#250229 - 08/25/12 12:33 PM
Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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Hey all,
I've got my eye on a couple of knives for general woodcraft, camping, hiking, etc., namely the Gerber LMF and TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft. I've also considered the various ESEE and Ontario knives as well. Have you guys used any of these knives? Do you recommend or not recommend them? Before I drop $100+ on a knife I'd like to hear what you guys have to say.
Thanks!
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#250232 - 08/25/12 05:03 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Addict
Registered: 07/06/03
Posts: 550
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I'd go with the TOPS BoB. The Gerbers lack the quality that they once had.
_________________________
No, I am not Bear Grylls, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night and Bear was there too!
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#250234 - 08/25/12 06:41 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: widget]
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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Thanks, Widget. How about the Ka-Bar/Becker Knife & Tool series? I was looking at the BK-16 and BK-17.
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#250243 - 08/25/12 10:01 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Addict
Registered: 07/06/03
Posts: 550
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Personally, and I mean for myself, I would not buy any of the mentioned knives. I don't care for the tactical style of knife and all are sort of that style.
The Beckers that I have handled are made of steel that seems impossible to sharpen and they tend to end up like a butter knife after some use.
If I was shopping for a good outdoor/bushcraft type knife, I would buy a Mora Robust for about $15. Better knife than the price would make you imagine.
_________________________
No, I am not Bear Grylls, but I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night and Bear was there too!
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#250245 - 08/25/12 11:25 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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"Be Prepared"
Pooh-Bah
Registered: 06/26/04
Posts: 2210
Loc: NE Wisconsin
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I have a Becker BK10 and Doug's Mk2 Perseverance, but my favorite general camp knife is Doug's Mk3 - what some folks refer to as the "Fixed Rittergrip". Its smaller, lighter, semi-stainless, and has a great G10 handle.
On the other hand, I have to agree that the Mora Robust is a FANTASTIC carbon steel knife for the money ($15 + shipping). It gets so darn sharp that I'm a little nervous that I'll slice through the plastic sheath! A stainless steel version of the Robust would be nice too!
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#250260 - 08/26/12 03:17 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Addict
Registered: 03/10/03
Posts: 424
Loc: Michigan
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I have and love the ESKABAR knife,espcially since the handle scales on it.It's a good solid work knife and I use it a lot in the kitchen also.Plan on getting a Kydex sheath for it eventually.Highly recommended......
BOATMAN
John
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#250271 - 08/26/12 06:35 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Addict
Registered: 03/18/10
Posts: 530
Loc: Montreal Canada
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It's pretty popular to bash Gerber and they do deserve it for some of their stuff. But they are trying to improve and do have some good to excellent products, LMF is one of the good ones.
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#250276 - 08/26/12 08:34 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: ]
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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So Izzy, you would prefer a TOPS over an ESEE? Is it a quality issue or just preference? Thanks for your help!
Edited by Vogeler (08/26/12 08:36 PM)
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#250277 - 08/26/12 08:35 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: widget]
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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Personally, and I mean for myself, I would not buy any of the mentioned knives. I don't care for the tactical style of knife and all are sort of that style.
The Beckers that I have handled are made of steel that seems impossible to sharpen and they tend to end up like a butter knife after some use.
If I was shopping for a good outdoor/bushcraft type knife, I would buy a Mora Robust for about $15. Better knife than the price would make you imagine. Widget, I've got several Moras and LOVE them. I was kind of looking for something more heavy-duty though.
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#250299 - 08/27/12 01:36 AM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: ]
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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So Izzy, you would prefer a TOPS over an ESEE? Is it a quality issue or just preference? Thanks for your help! I'd actually prefer ESEE over TOPS. TOPS makes quality stuff. No doubt about it. I'm just more of an ESEE guy. Randall's knives are tested quite well during his various jungle training classes. So I approach ESEE with a little more "field tested, battle approved" mindset. It's really just preference. If someone handed me an ESEE or a TOPS...I'd feel confident with either. But as others have mentioned there are cheaper, field tested knives out there. I've never been a fan of big knives. I made that mistake when I bought my BK-7. Just was too big and I rarely used it. I'm from the school of bushcrafting where...smaller is better. Hence my love of the ESEE Izula and Candiru. Would you go with the ESEE Model 3 over Ontario RAT 3? My understanding is that Randall was involved in the RAT 3 but then he and Ontario split for some reason.
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#250394 - 08/29/12 12:04 AM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Veteran
Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 1502
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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ESEE will probably be the first next knife I get. not sure if I want the 4 or 5. I have a 3" custom buffalo skinner so that side is covered.
I do like the Gerber LMF ii. It is AFAIK ( & probably short one or two) the only knife Gerber makes that is 100% made in the USA. You can pretty much do anything you want with it and it won't break. Didn't say never, but it takes a TON of abuse.
_________________________
Don't just survive. Thrive.
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#250434 - 08/30/12 02:14 PM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: ]
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Newbie
Registered: 07/25/12
Posts: 36
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I went with the TOPS. It's supposed to arrive today, I'll let you guys know what I think.
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#250490 - 09/01/12 02:57 AM
Re: Gerber LMF vs. TOPS Brothers of Bushcraft
[Re: Vogeler]
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Veteran
Registered: 07/23/08
Posts: 1502
Loc: Mesa, AZ
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^^^sweet let us know.
_________________________
Don't just survive. Thrive.
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The ESKABAR is a Becker Knife & Tool (KA-BAR) BK-14 and is still available from KA-BAR dealers everywhere. It combines the blade of the Becker Necker (BK 11) with the handle of the ESEE Izula.
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