The Strongarm is a field knife with tactical design. The Garberg is a woods knife. Both very fine choices. If you want to do bushcraft type tasks in the woods, the Garberg is by far the better choice. If you want a knife that does a little bit of everything, get the Strongarm. Just my 2 cents.
thank you for showing food prep with the garberg! I don't believe i've seen any other reviewer demonstrate it with food because of it's scandi grind. I have a strongarm and plan to keep it in my emergency vehicle kit and use the garberg as my go to for everything
I am with you. However, I have heard many say the Strongarm loses its sharpness at first very easily, but is amazing once you sharpen it. I am still on the original blade of mine, but seeing it cut food makes me want to buy the other for that same reason
@@suprajet I was in the army reserves and am fairly familiar with Gerber's 420hc, which I don't mind too much. I believe it's good at what it does. I would like to try buck's 420hc, which I hear is unmatched by other companies. The garberg is my go to field knife while the strongarm is more of a tough emergency knife I know I can rely on with my life, I don't even use it. I have many others that are more slicey or stainless for salt water fishing and such. The garberg also has a lot of belly at the tip, over the years I have found I like a pointy tip more inline with the center of a knife. Kind of spear tip, like kephart
Thank you for this video. I currently own the Gerber StrongArm and really like it but recently have had my eye on the Garberg. I wanted to see how they compared to each other and this upload was very helpful.
comparing apples and pears. Mora is a woodsman, camping, hikers knife. The Strongarm is more utility, survival, army, bigger, longer, but with thinner hold/grip. The Mora is just a very good knife to have around the camp and can do it all, from woodswork to foodprep, compact but big enough to build that cabin in the woods (togetehr with your axe & saw). If you want to chop down trees take the strongarm or just take an axe does a better job. If you think armageddon is near take the strongarm. If you are out camping for the weekend or on longer trips take the Mora or the Mora Black.
This is hilarious. It’s like watching someone explain how to make biscuits but a knife review. I’ve subbed to this channel and I want all the notifications. Next she’s going to kindly teach us how to catch and skin gators
Ive been wanting a Strongarm or an LMF2, good review. I currently use a highly modified Becker BK7 around camp and out in the field, for more detailed work or cooking slicing i use my Leatherman Surge. I just cant seem to find a more versatile setup. Happiest of times in the New Year.
Thank you, Philip, and happy new year to you as well. Appreciate your insights and happy to see the helpful info about the two knives you are interested in, shared by MrRayMac1963.
@Douglas Pantera sure, added a finger choil, flattened the spine, Mikarta grips, goes into a modified case with a sharpening device, fire steel, lighter, hunk of fat wood, and a Becker Remora.
The LMF is design for people on choppers in combat to be able to break the window and cut wires if they go down it’s not full Tang, the strong arm is full-tang and is better combat and survival knife because of the full tang. The Mora Garberg is A bush craft/survival it has a Scandi blade. The strong arm has a 20 degree flat grind blade both are very good knives, I own both of them. I have two mora garbers knives, the carbon steel mora and stainless steel in Mora. The Mora Kansbol and the Eldris are better for food prep and Carving. You might want to add them to your survival kit to. I have both of them too. Also keep in mind that carbon steel can draw Sparks off of flint rocks if you need to make a fire.
The Gerber will survive a nuclear blast. HOWEVER you want a Scandi grind for bushcrafting wood. Process one piece of kindling into shavings with both and the Mora kicks almost anything else’s butt. They’re both good knives. That Gerber is one of their best
Great vid ! IMO the Mora is more of a bush craft/camp knife, and strongarm a survival/hunting knife. Hard to compare the two knives due to that reason. But also due to that reason, both have their place depending on what your into. Some people try to carry a knife that does everything. I like to have separate gear, and carry a folding saw (silky), strongarm (survival/hunt/hardcore), mora ( bush craft) and a folding edc knife ( Ontario Rat 1 D2) in my kit when I 4WD/camp/tour. Planning on Axe next to complete the kit. Thx again for the comparison, I enjoyed watching.
I have the strongarm and it’s a fantastic knife. I trust the mounting system more than a Velcro one, but that’s just my paranoia because I’ve had Velcro fail after a certain amount of time. I’m more into the tactical appearance of it, but that’s just me.
The Garberg is one of my two favorite woods knives, cleans fish, birds, bigger game, handles wood processing spectacularly, works great for woodcarving once you get to grips with it and can really make a ferro rod sing... The Strong-arm is the knife I wished I'd had in Afghanistan, and no I'm not insulting the SOG Seal Pup I did have, but the Gerber is definitely a better knife in the long run, it pries better than it's meant to, would have absolutely murdered MRE packaging, scraping duties and I don’t doubt it woulda shanked the crap out of somebody had it been asked to do so, great knives, but definitely different mentality in use when designed.
I have both garberg knives . one with the leather sheath and one with the mounting set up .. On the one with the plastic I use both the strap and the belt loop . Strap goes on first then the belt loop then I use a ranger band to hold every thing nice and tight . I like the garberg knives ,I use the stainless steel in the rain and in the winter . I have to admit I don't use them alot . I use my Esee knives more . Thanks for the video . Hope you guys have a great year . Peace .
Happy New Year Terry! Thank you so much for the notes - and especially about how you use both the strap and the belt loop with the Garberg with the ranger band! So very helpful.
Nice ... i have both knives, but my garberg has 14C28N steel and my strongarm has black handles ... both are top knives and i love boht... thanks for the video
The strongarm is actually a stainless steel knife. Not a carbon steel. Although it says 420 High Carbon, it can be misleading. It has a carbon content of about .45% which is actually low. And about 13% chromium. Basically it's not a carbon steel knife nor high carbon in general. It's just high carbon for being a stainless steel. Carbon steel knives rust, but make up for it in being easy to sharpen and stays sharp for longer while also being tough. Great review tho I don't mean to be a Debbie downer lol
@Cherry Bomb thank you so much for this information. I was clearly not clear 😉 on the concept of it being high carbon stainless steel vs plain ole high carbon steel. Thank you for appreciating the review in spite of that. Your demeanor is appreciated.
@@wobblyotteroutdoors I don't have the garberg but I do have the strongarm and the mora bushcraft black. Which one feels lighter in your hands the garberg or the strong arm? Looking into it the garberg's listed weight is 9.6 ounces and the strongarm is 7.2 ounces which doesn't seem right. The mora bushcraft blacks weight is listed at 8.6 ounces while it's actually weighing in at 5.6 ounces in the sheath for example.
420HC is not even high carbon for a stainless steel. At 0.45% carbon, it is really a medium carbon SS, since most knife SS is 0.6% or higher. I prefer SS with 0.8% or higher. But do realize the Strongarm is a military design, which values toughness over hardness. Medium carbon steels can be very tough with the right heat treatment. For example, good axe heads usually use a plain 0.45% carbon steel. Too much carbon would make them too hard, risking chipping. The Strongarm has been brutally tested by the knife community. It is very tough. The Garberg Black uses a a very plain 1% carbon steel that is not over-hardened, but is a bit harder than the Strongarm. It is tuned to carve, split and chop wood, hold an edge and to be unlikely to chip. The Strongarm is tuned to carve wood, dig a hole in the dirt, cut open a can of beans, pry open a crate and dispatch an enemy sentry - it's a beater.
I use the garberg since a few years and I can highly recommend it. But I replaced the mounting stuff by a Kydex sheath that does work top down if I like. A big plus for german users is the blade lenght which goes conform to german law for carrying a knive in public. Carrying the strongarm in public would be illegal here. Nice review thanks 👍
Nice video. The most important point should be first "Have a Knife" and KNOW how to use it and MAINTAIN it. A military surplus bayonet such as the one for the M-16 or M4 will get you through the night. I purchased the Morakniv Garberg Carbon because of it's reputation and blade. This doesn't mean it's the knife above all others, but it's handy enough and I do own several other knifes.
May I? ( please, excuse my English) STRONGARM is the Best knife I ever had (and I have Baja from Tops, few Esee 4 and 6, few KABAR and more very good Knives) . I have 4 STRONGARM Knives, also 4 GERBER PRODIGY (one is tanto) and they are almost industrictible. I LOVE S T R O N G A R M ! ! !
That’s my set up. Except I have the leather sheaf for my Garberg. Exactly how I feel about the Strong arm grip. It feels more secure in my hand but less comforting, the pattern tends to rub on my hand and after a while it feels like I’m going to get friction burns. An interesting thing about the two grips if that they both actually have diamond patterns. To me they are like husband and wife, male and female.
I just have to say that you have an incredible shaped figure 😝 I wish I had a woman like you 😔 please pray that I find a wife because I’m 38 and I’m still single 🙃😊
I have a Strongarm. A really good all-rounder. I have a More Original and a Companion, and the Original is a really good wood carver. The Companion is basically indestructible, much like the Strongarm.
The marketers kind of misrepresent the steel in the Strongarm. It is 420HC, which is a mid-carbon stainless steel. It is not high carbon, except in comparison to plain 420, which is very low carbon. In fact, plain 420 should not be used as a blade steel at all. The Garberg black is in basically 1095, which is a plain high carbon steel at about 1% carbon, no chromium and rusts very easily. The Garberg has a scandi grind, so it carves wood much like wood chisels do. Yes, it comes with a microbevel, but that will sharpen out evenually if you sharpen it to the large flat bevel and then the wood carving will get better. The Strongarm has a v-edge and will have less control on fine wood carving, but will be very durable and flexible for a mixture of uses. It is more or less a small military field knife in design and covers quite a range of uses and is built to survive tremendous abuse. It has a great sheath system.
Thank you for this, Martin. In the comments, many have noted the differences, especially in the metals used. Yours is a very direct and succinct review.
Nice review Chris. You sold me on the Garberg last year. I will stay with it. You and Bill keep up the great videos. They are always very well done. Lot's of attention to detail.
Looking at the way you wore it on the back horizontally, you mentioned skipping your rear belt loop. Like the way I wear my pistol holster, its best to put it through one loop of the sheath, run the belt through your center belt loop, then on through the second sheath belt loop. It eliminates slide, falling off easily, and when you pull the knife, it will keep it in one place.
I might no a knife that would fit you > Look at the esee RB-3 , Look at some videos using it and see what you think ,Its not a chopper but a good all around camp knife . Tc guys
In response to your final question, I think the Ka-bar Mark 1 might be close to the specs you desire. But the grip isn't as fun as the Gerber Strongarm (so it seems lol). If you want, check it out!
@@wobblyotteroutdoors awesome! There is a good comparison on RU-vid between the Mark 1 and the Gerber Strongarm on the "Cedric and Ada Gear and Outdoors" channel
Does it dig into the hand when cutting? Those narrow handles do that. That's why I didn't like the Mora 510. The 511 is fine, as is the Companion's and the Bushcraft Black. The Garberg I have no experience with, yet. The handle of the Strongarm seems be focused at stabbing, like the thin handle of the CRKT Hissatsu. But the Strongarm has a very thick tip, sturdy, but lessens stabbing efficiency.
Hey you’ve done a great review of the garberg and an Awesome comparison with the strong arm. I’m wondering if after a bit of time you have a leader I. The comparison? I’m thinking about getting one and wonder if one is better as an all around survival AND bushcraft or camping knife.
@@wobblyotteroutdoors thank you for such a quick response!!, I’m also eying the mora Kansbol or the Schridee 56lm. Have you. Used either of those knives? If so how do they compare to the mora garberg?
Garberg can 99% hard works almost same as Gerber strongarm, but mora garberg is better in work with wood (deeper cuts) and scandi grind is more easy for sharpening (blade angle).. Garberg has too better steel material.. and flat grind on strongarm can be problem in future, because flat grind needs profesional sharpening after longer time because grind lost geometry and will problems with very low edge retention if you dont realy profesional in sharpening knives.
Thanks to @greekveteran I'm unsure of what kind of steel to get in a knife. Should I get a carbon steel knife or a good stainless? generally use for hiking, camping, fishing and general outdoors. I was looking at the Condor Terrasaur, Garberg and Strongarm.
@Anthony Basile... There is a helpful article comparing carbon steel and stainless steel knives here: www.greenmanbushcraft.co.uk/blog/useful-information/what-s-the-difference-between-carbon-steel-and-stainless-steel.htm The author covers many factors and in very general summary recommends stainless steel for hunting and fishing, and carbon steel for bushcraft use. I hope this helps in your decision. If you have an opportunity to see and hold each knife in person, that will be your greatest guide. Some knives feel better in the hand and that will become the knife you actually use regardless of specs and logic. Looking forward to hearing which one you choose and how you like it.
On both, the metal goes the full length through the handle and is visible at the butt of the knife. Gerber and Morakniv each state that their respective knife is full tang.
Gerber strong arm isn’t carbon steel it’s hc carbon steel. Hardly. Strong arm is my least favorite knife one of the most pain in the ass knives to sharpen I’ve ever owned
Hahaha. Strong opinion (which is fine). Can you tell a bit more on the downsides? Persuade me not to get one. How's the thin handle when cutting wood etc. Is it a stabber handle? But the tip is quite thick it seems.
It is stainless steel yes. And therefor not called carbon steel. The 13% chromium makes it a stainless steel. Stainless steels have carbon in it , and .45% carbon as in 420HC is not high at all. 1055 steel which is carbon has already more carbon in it. 1095 even more etc. Calling it stainless is due to the chromium content.
@@Robin6512 it depends on the length of the knives. I didn't checked all laws but in Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium you cannot use a too long knife
@@eurorpeen yes you can but you have to prove why. on bushcraft I've never had a problem.and yes I got checked in the forrest by the Forrester with a Fallkniven a1 and that was found no problem. it's something else if you enter a disco with that. and yes I do use it in France Belgium and Germany is that is one of the countries I live in.
Yes. Thank you @projekctx. @Cherry Bomb explained this too me in a kind and helpful comment. While it is "high carbon" (420HC) it's high carbon stainless steel. Here is a portion of that comment, in case it may help others too, "The Strongarm is actually a stainless steel knife. Not a carbon steel. Although it says 420 High Carbon, it can be misleading. It has a carbon content of about .45% which is actually low. And about 13% chromium. Basically it's not a carbon steel knife nor high carbon in general. It's just high carbon for being a stainless steel."
Hi @Alex. I appreciate your concern.. The trees in this video are on our property! We love trees and do all we can to take care of them. The juniper was a low limb that needed pruning anyway. The oak was a dead limb. No trees were felled in the video, so I'm not sure why you got so worked up about my, "saw[ing] down live trees.] "In the wild" we only use wood as it is allowed for the locale.
you make the Garberg appear enormous with your tiny hands. It looks and feels like my fingers are going to slide up onto the blade of my Garberg. If I keep my wits about me, maybe wear gloves, I'll be alright. I wouldnt want to have to use the Garberg after a few drinks though. Id feel better if there was more of a hilt to the Mora
Neither is properly sharpened. That means, that you have also changed the angle of the edge bevel. All knives, that come with "v" edges, should be IMO reprofiled or at least, properly sharpened 3--4 times. If not, you will never see, how this knife can perform. Either in terms of cutting and slicing performance, or edge retention and edge stability.
I said that, because both these knives, really suck if you don't do, what I described above. Also, This Mora, is a bushcraft knife, designed to carve wood while the Garberg, is a tactical general use knife, designed mainly for Urban invorement. That means that Garberg is a knife that SWAT members would carry for examble.
@@greekveteran2715 The Strongarm , from what I've seen on video's a fat tip. Not optimised for 'combat'(stabbing through gear). And the handle seems thin, digging into the hand when cutting wood. You are familiar as I am with the Mora Bushcraft Black. How do you rate the Strongarm vs the Bushcraft Black?
@@Ve-suvius Goodmorning my friend! These are 2 very different tools. Mora Bushcraft Black, is a great woodworking bushcraft knife, that excels at making a fire. Gerber Strongarm, is an overbuilt Combat knife, that I would suggest for more urban enviroments, let's say something like Special Police Forces troops, or any kind of unit, that operates near urban enviroments. Both have great heat treatment on the steel, however, Mora Bushcraft Black, has a way better quality built, than the Gerber, that comes with very poorly made grinds on both main and edge bevel, thus it needs a lot of reprofiling, to make it cut properly. Do not be confused with marketing and colours. The Bushcraft Black was made to look "tactical" but it's not such a knife. These 2 knives, are 2 completely diferent purpose tools.
@@greekveteran2715 "the Gerber, that comes with very poorly made grinds on both main and edge bevel, thus it needs a lot of reprofiling, to make it cut properly." It is a strong build knife, but to make it really function well, (cough cough)as a knife, you have to do a lot of work it seems. Wasn't the reason of the thick edge to make it somewhat invulnerable? So that it would be hard to damage when using it for non knife tasks. Which goes at the cost of cutting and stabbing efficiency. Typical knife tasks so to speak.
Thank you, Michael. Perfectly and directly conveyed. 🙂 I much prefer the Garberg. It is a lot more comfortable for me to hold. I like the sheath a lot; it is nicely minimalist. It works better for the types of things I do. After using it for a while, I do think I would prefer the stainless steel blade version of the Garberg. It would be less prone to rust. The StrongArm is clearly a more tactical knife. It's not as good of a fit for me.
