View Full Version : Gerber LHR Review Anyone??
swatsurgeon
04-02-2010, 15:14
It has been several weeks since the Gerber LHR knife has been available to the general public....anyone pick one up do some field work with it and willing to write an opinion/review?
Thought we'd hear more about it....sheath system, knife in general, etc.
I handled one at SHOT that Bill had (Bill, did you bring the knife back to the Gerber booth where it 'disappeared' from?). The knife is virtually locked into the sheath and a fairly fine/maybe gross motor skill must be employed to remove it. The knife itself was 'hefty' with a solid grip that gloves will easily hold onto, 6" blade I believe. Personal bias, the Green beret knife felt better in my hand. But for a less expensive second cousin twice removed (to the other Harsey/Reeve knives), not a bad item at all.
Other opinions.........
ss
x SF med
04-05-2010, 09:08
SS-
I haven't had a chance to beat up on the LHR yet... but the weather has turned and I will be doing much more yard work, trimming and cutting.... We'll see....
I have one of these, but have yet to really take it through its paces. I like the design/feel of the blade in the hand, but the sheath system really limits carrying options. It seems a little too big and the unsheathing (as SwatSurgeon noted) is a bit too fine of a motor skill to be an instant "go to" blade in a very-close-quarters situation, especially if worn in a "drop leg" fashion.
x SF med
04-08-2010, 14:14
I'm not going to comment on the sheathing except to say, the blade won't accidentally drop out.
I've found the blade stays very keen even when beating up on tree limbs, the serrations will part rope nicely.
The handle is nice when held in a fighting grip (forward or reverse) but is abit tiring when used as a 'general' field knife for chopping/ splitting - the handle is designed for the fighting grips, and drops off a little too much and thins a bit too much for my not very large hand at the glass breaking end when used for extended periods. I've discussed this with the H in LHR...
Don't let these commens dissuade you from using the knife - overall it is a great knife - and it was designed as a general figher, not a true field knife. On a cost/quality/usability scale it rates up in the low 90's on a 100 point scale.
I love it and am going to keep testing since the H in LHR has asked me to try to break it.... and what Bill asks me to do to one of his designs, I try to accomodate - I'm not holding my breath on the final outcome.
I need to see how it works as a pry bar...:lifter
The sheathing system looks perfect for a upside down cross draw on the shoulder strap of a backpack/rucksack.
I'm hoping to handle one at OKCA and then make the purchase decision. This site has turned me into a knife junkie and made for some financial discussions with the wifey.
The Reaper
04-09-2010, 07:47
The sheathing system looks perfect for a upside down cross draw on the shoulder strap of a backpack/rucksack.
I'm hoping to handle one at OKCA and then make the purchase decision. This site has turned me into a knife junkie and made for some financial discussions with the wifey.
Why would you want to carry a knife like that?
TR
I was thinking for quick access as opposed to on a belt since a pack waist belt would be in the way. We have an increase in cougars here in the NW and my hiking buddy has seen cougar sign on one of the trails we hike. I guess a drop leg setup would be better? Maybe the LHR would be a bit too big for the shoulder strap or just a bad idea.
I don't have any experience carrying like that, just trying out different ideas. Any input is appreciated. Should just get my CCW and start carrying.
x SF med
04-09-2010, 09:10
I was thinking for quick access as opposed to on a belt since a pack waist belt would be in the way. We have an increase in cougars here in the NW and my hiking buddy has seen cougar sign on one of the trails we hike. I guess a drop leg setup would be better? Maybe the LHR would be a bit too big for the shoulder strap or just a bad idea.
I don't have any experience carrying like that, just trying out different ideas. Any input is appreciated. Should just get my CCW and start carrying.
If you are going to use a knife against cougars as your only line of defense, you have crossed that fine line between hard and stupid IMHO.
If you carried LHR the way you noted above, you would have a few issues due to the sheathing system - and a few bruises, scrapes and dings on your person.
Meet me in the Christiansen or Spartan area, I'll bring my LHR for you to see... and check out the sheathing system. You may want to look at spending a little more money on a different knife - Pacific, GB, Trout, or one of the Spartans - I am negotiating with HH6 for a purchase of the "Golden Blade of Death" (Horkos in flat Dark Earth with the tan Micarta handles) - a true Zombie exterminator.
I like the LHR, but in the hiking situations you're talking about, there are better choices. In Cougar infested areas, a boomstick is better than a sharp pointy.
In Cougar infested areas, a boomstick is better than a sharp pointy.
Agreed. Thank you x SF med and TR for pointing out my error in thinking. Just trying to justify the LHR purchase in my own mind.
Back to lurking now instead of speaking/typing and proving my ignorance. Swatsurgeon, sorry for the thread highjack .
Bill Harsey
04-09-2010, 11:55
A retired friend of the family lives on Vancouver Island and told me about this a while ago: http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/2002/cougar_attack_vancouver.html
Man killed cougar with his pocket knife. Graphic image included.
x SF med
04-09-2010, 21:19
A retired friend of the family lives on Vancouver Island and told me about this a while ago: http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/2002/cougar_attack_vancouver.html
Man killed cougar with his pocket knife. Graphic image included.
This might be the last time I try upsell your product line...;)
Zeke, see if you can find a Lone Wolf/Harsey T-1 or T-2 :munchin nice folders, probably good for cougars... hope you have good insurance. ( Bill, just for you :p)
Has anyone modified an LHR?
I mean besides me? For example : hacking off that palm bruiser of a glass breaker at the back end and erasing the lanyard hole does wonders for its suitability as a fighting knife ... more of the energy from your stroke is transfered to the tip of the blade in a down stroke or thrust...plus it eliminates that nasty kick it usually delivers low in your hand just forward of your wrist.
Anyone else try that?
Streck-Fu
02-13-2012, 14:38
I love it and am going to keep testing since the H in LHR has asked me to try to break it.... and what Bill asks me to do to one of his designs, I try to accomodate - I'm not holding my breath on the final outcome.
I need to see how it works as a pry bar...:lifter
Did you ever get the LHR to break?
I was looking at this knife as a more value focused (cause I'm not that rich) utility knife and have read a few claims that they have been broken.
Not wanting to rely on unfamiliar internet forum claims, I thought I'd revisit this thread to see if the knife is holding up.
Any other users try out the LHR? What is your experience?
Thank you,
x SF med
02-13-2012, 15:54
Did you ever get the LHR to break?
I was looking at this knife as a more value focused (cause I'm not that rich) utility knife and have read a few claims that they have been broken.
Not wanting to rely on unfamiliar internet forum claims, I thought I'd revisit this thread to see if the knife is holding up.
Any other users try out the LHR? What is your experience?
Thank you,
I have not broken it - but have had to sharpen it a few times in the past year... it does nice work on blalckberry canes, small poplars (range clearing), hempocks, cedars.... you get the idea. Really Fine work, well, notsomuch. Batoning kindling, peachy fine cool and groovy; normal camp chores, yeah buddy. It does open crates, boxes, corrugated and waxed materials expediently.
It's my yard work backup to the kukri machete too....
Streck-Fu
02-13-2012, 16:07
I have not broken it - but have had to sharpen it a few times in the past year...
Sounds like it is well worth the price at <$100.
Thank you,
x SF med
02-13-2012, 16:50
Sounds like it is well worth the price at <$100.
Thank you,
Who said I paid $100 for it?:rolleyes: It's definitely worth the price, different sheathing, it would be worth even more IMHO.:D
Streck-Fu
02-13-2012, 17:02
Who said I paid $100 for it?:rolleyes:
No need to show off.....<$100 is what I would be paying...I'm not lucky enough to live close enough or travel to the best knife makers in the world and trade knives for beer.....ya, Basterd.....:boohoo
:D
Darklight
04-01-2012, 03:54
I was unable tu use my LHR a lot for now but this is a hell of a great production knife IMHO. It feels great in hand, great balance, well though sheath system. I hope using it more often this summer.
BTW this is a very special model for me and here are a couple of picture explaining why :
Darklight
04-01-2012, 04:29
More pictures :
Mistwalker
04-01-2012, 10:56
I got one for a friends graduation last year. If I could have afforded it I would have gotten him a Pacific but then I saw the LHR. Being a fan of old Gerbers but hearing some bad things about some newer ones I put it through a few tests before gifting. Being as it was intended as a gift I didn't try to kill it, just test its functionality and its durability some. The closest I had to an actual concern with the knife was the handle side of the guard being a little pointy, I liked the contours of the handle. The 420HC seemed to be heat treated well, and it felt good in the hand.
I did a short review of it on Blade Forums. I'm not sure how many pictures I could attach here or how outside image hosting codes work here. I looked and didn't see any information on not linking to other sites so I'll post a link to the review and the photos here.
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/848194-Gerber-LHR-(-Larsen-Harsey-Reeve-)