Gerber StrongArm
I’ve gone through quite a few knives trying to find the right one for a variety of activities but especially hiking and backpacking. I always carry my Leatherman so I have general utility covered so my knife requirement tends to run more “survival” and immediately available.
My requirements are simple: Reasonably affordable, replaceable handle, full tang, nylon/kydex sheath with positive retention, ability to strap sheath to a variety of locations.
The Gerber StrongArm is an exception to the replaceable handles rule but after watching it pass myriad and extreme abuse tests I gave it a pass. Overall it thoroughly meets the other requirements. The tang isn’t quite as full as other knives in this category but it’s full enough to not break in the wilds.
The sheath is a thing of beauty. Yes it’s MOLLE compatible but I’ve not had a need for that. What I love is the fact that it has multiple snaps on the nylon part of the sheath which means I can mount it to any belt or strap, without said belt or strap having to be removable.
Of late I tend to keep it on the hip-strap adjusters on my backpacks which puts it in arm’s reach but low and out of the way. Since those straps don’t readily come undone having the snaps makes taking it on and off a cinch. Previously I’d have to undo straps which don’t really want to cooperate which meant that I wasn’t moving that knife to a different pack for a different trip. Lastly, it’s ambidextrous so it doesn’t matter how you put the knife away, it’ll positively lock in place without fail.
Which brings me to a side note about “survival”: There’s a glut of tacticool and survival materials out there and most of us don’t really understand what survival means. Most people haven’t had moments where they weren’t sure if they could make it to the vehicle without help, or have had to make the decision to shelter in-place versus continuing or turning back. I’ve had some experiences which begin to approach those examples but even I’d hesitate to say I’ve been in such situations, although I have been close a few times. The key to success isn’t how cool the tool is, it’s having the tool to use when you need it. Better a tiny Mora knife in your pack than a katana in your house.
This tool, and the fire-starting tools I keep on it is light enough to always bring, durable enough that I don’t worry about it, and inexpensive enough that I won’t be fearful of actually breaking it. Because you never know when you’ll need to chop a log or cut an apple.
