Gerber Zilch Coyote

A lightweight knife that’s tougher than it looks. Almost! – I’ve been using the Gerber Zilch Coyote for about a month now during bivouacs and time out bush, and honestly, it’s held up better than I expected. I’m 18 and just starting to put together proper gear, and this was one of the first pocket knives I bought. For around $45 AUD, it’s done a solid job with everything from cutting paracord to basic camp tasks like shaving wood and opening ration packs.

First Impressions Straight out of the box, the Zilch felt super light — about 65 grams. The packaging was simple, all cardboard, no plastic junk. Just the knife. When folded, it’s around 11 cm long, and when open, it’s about 19 cm. The blade is 8 cm, so it’s a good everyday size — not too big, not too small.

I was surprised by how thin and low-profile it is. It fits easily in the pocket and doesn’t get in the way, even when sitting, moving, or wearing gear. The Coyote Tan colour looks clean — a bit tactical but not overdone.

Build & Handling The handle’s made of FRN (fibre-reinforced plastic), but it feels sturdy. There’s some texture on it for grip, and the cut-outs help keep the weight down. It doesn’t feel slippery even if your hands are wet or sweaty.

The knife uses a liner lock, which works fine for light to medium tasks. It clicks into place and feels secure. I wouldn’t push it too hard with heavy prying or anything, but for general cutting, it’s solid.

Real-World Use So far I’ve used the Zilch for:

Cutting paracord and cable ties Whittling sticks and prepping kindling Opening MREs and packaging Quick food slicing (fruit, cheese, etc.) The blade steel is 7Cr17MoV, which is a basic stainless steel. It sharpens easily but loses its edge after a bit of use — I’ve touched it up twice already. If you’ve got a pocket sharpener, it’s no drama. Out of the box, it was sharp enough to cut cleanly through cord and paper.

The thumb studs are decent — one-hand opening works well once you break the knife in. The action isn’t super smooth at first, but after a few days of use, it opens quickly and locks in place with a solid click.

Carry & Durability This knife is perfect if you want something light and low-profile. The deep carry pocket clip sits low and keeps the knife tucked away. Only thing is, the clip isn’t reversible — it’s set up for right-hand carry only.

After using it in the rain, I did spot some tiny rust marks near the pivot. Not surprising for this steel — just a reminder to dry it properly and give it a wipe with oil now and then. I also had to tighten the pivot screw after a week or so, but that was easy with a Torx driver.

Final Thoughts For $45, the Gerber Zilch Coyote is a great choice if you’re starting out or just need a lightweight folding knife for everyday field tasks. It’s not a heavy-duty survival blade, but for cutting cord, opening packs, and general bush use, it gets the job done.

If you’re after something compact, affordable, and reliable enough to take out bush, this one’s worth a look.