I’m looking for a sturdy fixed-blade knife…for camping, survival-type knife…good for prying, or taking down small trees/splitting wood; or even mount to my IBA (for my next deployment).
After doing some reading from various forums, I looking for a consensus (and reasoning) from folks who have used these two knives…should I get the RAT-5 or Gerber LMF.
Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?
I have a RAT-5 and a RAT-7. As a survival tool the RAT-5 may be the better tool.
The RAT-7 is the better GP knife if you need hacking and chopping done.
I took a look at the LMF but passed. It has too much prybar to be a handy knife IMO. The LMF is a well thought out kit of knife, escape tool and sheath. It is issued to Army aircrews.
The RAT knives are built like classic survival/utility knives, which I like. The scabbard that comes with the RATs are doo-doo. Get a proper rigger’s sheath.
Recommendations for a quality scabbard? Is there one with an internal sharpener?
I have the RAT-4 and the scabbard that comes with it is quite nice. It has multiple attachment options and is thick kydex. Between those 2 I would definitely choose the Rat; but I would take a look at Fallkniven and Bark River, im a fan of both of those for a fixed blade. The Bark Rivers come with a convex grind as well…
I have this one, with the Tek-Lok:
I like it better than the Spec-Ops combat master I’d had previously. The original sheath is trash. I’d rather wrap the blade in toilet paper, than use that thing.
I have both the Lmf and a rat rc-3. Both are great knives, but the price point goes to the lmf. The rat feels better as knife while the lmf feels like a pry bar that has a sharp edge. My rat rc3 is not from Ontario knives and has a very good sheath that came with it. The lmf sheath is very nice also. With all this said I just bought a rat 7. If the gerber is a 8 out of 10 the rat knives are a 9 out of 10. You won’t be dissapointed with either, but I think you’ll like the rat more.
Greeting SIGguy229; and others,
While the two blades you mentioned are probably adequate for most of your intended purposes, the prying task may not me all that well received by either the RAT-5 or the Gerber LMF. As far as cutting tools, and even for light batoning (swood splitting), both will most likely perform well.
If you would be willing to consider a slightly larger tool, may I throw out a suggestion - take a look at Becker Tac Tool, now being made by Ka-Bar: https://www.kabar.com/product/productDetail.do?productNumber=BK3&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical
I got my first Becker Knife & Tool Tac Tool in 2000, and it served as my #1 go-to camping blade for a good 6 years. It will carve, pry, chisel (wood), chop, and take a baton all day long. It is as heavy duty as an edged tool can get.
One of my Tac Tools with a ‘fancy’ baton I fashioned while splitting wood with the Tac Tool:
The Tac Tool is chisel-ground. Some may say this an issue when carving, but I’ve never had a problem. Maybe it’s because the grind tends to favor the right-handed user, or maybe I just haven’t tried to make intricate carvings when camping:
If you prefer to have something a little shorter, and would rather have a more traditional blade shape, consider the Becker Companion. It, too, is a sturdy package! https://www.kabar.com/product/productDetail.do?productNumber=BK2&mode=category&categoryId=1,2,3,7,8,9&categoryName=Military/Tactical
Again, those are mere suggestions. There are lots of knives out there that will fit your needs (except for the prying part). Ultimately, I’ll recommend getting something that you like. Good luck with your search.
Great suggestion on the KBar…I will look at it…thanks for everyone’s help…
What sort of sheath options are there for the Becker?
I think I’ve found my next blade.
Well, custom sheaths provide near infinite possibilities. Looking at the Ka-Bar Becker BK3 tac Tools on ebay, it looks like the factiry Kydex sheath is still the same as when Camillus was making the Becker Knife & Tool line. If that’s the case, the factory sheath is of decent quality. The sheath snaps onto the very front of the grip with moderate tension, and I believe there is a snap keeper strap as well. The factory sheath also has slots and grommetsto facilitate rigging on a pack, vest, or whatever.
As for a sheath with an integrated sharpener, I don’t know. I have an old Buck M9 that has a stoneint he sheath, and I don’t believe I’ve ever used it. What I do is buy a 20" bicycle innertube, cut it in strips, and attach stuff to my sheathes with that. I found a bunch of Lansky Dog bone 4" triangle sharpeners several years ago at $2 a pop, so that is what I have riding on my sheaths. I usually also have a match case or old pill bottle with petroleum jelly cotton balls, and a fire steel of some sort.
Examples of the innertube strips in use. I also leash the sharpener and fire steel to the sheath or knife lanyard, too, just as an extra precaution.
The innertube strips could also serve other purposes in the field, too.