The Cold Steel Recon Scout has been one of their top selling knives for many years. Do a search on Google and you can find Recon Scouts reviewed, modified, sold and traded all over the internet and in many different countries. In other words, it’s an extremely popular knife.

I’m not going to bore you with a glowing review of this survival knife. Suffice it to say that I think it’s an excellent knife that would give many years of service as long as it is well taken care of. You certainly can’t go wrong adding this knife to your survival preparedness arsenal.

That being said, here are what I consider to be its cons. The Cold Steel Recon Scout is NOT made in the U.S. It is currently being manufactured in Taiwan. I know that for those of you that don’t live in the U.S. this fact isn’t even on your radar as to why you would or would not purchase a knife, but here in the good ole U.S. of A. when (according to some analysts) we’ve “lost” many of our jobs overseas this is becoming a much bigger issue to some people.

I have read reports that with extended use the Recon Scout can be hard on your hands. I watched one review where the reviewer had actually used a piece of a bicycle tube and stretched it over the handle to give him a better grip when it is wet and to give him a little more “meat” to fit his hand better. This problem could be solely based on the size of your hand, not necessarily a problem with the knife itself.

The blade steel, whether you have the Carbon V or the SK-5 version, can rust easily if not taken care of properly. So you need to be careful if this knife is going to be sitting in a bug out bag and not getting much use. And the final thing I don’t really like about this knife is the Kraton handle. Personally I’m more of a fan of Micarta. Not that I don’t own knives that have Kraton handles because I do, I just prefer Micarta.

Here is the Cold Steel Recon Scout 39LRST. However, when I wrote this they only had 3 left so you might want to hurry if this is the knife you’re looking for. Also, if your looking for the San Mai III Recon Scout CS37S you can find it there too.

The combat survival knife is a staple on any field of battle. It has to be able to cut through anything that is thrown at it including but not limited to perhaps the fuselage of a downed plane, hacking through rough terrain, or cutting items for building a sturdy shelter quickly in the face of a storm. It also needs to be adept at killing game, digging up roots and other vegetables, and a multitude of cooking chores. And, of course, it needs to be able to be used for what could be it’s most important function… dealing with an enemy.

There are many war stories out there that include the simple fact that without a good survival knife a fine soldier may not have survived. In fact there is one modern story of a soldier in Iraq who used his Gerber LMF II to help him remain under cover of darkness. Here is his story:

“Army SFC Dillard Johnson, penned down in an abandoned building by insurgent gunfire in Iraq, came under a heavy night attack after bright lights were used to illuminate his position. With his Gerber LMF II, a rugged 10-inch survival knife with an insulated handle, Johnson was able to sever a pair of 220-volt power cords without being shocked, disabling the lights. Under the veil of darkness, Johnson and a comrade were able to wait for reinforcements before exiting the building unharmed.” Photo of SFC Jonhnson’s Gerber LMF II.

This article will provide an overview of some of the best knives in the “Military Survival Knife” class available today. Feel free to follow the links peppered throughout for deeper details.

By the way, you can find the Gerber 22-01400 LMF II Survival Knife – Coyote Brown knife here.

Hi Caddotx,

Thank you for contacting Gerber Blades.

***NOTE*** January 2006 – December 2007 this steel type was comprised of Sandvik 12C27 SS.

***NOTE*** January 2008 – April 2008 the steel type was temporarily changed from the Sandvik 12C27 SS to 440A U.S. SS.

***NOTE*** May 2008 – current: Production had not resumed with the Sandvik 12C27 SS due to complications with material availability, but switched to a more closely matching steel, the US 420HC.

Carbon

: Present in all steels, it is the most important hardening element. Also increases the strength of the steel but, added in isolation, decreases toughness. We usually want knife-grade steel to have >.5% carbon, which makes it “high-carbon” steel.

Chromium

: Added for wear resistance, harden-ability, and (most importantly) for corrosion resistance. A steel with at least 13% chromium is typically deemed “stainless” steel, though another definition says the steel must have at least 11.5% *free* chromium (as opposed to being tied up in carbides) to be considered “stainless”. Despite the name, all steel can rust if not maintained properly. Adding chromium in high amounts decreases toughness. Chromium is a carbide-former, which is why it increases wear resistance.

Manganese

: An important element, manganese aids the grain structure, and contributes to harden-ability. Also strength & wear resistance. Improves the steel (e.g., deoxidizes) during the steel’s manufacturing (hot working and rolling). Present in most cutlery steel except for A2, L-6, and CPM 420V.

Molybdenum

: A carbide former, prevents brittleness & maintains the steel’s strength at high temperatures. Present in many steels, and air-hardening steels (e.g., A2, ATS-34) always have 1% or more molybdenum — molybdenum is what gives those steels the ability to harden in air.

Phosphorus

: Present in small amounts in most steels, phosphorus is a essentially a contaminant which reduces toughness.

Silicon

: Contributes to strength. Like manganese, it makes the steel more sound while it’s being manufactured.

Sulfur

: Typically not desirable in cutlery steel, sulfur increases machine-ability but decreases toughness.

Vanadium

: Contributes to wear resistance and harden ability, and as a carbide former (in fact, vanadium carbides are the hardest carbides) it contribute to wear resistance. It also refines the grain of the steel, which contributes to toughness and allows the blade to take a very sharp edge. A number of steels have vanadium, but M2, Vascowear, and CPM T440V and 420V (in order of increasing amounts) have high amounts of vanadium. BG-42’s biggest difference with ATS-34 is the addition of vanadium.

Due to inconsistencies with the Sandvik 12C27 and quality concerns; the decision to move forward with the U.S. 420HC was determined to be the best choice and closest match to the Sandvik 12C27 SS. The U.S. 420HC not only exceeded overall performance but also met our high volume and quality production requirements.

Please note that the blades are not stamped or etched as such. The product specifications will be specifically marked on the accompanying packages. The differences between all the steels used, are so closely matched, we believe you will be sincerely challenged to find any performance differences at all.

Unfortunately however, the only way to tell which steel your LMF might be comprised from is the packaging. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Sincerely,

Donda Burnett

Customer Service Representative

Fiskars Outdoor – Americas

Gerber | Brunton

First up is the safety knife. The ASEK and the Survival versions both come with a safety knife. This is a separate knife that comes with it’s own sheath and the first picture below is the safety knife. You may not see much of a need for this knife but I’ll tell you that I reach for it more often than my LMF II. I’m constantly doing something with paracord or rope around the camp and this knife is EXCELLENT for the job of cutting some type of cord. You can certainly do it with the LMF II but it’s a little overkill for paracord. Because of the design you can lay it on your leg as you kneel down to tie something, or shove it quickly into a pocket. It even has extra blades in the handle, although mine are still sharp and I haven’t had to use them yet. I highly recommend getting the ASEK or Survival versions over the Infantry due to the fact that the Infantry version does NOT come with a safety knife.

The other feature I’d like to point out is on the leg straps. If you look closely at the picture you’ll see what looks like gray stitching. That is actually rubber that is stitched into the strap to help keep it fixed on your leg. This works great when I have my LMF II strapped to my calf. And remember, the Infantry version only comes with ONE leg strap, not TWO. Here’s a couple of pics for clarification.

You can find the Foliage Green Gerber LMF II ASEK Knife By Clicking Here and the Gerber LMF II Survival Knife Here.

From the Benchmade website:
Gold Class – Our Gold Class clearly sets the new standard of what is possible in premium knife manufacturing. It’s quite simply the best of the best.

Blue Class – Our Blue Class represents the heart of everything that is Benchmade. These USA made products are designed and built for the individual who appreciates the difference that a high-quality cutting tool can make.

Black Class – Our Black Class products are designed, developed and tested for extreme duty. They are the preferred cutting tools for Law Enforcement, Public Safety and Elite Military Troops around the globe.

Red Class – Our Red Class offers “best in class” value. These edged tools possess the same Benchmade mindset of leading innovation, modern materials and quality manufacturing.

From everything I’ve read during my research, all Benchmade knives EXCEPT the Red Class are made here in the USA.  The Red Class knives are manufactured in China.  That’s not to say that they aren’t good quality, in fact I’ve read very good reviews and stories about several of these Red Class knives.  Personally, I try to stick to knives made in here in the USA but I’m not a fanatic about it, I do own several from other countries.

Take a look around our site for more information on specific Folding Knives we like. There is also an article I wrote on the Benchmade folding knife here.

- Caddotx

Gerber makes some excellent folding knives. Many of these are used by military personnel as well as law enforcement officers all around the world. These are some of the best selling and most popular folding knives manufactured by Gerber. They also have an excellent survival knife in the fixed blade Gerber LMF II you may want to check out.

The Gerber Gator II gets it’s name from the simulated alligator skin on the handle of the knife. This knife is sold in two different styles, each available in a plain or partially serrated blade. The standard Gerber Gator II is a lock back knife with a drop point style blade.

The Gerber Gator II with the Gut Hook style blade also comes in a lock back design. Both these knives have a strategically placed thumb hole that allows for quick effortless opening of the stainless steel blade.

There is one other configuration in which you can purchase this knife. That is the standard Gerber Gator II with a separate E-Z gut hook knife. this is a great option for the hunter that wants an everyday folder plus the option of using the gut hook when needed.

One more important thing to keep in mind when shopping for Gerber Gator Knives. The Gator has been an excellent seller for Gerber and they have several different styles of this knife. The main difference between the Gator I and the Gator II is the thumb hole for opening the blade. The Gator I doesn’t have it, remember that when you’re ordering your knife because I’ve seen dealers advertising knives with the wrong picture.

Gerber 22-41414 Gator II Drop Point, Fine Edge Knife
KNIFE, GATOR II DROP POINT (2201413)
KNIFE, GATOR II GUT HOOK, FINE
KNIFE, GATOR II GUT HOOK, SERRATED
Gerber 22-41416 Gator II Fine Edge Knife with Gut Hook
Gerber 22-41417 Gator II Serrated Edge Knife with Gut Hook

The Gerber Game Pro is a knife designed by Rick Hinderer of Rick Hinderer Knives. He has designed a couple of knives for Gerber and came up with a different frame lock design, which is a feature on this knife, that he calls the “lockbar stabilizer”.

This is a drop point style knife, which makes it excellent for skinning game. The size of this knife is more suited for smaller game. In a survival situation you would probably be going for smaller game anyway so this is perfect as an all around carry or bug out bag knife. The length is a hair over 7″ but a little over 4″ of that is handle.

The blade is made from High Carbon Steel and the handle is stainless steel with Softgrip inserts. It also has a thumb stud for quick one-handed opening.

Knife, Game Pro Foldig Hunter (2208460) Category: Swat Knives

Another great knife designed by Rick Hinderer. The Gerber Torch II Tanto. This knife comes with a “finger flip” design which means you can open the blade lightning fast. Just push down on the finger flip while you flick the blade open. It’s that easy. The “finger flip” does double duty as a finger guard as well.

The blade is made from 440A stainless steel and the handle is stainless steel with machined G10 inserts. G10 is basically a fiberglass laminate common in knife handles, it is lightweight and very strong. Overall length is 8.1″, the blade is 3.5″ It is a lock back knife using Rick Hinderer’s “Lockbar Stabilizer” design.

The only drawback to this knife would be sharpening it. The Tanto blade has to be sharpened from two different angles and the serrated sections would require special sharpening stones. Keep this in mind before purchasing it.

Gerber Torch II Tanto G-10 Black Serrated Edge Knife

If you like exotic looking Tanto knives then the Kiowa (named after the Kiowa helicopter manufactured by Bell Helicopters) is the knife for you. I really like the look of this knife and I haven’t found many complaints on it’s function. The one thing I did find out about it is that, with use, the paint can come off the handle. Although the blade is anodized it appears that the handle is not.

It has a partially serrated tanto blade and the locking mechanism is a liner lock. It is 7.4″ long and is made of High Carbon Stainless and features one-handed opening.

Gerber 22-41405 Kiowa Tanto, Black – Serrated Edge – Clam ]]> http://72hoursurvival.com/gerber-folding-knife/feed/ 0 http://72hoursurvival.com/ka-bar-mule-folding-knife/ http://72hoursurvival.com/ka-bar-mule-folding-knife/#comments Fri, 06 Mar 2009 02:05:37 +0000 caddotx http://72hoursurvival.com/?p=733

Black and Desert Tan Ka Bar Mule Droppoint Folding Knife

Black Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Plain Edge

Black Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Serrated Edge

Desert Tan Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Plain Edge

Desert Tan Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Serrated Edge

The Ka-Bar Mule folder is a nice heavy duty folding knife.  This knife weighs half a pound and comes in several different colors and two different blade styles.  The drop point style comes in black and desert tan with sheaths to match the color of the knives.  The tanto style blades seem to be the most popular and come in three colors, black, desert tan, and foliage green.  They also come in sheaths to match.

As well as the two different blade styles the Ka-Bar Mule folding knife also comes with a plain blade or a combination plain and serrated blade.  The serrated section is great for cutting rope, paracord, small limbs, or just about anything else you can think of.

One thing I like to remind people about these different types of blades, you have to sharpen them differently and you may also  need special sharpening stones for the serrated sections.  Serrated sections on a knife do tend to stay sharper longer however.  Almost all American tanto blades have to be sharpened as two different edges, meaning that it’s not a fluid motion like a plain bowie or drop point style knife.

Black, Desert Tan, Foliage Green Ka Bar Tanto Folding Knife

Black Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Plain Edge

Black Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Combo Edge

Desert Tan, Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Plain Edge

Desert Tan, Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Combo Edge

Foliage Green, Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Plain Edge

Foliage Green, Ka-Bar Mule, Zytel Handle, Tanto Point, Combo Edge

I have put in many hours of research on all kinds of knives.  I like knives for different reasons, such as: looks, color, blade type, length, versatility and probably one of the most deciding factors in today’s world… price.  You can read about some of my other favorite Combat Survival Knives here. Having said all that, let me tell you about ESEE knives.

ESEE Knives started business as RAT Cutlery (Actually it started at Ontario Knives but I don’t want to get into that convoluted story here.) Suffice it to say, due to problems with Ontario, RAT changed their name to ESEE Knives. I think it’s a shame, it’s so hard to build a brand these days and now they have to essentially go backwards and start rebuilding their name.

Their biggest problem will be with confusion among new potential customers. If you fall into this category don’t let a little confusion stop you, they are still the great company they were before, and I can promise you they (and their loyal followers) will do everything they can to help you out.

I’m not sure how big the company is but I will tell you that their product line is small (but growing!), and sometimes they have problems keeping up with demand.  However, there is almost a fanatical, dare I say, family of followers for these knives.  The owners regularly post on one of the knife related websites and this makes them very accessible.

Are they crazy!?  Don’t they know they are going to be bombarded with questions and critiques of their knives?  Apparently so and they respond to all of them.  Let me give you a couple of examples:

1. One poster said that while he was levering off the lid of a valve box, he broke off the tip of his RC-3.  Jeff Randall, one of the owners, told the poster that he didn’t need to send the knife back, he just needed the mailing address of the poster so he could send a replacement knife.  Also, he asked the poster to put up a picture on the forum of his broken knife. (PUBLICLY!!)  He told him to keep his broken knife as a “beater” knife.

2. Now a story about the “fanatical” nature of these followers of ESEE.  A recent regular poster announced that his bug out bag along with his ESEE knife had been stolen out of his car.  Someone had smashed in the window and taken the bag out of the seat.  Another fellow poster asked for his mailing address so he could send him a replacement bag and another ESEE knife that he no longer used.  WHAT??!!  Someone being human and helping someone else out?  This is almost unheard of today.  However, several posters also asked for his mailing address so they could help him replace the items he had in his bug out bag.  Fanatics… I hope when the zombies come THESE fanatics are all standing next to me.

So, in conclusion, if you are looking for an excellent, dependable, well-made knife then ESEE knives are for you.  Their service is unmatched by any company I’ve seen so far.  They pride themselves on making their knives here in America when MANY other companies are sending their manufacturing overseas, and they also pride themselves on their customer service.

Well done ESEE Knives, your actions truly speak louder than your words.

One thing to keep in mind when ordering any ESEE knife. Often the picture does not match the description. Where I post a link I’ve tried to contact the vendor to be sure the model number is correct even if the picture is not. When in doubt always contact the vendor to be sure you’re getting what you are ordering.

**UPDATE 10/18/09** I finally found a good place to get these knives at great prices. They have some of these already in stock and the ones that aren’t they say usually ships in about a week. Click on the links below to check out these great knives.

RC-3, Linen Micarta, Black Combo Blade

RC-3, Linen Micarta, Black Plain Blade

RC-3, OD Green Handle, Desert Tan Combo Blade

RC-3, OD Green Handle, Desert Tan Plain Blade

RC-3, Orange G-10 Handle, OD Green Combo Blade

RC-3, Orange G-10 Handle, OD Green Plain Blade

RC-4, Linen Micata Handle, Black Plain Blade

RC-4, OD Green Handle, Desert Tan Plain Blade

RC-4, Orange G-10 Handle, OD Green Combo Blade

This link is to an RC-5 that they currently have in stock, you may want to look around at the different options for this knife. It comes with a black or OD blade and with a plain or combo edged blade. Also there is a red warning note that says “Availability limited to stock on hand.” If you miss out on it, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

RC-5 SERE Black Combo Blade and Black Cordura Sheath

RC-6, Micarta Handle, Plain Blade

RC-HEST Removable Micarta Slabbed Handle

Black Izula with Survival Kit

OD Izula with Sheath Only

Pink Izula with Sheath Only

Benchmade 155BK Fixed Presidio Knife

Fixed Presidio, Black Aluminum Handle, Black Blade, Combo (BM155SBK) Category: Miscellaneous Knives

The Fixed Presidio knife from Benchmade is a dream for those of you that love combo edges.  This knife actually has two of them.  One in the normal location near the handle, and the other at the top of the blade near the tip.

The blade length on this knife is 6.20″ and with a handle of 5″ that makes this knife a total of 11.60″ long.  At almost a foot long that should scare the stuffing out of everything in and out of the camp site.

I’m not a fan of the handle, although the grip is nice and the knife fits very well in your hand, the handle is made out of 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum.  That is not particularly a problem in most situations, but if it’s very cold or very hot your knife could injure your hand.  Not a good scenario in a survival situation.  On the other hand, I’ve read reviews that say this is an exceptional combat knife due to its size.

You can also find it with a foliage green handle here:
Presidio, Black Aluminum Handle, Black Blade, Foliage Green