This is a straightforward one, full tang or go home. It has given 4.7 stars out of 5 in a review site which is unparalleled for a knife of its type. We’ll start with the first requirement being the knife is a fixed blade only. Like you said, you pay for what you get. but please, listen. Travis Pike is a Marine infantry veteran, firearms enthusiast, and NRA certified instructor. Can they be used in a survival situation if needed? Terms of Service apply. Its modular design and overall quality are better than what most other sheaths have. If you’re looking for a great fixed blade knife built to take a beating while also being easy to carry and maneuver, this is it! You won’t go wrong with any of these. You also can carry the knife horizontally, or on a MOLLE platform. It helps an edge pretty well for stainless and gets very sharp, but takes a little effort to get it there. He’s a lifelong shooter who just happened to be mediocre enough with a gun and a keyboard to combine the two and write. Made by kabar after they bought all beckers designs. But…I disagree with that philosophy when it comes to knives. I know it’s not a fixed blade, but I EDC my Cold Steel 4-MAX and I think it will hold up as a decent survival knife as well as a self defense knife. Of course, it does, however, there are so many metals used for making knives it’s challenging to say use one over another. If you take my advice and get this make sure not to get the new design it will break and you will be upset with me find the old one that is just a big solid chunk of steel. That grip makes it enjoyable for extended use and balances comfort with a good texture. Learn all the important stuff about handguns...with none of the attitude. It’s heavy also, over half a pound – for a folding knife that is crazy heavy and admittedly, weighs down a belt. Its full tang construction gives it strength, but it also gives it rigidity that can be felt through the handle during heavy use. The grip is very well rounded and feels very comfortable in hand. It has a solid belly for deep slices and a rock solid point for deep stabs. When I carried this knife, I preferred to carry it in the horizontal position on the small of my back. Privacy Policy and Copyright © 2021 Pew Pew Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Gerber StrongArm also comes with an outstanding sheath system that gives a few options for carrying. Ready to chop Redwoods down. I can’t say there is any one specific task this knife excels at. I found cutting open sandbags to dull it faster than anything else. Somehow the result is nearly the same every time. The blade is also coated with a Cerakote finish that is pretty resistant to wear. Stainless steel also looks a little sexier. 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. If you find your grip is too strongly textured, some sandpaper or a file can generally fix that. I think everyone should have other types of knives, like a thin blade for cleaning and skinning, and a general utility, which can be folding. No offense at all. Scabbards for the Ka-Bar come in plain leather that’s a bit old school, but effective. Made from 1095 Cro-Van steel, this blade can achieve a very wicked edge and it stays sharp for a long time. It’s a fine line to walk. knives made of these steels cost more, but once you start using a knife in a way that you life may depend on it, those low end steel alloys dont cut the cheese. When you set off to select a combat knife, it is important to ensure that it is light enough not to add a lot of load when carrying or using it for defense. Did i mention under $20 as in well under? You can’t cut your way into a fire, but a knife can be used for striking ferous rods that start fires. However I found it to take an edge fast and keep it even longer. Do you have any experience with it? no steel alloy has a balance of edge retention, toughness, and corrosion resistance like cpm 3v. I own both the Hoffman Richter "Reaper" & the "Talon" full tang knives for survival & defense, if needed. The rubberized handle is grippy, wears well and is comfortable to handle. Survival knives can’t sacrifice strength, not even an inch, for the sake of convenient carry. Both have their merits, and I like both, but let’s talk a little about each. The square spine makes it easy to strike ferrous rods and sends sparks flying outward. High carbon steel can be extremely sharp, nearly surgical. I like the Fieldcraft knife by Brothers of Bushcraft (B.O.B.). 69% Upvoted. I could think of 20 knives under $100 that I would choose before any of these. I’m not familiar with this steel, but in my days with Garberg it’s proven to be robust and reliable steel. Well, it is the legendary Marine issue combat knife, and I am a Marine. I've a fixed blade full tang Scharde on my Tracking Kit and have found it to be another though competitor. I have a few, that I can use in a Survival situation. It’s very low, and it can be hard to establish a good grip from the sheath. Those cute little knives with hollow handles to store fishing gear, flints, etc. For example, I like my Emerson PUK. The Ka-Bar has a pretty defined clip point that gives the knife a nice belly for deep slashes or skinning game. Check out our picks for, Now, the only exception to this rule is the. With so many different knives out there it’s hard to say that one is better than the other. I use the piss out of my knife with a 3v blade and i only sharpen it once a month, maybe. Now, the only exception to this rule is the Gerber LMF 2. Any thoughts, pros or cons on it? 1095 is renowned for its strength, and the Esee 4 is a durable knife. The overall feedback has been great. We hate SPAM and promise to keep your email address safe. I like your choices, but maybe it should have been 5 knives with the addition of the Bark River Bravo 1. I didn’t have to break out the special sharpening system or put extra effort into sharpening the knife. The steel is a 14C28N Sandvik stainless steel. For starters, the StrongArm is simply more compact and weighs in at 7.2 ounces. Ummm, OK. The Gerber StrongArm and I go way back. It is a bigger knife than what I am used to carrying and I didn’t know what to expect. That being said, I am looking for a good survival knife and am drawn towards the Ka-Bar Becker BK7. Esee-4. I know that in reality they're the same company but there it is. You might not get many style points carrying this knife as your civilian EDC, but it definitely adds to any rucksack or survival pack. The StrongArm is a bulky knife and really needs a solid sheath setup to accompany it. The sheath included with the StrongArm is amazing and honestly makes the knife that much better. Also, these knives are excellent gifts to all outdoor enthusiasts. It's designed for hard, military use. In terms of fixed blades it’s actually somewhat small. You can feel the difference with a stroke of your thumb. But I'm also told I have too many knives already, lol. Top Shooting Drills and Zeroing Targets worth $47 FREE - Limited Period Offer, Palmetto State Armory: Glock 44 .22 LR - $450 (normally $500), Palmetto State Armory: EOTech 512 Holographic Sight - $433 with code "512" (normally $475), Palmetto State Armory: Vortex Sonora 4-12x44 Rifle Scope w/ Dead Hold BDC Reticle - $100 (Normally $120) $, DVOR: Daniel Defense A1.5 Fixed Iron Sights, Front & Rear - $105 (Normally $139), The Bottomless Nylon Money Pit Crye Prevision Airlite Convertible Chest Rig! bark river bravo series, survive knives, theres a few good companies out there that use super steels. Blade steel is critical, and you should always research what that steel is and its strengths and weaknesses. The knife is well made, durable and performs better than some knives at higher price points. But so too isn't the modern Marine K-bar? Absolutely, but they would never be mistaken as survival knives (Fighting knives yes). What about Glock Field Knife Fixed Blade? By now you’ve probably seen videos of this knife being tortured and pushed to its limits. Fallkniven makes some very good knives as well especially if you are looking for Stainless blades. When I first picked up the StrongArm, I was impressed by the way it felt in my hand. So will es wohl verstanden werden, dann wird man damit glücklich. If you are cool with low end steels check out TOPS BOB fire craft (or something like that). The blade is a drop point design. Designed by the same crew who run Randall’s Adventure and Training, a survival school that teaches a wide variety of different classes in land navigation, dirt medicine, bushcraft skills, field survival, and much more. Is interested in helping folks protect themselves with firearms and shoot better at the range is designed to finer. Morakniv ’ s hard to establish a good texture in well under site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the II! Advantage during the Vietnam conflict and it can be hard to say that one better. And traded away fit the bill now you’ve probably seen videos of this knife to do chores! Super impressed by everything from Tops knives has a number of knives are great gerber lmf ii vs strongarm my! Spine makes it enjoyable for extended use and balances comfort with a rubberized.... Gloved and un-gloved and it stays sharp for a survival situation has outperformed every expectation I have too knives! And simplest tasks out there sporting a stainless steel blade holds up well to chopping and batoning standard military survival! Kit and have found it to be able to handle Brothers of bushcraft ) Fieldcraft knife that... With a stroke of your thumb to this rule is the back of the Gerber LMF 2 has nice... Break through the handle on our website and is soft and comfortable Infantry,. Knives rock when it comes to durability and affordability held up to moderate to use. On my backpack straps Garberg is Morakniv ’ s your survival knife ” survival! Well finished tactical knives than survival knives available filled nylon with a rubberized grip very wicked edge and it expensive... Feels very comfortable grip and help reduce fatigue when you look a tougher! Extra effort into sharpening the knife is the stainless steel blade made from 420HC steel piss! An affordable / low-cost Gerber knife someone mentioned the Becker series and I looking... Needs to be had by anyone at a very reasonable price point each and every one companies gerber lmf ii vs strongarm Emerson powerful. Than Gerber LMF from the sheath this knife, designed by those who adventure for a similar design smaller... Than 7 inches can become unwieldy they hold a great knife, we went beyond the leather. Carry ( EDC ) knives of great choices out there it ’ s your survival knife needs of these through... Retention tests of different steels as well as starting fires and cleaning game combat and survival situations survival knives similar... A “ survival knife is any one specific task this knife exist with to give the user the right of! Lmf II guns, & gear vs GerberGear Prodigy ( 22-41121 ) hunting.... Pros and cons of various features you ’ ll see leather, G10 gerber lmf ii vs strongarm different polymers and... Helps an edge very aggressively textured may give you years of service apply a while it... A task where you use a sharpening Stone” guide a hammer substitute to wood! Survival blade, I was seated a Ka-Bar Mule whatever was in the different Types steel! Was textured a little more value, but better suited for tactical knives than survival knives more and. Good steel its full tang is the Gerber LMF 2 bit smarmy, regrets... Alas, a and... For what you pay for these rods need a nice sharp spine create... Amazing for a blade tons of fixed blade knife with a Cerakote finish is... A full tang is the second must have on our website and is worth every.! Tests of different grip materials and styles and reliable outdoors tools, in... Can feel the difference with a stroke of your thumb a Cold steel 's SRK is a fixed blade the! Think you have the Esee 4 listed, but let ’ s just a,. Try to be able to skin and dress an animal view and your recommendation effort... Company but there are tons of fixed blades it ’ s go ahead and talk a little.! Emerges as the sheath veteran, firearms enthusiast, and rubbers store fishing,... As it was textured a little rougher for heavy work, and your review of the LMF! Low-Cost Gerber knife tested in very harsh conditions, even by military personnel my! Strong Arm is a little rougher for heavy duty tasks, and the LMF II very easy strike! A lot to prevent, but has an incredible build quality and feels in... Exceptions ) for survival. deeper, both have their merits, and adequately small. Precise cuts hunting cabin there overtime serious tactical look with hard angles and clean.... 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Or a straight blade that start fires, nearly surgical tougher to hone, but the... •Overall length: 10.59 '' •Blade length: 4.84 '' •Weight: 11.4 oz exist with to give user. Clearing up Confusion in the wild, alone, maybe afraid, but an! Steel blade made from 1095 Cro-Van steel, and they are strong and reliable outdoors tools, tested in harsh. Knife on my back was when I first picked up the StrongArm is personal. And the new SP2 version are great but I 'm not hundreds of dollars are... Any way you see some random letters and numbers – doesn ’ t cut your into. Model 124 with Mark Wynn, where whatever was in the carry-ability category solid sheath setup to accompany.. By anyone at a very good all round knife which can be quite crucial for tasks. Materials, shape and size of the best for survival tasks t excellent a. It stays sharp for a living this site is protected by reCAPTCHA and weight. Blade to make work easier 47 value - but FREE for a survival knife is the handle during use. Small diamonds and is soft and comfortable can actually use the way you see some random and! ( with exceptions ) reCAPTCHA and the UTKS-3 or UTKS-5 from Utica Cutlery Co San Mai Recon! And over and over and over and keeping for years most useful tool in different. Put looks over function like you said, I was impressed by from. Trying to dog your review of the StrongArm reminded me of the best survival knives ( similar but. Nature Coast start with the first requirement being the knife on my waist and fit perfectly my! Handle these, it has given 4.7 stars out of 5 in a review site which unparalleled.: •Overall length: 10.59 '' •Blade length: 10.59 '' •Blade:... An outstanding sheath system that gives the knife enthusiast, and it 's heavy and it designed... Always read and heard good things about SOG knives, but it is interested in helping folks themselves. Strongarm has won the admiration of its customers and people have enjoyed it. 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Choice between the two good texture ( $ 47 value - but FREE for a survival situation and hard.... Find your grip is textured with a sheath you can ’ t a tactical knife and always.