SKL DIY Uptown_II: Review: Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade

Review: Gerber StrongArm Fixed Blade

Credit to : Jody King: Motus StrongArm Review
Article taken from http://motusworld.com/

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Gerber has been making survival knives for the US Military since 1968. The StrongArm Fixed Blade knife carries on legacy of tough-as-hell fixed blade knives for combat and survival applications. Featuring a fine edge, full tang 420HC blade with black ceramic coating, the knife was designed around the fundamentals of military survival training. Obtain a solid grip on this knife in all conditions with its diamond texture rubberized handle.

The Gerber StrongArm was designed as a rugged, “tough as hell” fixed blade to be used in a variety of real-world scenarios ranging from combat to survival. One of the first things I noticed about the StrongArm was that it was quite evident that Gerber designed it with durability in mind. The knife features a full tang, 4.8 inch 420HC steel blade. The blade is ceramic coated to protect if from wear and tear without inhibiting performance. The StrongArm can be ordered with either fine edge or partially serrated edge versions, and your choice of Black or Coyote Brown.

ONE SHEATH, MULTIPLE MOUNTING OPTIONS

The StrongArm’s modular sheath system is as important as the knife itself. With the sheath’s snap-together components, the operator can mount the knife vertically on MOLLE, horizontally on a standard 1.75” tactical belt, or in a traditional drop-leg belt mount fashion. The StrongArm Fixed Blade is proudly built in PortlandThe StrongArm’s handle is ergonomic and comfortable. It has a non-slip feel to it thanks to the added rubberized diamond-textured grip. This texture ensures solid control of the knife in just about any condition and whether it is used with or without gloves. After field testing the StrongArm in a variety of situations, I can tell you that the handle always felt confident in the hand. I never worried about the blade slipping or shifting unpredictably, even in wet weather conditions.

One of the features I like most about the Gerber StrongArm is the modular sheath that comes with it. The sheath’s snap-together components allow you to mount the knife vertically on any MOLLE panel, horizontally on a standard 1.75″ tactical belt, or use it in a traditional drop-leg belt mounted fashion. Not only is the sheath completely versatile, but it also has solid retention that is firm, yet still provides a fast and smooth draw. The modular sheath is also equipped with thumb ramps on either side for assistance in retracting the knife if desired. The StrongArm fits into the sheath in either direction, which in turn make this setup quite southpaw friendly.

The StrongArm was put to the test a multitude of times during my review. It proved time and time again to stand up to it’s reputation. The blade retained its edge and durability against logs, sticks, ropes, sheet metal, and stumps. The knife also comes equipped with a striking pommel that is sturdy enough to handle any rescue task at hand, this includes breaking tempered glass. I utilized the pommel to break glass and practiced several times on the body panel of a junkyard vehicle. There was no structural damage or fatigue to the pommel itself.

This full-tang knife is plenty strong to pound through logs and branches to make kindling or cut firewood. After a bunch of chopping, it barely shows wear on the ceramic coating and the edge is still sharp.

If you’re looking for a dependable, multi purpose knife that will hold up to the demands of your adventures while not breaking the bank, I recommend the Gerber StrongArm. With its heavy-duty construction, highly customizable MOLLE sheath, and lifetime warranty,

FEATURES

Fine edge, full-tang 420 HC steel blade
Ceramic blade coating
Rubberized diamond texture grip
Striking pommel
Nylon webbing for drop-leg carry and secondary retention
Detachable belt hoops for horizontal belt carry
Snap-in MOLLE strap
Made in USA
TECH SPECS

Blade steel: 420 HC
Handle material: glass-filled nylon with rubber overmold
Blade length: 4.8” (12.2 cm)
Overall length: 9.8” (24.8 cm)
Knife weight: 7.2 oz (204 g)
Overall weight: 10.9 oz (309 g)