Gerber LMF II Question...

[RandomHero01]

I'm looking into a good general purpose fixed-blade knife that doesn't cost a bundle, I've pretty much settled on the Gerber LMF II after reading up on it. Question is, can anyone give me a reasons NOT to buy it? It seems unlikely that this knife is universally loved...

Thanks,

RH01

[SteveL]

Based on what I've read alot of people aren't crazy about the 420HC stainless that the blade is made of, but they still seem fairly popular. In the ~$100ish price range I see the ESEE knives pretty widely recommended.

http://www.eseeknives.com/index2.htm

Keep in mind I'm no expert by any stretch of the imagination. This is just something to consider.

[RandomHero01]

Crap... now I want both...

Thanks for the info though


RH01

[Nytcrawler93]

I own an LMF 2 and it is completely kick ass. Look up the torture test on youtube. The scabbard alone is awesome. Anyway, if that knife won't do it then it should not be done.

[Moose-Knuckle]

LA Police Gear has the best prices on these. I got mine back when they were $59. I bought one and threw it in my BOB that I keep in my truck and forgot about it. I will probably never need it but its there if the situation arises. No great loss if something happens to it.

http://www.lapolicegear.com/lmfiiasek.html

[Hammer27]

Have one, before they were 420.

Cons:
Blade is under 5inches; its a survival fixed blade, lets give us at least 5inches.
Handle wears from sheath.
Only comes half serrated.
Might find the pommel to be unnecesary

[TomMcC]

Using the LAPolice hot link above, check out the Kabar Mark 1, it's on the 2nd page of a Kabar search. I have seen the Mark 1 for $56 ship. I think it's a pretty nice looking gp knife, 5" 1095 blade, nice shape, ambi sheath ( I'm left handed).

[Moose-Knuckle]

Have one, before they were 420.

Cons:
Blade is under 5inches; its a survival fixed blade, lets give us at least 5inches.
Handle wears from sheath.
Only comes half serrated.
Might find the pommel to be unnecesary

The length is one of the reasons I chose this particular knife for a truck blade. In Texas one cannot have in their possession a knife of any sort with a blade over 5 1/2". The trend I see now is for guys to carry 4" blades, light weight and all when hump'n kit.

The medieval pommel was intended for smashing through the plexiglas windows/canopies of downed aircraft as this knife was intended to compete for a new contract with .gov as an Aircrew Survival Egress Knife.

Good enough for me to cut seat belts and break out auto glass in the evet I'm in a wreck or come upon one in my travels.

[RandomHero01]

The Kabar Mark I is really similar to the LMF, but for the price difference I think I'm gonna stick with the LMF. Gerber is an Oregon company and we Oregonians love to stay local!

Thanks again for all the info guys!

RH01

[Hammer27]

The length is one of the reasons I chose this particular knife for a truck blade. In Texas one cannot have in their possession a knife of any sort with a blade over 5 1/2". The trend I see now is for guys to carry 4" blades, light weight and all when hump'n kit.

That's all well and good but this knife doesn't give you light weight nor is it very compact. Something like a SOG SEAL Pup, ESEE or Emerson PUK would fit that role better: light weight, compact size. Also note that the "trend" tends to be for military applications where one is carrying a lot of equipment, not general survival/camping/whatever outdoor activity you do use.

[/QUOTE]
The medieval pommel was intended for smashing through the plexiglas windows/canopies of downed aircraft as this knife was intended to compete for a new contract with .gov as an Aircrew Survival Egress Knife. [/QUOTE]

That's great, and I'm sure most of us already knew it, but the OP never stated his intended use involved anything related to aircraft egress. He may very well have no need for this knife near any kind of vehicle and find the pommel entirely pointless and prefer something like the Gerber Prodigy. Most people who ask about this knife are looking at it from the survival side, not the egress side.