Question about Gerber LMF 2 as an egress & survival knife.

C. Kelley

C. Kelley

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C. Kelley
I have been doing some research on a new camp knife, and I came across something interesting. The Gerber LMF II was designed for use with armed forces pilots. It features a pointed pommel on the butt of the knife, which is designed to break plexiglass cockpits. Also, it has been proven to cut through heavy sheet metal and is advertised to be able to cut through the skin of an aircraft. The sheath is unique in that it makes it easy to attach basic survival gear (paracord, firesteel, etc.)

Though this setup has several excellent reviews, it's usefulness as a full-on camp knife seems limited. However, I was considering purchasing this knife to carry whenever I go up flying and a Fallkniven A1 or S1 for camping. I believe lexan is supposed to be more impact resistant than plain plexiglass (I may be incorrect on this). That being said, do you think the knife would also be able to break lexan as well? Are there any legal issues with this knife at an airport? (4.8" blade, 11" overall)?

The price for the knife and sheath is ~$60.

I realize this is probably overkill. However, as an always over-prepared Eagle Scout, I pride myself in paranoid preparedness.

The link to the manufacturer's site is below.

http://www.gerbergear.com/index.php/product/id/63
 
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I don't believe there's any issue other than what we already know about weapons at airports. If there are, I'm not the only one who'll have the lawyer on speed dial. The emergency bag in my airplane has more than just a knife with a 6-8 in. blade on it.
 
I reckon I could always buy it and go down to the FBO and request to test it out on the trainer plane.
 
For an egress knife it looks a little big.. that in a real accident you'll be shaking pretty badly and nervous/anxious... good chance you'll cut a passengers gut open when trying to cut their seatbelt upside down (it LOOKED like a good idea to cut their seat belt when hanging upside down and the knife was under them)...

Something like this?
http://www.crkt.com/Renner-Neckolas-Neck-Knife-Blunt-Tip-Blade-Orange-Handle-and-Sheath
 
mikegreen said:
For an egress knife it looks a little big.. that in a real accident you'll be shaking pretty badly and nervous/anxious... good chance you'll cut a passengers gut open when trying to cut their seatbelt upside down (it LOOKED like a good idea to cut their seat belt when hanging upside down and the knife was under them)...

Something like this?
http://www.crkt.com/Renner-Neckolas-Neck-Knife-Blunt-Tip-Blade-Orange-Handle-and-Sheath
Click to expand...


I forgot to mention in the post above that you can get this unit as a kit, which includes a smaller seat belt/cord cutter.


The Gerber would be fine if you can find a way to mount it in the plane for accessibility. It's a bit large for a carry knife. For EDC I prefer this one:
http://spyderco.com/catalog/details.php?product=226
or something like this
http://www.benchmade.com/products/9100
Click to expand...
Since I can't mount this in the rental plane, this will only be worn when flying. I use a SOG Mini Vulcan 2 in VG10 as my EDC. Though, that Spyderco looks pretty appealing.

I believe I am going to pick this kit up. A local military supply store has the entire kit (knife, sheath, leg strap kit, and cutter) for $80. A little steep, but it is the older model with 12C27 SS. I have read that the newer models use a mystery metal.

If anyone is interested, I can post some pictures of the kit. I won't be able to fly with it for another month or so due to recovering from Rotator Cuff surgery.
 
How about something like this: Gerber Hinderer Firefighter Rescue Knife. (I can't post links) from The Firestore dot com.
Designed for firefighter use, it has a seat belt hook cutter and a window punch. It is right in your price range.
 
I may be mistaken, but I don't believe that Lexan (or plexi for that matter) shatter at all due to impact.

Plexi will break if bent funny, but I don't think an impact ifrom the knife would break it.

Lexan I think tears rather than breaking, so it'll need to have a hole cut through rather than being able to break.

If you have a way to attach it to yourself in a way that wouldn't get lost (such as the mentioned leg holster) it would be a good idea. I personally use a 4" folding Gerber as my flying knife, but I keep it clipped to my pocket. The nice part of a folder is that you can use it as a seatbelt cutter by keeping it partially folded, it is really light, and is something that won't be separated from you very easily.
 
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