Gerber LMF II Review by [Chuck]
| My Overall Rating: |  |
Gerber LMF II Military Survival Knife
Not a soul will disagree that a good knife is considered mandatory equipment in a military, tactical, or survival situation. A tactical or survival knife must be able to perform and handle a variety of tasks and be able to be an extension of its user in all situations. In the end, time and human survival may depend on this knife.
The above stated is the sole reason that Gerber (Portland, Oregon) has created this legendary knife called the Gerber LMF II. It all began when the United States Army came to Gerber and asked them to create a pilot’s knife to be made for basic survival and easier egress from a downed helicopter. Before the LMF II, there weren’t any knives that were performing up to the level needed. But thanks to a list of 30 design criteria created by professionals in the military which was called “ASEK” (Aircrew Survival & Egress knife) they have successfully designed a dependable, over performing knife that is affordable.
What Gerber provided the Army with was a knife that is durable, tactical, and virtually can accomplish any task a knife is good for. To go over a few design features, it has a 5-inch stainless steel blade that is 3/16” thick and has a Rockwell Hardness C scale rating of 58. The blade has a high arc to increase the cutting edge and tactically positioned lanyard holes so the knife may be attached to a spear which can be used for fishing, hunting, or for plain defense. By far the most impressive feature of this knife is the solid stainless steel butt-cap that is pointed and able to break through J’ helicopter Plexiglass, used as a hammer, or even to break skulls in a life or death situation. The well thought out design separates the butt-cap from the knife itself by handle substrate, which absorbs shock when used for heavy hitting and it also electrically isolates the butt-cap from the rest of the knife.
Not only is the knife well designed, the sheath is right with it. The sheath has a replaceable carbide sharpener built right into it to field sharpen the knife at any time necessary. The sheath also has multiple ways to mount it and it is Molle vest compatible.
Over all this is one of my favorite knife designs to date and anybody who is looking for an all around knife or interested in survival situations you have to look no further. This knife can be found for a good price on Amazon.com.
SPECIFICATIONS
- • Overall Length: 10.59″
- • Blade Length: 4.84″
- • Weight: 11.4 oz.
- • Blade Style: Drop Point
- • Blade Material: 420HC Stainless
- • Blade Type: Serrated
- • Handle Material Glass-filled nylon with TPV overmold
- • Sheath Material: Ballistic nylon with fire retardant
- This knife comes in black, coyote brown, and green. Click on the color for the appropriate link.
Here is a video that has some very good information.
Let me show you what current owners have to say about this knife.
Perfection with an edge
by: Jonathan
I love this knife. I spent the last quarter century bumping around remote locations in Alaska sleeping on the ground, mushing dogs and hunting and fishing at every opportunity. During that time I’ve bought dozens of knives looking for the perfect utility knife. If they’d made this one when I started, I’d have never had to buy a second. It’s sturdy, nicely balanced with most of the weight in the ample grip, the serrated section of the edge is actually long enough to be useful, and the straight edge takes and holds an edge nicely. About the only thing I wouldn’t do with this knife is fillet fish, because the heavy blade is not particularly flexible. On the other hand, a stout blade is perfect for just about anything else. I suspect I’ve found a companion for life. This knife is going to go everywhere with me, with the possible exception of commercial airliners, and that’s not by choice. In Alaska anybody who gets on an airplane without a sturdy knife is a damn fool.
Best Designed Survival Knife
by: R. Lynch
This model of knife was originally designed to be an ASEK (Aircrew Survival Egress Knife) and came with a cord cutter hook. The Infrantry Knife aspect came about after it was given to US troops in Afghanistan and Iraq as a demo item. It is a rugged knife, and has a window punch on its butt and a full tang blade completely insulated by the grip. This aspect came in handy to a certain sniper team in Iraq who cut a power line to a 250 KW Generator in order to dim the lights illuminating their position among around 100 insurgents. The electric arc put an eighth of an inch gash in the knife’s blade, but the operator remained unshocked and was able to survive the incident. I am using it currently in Iraq, and I have found that though it isn’t the sexiest of edged weapons, it is by far one of the most unyielding. Built in sharpener in sheath is nice, if you know exactly how to use it, otherwise you will nick the blade up a little. Came originally in desert tan/coyote brown, now out in straight black so I will have to by another one for my darker endeavors.