Gerber 22-41121 Prodigy Survival Combat Knife |
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Gerber 22-41121 Prodigy Survival Combat Knife
Gerber 22-41121 Prodigy Survival Combat Knife
(as of 04/06/2010 02:11 - more info)
$82.40
$44.49
Listed Under: Outdoors
Sandvick 12C27 Stainless Steel Blade with Black Oxide FinishSerrated Edge Only Full Tang Fixed BladeTextured Soft-Grip Overmolded Ensures a Secure GripWindow Punch/PommelMolle Compatible Hard Sheath w..read more
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GERBER Prodigy, Serrated Edge, Designed cues for the new Prodigy were inspired by the award-winning LMF II, another knife engineered by Gerber's Jeff Freeman. The Prodigy is much smaller (9.75" overall length), but it certainly packs as much punch as its predecessor. The full tang, high-carbon stainless steel blade is beefy, and coated with black oxide for improved corrosion resistance and reduced visual signature. The ergonomic over-molded rubber handles ensures a soft, comfortable, but secure grip in all conditions. It's also MIRS complaint. Much like the knife, the sheath is designed to live up to the task with a friction-release thumb lock for security and a list of non-detection features. Noise is dampened thanks to a molded softgrip coating which, like the ballistic nylon material, is MIRS compliant. It's also MOLLE compatible and comes with a leg strap and two additional attachment straps for added security. Features : - MOLLE compatible - Leg Strap Included - Secure Grip In All Conditions - Full Tang, High-Carbon Stainless Steel Blade Specifications : - Overall Length : 9.75" - Length of Blade : 4.75" - Blade Material : High Carbon Stainless Steel - Sheath Material : Friction-release Thumb Lock - Blade Type : Fine Edge, Mfg No : 22-41121, Manufacturer : Gerber Blades
Solid knife for the average outdoors joe who doesn’t want to spend $200+ for a high end knife. Blade is 3/16″ thick, made out of decent stainless steel. The handle is textured rubber, grippy and secure. The handle material is not very strong and thats the only weakness. Also, I’m not fond of the serrations which take too much space on the edge. There’s little use for the serrations and the only thing you will do with them is maybe cut rope because that’s what they’re designed for. This is why I gave it only 3 stars. If Gerber someday decide to listen to their customers and make this knife without serrations, it will be more useful.
I’ve owned innumerable Gerber blades and tools over the years; I have had the greatest appreciation for the quality and reliability of the Gerber product line. And this knife, for the most part, would be excellent for use as a camping / backpacking knife. But the use of the word ‘combat’ in the description is a bit misleading.
The blade is sturdy,the spine is thick and the serrated portion extends almost half the blade length. Now, MY knife was actually not very sharp out of the box, which was unusual for Gerber. It took about five minutes with a hone to get a decent edge. The thickness of the blade combined with the modest width, creates a blade geometry that is not terribly conducive to ‘razor sharpness’, but this is acceptable for a camping knife. Overall construction is good, the sheath is well made and has a strong, positive grip on the knife. The knife is also a medium weight, hefty enough for chores that don’t quite require a machete or hatchet. But…
the alternate designation of this as a ‘combat’ knife is not at all accurate. As a tool for use in combat theaters or as a last-ditch defensive weapon, the overall weight, blade configuration and size, would be absolutely last resort, and for E & E, SERE or even search and rescue operations, it would be marginally adequate.
I would prefer either the style and feel of the legend – KaBar – or, for slightly less military use, the hefty, razor sharp and almost indestructible SRK by Cold Steel. Both of these blades would be in the same general price area and would be much more well suited to combat-type applications. Still – the little Gerber is well made, reasonably priced and suited for almost any camping or backpacking requirements.
Blade 4.75″ long, 0.188″ thick, full tang, Handle 5″, weight 8 oz. Bowie type blade shape, Flat grind, factory razor sharp, with a generous 2″ of serration.
I wanted something a little lighter and smaller than my Kabar Bull Dozier. This is like a bigger and fixed blade version of the Gerber Auto 06 military. The handle is a snug fit in the hand but that’s the tradeoff for something smaller. Balance is a tad biased to the blade end. I am a big fan of high toughness knife steels. I don’t mind losing a little edge retention but the blade must NOT break or chip when it gets used hard. The sandvik SS used in this blade has a great reputation for high toughness and good edge retention. In the end, that was the reason why I chose this one over others.
The sheath is effective, and quiet deployment. It’s also MOLLE compatible, with countless loops and snaps and velcro dohickeys so you can mount it in every which way imaginable. But it seems a little overkill for a smaller knife and I’m no longer in the service so I don’t need all that stuff, just a belt loop thank you. The sheath ends up being a very complex piece of hardware that weighs almost as much as the knife 6 oz. Hence the 4 stars (5 stars if you are mil).
EDit update: I’ve been using the knife now for a month and I have grown to absolutely love it. Its the perfect size and incredibly rugged. I even use it in the kitchen. I use it a lot more than the LMF. I got a cheap leather sheath from Kabar and its now perfect. Upgraded to 5 stars!
This is a great Knife, but that is to be expected from a company like Gerber. It has great balance and feel. Not overwhelmingly heavy but its got a bit of girth. The blade is thick and rugged and great for bashing and using like a small hatchet. I like the “window breaker” for all things smashing too, although not much for use as a hammer. My one complaint is that the sheath is not very functional. it is large and the blade guard does not detach from the other part. It works well as long as you use the leg strap and put it on your belt, but with out the leg strap it kinda flaps around. All and all the knife works great and the price is right, and personally I like simplicity and ruggedness. Which this knife has.
I bought mine from a gun show and my first impression was “WOW ! I finally found the ‘Perfect’ tactical knife for Me”..It fits my hand Very well / Full Tang / Impact pommel / Well balanced / Great rubber grip thats what i like to call “Reduced Slip” in that its texture neither ‘Smooth and Slippery’ nor ‘Bumpy or Sticky’ feeling / Very nice Mddle-of-the-Road length; the blade measures right about 5 inches at the hilt which allows for a nice short pull from any angle I might end up in but is still long enough to “Encourage Retreat” / A real good price / The handle is flat like fighting knives are supposed to be / Made here in the U.S.; keeping people working.
The sheath leaves a little to be desired though…It only comes with 1 leg strap; this doesn’t bother me though because I wouldn’t use 2 anyway…The tension lip works great but that makes the (2) snap-button straps pretty dumb; 1 is more than enough; , I cut off the top 1 and snaped the bottom 1 into itself and that works great as it gives the handle a slight angle away from the sheath which makes for an easier grab
If you’re considering this knife and don’t have the luxury of doing physical side-by-side comparisons; know that my hand is 7 1/2 inches long from the tip of my middle finger to the bottom of my hand where it meets the wrist, my second knukles from the finger-tip are 3 1/2 inches wide in the ‘Gripped’ position, this leaves about 1/4 inch of space on both sides which is an awesome ft for a fighting knife–BUT–Sheath ‘Made in China’…Shame on you Gerber