Gerber LMF-II

[flatwins]

My son went all nutz over a Bear Grylls knife today at Academy. It's the fixed-blade that comes with the sharpener and fire starter. He's 12 and had some birthday money so I told him I'd check prices at Amazon and go that route. I just get so disappointed when I turn over the package and it has MADE IN CHINA glaring back at me.

So anyway, I was checking Amazon this evening and (I'm not a big knife guy or anything) but I saw where the Gerber LMF-II was made in the USA. I asked by son if he'd rather have that one but he wanted the Grylls. I didn't have any fixed-blades of my own so I ordered the LMF-II for myself, figuring I could always use another quality, American made tool.

 

[Belthos]

http://www.amazon.com/Light-Fire-FireKnife-Stainless-FireSteel/dp/B007BO9G1W

Mora makes fantastic blades for the money, in the price range nothing else is as good.
It's not made in the USA but it is made in Sweden.

This one is pricier than most Mora knives but it has the fire starter in in it.

I just bought this one myself. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0090UWAOK/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i01?ie=UTF8&psc=1 for about $13 the swedish carbon steel is superb.

This one is the Cold Steel Tanto. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004H9DO4Y/ref=oh_details_o04_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 about $25. It's excellent for the price but it's made in china...

I regret that I'm not aware of any made in USA knives for comparable prices.

This Kabar is made in the USA, the straight edge blade is $53.19
http://www.amazon.com/KA-BAR-Marine...&ie=UTF8&qid=1363618250&sr=1-4&keywords=kabar

It's hard to find USA made quality knives under $50.

 

[flatwins]

I've heard some good things about Mora and I have no problem with Sweden. I'm just tired of the world economy's love affair with cheap Chinese manufacturing. It's so sad to me.

Anyhow, I have a "thing" for quality tools and often my search leads me to European items (including German motorcycles) ;-)

The Gerbers came in today so my son and I tested them out by splitting some wood in the log rack. They did great and we're happy with them.

 

[ez bake]

The LMF-II is a decent knife, but it's over-priced for what you get. Mine had fair/good fit and finish but the materials are on par with any entry-level quality fixed blade but the design looks cooler than it functions and it's not really as hard-use as they claim (though to be fair, Noss over at Knifetests.com beat the hell out of one and it did surprisingly well). To be honest though, if you treat your knife like Noss does in his tests, you probably don't need to be allowed around sharp objects.

440HC is a good steel, but Gerber does not heat treat their knives to anywhere near hard. This is good and bad. It won't hold an edge for crap, but you'll never chip or break a spot on the edge (it will roll before breaking - which is well easier to repair).


If you want a cool looking American made fixed blade with plenty of handle and a fairly short but very usable blade, it's a fine knife to own.

As for that Bear Grylls knife... Tell him to be careful with it, there are a ton of warnings out there from different reviews about them breaking and injuring users. It is absolutely not a hard use knife.

 

[flatwins]

Thanks, EZB. For what I will use it for it should be fine. They're nothing really high-end and price wise it's decent so I won't be afraid to get it banged up.

 

[caojyn]

I just picked up a Kabar BK2 for an upcoming backpacking trip. Thing is a beast.