Gerber LMF II mini review

[Jos]

On British Blades somebody asked about the Gerber LMF II and I posted this mini-review, so I thought I post it here also.

Personally I think it's more of a gadget than a knife.
The blade in itself is OK, except for the serrations. If it were plain edged I would really like it. Steel is 12C27.
The handle is not comfortable for my hands. It has some features so you can lash it to a pole and use it as a spear, but I wouldn't risk losing my knife that way. I'd rather use a sharpened stick as spear. The hammer "butt" is to heavy, putting the balance too far back, which is not good for chopping.
The sheath - while innovative - is not really thought out. You can strap it to your gear. There's a sharpening system built in. But then again, how are you going to use it when it's strapped to your gear. On the positive side it holds the knife very firmly. On the negative side it holds the knife too firmly. All in all it has some good points and a lot of bad points. I prefer the Fallkniven S1 over the LMF II any day!

Here's a comparison pic:
Top to bottom:
Gerber LMFII
Fallkniven S1
Benchmade CSK
Chris Reeve Shadow IV

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[APC]

I purchased one of these styles of knives from Gerber when they first came out. Other than the color of the knife and the sheath options (such as the seat belt cutter), I do not see much difference between the several varieties out (Gerbergear.com); from the comparison sheet they all have the same size, weight, blade type, etc., but do not state "mini" anywhere (on the website). My comments should apply to the knife listed here, even though what I purchased is the LMFII Survival. If someone wants to enlighten me on differences, please do. I brought the knife due to Gerber's long standing reputation as a knife maker; I have purchased, still own, and given away as gifts many Gerber knives in my life. One of my first treasured collection knives was the Mark II. In some ways, the knife seemed to me to be a low-cost variation of the Gerber Trident, which I wanted, but just could not bring myself to spend the $200-300 towards another knife at this time in my life when I have so many. At at Gun and Knife show I purchased the LMF for around $60.00 from a dealer, which I thought was quite nice and much less that the retail prices typically listed.

For the money (I paid) I think it is a very nice knife for what it is. I like the sheath, it is among one of the slickest to come with any blade I have purchased. I use the small pouch for a stone or a backup folder. The weight and feel is a bit odd, and not suited to be a "chopper" as much as some other medium to large knives, but I think they did that so if you attached it to a spear it would be more evenly balanced. I use a heavier, larger knife (such as my RTAK) for any chopping/hacking. I do not normally like serrated blades as they are somewhere to between awful and impossible to sharpen again; but I have found I can tolerate if only partial and you have to appreciate it when you need to rip-cut something.

All in all it is a very nice knife, and I would recommend it (on sale) as a survival, backup, or last resort knife. I think it is best used and perhaps even designed to be stored away in a kit in your car, boat, or other. I would never use it as a primary blade, but I think could be a complement if you have a good, larger knife and another folder at the ready. If I had the other knives available in an emergency, I might only then be willing to attach the Gerber to a spear and risk losing it.

 

[Jos]

I purchased one of these styles of knives from Gerber when they first came out. Other than the color of the knife and the sheath options (such as the seat belt cutter), I do not see much difference between the several varieties out (Gerbergear.com); from the comparison sheet they all have the same size, weight, blade type, etc., but do not state "mini" anywhere (on the website). My comments should apply to the knife listed here, even though what I purchased is the LMFII Survival. If someone wants to enlighten me on differences, please do. I brought the knife due to Gerber's long standing reputation as a knife maker; I have purchased, still own, and given away as gifts many Gerber knives in my life. One of my first treasured collection knives was the Mark II. In some ways, the knife seemed to me to be a low-cost variation of the Gerber Trident, which I wanted, but just could not bring myself to spend the $200-300 towards another knife at this time in my life when I have so many. At at Gun and Knife show I purchased the LMF for around $60.00 from a dealer, which I thought was quite nice and much less that the retail prices typically listed.

For the money (I paid) I think it is a very nice knife for what it is. I like the sheath, it is among one of the slickest to come with any blade I have purchased. I use the small pouch for a stone or a backup folder. The weight and feel is a bit odd, and not suited to be a "chopper" as much as some other medium to large knives, but I think they did that so if you attached it to a spear it would be more evenly balanced. I use a heavier, larger knife (such as my RTAK) for any chopping/hacking. I do not normally like serrated blades as they are somewhere to between awful and impossible to sharpen again; but I have found I can tolerate if only partial and you have to appreciate it when you need to rip-cut something.

All in all it is a very nice knife, and I would recommend it (on sale) as a survival, backup, or last resort knife. I think it is best used and perhaps even designed to be stored away in a kit in your car, boat, or other. I would never use it as a primary blade, but I think could be a complement if you have a good, larger knife and another folder at the ready. If I had the other knives available in an emergency, I might only then be willing to attach the Gerber to a spear and risk losing it.

It's not a review about the LMF II mini, but a mini (as in small) review of the Gerber LMF II.

Kind regards,

Jos

 

[APC]

Well, I thought It was just a smaller version of the knife I bought and it is why I mentioned what I did. I went to the Gerber site and it was not listed at all, so I thought I might be mistaken. At any rate, it looks the same, I wonder how much smaller it is?

 

[Stainz]

My older, quite well off (Certainly better so than his retired college teacher dad!), son took me to lunch Saturday before Father's Day at a place I can't afford (I am frugal... except for knives and revolvers.). He presented me with a bag from a local Yuppee Sporting Goods purveyor, with a boxed LMFII contained within. Saddened, momentarily, that he probably had to pay retail plus 9% s/t, a grin soon returned to my face. Now, that's the way to get this thing - even if it goes to the BOB. Really, what does the average guy do with one?

I did comment on his LMFII one day at his house a couple of months back, which he had bought from LA Police (Still on sale - $59.99!). Maybe that's where he got it... He's a corporate pilot/captain - had a three day trip from Sunday on. It's really a nice knife... but not what I can see me using to trim branches, etc, in the back yard. I'm more of a Buck 119 or old KaBar kind of gut. My six Barkies are nearly too pretty to use. Well, at least it's my first serrated knife! Still, what to do with it... yeah, that bug out bag...

Stainz

 

[robicon]

My older, quite well off (Certainly better so than his retired college teacher dad!), son took me to lunch Saturday before Father's Day at a place I can't afford (I am frugal... except for knives and revolvers.). He presented me with a bag from a local Yuppee Sporting Goods purveyor, with a boxed LMFII contained within. Saddened, momentarily, that he probably had to pay retail plus 9% s/t, a grin soon returned to my face. Now, that's the way to get this thing - even if it goes to the BOB. Really, what does the average guy do with one?

I did comment on his LMFII one day at his house a couple of months back, which he had bought from LA Police (Still on sale - $59.99!). Maybe that's where he got it... He's a corporate pilot/captain - had a three day trip from Sunday on. It's really a nice knife... but not what I can see me using to trim branches, etc, in the back yard. I'm more of a Buck 119 or old KaBar kind of gut. My six Barkies are nearly too pretty to use. Well, at least it's my first serrated knife! Still, what to do with it... yeah, that bug out bag...

Stainz

Yep, picked mine up from LaPolice Gear and it went straight to the bugout bag.

Used it camping for menial tasks (did baton a small log with it) and it held up well.

Despite what some posters believe, I still think it's an excellent value.