Gerber Military Tactical LMF II - A.S.E. K. Knife

“I found this knife at this site http://www.lapolicegear.com/lmfiiasek.html

seems like a steal at $60 compared to other websites. It just shipped, anybody have any experience with this thing on the trails?”

“Knives come and they go...

All that's needed is a sharp edge.”

“I guess it would work for chopping trees down.”

“LOL Just gotta establish a baseline....where are you planning on using this? IRAQ?

Small pocket knife has always worked for me.”

“I've never needed anything more than a Buck Mini.
http://www.buckknives.com/catalog/detail/198/237”

“Haha. Actually I read somewhere that this thing was field tested in iraq. And you never know when you'll need to break through some plexiglass when you're out in the backcountry hehe. You can never be too prepared, right?”

“...yeah, if a hoppyclopter falls outa the sky on ya you can chop your way outa the damn thing.........”

“I'm not familiar with that model. I carry a SOG Northwest Ranger which appears to be somewhat similar. The only thing about the Ranger is I'd prefer a Kydex sheath to leather.

(Overkill, I know! LOL)”

“I'm happy with a swiss army knife (very soft steel) and a browning 4" sheath but the knife afficiando's (major-baby brother)scoff at stainless steel. They are VERY particular.”

“Thats a very nice piece of equipment. Should do all that is needed. Just remember that most states only allow a 4 inch fixed blade to be carried. Unless on a hunting trip. And there are some states that don't allow that much of a blade to be carried.”

“Yeah, yeah my knife may be overkill...but...at least i'm not going to be toting around this
http://www.footpounds.com/weblog/?p=200

Pistol/bayonet...with laser sight. wow”

“http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=10505

”

“I was in a knife shop one day (Buying a Lansky sharpener) when an older woman came in to buy a knife for her grandson, who she proudly said was a Boy Scout...

after looking at a case full of folders, she selected a knife with a partially serrated blade, and asked if it would be a good knife to get for her grandson...

to which I replied.....

Oh NO, never get a knife with a serrated blade.....it gets hung up on bone and gristle and is difficult to pull out!

She blanched and left...go figure.”

“hehe, sweet knife by the way”

“Ah, Yes... the Old Benchmade!

I was contemplating the Benchmade Activator for close-in work.”

“I don't think this knife is overkill. If you ever watch shows like Man Vs. Wild you notice that the only thing he always takes with him other than his clothes is a good knife. A good knife keeps you prepared for the worst possible scenario. Plus how awesome is it to have something that looks so sweet.

You guys need to play more RPG's and learn about leveling up your equipment while leveling up your skill.”

“I think I agree with you wolfen, I just hope my skill is high enough to equip my new blade.”

“Report Program Generator?
Rocket Propelled Grenade?

D&D?”

“Role Playing Games, and mostly those in video game format rather than D&D. I've never been much of one for the pen and paper stuff. It's just fun to get new equipment, and what better than a weapon for both offensive and defensive stat boosts!”

“Nice Knife Murdock, it almost weighs as much as my sleeping bag.”

“I like my Mora knife pretty well, and it is a way bigger knife than I have ever carried before. Google on Mora knife and you'll find a lot of bushcraft teachers and experts like it also. Here is an article on it on my blog:

http://patentpending.blogs.com/patent_pending_blog/2006/12/the_mora_knife_.html”

“those big wide blades are good for spreading peanut butter...”

“Thanks LT, i'll take that as a compliment. The next time you need to easily make a spear or cut through electrified wires without getting shocked...you'll wish you had one”

“It was a compliment, I have a knife fetish, I love finding cool knives for the trail my current one is a CRK snaplock weighs about 2 ounces. But I am looking for what they call a neck knife, it is made to hang on a lanyard around your neck.
Like this one http://www.knife-depot.com/knife-15376.html

I think a good knife is a very important part of your survival gear on the trail, I just don't want to carry one that weighs alot.”

“I have one of these. It is an awesome piece of work. But, I don't see it accompanying me on many backpacking trips. It's big, heavy, and overkill.

But, if I was thrown into a survival situation, it is Thing to Take With Me #1. I guarantee you could use a rock and this knife to chop down trees 6"+ in diameter without breaking it. And then split logs with it. And it's scary sharp. Pretty good hunting knife. Mine's a keeper, but unless I'm humping through Alaska, wild Canada or the like, my Swiss Army Spartan Lite is all I need.

Bigben”

“That is a pretty solid looking little knife (and a good idea too). I just got my ASEK in the mail a few minutes ago. It is bad to the bone, I must say. It is bigger than I thought and the site I got it from included the "mini survival knife" (seat belt slicer). Probably not much use, but other sites were charging extra for it and it came with its own sheath as well. As of now though, I am really impressed, I'll have to write up a review once I take it on a trip.”

“here's mine.... Best fixed blade knife I own ( even better than my custom John Ek and kershaw). Can cut through a sternum and pelvis without resharpening. First choice no doubt. I opted for the drop point, the skinning blade isnt necessary.

Full tang and layered carbon steel.
last edited: 1/25/07 6:26:30 PM”

“lthiker, check this out for a neck knife, I had one for years ”

“Neck knife ?? Yo LT, just dont miss the sheath when you put the blade back !!!”

“Mmmmmm! Full tang!”

“IMO, Gerber is living off the good reputation they had in the '80's. They have some good blade designs, including the LMF II, but they use cheaper materials.

12C27 is similar to 440A which excels only in being able to resist corrosion. It will take a wicked edge but it won't hold it. If you know how to sharpen and don't mind doing it often, then go for it.

If you're sticking with stainless I would look for blades that use S30V, BG-42, VG10, 154CM, or even 440C...in that order. Any of those will hold an edge better and longer than 12C27.

If you plan to use the knife hard (chopping, prying, etc.) I would go for D2 or even one of the tool steels. D2 is pretty tough and has 12% chromium (most stainless has ~14 - 15%). It is often called semi-stainless. For really hard use go with something like 52100, 5160 or S7.

IMO, Benchmade and Spyderco are tops for production folding knives. Benchmade has some nice fixed blades as well.

Good luck.”

“My son Chris has a Gerber Knife. He has a Crossbow too. He goes to gun shows. Chris scares me sometimes. G** I love this kid, he's exactly like ME! (only with more disposable income)”

“I've got a Benchmade 710 McHenry & Williams folder, and it's pretty much indestructible. I've dug holes with it, sawed and hacked at small branches and sticks, cut 550 cord, opened boxes, everything under the sun with it. It definitely shows signs of hard use, but other than the fact that I can't seem to get a satisfactorily sharp edge on it, I love it.

Coated D2 steel, half-serrated blade, good point, easy one handed opening, etc. I've worn the finish off the first third of the blade or so, but it has years and years of life left.

This is the one:


Handle: G10
Overall Length: 8.80"

Liners: D2 Blade Length: 3.90"
Blade: D2 Handle Length: 4.90"
Blade Finish: Black
Lock Type: Axis Lock
Blade Style:Drop Point
Opener Type: Thumb Stud
Edge Style: Combo Edge
Weight: 6.40oz
Carry Type: Pocket Clip
last edited: 1/29/07 11:18:45 PM”

“there are things i really really want that the government say i cannot have”

“but other than the fact that I can't seem to get a satisfactorily sharp edge on it

If all else fails...http://www.benchmade.com/about_knives/lifesharp_service.asp

Personally, I don't like serrations. I think they're more trouble than they're worth. Serrations are like chisel grinds, you only sharpen one side. D2 does take patience to sharpen. I use a Spyderco Sharpmaker on my knives. For tough to sharpen blades I start with the diamond rods, then medium, then fine. Diamond coated rods will whip any steel into shape in short order. I never liked using benchstones, but the Sharpmaker is easy to use.
last edited: 1/29/07 11:40:45 PM”

“The serrations seem to be holding a good edge, maybe because they aren't used nearly as much, but yeah, the straight edge is a pain in the neck. I'll have to try the method you described.”

“Starting with diamond rods is the key. D2 is real tough stuff!! Diamond rods aren't cheap though...they cost more than the rest of the kit.

http://store.tradingpostsupply.com/204d.html

http://store.tradingpostsupply.com/204mf.html”

“Just to be clear, the serrated portion of the blade is the only part you would sharpen on one side only. The plain edge portion of your blade you would sharpen as you would any other plain edge.

It's important to know the bevel angle too, I think Benchmade uses a 30 degree angle..but don't quote me.”

“I've been toting my Benchmade 180 Outbounder for a few years now. Only 3.3 oz.; D2 steel; a good all purpose fixed blade.

http://www.benchmade.com/products/product_detail.aspx?model=180”

“Man Longlost, you really seem to know your metals. I must admit that I bought the LMF II mostly for the general awesomeness it seemed to have in the looks department. I really don't mind sharpening it, especially since there is a sharpener built in to the sheath. I'm sure it will be a good knife regardless...”

“The BMF was a far better blade back in its day.

I bet it could still hold up today.


I don't leave home without my Buck:


last edited: 1/30/07 10:42:31 AM”

“In my experience the Mora doesn't hold an edge.

I guess Man vs. Wild is some kind of TV programme.

Up here the people who can face a serious survival situation whenever they leave home, and this means mostly Indians, always carry an axe.

An axe is the real survival tool. You can do just about everything to survive with a good axe.

It's obviously not a backpacking item, but travel is mostly by canoe. No-one moves without picking up his axe. When I was moose hunting in northwestern Ontario a shoulder strap of my rucksack went through the slot of the sheath and round a thwart.

Two Indian men can build a log structure large enough to house four (small) families, one in each corner with a central fire.

For travelling light does anyone remember the Skatchet? I have one and it is sweet.

It's sort of like an axe blade with a handle that has a hole with large threads. You can chop a branch and screw it into the handle to make a hatchet. It had a hammer face on the end and a gut hook.

Great little tool.

Once again I have to mention Horace Kephart's Camping and woodcraft wherein he talks at length about the utility and use of an axe. The book was written in 1917 and it's still the best and last word on the subject.
last edited: 1/30/07 10:57:54 AM”

“Gremlin,
You need to read some of Nessmuk's (George Washington Sears) stuff, especially "Woodcraft". If I remeber right, Kephart dedicates his "Camping and Woodcraft" to Nessmuk. A lot of Kepharts learning and inspiration came from Nessmuk's writings.

In "Woodcraft" Nessmuk has a chapter on knives and his famous two bit hatchet.

Also, Nessmuk was the inventor of ultra-light backpacking (his canoe only weighed in at around ten pounds.)

http://outdoors-magazine.com/s_article.php?id_article=179


http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:WvJr-furuXUJ:www.oldjimbo.com/survival/racquette/nessmukbydale.html+nessmuk&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=1
last edited: 1/30/07 1:06:14 PM”

“I don't know my knife steels like Longlost does, but I know a little and can sharpen the hell out of a knife. I too have the Gerber LMF. The key is to not let it get really dull, and with this knife, you have no excuse for doing so with the built in sharpener. If you let it get really dull, that thing probably won't get it sharpened in a timely manner, but if you use the knife hard, intermittantly give it 5-10 passes thru the sharpener so it never gets really dull. It's the same with GOOD kitchen knives. Most good sets come with a sharpening steel. Let them get completely dull and try to sharpen them with the steel and you'll be at it for quite some time. Use the knife, give it 10 seconds on the steel, rinse, use the knife, repeat ad nauseum, and the knife will most probably never get really dull.

Again, while the steel on the LMF isn't the best quality edge-holding steel out there, think about this for a minute. The knife was made for survival and egress out of helicopters by military pilots. Cut your way out of a helicoptor with a friggin knife and it's going to get dull. Period. In the field after I just cut my way out of a helicopter, I'd rather have a lesser quality steel that I could return a decent, usable edge to quickly with a built in sharpener than one that I need to use diamond rods and take my time with. In a survival situation, the stuff you cut isn't always what a knife, any knife, is designed to cut: metal wire, metal, trees, thick logs, bone, insert whatever here. In a non-survival situation, I'm going to use wire cutters, tin snips, an axe, a saw, etc. Subject a knife with the better quality steels to all this punishment and it too will get dull. I want the one I can get sharp fastest after it does.

I think Benchmade, Spyderco, etc are better knives than Gerber in MANY cases, but I think Gerber hit a home run with the LMF. I really can't believe that they chose the steel that they did, for a military-specific purpose, without thinking it was the best for that particular purpose. Is it the best for my purpose, maybe, maybe not, but that's why I have a ton of knives, including this one.

Bigben”

“That's right, BS. Do you remember the name of the canoe offhand?

That's the question BigBen. Do you go for hard steel that's hard to sharpen or softer steel, Rc 56, for example that's easier to sharpen.

One solution is to avoid stainless steel which is always hard to sharpen.

My hunting knif is a Canadian Russell Design Award. I've had it for forty years; the steel has darkened, but it has never had rust on it. The Skatchet isn't stainless either.

BTW, my general purpose/camp knife is a Buck 119. I've had it for 36 years and it still does the job(s).

I always have my Leatherman Sideclip on my belt, but if I ever lost it I'd get the smallest Gerber multi-toll. I likewise always have my Swiss Army knife in my pocket.

I still have my first knife, a Joseph Rogers two blade pocket knife that I bought when I was nine, almost fifty years ago. The only thing that ever got rusty was the Leatherman. It took a lot of WD40 for it to open again. Then the bolts kept coming out and I had to Loctite them.”

“I just Googled my Design Award, they call it the 'Original' now.

Check it out (great knife).

www.grohmannknives.com”

“BTW, they're still available in carbon steel (Rc 56-58) and with leather sheaths. Lots of custom choices and handle choices.

Yum.”

“"there are things i really really want that the government say i cannot have”
Pamela
12:18:50 AM
1/30/07

Pamela scares me sometimes. G**”

“Sara Gimp?”

“Wow, this discussion proved to have a lot more information than I would have figured. Murdock and I are relatively new to the backpacking experience, but we have realized it can be more rewarding to spend disposable income on gear rather than the video games we normally would have bought. I mean, at least the LMF can do something useful other than provide entertainment.

Also, Gremlin, I do carry a hatchet with me every time I go out. It's also a Gerber. Just a camp axe with a hollow polymer handle. It can get the job done fairly well for little work, but most of the places I have to go around here don't allow ground fires so it hasn't proved as useful as I initially anticipated.”