S1 vs LMF II

3

3wolves

Joined
Dec 28, 2007
Messages
1,061
Well its down to these two and I am ready to order any one of them.

Gerber,

good,
sheath,
grip,
made in USA,

bad,
serrations (I could always grind them off if I really loath them but I prefer not to.)


fallkniven,

good,
P.E,
size perfect,

bad,
wimpy handle, (I have very large paws)
sheath sucks,
Made in japan.

I know alot of people like the S1 but alot of people like the gerber too. So, for an all around fixed blade for doing everything, (pretend you could never use a different F.B) which one do you reccomend?
 
Fällkniven. No serrations getting in the way, and if the handle feels too small for you, you can always make it larger - wrap something around it, be that cord wrap or hockey tape or whatever, or get a blade blank and a custom handle of your fancy. Fällkniven makes quality knives.

In my experience, none of the sheaths for the S1 suck. My favourite is the open leather sheath. They're good, basic sheaths. What's wrong with them?
 
We did a little shopping for a friend of mine who is in the military. We decided on the Gerber LMF II ASEK because it was a total package.

The knife has features making it a useful military blade. The sheath is secure so you won't likely lose the knife while crawling around and can be attached out of the box to MOLLE.

The LMF II did well on tests performed by Noss4 on bladeforums:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=508454

Fallkniven A1 test by Noss4, also did well:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=496194
 
The S1 and the LMF II are two totally different knives. The S1 (and the smaller F1) are "outdoor" survival knives while the LMF II is a "combat" survival knife.



Why is US steel better than Japanese?
How come a pommel that is not attached to the blade better than a protruding tang?

The zytel sheath can also bet attached on a Molle.

I would say the Fallkniven too.
 
I hate serrations, so I'd go with fallkniven. It depends on what you want to use it for as well.

Are you sure the gerber is made in the use? I bet its made in japan/china/sweatshop then asembled in USA.
 
Fallkniven S1 without any doubt whatsoever. If you're really concerned about the handle size, you could just buy the blade blank and have a custom handle put on it. Another alternative is to get the A1, which is a bigger blade than the S1 and has a larger handle.
 
I would pick the A1 over the LMF, and the LMF over the S1.
 
Fallkniven.
I've altered my handle to fit........
HPIM1427.jpg
 
I've never handled an LMF, but as to the handle of the S1, IMO it has to be one of the best engineered handles ever. The way the handle swells and tapers down to the end of the protruding tang makes it so you can choke far back on the knife and still have a secure grip. Combine that with the superb weight distribution of the S1, and you'd be surprised what a capable chopper a lil' 5" knife can be, in addition to everything else. GREAT knife.
 
I was not happy with the narrow handle on my F1 but a few feet of para cord added has made it very secure, feels awesome now.
 
The F1 was developed for the Swedish Airforce. The S1 was initially developed for the Swedish Navy/ Marine but never ordered so it was redesigend to be a "forest knife". The A1 is rumoured to have been the Army model, but that too was not ordered. Anyhow, all these knives were tested by swedish military units. Paras, Arctic rangers and so on and by the metalurgy department at Umeå University. Mr Fällkniven (Peter H) was an active duty military years ago as well.

The LMF II is primarily made for the period from the crash until you are out of the flying thing. The F1 is never used INSIDE the plane and focuses on the period until you get saved.
 
I dont like the handle on my F1 and I'm not big on cord wrapped either. I'd go for an S1 blank and get/make some handle slabs, but that will end up costing quite a bit, and you'll still probably want to upgrade the sheath.
 
marty123 said:
Check out the Gerber Prodigy.
Looks very much like the LMF but without the big butt.
Click to expand...


I rather like the big butt. Seems usefull for breaking ice to get at water, and would also make a usefull nut cracker:D. I thought about replacing the handle but i cant do that so the grip stays. I played around with it and the grip really sucks, it doesnt fit my hand at all. Yes I even thought of paracord after I read liam ryans thread about the grip but I hate paracord wraps (they get all stinky and grubby plus when it gets wet it takes for ever to dry:thumbdn:) and the hockey tape isnt really my cup of tea either. The serrations arent really a large issue, I can always grind them off. And as for why the sheath sucks, I dont like hanging knives on my belt much and if Im going to buy a "tactical" knife (I call every knife without natural handle materials tactical) I might as well get all the extras :D. Another thing to consider is that the LMF is about half the price.
 
Sounds like you are leaning towards the Gerber.....

For me, Fallkniven, given the choice out of the two. For less money you could buy a blank(just priced out the F1 blank in Canada for 100bucks so the S1 is a bit larger say 125 bucks), pick up some G-10 or Micarta(say 10 bucks), Epoxy(6 bucks) some pin stock(you could probably find some for free at any local machine shop or hydraulic shop) plus Kydex(6 bucks) and for a total of 147 bucks you could have exactly what you want. Plus some elbow grease:D:D:D Wear a mask while working the handle material.

Seriously though....you could probably find a local knife maker that would take a blank you bought and make you up exactly what you would like handle and sheath wise.

Good luck with your decision and let us know what you decide

Craig
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top