightly shorter version (3-3/4?) of the full sized ?Combat?.

William (Bill) Harsey, Jr. actually designed the original Gerber ?Combat? Folder in 1995 (as a folding version of the Applegate Fairbairn Fighting Knife) for Gerber Legendary Blades. The Gerber ?Combat? Folder won the International Blade Show ?American Made Knife of the Year? award in 1996.

Article published in Blade Magazine October 1996. 1996 International Blade Show "American Made Knife of the Year" (?Applegate Fairbairn Combat Folder?, designed by Harsey and manufactured by Gerber Legendary Blades)

Originally, these knives were originally produced in AST-34, later without blade steel markings, later in 154CM.

These knives have been re-made in many versions since.