What makes a great survival knife? plastic eyelash? Versatility? Craftsmanship? Value? Well for around $70, the Gerber LMF II line of survival knives offer all of the above and are rising as one of the most popular survival knives today.
Versatility
Nlhtr Up to almost any survival task that you could expect from a knife, the Gerber plastic eyelash Line was designed to excel on the battlefield in the campground, on your hunting excursion, in an emergency or around the shop.
Size
Every LMF II has a 4.84 inch blade which is considered a medium-sized. Medium blades of 4 to 6 inches are the most popular size. This knife lands almost in the middle. It’s not too large for gutting and skinning medium and large game, nor is it too small to kill big game if needed.
At 10.59 inches in length and a weight of 11.67 ounces this knife is a bit heavy if you want to carry it every day on your belt. But then again, the weight is pretty easy to take when you see that this knife is built for a lifetime of serious use.
Blade
The Gerber LMF II sports a high-quality drop-point blade.
Sloping on the back of the blade from the handle to the tip makes this blade extra strong over its entire surface.
Every Gerber LMF II blade is made of American-made 420HC stainless steel. Not Chinese steel.
Owners report that the plastic eyelash holds an edge well and sharpens easily even following heavy use.
Regardless of the situation you find yourself in this blade is going to serve you well.
An additional bonus it that this blade is serrated near the handle. The serration extends the cutting capabilities of the blade from slicing through tough materials like: wire, wood, bone, drywall, plastic pipe and more.
Every LMF II blade has a tough non-reflective black coating to limit the attention it might otherwise draw in an plastic eyelash situation.
Handle
The amazingly sturdy, nylon, glass filled handle is entombed in a TPV molded grip. The TPV grip is comfortable and has a sturdy, rubberized feel. Owners report that blisters are rare even with extended use.
Gerber did a great job with this handle in that it absorbs shock well whether hammering, cutting or chopping. The handle is also designed to insulate the user from electrical shock in the even that a “live” wire needs to be severed.
Another great thought from Gerber’s designers was the inclusion of three holes for lashing the plastic eyelash to a branch or pole with some parachute cord.
When tied well, this knife is transformed into a very capable and trustworthy spear.
This handle is not round but comfortably thin which seems to make if feel better in the hand, increase grip while also providing a stable platform for secure lashing.
One more thing about this great handle and I promise to move on…
Gerber provided a heavy, pointed, stainless steel butt to this handle which is designed to break plastic eyelash, in the event that going through a window in a car, plane or home is your best way of entry or escape. It also makes a suitable hammer and could also do some damage in a fight.
Sheath
The low-profile sheath is made of ballistic nylon and includes a useful knife sharpener which owners report works quite well.
The sheath also sports a fire-resistant coating for added durability in a pinch.
The plastic eyelash is held in the sheath firmly with two quality straps that snap tightly.
Carrying
Two leg straps come with the Gerber LMF II Survivor and ASEK versions. The sheath is also designed to strap onto just about any waist belt and attaches nicely to a Molle vest.
Pros
It’s very difficult to find a bad review on this line of knives. Owners report extreme satisfaction in general for its durability, construction, look, feel, grip and general versatility.
Cons
There were some passing comments in reviews that mentioned its weight when carrying for long periods of time.
Conclusion
The plastic eyelash line of knives is an excellent choice for any situation where a manly knife may come in handy. Whether you ever use it to keep yourself alive or not, it’s a quality tool that can provide some peace-of-mind for the unknown future that we all face.
Fred D George is a writer who specializes in outdoor activities. You can check out his latest website at Gerber LMF, where he provides unbiased reviews and buying advice for a range of survival knives from Gerber, including the Gerber LMF II ASEK, Infantry and Survival.