Torn between 2 lovers ! - Ka Bar next generation Tanto / Gerber LMF II infantry

by Anthony Twidale
(Dunnrock, Australia)

As a big game safari guide in Northern Australia for 15 years I had plenty of time to find out what does and doesn't constitute a good knife. I fell for all the gimmicks like everyone else and after the threat of divorce, i flogged-off all of my "wannabe" survival knives and kept the only two that proved any sort of worth to my situation.
I have dedicated skinners and capers for work, but in this case we are talking about survival, and the effective use of knives that may not be designed as dedicated skinners ect, but will do anything asked of it, maybe not to the standard, but are guaranteed not to fail and prove "capable" for any task.
I couldn't pick between these two if i had to have just one though, but in all truth I would consider myself pretty fortunate to have either if ever the SHTF.
The KaBar's 7" Tanto blade has been called upon to perform tasks as varied as skinning and butchering buffalo bulls, handling their 2inch thick hides with ease and just a few wipes of the steal every now and again, to prying out native bee honey from hardwood trees and cutting the jaws out of large wild boars.
The Tanto blade is able to chisel into timber and bust wood apart without fear of ruining the knife point, and the sharper cutting curve of the blade slices leather (for thonging etc) effortlessly. This knife has a custom made leather sheath which also holds a diamond steel and a flint rod.
The gerber does everything just as well in a slightly shorter package,(though slightly heavier) with a better skinning curve, and both knives give a feeling of confidence and purpose.
Note: coupled with these knives i always carry my "Leatherman Charge" multi-tool.
I dont need to detail all of the uses any multi-tool is capable of and regardless of what knife you carry on your hip, it pays to have a quality multi-tool in your pocket.
"And leave all the cheap Chinese junk at home"!!!