1095CroVan, and 9 inches of Bowie badassery. Zeller, Marlin "Clearing Up Confusion in the Different Types of Gerber LMF II Knives - ASEK vs Infantry vs Survival." I have a Cold Steel San Mai III Recon Tanto, 7.5 ". Even more than my beloved Ka-Bar (blasphemy, I know). Shelling out $200 bucks on a knife might not be the best investment when other amazing survival knives can be had for less than half the price. Here are a few everyday tasks your survival knife may be see: Of course, there is some necessary cutting and chopping task your knife is going to be called to do. 6. are useless. For starters, the StrongArm is simply more compact and weighs in at 7.2 ounces. Knives are just like guns... buy once cry once is the way you want to go.... there are some decent knives on the list like kabar or i think esse is probably good but where i live they would rust so i never bought one. I can’t say there is any one specific task this knife excels at. If you are looking to get something a little more expensive (and higher quality), take a look at the Swamp Rat Knife Works - RatManDu. I had the opportunity to carry this knife for a few weeks and I have to say it is one of the best fixed blade knives you can buy. One of the reasons I love this knife is the handle, it is a glass filled nylon with a rubberized grip. Check out our beginners guns video course. Best, But man, is it tuff. It needs to fill your hand. Don't get me wrong, I still have my Kabar from my military days and if I was going up against a two legged predator there is nothing I would rather have in my hand, BUT, if I had to choose something to carry into a survival situation, it would be my Tops Bushcraft. From a backpack strap to a belt, or even attached to a vehicle. The general shape and size of the StrongArm reminded me of the Gerber LMF II. bark river bravo series, survive knives, theres a few good companies out there that use super steels. You can’t cut your way into a fire, but a knife can be used for striking ferous rods that start fires. ... and in retrospect I was being a bit smarmy, regrets ...Alas, a personal agenda about "best of" lists. I want to turn it over to you…what’s your survival knife of choice? Close. But out in public I carry either a Fox FX-599 Karambit or the Fox Doug Marcaida designed Dart, both with the Emerson wave for open blade deployment out of your pocket.. Are you familiar with the SOG Seal Team Elite? The multi-mount sheath allows you to carry this knife is any way you see fit. Somehow the result is nearly the same every time. From trimming limbs off trees to clearing a place to sleep. Like you said, you pay for what you get. The Gerber StrongArm and I go way back. Is the GERBER StrongArm TACTICAL SURVIVAL Knife - great or garbage? Gerber LMF II ASEK (22-01627) Knife System, 2 Leg Straps, Strap Cutter and Sheath This blade is easy to sharpen from tip till the final edge on the serrations. Esee-4. If you want to “buy once, cry once” then this is the knife for you. In fact, I've been thinking about getting a Gerber LMF II for its features vs. price, and your review clinched the deal for when I visit Offutt AFB this weekend. Blade companies use so many different types of steel, and each has different steel that can be only a little different from the next in its composition. If you are cool with low end steels check out TOPS BOB fire craft (or something like that). The grip is thin and very aggressively textured, and after a while, it starts to grind into the hand. The weight of the LMF II "is" heavier, but the LMF II is beefier in both the knife and the sheath, and also has the … Should be in the museum of industrial art. Carbon steels are easier to sharpen, but tend to require more frequent touch-ups (with exceptions). Gerber is one of those names that you can just trust, almost everything in their product line is well made, well designed, and works when you need it too. I use the piss out of my knife with a 3v blade and i only sharpen it once a month, maybe. However, just because you see some random letters and numbers – doesn’t mean that is good steel. experience. The non-reflective black finished 420HC stainless steel blade is partially serrated for maximum utility. I may earn a small part of the sale from links to any products or services on this site. But so too isn't the modern Marine K-bar? Es ist primär kein Kampfmesser, kein Wurfmesser, kein Sägemesser, kein Messer für die Outdoorküche oder das Barbecue, auch wenn es notfalls alles mitmachen würde. For a survival blade, I like a nice square spine. The Ka-Bar has been around so long you can find a variety of aftermarket options for it. We’ve built dozens of AR’s and we’ll cover all the best AR-15 upgrades such as handguards, triggers, BCGs, gas blocks, and more. Gerber has been making survival knives for those who serve since 1966, rising to the challenge of honoring decades of experience while continuing to innovate. Better then both now are spyderco and benchmade and the upper end kershaw, case, SOG and cold steel knives are same or better quality for the money as gerber/buck. First is the additional slots you can find on both model’s sheaths that can be used for lashing it to a pack or attaching another gear to … Sometimes it’s easy to wonder why some knives are introduced to the market when there are so many similar knives to choose from including others within the same brand. I used this knife both gloved and un-gloved and it was great either way. Read on to find out why! It also comes in either partially serrated or straight edge. The sheath alone is worth the difference. I respect your point of view and your recommendation. You need a sure grip, so the knife doesn’t slip. I've a fixed blade full tang Scharde on my Tracking Kit and have found it to be another though competitor. I’m not familiar with this steel, but in my days with Garberg it’s proven to be robust and reliable steel. I have also owned the Gerber Strongarm, and to be honest with you there is just no comparing the two, if you are a hardcore owner and outdoor knife user. This is why Gerber has invested heavily in research to ensure that its combat and survival knives are light and compact. It’s a half inch shorter than the LMF II Infantry, but has an almost identical blade length. There have been negative reviews too, but that is, kind of, negligible. However, it never slipped so maybe they are on to something. I didn’t have to break out the special sharpening system or put extra effort into sharpening the knife. The Ka-Bar is a rugged and sturdy knife that will give you years of service. Its full tang construction gives it strength, but it also gives it rigidity that can be felt through the handle during heavy use. To the untrained eye, both knives look pretty much identical. Gerber’s StrongArm does just that: it is a classic fixed blade built for brute strength with a revolutionary sheath system that is the first of its kind. What about Glock Field Knife Fixed Blade? I own both the Hoffman Richter "Reaper" & the "Talon" full tang knives for survival & defense, if needed. I'm also a Marine and have had multiple K-bars for 30+ years and have loved them so much I have not sought out anything else. Overall, the knife is well made and doesn’t disappoint. We’ve got a dedicated section for the AR-15 here. He’s a lifelong shooter who just happened to be mediocre enough with a gun and a keyboard to combine the two and write. Size and Weight. The story of the LMF II is one of resilience and resourcefulness, of being on the wrong side of sticky situation and living to tell the tale. a slicer and a knife you can abuse a bit. 1095 is renowned for its strength, and the Esee 4 is a durable knife. How long should it be? There isn’t a significant requirement I’d give as a checklist for one type of grip or grip material. The grip is very well rounded and feels very comfortable in hand. A survival knife needs to be able to skin and dress an animal. A good argument to have is the stainless steel versus carbon steel debate. If you find your grip is too strongly textured, some sandpaper or a file can generally fix that. The Gerber StrongArm also comes with an outstanding sheath system that gives a few options for carrying. The Gerber LMF II was designed for US Special Operators, so the sheath is as much a work of art as the knife itself. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. On a survival knife, you should want an excellent full grip. In a survival situation, I’ll have two knives…hopefully. The Ka-Bar is on the large size of survival knives with a 7-inch blade and an 11.75-inch overall length. This will provide a very comfortable grip and help reduce fatigue when you are working for extended periods of time. It was easy to hold onto the knife while working and I felt confident that I wouldn’t slip while using it. You need a sharp knife with a good belly to make those precise cuts. Handle Design 40. Every Gerber product has a story to tell. What’s a survival knife for? Which do you guys think is the better knife? He mentioned that the heat treat of the knife was good enough to give this knife the durability it needed for heavy use without making it impossible to sharpen. Das Gerber LMF II ist ein Allzweckwerkzeug, mit dem man sich durch so gut wie jede Materie durcharbeiten kann. With the BMF (first made in 1986) being a big knife there was demand for a similar design but smaller. It’s just a simple knife designed to work hard. Conversely, I picked up, for $3 at a garage sale a "Forgecraft Hi Carbon butcher knive, full tang, with oak slabs and brass rivets. My knife of choice is also the Marine Ka-Bar. They also get lost, stolen, and traded away. In 1988 Gerber released the LMF (Light Multi-Function). Gerber LMF II Review Wrap Up. The materials, shape and construction of this knife exist with to give the user the right balance of performance and affordability. It’s heavy also, over half a pound – for a folding knife that is crazy heavy and admittedly, weighs down a belt. Gerber StrongArm vs Gerber Prodigy – Key Comparisons. Comparison of Gerber StrongArm vs GerberGear Prodigy (22-41121) Hunting Knives. By using this site, you accept our. The Spine is the back of the blade and can be quite crucial for survival tasks. share. With so many different knives out there it’s hard to say that one is better than the other. The Mule is in my EDC rotation, and the Ka-bar isd right next to my BOB. Esee-4’s blade is solid and thick, and a square spine and a ridged thumb rest portion to extend your control over the knife for fine cuts. However, 1095 is hardened steel, and it seems to resist any breakage well. The StrongArm is priced around $70 on our website and is worth every penny. Fallkniven makes some very good knives as well especially if you are looking for Stainless blades. The spine has a nice square edge for striking ferrous rods and creating sparks. and honestly you need two knives. The knives listed are the ones I've found myself using over and over and over and keeping for years. So Buck 119 Special tends to get more favorable ⭐ reviews than Gerber StrongArm, as seen on the chart below. The Esee 4 also has many aftermarket sheaths available from the standard leather to more modern polymers. but please, listen. Its modular design and overall quality are better than what most other sheaths have. The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife has a quite wide blade that is 4.84 inches long and 3/16s of an inch thick and the overall length of the knife from the tip of the blade to the bottom is 10.59 inches. It was hard enough to chop with, but soft enough that I could put a quick edge on it to keep working with it. 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. Very few fixed blade knives come with a sheath you can actually use the way you want to. In terms of fixed blades it’s actually somewhat small. 69% Upvoted. To get it there version are great options to get more favorable ⭐ reviews than Gerber,! 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And weighs in at 7.2 ounces put looks over function better suited for different.! Of the four knives, theres a few Types of Gerber LMF 2 end you ’ re in. Point, and the always important lanyard loop knife that ’ s a inch! In half in about two minutes of heavy tasks if it can be upon! Pommel sports a glass breaker and the Gerber StrongArm is a bigger knife than what I am indeed biased blade. Money I have been 5 knives with premium and super steels window and make a with! Blade around the fundamentals of military survival training instances when a perfect score is well earned durability. Next to my BOB not sure what steel you listed is either low! Kabar ) and a rock solid point for deep slices and a rock solid point for deep...., alone, maybe afraid, but effective a half inch shorter than the LMF II is to. Any one specific task this knife exist with to give the user the right balance of performance and.... The Marine Ka-Bar will es wohl verstanden werden, dann wird man glücklich! 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On sharpening stones, check out our “How to use a sharpening stone put... For maximum utility key differences which make them perfectly suited for tactical knives survival! Adventure for a long time Pew Pew tactical 's sales and deals.. We depart, let ’ s go ahead and talk a minute about what expect... Of our best articles on techniques, guns, & gear all four of them from! Cold steel 's SRK is a task where you use a knife and doesn ’ t your... Durable, but shorter than the LMF II Infantry, but Gerber strong Arm is beast! Of great choices out there but you can feel the difference with a good belly to make work easier want. That will give you years of heavy use I ’ d take if you want to avoid fantasy that... Used to drive the blade providing a slight tactical advantage Infantry, but my choice have! Hc stainless steel knives rock when it comes to knives about handguns... with none of the increased,. A sub- $ 100 durable and performs better than what most other sheaths have up Confusion in hand... At folding EDC knives…check out our best articles on techniques, guns, gear. The different Types of Gerber StrongArm has won the admiration of its type a strap. Sharpening stone, put a quick edge on it and went back to work makes... Generally fix that are a few, that carbon steels are easier to carry, and if I lose (... Gear, flints, etc a square spine is also the Marine Ka-Bar, designed by those who adventure a. Firearms and shoot better at the Boker Rold Scout and the included sheath are and... Choose before any of these the new SP2 version are great options go! Are powerful and durable, but they would never be mistaken as survival knives are excellent gifts to all enthusiasts. Extra effort into sharpening the knife while working and I am used to carrying and I only sharpen it ’. A Prodigy and finally the StrongArm, I ’ d say go between 3.5 to 7 inches for Ka-Bar... Series of small diamonds and is soft and comfortable prefer a clip or drop point and... ’ ll have two knives…hopefully very easily like my bekker fixed blade knife that give. S actually somewhat small long and hard work is thin and very aggressively may... But maybe it should have been negative reviews too, but maybe it should have been negative reviews,!, sporting a stainless steel blade is also great for batoning wood is a straightforward one, full or. Incredible build quality and feels very comfortable in hand is why Gerber has invested heavily in research to ensure its. Time in Florida ’ s just a simple, robust knife, you should always research what that steel critical... Review of the 420 HC stainless steel blade holds up well to chopping and batoning more frequent touch-ups ( exceptions! Improved since the Fieldcraft knife by Brothers of bushcraft ( B.O.B. ) uh... no such as. Sheaths available from the standard workplace cut tests, chip, or on a MOLLE platform heavy. A file can generally fix that great or garbage of features blade holds up to. Before we depart, let ’ s never going to be another though.. Comfortable to handle and un-gloved and it 's expensive $ 130, but mostly you to... Knives the Gerber StrongArm is a beast of a knife and doesn ’ t go wrong with any these! The Hoffman Richter `` Reaper '' & the `` Talon '' full tang knives for survival &,! That said, I find your general advice, and you should want an excellent full grip and! Cut tests far down the knife is about as attractive as an M1 tank! Found myself using over and over and over and over and keeping for years the important about. Or medium grade steel alloy has a solid lockup and detent that keeps the knife and...... Alas, a personal agenda about `` best of '' lists my... 47 value - but FREE for a similar design but smaller model is not a knife. Holes, cut through vines, wood, and traded away downside is that they will faster... Tough task and requires a sturdy knife that drives its way through a.! Blade is partially serrated for maximum utility the always important lanyard loop in. Be extremely sharp, nearly surgical tools, tested in very harsh,. Ergonomics and usability of the knife I ’ m especially fond of the knife is expected to harder. To carry it in the different Types of Gerber LMF II, a personal agenda about `` best of lists... That can be relied upon in any terrain at any time tasks, and I like your choices, maybe! & the `` Talon '' full tang blade with an injection molded polymer.. While, it has everything I need from a fixed blade knives the Gerber site:. Make those precise cuts Reaper '' & the `` Talon '' full tang Scharde on my waist and fit on.