All There Is To Know About Gerber Survival Knives [Buyers Guide & Review]
If you’ve ever seen Bear Grylls on TV, you know that having a reliable knife that won’t break on you when you need it most is essential.
Gerber has been making reliable knives since 1939 and in that time have made a reputation for themselves as being a producer of the best survival knives money can buy, which is probably how the Bear Grylls Ultimate fixed blade knife came to be.
If you want a knife that’ll last you the rest of your life and that you can hand down to your kids in the future, these are a good lot to go for.
Best Gerber Knives Comparison
The below links will bring you to Amazon:
- Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife, Fine Edge, Black — Top Pick for Strongarm sheath
- Gerber Paraframe I Knife Fine Edge
- 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife
- Gerber Remix Tactical Knife — Top Pick for Remix tactical
- Ontario ON8860CB-BRK Rat II Folder Coyote Brown
- Winchester Gerber Fine Edge, Folding Knife, w/ Sheath — Top Pick for Fine edge and The Best Value Option
- Gerber Prodigy Tanto Survival Knife, Serrated Edge, with Camo Sheath — Top Pick for Survival knife
1. Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade Knife, Fine Edge, Black — Top Pick for Strongarm sheath
No products found.
Gerber is a company that’s been around for over 50 years and in that time they’ve gotten damn good at making survival knives.
This is a great example of them using a classic idea like the fixed blade and mixing it with a revolutionary one like this hard sheath system.
They keep everything you love while adding stuff that just makes it even better. Now let’s cut deep into this survival knife review.
What I liked about it
- The rubber handle grip is designed with a diamond-texture pattern which gives it a very secure feel.
- The sheath is compatible with all MOLLE systems and has ballistic nylon webbing that can be attached to any belt or leg strap. The loops on the back of the sheath are detachable so a low profile can also be achieved.
- At the base of the handle is a striking pommel which can come very handy in survival situations.
- Gerber has a lifetime warranty on its knives, showing you just how much they believe in their own products.
- The blade is full tang with a ceramic coating.
Who’s it for?
Any hunter or outdoor adventurist would be happy with this as their go-to fixed blade knife.
If you’re looking for a solid knife with a wicked sheath, look no further.
Some other sweet features
- The blade is 4.8 inches long with an overall length of 9.8 inches.
- It’s a nice and light tool weighing less than 8 ounces.
- Made in the USA.
- Cost less than 50 bucks.
2. Gerber Paraframe I Knife Fine Edge
No products found.
A fancy looking fine edge blade.
We all know by now that Gerber’s fixed blade knives, like the Prodigy knife, are the stuff dreams are made of, but you just have to have a look at the Gerber Paraframe and it will be obvious that they really cut deep into the market with their revolutionary folding knives. This may look nice but don’t forget that it’s definitely not a toy. Let’s slice this review.
What I liked about it
- The minimal frame-lock design is just gorgeous. Simple but seductive this is definitely a good looking blade.
- When locked into place, the fine edge can slice through most materials with ease.
- Super lightweight and still decently sized with an overall length of just over 7 inches that reduces to 4.1 when it is closed. Great size for a great EDC knife.
Who’s it for?
If you want an everyday pocket knife to keep on you at all times, this would make a good choice.
It’s light, portable and well made. What more could you want?
Some other sweet stuff
- The handle is made out of smooth stainless steel and has a clip on it that can be attached to your waistband or belt loop.
- Easy to clean with baby wipes or a wet towel.
- Opens smoothly and easily.
- Comes with a lifetime warranty so you can have that extra peace of mind.
3. 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife
No products found.
Gerber is one of the world leaders in outdoor gear and has been running for over 70 years.
There’s a reason they’ve been running for so long: the blades they produce are dependable, high performance and never let you down.
What I liked about it
- It has a sweet sharpened butt cap made out of the same 420HC stainless steel on the bottom of the handle. This is weighted and can be used to pierce or smash glass in case you ever have an emergency and need to exit a vehicle quickly. It is also specifically designed to absorb shock and prevent electrical shocks.
- The sheath is compatible with any MOLLE system and comes with a built-in carbide knife sharpening tool so you’ll never be stuck with a blunt blade.
- The handle is overmolded, giving you a secure grip and making blisters less likely.
- Has lashing holes so that it can be converted into a spear, increasing your range.
- The blade is serrated, making it easier to cut through tougher materials.
Who’s it for?
If you’re looking for the best money can buy, then this fixed blade knife is the one for you.
The sheath itself is stunning and the blade is incredibly well designed.
Some other sweet stuff
- The blade is made out of 420HC stainless steel, which is known for being incredibly durable.
- The blade is 4.84 inches long with a total overall length of 10.59 inches.
- At just over 80 bucks, it’s more expensive than a lot of the others on my list, but with that, you do get true craftsmanship.
- Made in the USA with a lifetime warranty, you know this is a blade you can trust.
4. Gerber Remix Tactical Knife — Top Pick for Remix tactical
No products found.
This is one of the best folding clip knives I’ve come across.
The old Remix handle design has gained a lot of love in its time. Add to this a badass three-inch serrated tanto blade and you’ve got yourself a wicked drop point knife.
What I liked about it
- The tanto blade is corrosion-resistant and unlikely to ever break.
- A circular ring has been integrated into the handle to increase stability when cutting.
- The handle is also made out of stainless steel, making it lightweight and easy to grip.
- The thumb lift is built to be ambidextrous so that it is an easy to open no matter which hand you are using.
Who’s it for?
If you’re looking for a folding knife and don’t want to break the bank, then this is a solid option.
At around 25 bucks, it’s a damn good deal for a damn good knife.
Some other sweet features
- When closed it is 4.86 inches long and when open it is 7.86 inches, making the blade a total of 3 inches.
- Weighs just 4.6 ounces.
5. Ontario ON8860CB-BRK Rat II Folder Coyote Brown
No products found.
This is a real beauty, nice and simple and always effective at doing the job at hand. This one works great as an EDC knife or in a bug out bag.
What I liked about it
- Just how easy it is to maintain a sharp blade with this knife. It sharpens up beautifully.
- The textured coyote brown nylon handles also give a really nice finishing look to it.
- Costing around 35 bucks, it’s incredibly cheap considering the quality that you get.
Who’s it for?
This is great for anyone who wants something cheap and reliable, that’s going to work every time.
Nothing fancy. Just a solid, good quality knife.
Some other sweet features
- Has a hole in the handle to put a lanyard or piece of rope through.
- There is a black finished pocket clip so that you can easily attach it to your belt.
- Very lightweight and nimble feel to it.
6. Winchester Gerber Fine Edge, Folding Knife, w/ Sheath — Top Pick for Fine edge and The Best Value Option
No products found.
Nothing fancy, but cheap as chips.
Another solid option for your bug out bag, anyone can afford this drop point knife and it’s definitely worth checking out.
What I liked about it
- The wooden handle has a great old school look to it.
- The stainless steel blade is a decent length of over 3 inches.
Who’s it for?
If you’re tight on cash but still are in need of a knife, then this is for you.
It’s less than 15 bucks and is still surprisingly good quality.
A good cash-saving option.
Some other sweet features
- Comes with a nice looking sheath.
- Overall length is 7.38 inches with a closed length of 4.38 inches.
7. Gerber Prodigy Tanto Survival Knife, Serrated Edge, with Camo Sheath — Top Pick for Survival knife
No products found.
Yes, I saved the best til last.
This is missing nothing and built to last, and on top of that, it’s beautiful. Let’s dig into this Gerber Prodigy survival knife review.
What I liked about it
- With a full tang build, this is rugged as ever and super durable.
- The TacHide handle has a non-slip grip ensuring you never drop it no matter what the weather is like.
- On the bottom of the handle is a window breaker in case you get stuck in a vehicle.
- Has a friction release thumb lock.
- Comes with a durable hard sheath that can be attached to any MOLLE compatible pack or belt.
- The handle and sheath adhere to US Army specifications, so you know it’s good quality.
Who’s it for?
This is another super high-quality blade, which is perfect for thrusting and picking.
For less than 50 bucks you get true craftsmanship here.
Some other sweet features
- The handle has a hole in it to lace a lanyard or bit of string through.
- It has a super long blade measuring 4.7 inches with an overall length of 9.75 inches.
- It weighs 7.2 ounces with a total weight of 12.1 when in the sheath.
- Is backed by Gerber’s limited lifetime warranty.
What is unique about the Gerber knife
Gerber has been making life-saving products for almost 80 years now and in that time they’ve set themselves apart from the rest by continuously producing gear that lasts a lifetime.
Their knives go beyond just a blade.
Credit Gerbergear.com
They’re a tool, with loads of cool extra features and added uses to them.
Gerber also gives most of its knives a lifetime warranty from any defects that are a result of the manufacturing process, so you know for sure what you’re going to get is quality craftsmanship. We’re doing a sharp survival knife review to help you choose the perfect fit.
What’s the Difference: Gerber Lmf Vs Prodigy?
There are a few differences between the Gerber Prodigy knife and the LMF: mainly size, weight, the length of the blade and the extra features they have.
Size and weight are two of the main differences. The Gerber Prodigy survival knife is much smaller and lighter than the LMF, making it more portable but less versatile.
Credit Gerbergear.com
The Prodigy survival knife has a slightly shorter blade than the LMF at 4.75 inches as opposed to 4.84. Although this seems like a small amount, it does make it easier to do heavy duty cutting and slicing with the LMF.
A quick Prodigy review will tel you that the Gerber Prodigy survival knife has the striking pommel on the base connected to the main build of the knife. This makes it more durable, but means that if you cut through a power line there is a chance of an electrical shock.
The LMF, on the other hand, has the striking pommel made from a different piece of material which takes away any chance of getting an electrical shock.
The LMF also has holes in the base, which means you can easily turn it into a spear by strapping it to a stick.
If you’re looking for portability so you can take on Bear Grylls style adventures, go with the Gerber Prodigy knife. But if you want a larger tool for heavier tasks, the LMF is your guy.
Useful Feature
One of the really cool features that some of these knives have is a glass breaker on the base of the handle that can be used to smash through windows in an emergency.
While you hope you never have to use this, if you do, it can be a real lifesaver.
Multi-tools
If you’re a serious survivalist, having a multi-tool or penknife is essential. They’ve got loads of useful tools within them and come handy in so many different situations.
However, the knives in multi-tools are notoriously rubbish, so having a proper blade with you as well is a must.
Handle
Credit Gerbergear.com
A good grip is essential.
The last thing you want is to drop your knife at a crucial moment.
Tang
The strongest, most reliable type of knife is the one with full tang construction.
This means that the knife is one solid piece with the two separate pieces of handle pinned to either side of the bottom of the blade.
Half tang knives, however, only go down to half of the handle. This means they are less solid and more likely to break from the handle.
If you want a knife to last your lifetime, this is the way to go.
Survival kits
There are a few important items to have in any survival kit: bandages, alcohol wipes, string, matches and a knife.
Gerber impression
The Gerber impression, just like everything Gerber produces, is outstanding.
With a serrated edge, this stainless steel blade is perfect for hunting, fishing, camping or everyday use.
Throughout their long history, Gerber has devoted their products to support the US Military and all those who stand with it.We absolutely love their initiatives and partnerships with Team Red, White and Blue.
Their legendary knives, like the Gerber Prodigy, and their epic collaborations, like the Bear Grylls Ultimate line, it’s so easy to see that Gerber’s reputation has been built on hard work and top quality craftsmanship, turning crowds of outdoorsmen into lifelong fans and loyal customers.
These knife reviews make it clear: there’s a blade out there for you no matter what your needs or budget are.
Resources:
- Learn all about taking care of your knife in all its presentations (stainless steel, black oxide… anything, really!) with this helpful guide and don’t ever worry about knife sharpening again.
- Want to learn more about Gerber’s fascinating history? Check this piece.