BK2 vs. Gerber LMF II

P

Prospect708

Joined
May 9, 2015
Messages
74
It seems both of these knives are very similar when it comes to size, blade shape, and weight. I'm wondering if anyone can give me an idea of which makes for a survival knife. I understand that the BK2 is 1095 and the LMF is 420HC, which means it should need less maintenance. Any input is appreciated. Thank you.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Gerber jumped the shark a long time ago.
Just for giggles, I did look up the LMF II. From what I saw (maybe 15 seconds into my search), it appears that the LMF II is not a full tang knife. That doesn't automatically make it worthless; but it's worth considering if you plan to use it hard.


Take a look at the number of damage/failure/breakage reports, too...

I didn't need to look up the LMF II to know my recommendation would be for the BK2; but I always like seeing evidence that I am right ;)
 
Becker BK16 or 17.

There's no need for all that steel (BK2) and I don't care for the serrations on the Gerber. I used to have an LMF ii a few years ago and it never got used, I remember it was comfortable in hand, but that is as much as I recall.
 
Pokerface said:
Becker BK16 or 17.

There's no need for all that steel (BK2) and I don't care for the serrations on the Gerber. I used to have an LMF ii a few years ago and it never got used, I remember it was comfortable in hand, but that is as much as I recall.
Click to expand...

I agree with you in regards to the BK2, but I love me my BK2!

There's no need for half the capability of my diesel 4x4 but it's nice to have and fun. Likewise for a 500 horsepower 3500 pound sports car or a Unimog (not that I have either, mind you) but it would nice to have and fun. The BK is way more than I need but a blast to own and use; and, unlike a 500 hp 3500 pound sports car (or Unimog, for that matter) - I can own a BK2.

The Becker "Tweeeners" are fantastic knives and while I am partial tot he BK15 and Ethan is hardly ever outdoors without a BK16 and many like the style of the BK17, me thinks getting a BK2 and a Tweener.

Though not my #1 favorite (or #2 or #3 ...) the BK7 is a great do-it-all size, weight and shape.
 
See I have a ESEE 4 and I love it and think it's a great knife but this past weekend I was using my Ontario Air Force Survival knife. This was my first time using this knife since I've never been able to put a shaving sharp edge on it for some reason but it performed great and I actually enjoyed it's heft and the saw teeth on the spine. I'm looking for something similar but if I had to choose one thing I'd like to have out of those it's definitely the heft. Having a little more weight just inspires more confidence in my equipment I feel. Now I was thinking a BK7 is awesome but more people seem to like the BK2 overall and I feel the BK2 compares fairly agains the LMF. The LMF I can buy locally as to where the BK2 I would have to order. I'm just trying to figure out what type of fixed blade I would enjoy to use next. I've been looking at the TBT's but they're pricey. Sorry for the length of this comment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
If you are seriously leaning to the Gerber, you should look into the Gerber Strongarm before pulling the trigger. Its the same 420HC but actually full tang, and can be bought with a full plain edge. It has an awesome flexible configuration sheath and the Youtube reviews are really good for this model and its under $50.
 
Prospect708 said:
See I have a ESEE 4 and I love it and think it's a great knife but this past weekend I was using my Ontario Air Force Survival knife. This was my first time using this knife since I've never been able to put a shaving sharp edge on it for some reason but it performed great and I actually enjoyed it's heft and the saw teeth on the spine. I'm looking for something similar but if I had to choose one thing I'd like to have out of those it's definitely the heft. Having a little more weight just inspires more confidence in my equipment I feel. Now I was thinking a BK7 is awesome but more people seem to like the BK2 overall and I feel the BK2 compares fairly agains the LMF...
Click to expand...

If you want heft and the capability to go with it, go bigger. The LMFII and BK2 are both quite hefty but they are short and hefty. Much of the LMFII's weight is in the purpose-designed hammer-pommel which doesn't make it a better chopper. I don't own the BK2 because I prefer the LMFII design. The LMFII is much more comfortable, and the 3/4 tang design is plenty stout, I've yet to see a broken tang on the LMFII. If you want to see what the LMFII can handle, skim through the series of Noss destruction-tests on it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKrGPjxWMiY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=welUzAVTn3E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbTMlpBre0s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LcPPXWwdGc4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OY39IpvJCxo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvgsfpP4dks
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCRHl4LxJmU

As someone else recommended, the Gerber Strongarm is a lighter/slimmer alternative to the LMFII, but it sounds like you already have that in the ESEE-4.

What you really seem to need is a bigger knife, something with a 6-7" blade for light chopping. Gerber and Becker both offer such designs (you already mentioned the BK7), and there are many other companies with something that might suit you, depending on your budget. Don't go small just because you've read/seen good things about a smaller knife. The BK7 is thinner but more capable of heavy-weight tasks than its shorter compatriots. You might also consider the MK2, a Swamp Rat RMD or R6, or an ESEE-6 with the TKC scales (skip the stock-scale version), or a Survive! GSO-5.1 if you can swing it (harder to come by but the best materials and cutting efficiency of the group). Another to consider is the Fallkniven A1 (there's a D-test on that one as well, very impressive durability).

If you're going to buy for added weight, don't buy weight you won't use, buy "muscle". That's my $0.02
 
See I spent some of today researching between the BK2, BK10, and BK7. Most people say they are all decent choppers. The only intimidating thing about the BK7 is its length. It's really long. The Largest knife I own is probably my smaller sized Kabar. Right now I feel I'm leaning towards the 10 or 2 because everyone claims they're next to indestructible and extremely capable of the majority of tasks you would encounter outdoors.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Prospect708 said:
See I spent some of today researching between the BK2, BK10, and BK7. Most people say they are all decent choppers. The only intimidating thing about the BK7 is its length. It's really long. The Largest knife I own is probably my smaller sized Kabar. Right now I feel I'm leaning towards the 10 or 2 because everyone claims they're next to indestructible and extremely capable of the majority of tasks you would encounter outdoors.
Click to expand...

"Most people say they are all decent choppers" - Don't believe this.

If you are doing light "chopping" by holding the handle on the back end with two fingers (and maybe a lanyard for safety), these short knives can give you some decent bite if the edge-geometry is sufficiently slim (not really the case on any of the large beckers or anything from ESEE), but that does not make them "choppers", just not enough length to go with the heft. If you skim a couple of those LMFII videos in my last post, Noss does some "chopping" into wood and concrete with the knife.
You are much better off setting the edge against the target and then smacking the spine of the blade with a mallet, i.e. batonning - much more efficient and also safer, and you can do that with your ESEE-4 just fine. Carry a baton or use the knife to make one in the field.


But if you are really planning on chopping with your knife, consider getting a knife built for it, a "camp knife". Again, lots of options, including the BK7 (which is on the short end of knives built for that) as well as amazing customs available. It's time to grow your collection! :cool:


Here is a video of the new (2016) GSO-5.1, at 11:00 I use it to chop down a couple of saplings in two swings per tree, but the trunks are a mere 2-3" in diameter and the geometry of this knife is excellent (5-dps primary down to only 0.020" behind the edge). This is "light chopping" that the BK2 and LMFII both suck at due to the shorter length and more robust geometry.

[video]https://youtu.be/gYWafo6EoTM?t=11m[/video]
 
I just found this review linked in the "review" area of BF, and shows that either the reviewer is a "limp-wrist" or the BK2 is terrible for even light chopping. It takes him dozens of hits to accomplish a task that takes the GSO-5.1 only 2. The BK2 weighs full 16 oz, the GSO weighs only 11 and is only ~1/2" longer than the BK2. It's only slightly longer but noticeably lighter and a MUCH better performer.

I'm not trying to prove that the GSO-5.1 is a good "chopper", it really is not, but the fact that it is exponentially better than the BK2 should tell you something about how well the BK2 (and other knives of similar length and weight) performs as a "chopper". *shrug*

[video]https://youtu.be/qXucXDfy3WY?t=4m56s[/video]
 
Last edited:
I prefer the Bk16 over the 2 or the lmf2. I briefly owned an lmf2 and sold it. Not a bad knife, but I hated the serrations. Had planned on getting a bk2 afterwards but the second I handled one in store I was quickly put off by the blade thickness. Enter bk16... plenty strong and capable. Yes it's smaller, thinner and shorter, but I would still say it deserves the "indestructible" compliment.

I do very little chopping with a knife. I have batoned with my 16 though. It is (IMO) more comfortable than the bk2 or lmf2 to carry.
 
I trap and clean a lot of hogs in a years time, and have found that, for some reason, Gerber knives give me the best edge service of many of the far more expensive knives - they're just ugly. My BK2 sees most of its service in prying and separating the pelvis, and on a large hog, the added strength and heft is appreciated. I'd still go with the BK2, but not before stripping that godawful finish and sanding all the DEEP grind marks (future crack origins) off to a finish that doesn't have to be hidden from view.
 
The BK2 is a sharpened crowbar. Weighs about a pound. I'd go with the BK10 to be honest. Full tang, jimping, and I'd replace the handles with walnut or micarta scales
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top