15 full color in-depth survival, off grid and prepping guides. Gerber Gerber LMF II Infantry Knives, Black. This is a review based on more than six or seven years experience with the LMF II. If it’s a weekend outing or an all-hands-on-deck SHTF scenario you’re going to be happy you’ve got this knife at your side. It’s a half inch shorter than the LMF II Infantry, but has an almost identical blade length. Note that Gerber LMF 2 does not provide you such choices; it has a combo edge with a fine edge on the front and a serrated-edge on the rear. It’s built to be used by people parachuting into enemy territory, so the sheath holds the knife firmly in place. Keep the knife cleaned, and oiled as the finish migrates and you won’t have any issues. Gerber designed the StrongArm fixed blade around the fundamentals of military survival training. It’s a half inch shorter than the LMF II Infantry, but has an almost identical blade length. Literally. For a survival knife you don’t necessarily need a razor sharp edge for day to day work. The knife is available at several retailers. This is a classic fixed blade knife that isn’t trying to revolutionize the standard military style survival knife. I’m picky about everything, from the chilies on my meal to the feel of the cuff of my sleeve, but nothing irks my sensibilities and tastes more than a poor-quality knife. Choose Options. The blade is four hundred twenty HC stainless steel with a handle that is glass-filled nylon for durability and longevity. I prefer the plain edge. My goal was to give an honest assessment of my experience with this knife, and I’m glad that it carried through well. Thanks for the aha moment! Best Tactical Knives Every weekend was another trip out fueled by beer, an open sky, and the earth underneath my body. Starting at $108.00. Need to cut open a can of food? It’s one of those steels you sharpen before any really heavy duty cutting is needed. Have a piece of firewood too large for the firepit? The blade is strong enough (and designed for) cutting through power cords and similar constructs. I agree that most reviews for an item leave the purchaser more reluctant than confident when they finally decide to buy something, especially when it comes to knives. It’s designed to be adaptable to the user. Choose Options. The Gerber StrongArm resolves this issue. Built from ultra-durable 420HC stainless steel, this knife is the perfect accessory for anyone needing a reliable all-purpose weapon and tactical workhorse. Choose Options. The Paraframe Mini emerges as the hands-down winner in this category if you’re looking for an affordable / low-cost Gerber knife.. May not be reproduced without permission, Best Knife For Self Defense: 10 Kick-Ass Blades Reviewed & Buyers Guide, Dull Survival Knife? :thumb: That being said, I'm not sure it would be the best choice if you plan to do a lot of hiking mostly because of its bulk and weight. Instant download! Check the links below to compare prices. Grizzly Elite with Foldover Piggyback Sheath. I saw an early YouTube reviewer who admitted he cut his hand on the knife while removing it from the sheath the first time, so I’ve been careful from day one. Its weight is robust and adds to the full feel of the thing, truly a solid piece of craftsmanship that guarantees reliability. Rugged, versatile and unrelenting, the Gerber LMF II Infantry Knife is designed to be the ultimate survival tool. The downsides to 420 HC is that it won’t hold an edge for long. The LMF II does a slick job cutting firewood and helping to build a shelter. On paper a plain straight edge is ideal, but the LMF II’s serration has been incredibly useful. It was really as simple as holding the knife to make that decision. Well, man… that’s an entirely different feature by itself. Das Gerber LMF II ist ein Allzweckwerkzeug, mit dem man sich durch so gut wie jede Materie durcharbeiten kann. Most knives have a special note that says: “Don’t use as a hammer, or for any purpose beyond its intended use.”. Sharpen It with this Little-Known Method, Best Pocket Knife Brands: 25 Quality Blade Makers To Consider, Spyderco vs Benchmade: Battle of the Blades, Survival Books and Movies For Education and Entertainment. In 1988 Gerber released the LMF (Light Multi-Function). It performs … Ounces equal pounds, and pounds equal pain. Gerber's LMF II Knife is one of two accepted ASEK systems designed to help aircraft crew members cut their way free of downed aircraft and perform other survival tasks. Still by far my favorite knife I own. The box showed some signs of wear, but the knife is absolutely amazing. I needed a knife that I could rely on for constant abuse, and that’s what the LMF II has provided me. But enough about specs and details. Besides the built in sharpener (it’s good, I’ve sharpened kitchen knives successfully with it) the sheath has attachments designed for molle straps and an alice pack. With the BMF (first made in 1986) being a big knife there was demand for a similar design but smaller. Recommended Reading: Best Survival Knife For The Money. The active retention is a simple snap button thong. Horizontal Sheath. The StrongArm has a squared off spine that’s perfect for stripping bark, batoning wood, striking a ferro rod, and truncating wood. The StrongArm is a versatile capable, and affordable knife made in Portland, Oregon. We went camping to save money on hotel rates. The materials, shape and construction of this knife exist with to give the user the right balance of performance and affordability. Now, the only exception to this rule is the Gerber LMF 2. Gerber Gear LMF II Infantry – This is a sturdy fighting knife with a semi-serrated sharpening.LMF II Infantry – A versatile durable knife service for the military field service. I appreciate that you just wrote a completely honest, biased, and positive review for the LMF 2. That is an excellent feature; a knife without a sheath is dangerous at the least. The LMF II served me well, but everything can be improved. Your email address will not be published. It feels great in your hand, and the sheath, knife, and leg straps all feel and look sturdy and durable. You’ll notice in my photographs that the snap closures intended to hold the handle to the sheath are simply neglected by me. I don’t really need the military features such as the electrically and shock isolated pommel or the strap cutter, but am leaning towards owning one for it’s brilliance in design. This is a classic fixed blade knife that isn’t trying to revolutionize the standard military style survival knife. Popular knives typically have plenty of sheath options, but with Gerber you are getting all of them with the knife. 420 HC steel can actually get impressively sharp if you know your way around a sharpening stone. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. It can even be lashed to a pole to create a spear. The grip and handle are an awesome feel, a textured rubber and width that seemed like it was built for my mitt. I’d rather have an edge I can easily sharpen. The Gerber Prodigy is worth a look as its similar to the LMF II but a tad smaller and only weights a little over half as much as the LMF II. That’s generally the goal of dismounted infantry. This means my knife never leaves the pack I go camping with. The sheath locks into this indent and holds the knife well. Learn how your comment data is processed. I’ve torn through my fair share of knives, fixed blade and not, and have only found two knives that I’d keep at my side in any situation. Now if I were in a survival situation, I’d think twice about using my primary knife as an easily lost and damaged spear, but hey… I’ve never needed to hunt a wild boar, so this feature can be life-saving in the right situation. Choose Options. 3 Cheap Gerber Lmf 2 Survival Knife. It’s a lot smaller than the LMF II, but still capable enough to smash windows and skulls. Starting at $210.00. While the Prodigy is already quite versatile and suitable for various purposes, the LMF II’s additional length may make it perform better for heavy-duty cutting, slicing, and combat. It had infantry in the name so I couldn’t go wrong right? The knife is too big for any kind of horizontal concealed carry, but it’s really great for a snag free carry while wearing armor. When you’re in a pinch, a cheap one will do, but if you’re expecting a blade to stand up to punishment and serve you reliably for years to come quality pays. The 420 HC steel does mean that once the finish is worn away rust may develop. Over the last couple years I’ve been drawn back to Gerber USA made. The one we’re talking about today is the Gerber LMF II, a fixed-blade knife built to last through a trip to Hell and back again. Or egress through the Plexiglas of a chopper. Excellent review of the Gerber StrongArm fixed blade knife and sheath. In terms of fixed blades it’s actually somewhat small. It is relatively light weight compared to a hatchet, and the heavy, thick, and sharp blade chops like a beast. All tasks the Gerber StrongArm can commit to with real force. When I made it to the store and actually handled the LMF II I was instantly sold, and immediately regretted waiting so long to purchase it. 3-5 inch blades generally use the smaller pouch model while 6 inch and up will use the larger full size tin pouch. The knife is easy to carry, and perfect … Its handle is not full-tang. Starting at $73.00. Please consider that buying anything through any of the links on this website helps support BladeReviews.com, and keeps the site going. When it comes time to cut through thick materials you may need to run the blade over or through a sharpener a time or two before you go wild. The LMF 2 has nearly a full tang, but it stops just before the butt plate to provided insulate protection against stray live wires. As always, any and all support is greatly appreciated. Your email address will not be published. This sheath is going to last your through thick and thin and remain at your side, knife safely secured. The little bit of give also allows the blade to mold to your hand just a bit. Es ist primär kein Kampfmesser, kein Wurfmesser, kein Sägemesser, kein Messer für die Outdoorküche oder das Barbecue, auch wenn es notfalls alles mitmachen würde. Use it to cut through the skin of a fuselage, sever a seat belt, punch through the Plexiglas of a chopper, or smash a car window. There are a few minor stains, scratches, and burns, but all things considered it’s in impeccable condition. I’m not an intentionally careless person with my gear, but I’ve tried abusing this knife repeatedly and have found minimal cosmetic damage over more than five years of regular use. The Gerber StrongArm has 4.8 inch fixed blade made from 420 HC steel, is 9.8 inches overall, weighs 7.2 ounces and is proudly made in the United States. The blade is sharp out of the box and durable. It’s a textured grip, wide and flat; it fits perfectly in the hand and the handguard is an appropriate size to prevent slippage. I read this article a couple years ago when I was researching knives for potential carry on deployment or field exercises. I’d considered purchasing this knife for more than a year before I did. Some folks would call me cheap, and they’d be right. If there is a different carry option you prefer please check out my other listings. I know I’ve done that (repeatedly) and have almost definitely voided any and all warranties the knife was sold with. Drawing horizontally from the belt prevents this. All rights reserved. The handle of the LMF II makes that a practical impossibility. Sheath Gerber Strong Arm comes with a lighter, simpler sheath which has detachable belt hoops. Grips . The handle and base of the knife are made to be used as a hammer. As a young infantryman I fell victim to some clever marketing from Gerber and purchased the Gerber LMF II Infantry. The moulded plastic sheath is suspended by a webbing hanger. Works with the Gerber … I have lashed the knife to use as a spear point purely for experimental purposes. Satisfaction Guaranteed! The StrongArm is a little lighter, a little shorter, and is more refined than the Infantry LMF II. The sheath allows you to carry the knife handle up or down and has security straps as well as the kydex clip to keep the knife where you put it when not in use. The knife gets two thumbs up from me, and it’d get three if I had ‘em. It tells me that stand behind your observations. Available mounting hardware includes Tek Lok, Molle Lok, or belt loops, etc., all available in the sheath accessories section. The bottom of the handle is a small pommel. I ordered my Gerber LMF II black survival knife four days ago. Rating ... From everyday carry to utility uses on the job this D2 steel blade will quickly become your go to knife. Sometimes it’s too firm of a grip. Gerber LMF II Infantry Knives, Black (No reviews yet) Write a Review Write a Review. Das Gerber LMF II ist ein Allzweckwerkzeug, mit dem man sich durch so gut wie jede Materie durcharbeiten kann. I’ve run it through the sharpener a handful of times and have never experienced a dull or ineffective performance. Very rugged build and the knife will not come out the sheath. This fixed blade knife distinguishes itself from other knives in various ways. The Gerber StrongArm has 4.8 inch fixed blade made from 420 HC steel, is 9.8 inches overall, weighs 7.2 ounces and is proudly made in the United States. The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife also has a big flat surface area on its spine, for mallet complemented bushcraft which is done for smooth gripping. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. All it’s going to take is for you to get a feel for how it sits in your hand, and you’ll be hooked. Best Survival Knives Cut after cut through rope and manmade materials? Check out our Ebook bundle. The Gerber StrongArm is in many ways the successor to the Infantry, and is better suited to the infantry role. The Gerber LMF II seems like it was made to say “Get bent” to all of those others knives and practically invites the wielder to abuse the hell out of the thing. The multi-mount, snap-together sheath is easy to use and can be mounted vertically on MOLLE, horizontally on a belt, or in traditional drop-leg fashion. The StrongArm is one of many made in USA knives in their catalog and likely one that will be around for a long time It’s an excellent budget bushcraft knife. Gerber Prodigy has a total blade length of about 4.75 inches, which is slightly shorter than Gerber LMF II’s 4.84 inches. I was struggling with finding a suitable alternative way of how to do this, tried many kinds of mounting possibilities (using velcros straps, paracord, clips, …) but I couldn’t find a way how to deploy the default mounting option until I saw your picture showing that. outstanding quality. You’ll find some naysayers who pick at the specs of the Gerber LMF II on paper, but first-hand experience says this knife is built to last and to perform. Choose Options. As an aside, I carried this knife with me when my good friend took his Bar Exam. Situational, sure, but that’s incredibly useful in the right circumstances. There’s a purpose for this; the knife was built and designed to be used by United States Special Operators in wartime uses. Foldover Sheath - Large knives. Use it to cut through the skin of a fuselage. LMF II has a glass-filled nylon handle, which makes it a more challenging knife to hold. The strongArm knife is more compact and easy to carry, as it is lighter and has a more comfortable grip. The blade is partially serrated, but don’t let that scare you away. The handle on the StrongArm is an interesting design. This tool is as adaptable as the personnel who carry it. These are all excellent endorsements for the knife by itself, but its situational uses are where it really shines. The knife has a quirky bonus purpose; it features holes in the handle and the butt of the knife to be used as lashing points for a spear. The pattern is rough, but doesn’t rub the hand raw, or even really create hotspots that I’ve noticed. I’ve had my LMF II for 12 years now. Gerber LMF II Grizzly Elite Sheath. I own a few of the now, out of production Prodigy’s in Coyote Tan with the fine (Plain) edge and love they way they look, feel, and fit in my hand. The Chesapeake model is a horizontal Scout Carry sheath that can be custom built in small to large sizes to fit a wide variety of fixed blades. The StrongArm comes with options for both a serrated or plain edge. It doesn’t benefit buyers to “like everything” or to focus on every point as a negative and look for faults. The little bit of give the rubber overmold offers results in a lot of comfort. 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