Being outdoors can be fun, but Mother Nature can have a temper that needs to be respected. Sometimes things go wrong, and you find yourself in a life-or-death survival situation in the middle of the woods. If this were to happen to you, one of the best tools you can have is a good survival knife. A good survival knife can help you get food, water, build a shelter, and of course, defend yourself against threats. This article looks at a top-quality product survival knife, the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife.
Gerber LMF II Survival Knife
The knife was initially designed for the US Air Force, specifically to help cut pilots and crewmembers from downed and wrecked airplanes. Based on this alone, you can assume that the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is about as tough as it gets. If it’s good enough for a fighter pilot, it’s more than good enough for everyone else.
Who is This Product For?
As mentioned, the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife was designed for the USAF, but it became widely available to the public over the years. You probably won’t be flying any bombing sorties or venturing into enemy territory, but it’s a good self-defense and valuable tool for camping, hunting, and fishing.
If you are in a survival scenario, the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is something you want to have in your hand.
What’s Included?
When you purchase the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife, what you get is a 10.56” knife that comes weighs just under 12 ounces. It has a 420 high carbon stainless steel blade, a glass-filled nylon handle, and a ballistic nylon sheath.
Overview of Features
One thing that needs to be said about the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife is that it is as tough as nails. This knife was made to save lives, so you know that it is built to last. Of course, if the members of the USAF can count on the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife, you can too.
On that same note, it is worth noting that this knife is made in the USA, which should be a testament to its quality.
Next, the blade is made of 420 high carbon stainless steel, one of the densest, hardest, and most durable types of steel. The Gerber LMF II Survival Knife has an extremely sharp edge, and thanks to the high carbon steel, it won’t dull, bend, or crack very easily, not to mention that it is totally rustproof.
The glass-filled nylon handle, as well as the ballistic nylon sheath, are both very tough. The handle comes with a guard and pommel and good texture, which help provide a safe and secure grip. However, note that this knife is not full tang, which is a bit of a drawback.
The length is suitable for most survival purposes. It comes measures just under 11”, with the blade being just under 5”. We think that this is the perfect mix of functionality and portability.
Let’s not forget that the blade features both a flat edge and a serrated portion, thus allowing for a good deal of versatility. The sheath enables you to attach the knife to your leg, and it even features a built-in sharpener.
Tutorial
You need to learn how to sharpen your Gerber LMF II Survival Knife to keep it in great shape. For a guide on how to sharpen survival knives, check out the tutorial that we have included here.
Pros
- High-quality HC steel blade
- Flat and serrated for versatility
- Good size for most applications
- Well-balanced
- Good sheath included – with sharpener
- Reasonable price
Cons
- Not full tang
Alternatives
One of the better options is the KA-BAR Becker BK2 Campanion Fixed Blade Knife if you want a full-tang knife.
Conclusion
Although the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife may not be a full tang, that’s really the only issue. Other than that, this has to be one of the best survival knives out there at this time.