KNIFE4TREKKING 1- Gerber LMF II: Infantry BLACK**Update**

[seedha.admi]

Hi Moin,
Didn't knew you were gone to a wedding. Anyway, I was busy too in preparations of my adventure this month. So what do you think about my two posts?

[slingshot]

Not to rain on your parade, but Gerber products have lately become trash - the only thing they now do is have huge margins on their products, so at most of the big stores, the sales rep will take you to Gerber as being the "best", even past the Benchmade, Spyderco, ZT, ESEE, and Kershaw shelves. Sadly, not everyone is a knife nut, but everyone knows Bear G from his famous series (well, it is interesting to know he does not use the products he endorses in the series). Not sure what steel is on your blade, but mostly it is 420A (not Sandvik 12C27).

With a shoddy quality control, and most products now manufactured in China (one reason why you see Gerber clones a plenty on alibaba), it is best to avoid them totally. If you want a knife to show off your relatives/friends as "badass", then Gerber is the brand. But if you want a field knife that you actually plan to use, then it is not for you.

Hi Amar;

Beg to differ on this one. Handled a Gerber LMF 2 just today and it is surprisingly well built. Check with Bruno 22 he has one too. This model isnone of the good blades from the Gerber Stables like the Mark 2. Had receieve one negative feeeback from Slingshot who had actuallybseen one break during some camping trip but not sure how it was being used or abused so to speak.

Moin,

The Gerber that I had issues with is not the LMF 2. It was the Bear Grylls Survival Knife. That one really sucks.

I think that the LMF 2 is a good blade, but just too gimmicky. A good knife that started out with good intentions but then too many things got added to it. Some of the stuff that I cant figure out is that the blade is not full tang. I believe that since its not full tang, it allows you to cut electric cables and such. But I am never going to trust a knife to cut through electrical cables anyway. That makes the skull crusher pommel rather weak. I think that is the first area where the LMF will have issues if anyone tries to use it like a hammer in any prolonged exercise. Secondly, why add the serrations? Its just annoying to have blade with serrations. Serves no purpose other than cosmetic. Then there is the soft plastic on the handle that has the tendency to wear off close to the tang. It has a wonderful grip, and very ergonomic, but its a pain to maintain. Also, since I cannot unscrew the handle scales, I can never really clean this chap and the soft plastic close to the blade gets worn over time and water will enter the handle, causing corrosion that I cannot clean. Then, this blade has no protection. An infantry knife needs a proper guard, or choil. And if not at least a decent ricasso. This knife has none of the three. So I run a risk of cutting myself if used tactically and fine work is almost impossible due to no choil and the serrations. Generally, I am not a fan of over engineered stuff. And the sheath is just that. Too many straps, too goofy. And heavy too. The fire steel is one of the things that dont necessarily work in tropical forests like India. I always carry other fire starting tools. Though there are complaints on the steel and its ability to hold an edge, I have never had a problem with that. It can be re-sharpened quite effectively.

Pleas dont get me wrong. Its a good knife. But I cant see why it has to be so goofy. I prefer the ESEE 6 or the Cold Steel SRK.

And Seedha Admi, please dont think this is a criticism of your choice. We all love knives for various reasons and as long as you love the LMF 2, thats all that matters. I am just responding to Moin.

[seedha.admi]

@slingshot

I don't know whether the handle will be difficult to clean, I've had this knife for about half a month now. Well let's see what happens over time. But for now it is serving it's purpose fine i.e. knife 4 trekking.
BTW I'd love some criticism 'cause then I'll get to know the commonly known bad opinions about a thing which I can't normally get to see.

[brihacharan]

[quote="essdee1972"]Moin, welcome back!! Hope the wedding and the honeymoon went off well......... pics please!!![/quote]

MOIN - One week down the line & You handled a Gerber 3 days ago - Can't believe this
Briha

[Moin.]

Moin,

The Gerber that I had issues with is not the LMF 2. It was the Bear Grylls Survival Knife. That one really sucks.

I think that the LMF 2 is a good blade, but just too gimmicky. A good knife that started out with good intentions but then too many things got added to it. Some of the stuff that I cant figure out is that the blade is not full tang. I believe that since its not full tang, it allows you to cut electric cables and such. But I am never going to trust a knife to cut through electrical cables anyway. That makes the skull crusher pommel rather weak. I think that is the first area where the LMF will have issues if anyone tries to use it like a hammer in any prolonged exercise. Secondly, why add the serrations? Its just annoying to have blade with serrations. Serves no purpose other than cosmetic. Then there is the soft plastic on the handle that has the tendency to wear off close to the tang. It has a wonderful grip, and very ergonomic, but its a pain to maintain. Also, since I cannot unscrew the handle scales, I can never really clean this chap and the soft plastic close to the blade gets worn over time and water will enter the handle, causing corrosion that I cannot clean. Then, this blade has no protection. An infantry knife needs a proper guard, or choil. And if not at least a decent ricasso. This knife has none of the three. So I run a risk of cutting myself if used tactically and fine work is almost impossible due to no choil and the serrations. Generally, I am not a fan of over engineered stuff. And the sheath is just that. Too many straps, too goofy. And heavy too. The fire steel is one of the things that dont necessarily work in tropical forests like India. I always carry other fire starting tools. Though there are complaints on the steel and its ability to hold an edge, I have never had a problem with that. It can be re-sharpened quite effectively.

Pleas dont get me wrong. Its a good knife. But I cant see why it has to be so goofy. I prefer the ESEE 6 or the Cold Steel SRK.

And Seedha Admi, please dont think this is a criticism of your choice. We all love knives for various reasons and as long as you love the LMF 2, thats all that matters. I am just responding to Moin.

Chief, beg to differ on this one with you as well.An Esee 6 and the Gerber belong to two different genres of knives. One cant compare knives built for specific outdoor chores like the Beckers and Esees of this world to knives meant as a standard issue blades to general infantry. with respect to not having a full tang even the Kabar has the rat tail tang and has survived decades of hard military use and is still favourote amongst US troops. How many times does a soldier in these days of Urban Warfare have to baton through a bloddy log or choke up for fuzz sticks. In urban warfare scenario he would probably be required to cut electric cables so an insulated handle would be handy. THERE are stories on the gerber website which one can read. Serrations would be handy for cutting through cordage or cable ties. MUTIPLE attachement sheaths would be mighty handy fpr those molle vests or back packs. Agaian my personal opi ion having handles one its a very well thought of knife for the purpose it was designed for....

BtW saw A BEAR GRYLLS SF Khakis is Dockers lollzzzz in SG. Will post pics soon.

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

Moin, welcome back!! Hope the wedding and the honeymoon went off well......... pics please!!!

SDDA wilco. Have sporadic email and internet access. Can send post 13th.alls well.

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

What wedding?

Something was obliged to attend buddy loll

[Moin.]

Hi Moin,
Didn't knew you were gone to a wedding. Anyway, I was busy too in preparations of my adventure this month. So what do you think about my two posts?

Good man. Great to see many more blade enthusiast active in the forum. Keep posting bud.

Regards
MOIN.

[Moin.]

[quote="essdee1972"]Moin, welcome back!! Hope the wedding and the honeymoon went off well......... pics please!!!

MOIN - One week down the line & You handled a Gerber 3 days ago - Can't believe this
Briha[/quote]

Sir. SHEARES STORES. Sdda has seen this one. Got to hNdle a whole lot of Gerbers cold steels Zts kabars spydercos etc e5c etc......Wanted to pick up a CRKT Ohtanashi Noh Ken I have my heart set on but was quite expensive comapred to KC and I still have some travelling to do so didnt take a risk..

Regards
Moin.

[Moin.]

BtW chief the Leatherman MUT EOD is a beast of a Mulitool. SEXINESS REDEFINED FOR mTs..... Handled one. WORTH THE $$$$$$$$$ U WILL spend on it...

[Skyman]

Bah, we all thought you got married....

[brihacharan]

Bah, we all thought you got married....

> This one's a Real Blinder
> You did think right
> Moin did get married last week
> While his point is being Clipped - He is balancing on the Edge
Briha

[slingshot]

Chief, beg to differ on this one with you as well.An Esee 6 and the Gerber belong to two different genres of knives. One cant compare knives built for specific outdoor chores like the Beckers and Esees of this world to knives meant as a standard issue blades to general infantry. with respect to not having a full tang even the Kabar has the rat tail tang and has survived decades of hard military use and is still favourote amongst US troops. How many times does a soldier in these days of Urban Warfare have to baton through a bloddy log or choke up for fuzz sticks. In urban warfare scenario he would probably be required to cut electric cables so an insulated handle would be handy. THERE are stories on the gerber website which one can read. Serrations would be handy for cutting through cordage or cable ties. MUTIPLE attachement sheaths would be mighty handy fpr those molle vests or back packs. Agaian my personal opi ion having handles one its a very well thought of knife for the purpose it was designed for....

BtW saw A BEAR GRYLLS SF Khakis is Dockers lollzzzz in SG. Will post pics soon.

Regards
Moin.

Hey Moin, I agree that this may have some degree of use for a serving soldier in Afghanistan. As I said, its a good knife. Just too gimmicky for me. In my opinion this is a combat blade that can be used for survival. Not a pure combat knife like a dagger. Other blades in this category are the Kabar, CS SRK, CS Recon Tanto, ESEE 5, ESEE 6, BK 2 Campanion, BK 7 or BK 5, SOG.

Most combat blades, in this category, have a guard. Now, the LMF has a guard of some sort but it doesnt have the stopping power of a Kabar. All blades in this category, have a decent riccasso. The SRK, Recon Tanto, Kabar, even the combat daggers. The ESEE 5 and BK 5 are a bit deficient in the ricasso, but the deep finger choil helps them.

Then the Choil is a very good feature in most of the blades. Its non-existent in the LMF, BK2 AND ESEE 5 and thats the reason I would pick a ESEE 6 over them. Besides the ESEE 6 has one extra inch of edge

But the real issue that bothers me is the handle. It does not have a full tang. I expect soldiers knives to have full tangs, since they have to hard use the blades. No choice in the matter. From digging to survival to daily tasks, the knife is the usual option. Actually, I expect the soldier to use the knife much more for survival and camping and other chores rather than killing. For killing, the usual option is the fire arm. And I know some soldier knives dont have full tangs. But they are in the minority.

And serrations are unnessary. They have no use other than pandering to the idea that they are better at cutting cord or other ropes. A good edge, cuts ropes, just as well. With the added advantage that they can be sharpened easily, you can choke up on the blade and do fine work and dont have to live with the complication of a combination edge.

[Skyman]

Bah, we all thought you got married....

> This one's a Real Blinder
> You did think right
> Moin did get married last week
> While his point is being Clipped - He is balancing on the Edge
Briha

Now he has been a bad fellow dabbling with knives when he should have been using other implements...

Now as punishment for keeping me in the dark, you can atone for your sins by buying me an izula 2.

Was it by any chance the girl from Khukri house? .

Let me give you a bit of advice - As the MRS wil now hold the purse strings, be a clever fellow and keep her happy.Or you won't be able to buy another knife.

Congratulations though.We were worried for your sake.

[seedha.admi]

WHAT THE HELL???

I JUST SAW BEAR GRYLLS USE BG ULTIMATE KNIFE IN MAN VS WILD....