![Gerber Gear Freeman Guide Fixed Blade Knife, Fine Edge, Drop Point [31-000588],Black](https://cdn.statically.io/img/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Q-Li6QjHL._AC_UL165_SR165,165_.jpg)
I bought this knife mainly to carry with me while backpacking and camping and essentially everything outdoors. I luckily received it in the mail just a day before I went on a WIlderness Survival camping trip. It was a great way to give it a test run.
To help anyone with a short attention span, heres a quick pro's and con's after using it this weekend:
Pro:
-Sharp out of the box
-Comfortable
-easy/many ways to cary
-Pretty good at throwing sparks
-Good for battoning
-Awesome that it has a built in sharpener
-Easy to lash to make a spear
Definitely snug in the sheath (could possibly be a con)
Con:
-Some may think it is heavy for its size, wasn't a problem for me.
-Part of the handle near the blade got a little beat up from chopping. Kind of expected since it made contact hard with wood.
-Small area for the hammer and kind of awkward to hold while hammering
-(possible) too snug in the sheath. The knife was intended to be able to jump from a plane with it... Many of us won't do that. But the 2 snaps hold it, and even without the snaps on, it stays in place due to the sheath itself being snug.
My weekend with my new knife put it through a few test exercises. It worked great chopping trees and branches to build my shelter, I was actually surprised at how quickly I managed to cut my way through them. Battoning firewood was easy to do and it glided through. The serrated blade may be a downside to some, but it was beneficial for my experience. I managed to light a few fires using the spine of the knife with my fire striker, it throws sparks nicely although it does help to wear down the black coating a little. Ergonomically the knife feels great, it is weighted nicely and I could see it being a good throwing knife as well.
Carry wise I normally had it in hand most of the weekend, the leg straps did not work as well for me, I was wearing rain pants and it didn't stay on too tight. It would be better to use 1 leg strap along with the belt loop in my opinion. The molle attachments I used on my pack and it worked nicely, I used the same attachment today on my camelback, looked clean.
I added about 20ft of Pcord behind the handle on the sheath, as well as attached a fire striker to the front of it. Picture will be up momentarily.
Also: I compared my knife to my buddy's LMF II ASEK that he has, we saw no difference besides color, he had a belt cutter that he doesn't bother bringing anywhere, the ASEK seemed to be a little bit heavier and his Gerber insignia on the blade looked different (the last 2 might have been because his was a year old though)
Hope this helps yall, comment if you need any more information. This is a great knife and will be with me whenever I am doing anything outside.
| Recommended Uses For Product | Camping, Bushcrafting, Hunting, Survival |
|---|---|
| Brand | GERBER |
| Model Name | G1463 |
| Special Feature | Foldable |
| Age Range (Description) | Adult |
| Included Components | G1463 |
| Handle Material | Wood |
| Color | Coyote Brown |
| Blade Material | High Carbon Stainless Steel |
| Style | Infantry Knife- Coyote Brown |
| Blade Length | 25.4 Centimeters |
| Power Source | AC/DC |
| Product Care Instructions | Hand Wash Only |
| Item Weight | 0.67 Kilograms |
| Blade Shape | Drop Point |
| Blade Edge | Plain/Serrateds |
| Is Cordless? | Yes |
| Package Type | Standard Packaging |
| Item Length | 12.25 Inches |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00013658014633 |
| Manufacturer | Gerber Gear |
| UPC | 611102278350 730707348784 015568820663 013658014633 807320401186 977175693811 971477675001 |
| Part Number | G1463 |
| Item Weight | 1.47 pounds |
| Country of Origin | USA |
| Item model number | 22-01463 |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Material | Other |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Number Of Pieces | 5 |
| Special Features | Foldable |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
